Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can You Modify a Divorce Settlement Because of Inflation or Rising Living Costs?
Inflation has impacted every part of our daily lives. Houses, food, utilities, and travel expenses have all increased substantially over the past few years. As expenses keep rising, many divorcing people may ask themselves whether they can return to court to modify their settlement agreement regarding finances. Whether it is possible or not depends… Read More »
How Long Does a Protection from Abuse Order Actually Protect You in Pennsylvania?
If you have recently filed for, or are considering filing for, a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order in Pennsylvania, one of the first questions you may ask is how long that protection will actually last. It is a fair question. A PFA is meant to create safety and distance, so knowing the timeline matters… Read More »
When a New Relationship Changes the Alimony Conversation: Cohabitation in Pennsylvania
If you are receiving or paying alimony in Pennsylvania, a new live-in relationship can raise a lot of questions. Does moving in with a new partner end alimony automatically? Does it matter how long the relationship has lasted? These questions come up often, and the answers depend on the specific facts of each case…. Read More »
Preparing for Your First Child Custody Evaluation: What Parents Should Expect
In a contested custody case, the judge can order a child custody evaluation. For most parents, it can be intimidating since they do not know what to expect from the evaluator. Parents should note that the evaluation is not meant to decide which parent is better. The object of the child custody evaluation is… Read More »
Who Gets to Keep the House? Untangling the Family Home in a Philadelphia Divorce
For many couples going through a divorce, the family home is more than an asset on a balance sheet. It is where birthdays happened, where the kids learned to ride a bike in the driveway, and where a marriage was built year by year. So when a divorce begins, one of the first questions… Read More »
Court Rules on Case Involving Disputed Paternity
Paternity issues have serious legal and financial ramifications. Where there is a dispute over the biological parentage of a child, the court must weigh the interests of the child, the parents, and the justice system, all while ensuring the truth is revealed in a fair manner. In this article, the Philadelphia family law attorneys… Read More »
Contested Paternity and Evidence in Pennsylvania
One of the most sensitive issues in family law is paternity disputes. This is due to the fact that, in most cases, the identification of the biological father can have serious implications on the financial, parental, and overall well-being of the child. However, the court has the task of balancing the evidence at hand… Read More »
International Relocation and Custody Rights: How the Pennsylvania Courts Handle Petitions for Relocating with a Minor Child
Child custody cases become more complex when one parent wants to relocate with the child. The court weighs the reasons for the move against the importance of maintaining the relationship with the other parent. International relocation makes cases even more complex. In this article, the Philadelphia, PA, child custody lawyers at the Law Office… Read More »
Custody Determination Reviewed by Pennsylvania Superior Court
Custody battles frequently culminate in appeals by a parent who feels that the trial court failed to consider the evidence or law properly. In one Pennsylvania family law case, the court granted the father primary custody of the child. The mother appealed the decision. This case exemplifies the wide discretion trial courts enjoy when… Read More »
Philadelphia Court Rules on Contested Child Support Case
In child support cases, the parents have a biological connection to the child and a legal duty to support the child. The rise of reproductive technologies and informal arrangements has made the traditional concept of parenthood ambiguous. In this article, the Philadelphia divorce lawyers at the Law Office of Lauren H. Kane will discuss… Read More »