Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What is Kayden’s Law and How Does It Apply to Custody Cases?
Kayden’s Law, which is also known as Bill 55, is a Pennsylvania law that was drafted after the tragic death of Kayden Mancuso who was killed by her biological father. It represents a significant advancement when it comes to ensuring children’s safety within the Pennsylvania family courts. The legislation aims to reduce the risks… Read More »
Cruel and Barbarous Treatment: Grounds for Divorce in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania allows you to file both no-fault and fault-based divorces. Fault-based divorces require the petitioner to prove that their former spouse caused the breakdown of the marriage. One of the grounds that Pennsylvania allows is “cruel and barbarous treatment.” But what does that actually mean in practice? In this article, the Philadelphia divorce lawyers… Read More »
Adultery as Grounds for a Divorce in Pennsylvania
The State of Pennsylvania allows both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce. This means you can (if you so desire) blame the other spouse for the breakdown of the marriage. As the one filing the divorce, you would have to prove specific fault-based grounds. One of the grounds you can prove in Pennsylvania is… Read More »
Willful and Malicious Desertion as Grounds for Divorce in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of a number of states that allows divorcing couples to file for divorce on fault-based grounds. Some states only allow no-fault grounds for divorce while others have a very short list of fault-based grounds. Pennsylvania has a long list of fault-based grounds and allows divorcing couples to accuse one another of… Read More »
Uncontested Divorce and Mediation: What are the Benefits?
We’re used to seeing divorce portrayed on television and in movies as a high-conflict affair. That might work in drama, but it doesn’t necessarily work in real life. There is more than one way to end a marriage. One of those ways makes for bad television but is great for your peace of mind,… Read More »
Prenups versus Postnups: Which One is Right For Me?
Most couples don’t envision their marriage ending when they tie the knot. They take “till death do us part” seriously. At the beginning of the marriage, they would never consider getting a prenuptial agreement to determine what happens to assets if the marriage should end. They’re in the honeymoon phase when everything seems perfect…. Read More »
How Are Businesses Appraised During a Divorce?
Pennsylvania is considered an equitable distribution state. That means that assets are divided fairly—not necessarily evenly. All assets that are considered a part of the marital estate are divided between the parties to a divorce. In order to do this fairly, assets, including businesses, must be appraised. The process of valuating a business is… Read More »
Study: Rates of “Gray Divorce” Have Tripled Since 1990
Divorce among those aged 65 and over has tripled since 1990, according to a recent study. In 1990, the rate of divorce among seniors was only 5%. Today, that number has ballooned to 15%, according to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University. Two factors that have led… Read More »
Is a 50/50 Custody Arrangement Right for My Family?
50/50 custody arrangements are those in which the children split time between the parents evenly. This arrangement is also known as shared physical custody. Physical custody describes where a child resides. When the child resides an equal or almost equal amount of time with both parents, we say the arrangement is a 50/50 custody… Read More »
If I’m the Victim of Domestic Violence, What Evidence Do I Need to Get a PFA?
If you are the victim of domestic violence, the State of Pennsylvania allows you to petition the court for a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order. However, you must provide proof to the court that domestic violence is occurring. You can establish that you are the victim of physical or sexual violence or the recipient… Read More »