Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Recent Study Discusses the Incomes of the Newly Divorced: Do They Earn Less Money?
A recent study published by the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank indicates that married men tend to earn more money than single men and other workers. The study sought out to gauge the impact of divorce on an individual’s labor income. According to the study, although the divorce rate is decreasing over time, there… Read More »
Why Are Women More Likely to Ask for a Divorce Than Men?
In a presentation conducted by the American Sociological Association, researchers reported that women were (by far) more likely to ask for a divorce than their husbands. Non-marital breakups, on the other hand, tended to be more gender-neutral. The results of this finding came from a survey called “How Couples Meet and Stay Together.” The… Read More »
Divorce Rates Continue to Trend Downward Unless You’re Over 50
If you’ve been following divorce trends lately, then you know that divorce rates have steadily decreased since the 1990s. This trend is perhaps precipitated by a decrease in the overall rate of marriage among younger people. Indeed, couples are marrying older than they ever have before and with less frequency. But these statistics don’t… Read More »
What Should I Include in a Prenuptial Agreement?
While prenuptial agreements have a bad rap, it’s important to understand that there already is a prenuptial agreement in place. Pennsylvania’s laws concerning divorce determine how marital assets are divided, how alimony is calculated, and on what basis judges make decisions during a divorce. While drafting a prenuptial agreement can feel a bit like… Read More »
Do I Need a Prenuptial Agreement in Philadelphia?
With around half of all marriages ending in divorce, prenuptial agreements are becoming more popular across the United States. Today, married couples are preparing for their weddings by protecting their interests should their marriage fail. While it may seem a bit like “preparing for a divorce,” the alternative is that you allow the state’s… Read More »
Can I Be Forced to Pay Permanent Alimony in Pennsylvania?
A divorcing couple must resolve numerous matters before their divorce is finalized. These include issues such as the distribution of assets, child custody, child support, and, yes, alimony. Unlike child support, alimony or spousal maintenance are payments made from one spouse to another to support that spouse during and after the divorce. If one… Read More »
Study Reveals the Most Often-Cited Reasons Behind U.S. Divorces
While every state in the country allows for no-fault divorces, that doesn’t mean that the couple wasn’t in conflict when they chose to divorce. It just means that neither party blames the other for the breakdown of the marriage in court. Nonetheless, according to a Forbes Advisor Survey, couples cited the most commonly reported… Read More »
Understanding Uncontested Divorces in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, an uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree to the essential elements of a divorce. It is also called a mutual consent divorce or a “no fault” divorce. In this situation, both spouses agree to part and dissolve their marriage and fill out the necessary paperwork. An uncontested divorce can significantly shorten… Read More »
Does a Child’s Preference Matter in a Pennsylvania Custody Dispute?
Child custody disputes are among the most contentious issues in a divorce. You may be wondering whether or not your child’s preference matters to the court when it comes to deciding who they will live with. The answer is that it depends. In Pennsylvania, child custody is determined based on 16 discrete factors that… Read More »
Can the Courts Block My Relocation if I Have a Child Custody Order in Place?
For parents who have a child custody order in place, moving is not as simple as just packing up and going somewhere else. Parents need to be aware of Pennsylvania law regarding relocation with a custody order in place. This is true whether you are moving to a new state or a county over…. Read More »