Category Archives: Family Law
Study: Divorce Associated with COVID Morbidity
A recent study published by the International Journal of General Medicine discussed some of the risk factors concerning COVID-19 mortality and various other factors such as race, income, population density, and marriage. The study did not reach a conclusion concerning causation, but COVID-19 mortality was worse for those who were divorced than it was… Read More »
When Can You Modify a Custody Agreement That’s Already Put into Place?
One of the most common questions that parents ask of their divorce lawyers is: “Can we change the child custody agreement?” The short answer to this question is “yes,” custody agreements are not necessarily permanent. But courts don’t want to be bombarded with petitions either, so they put a high bar on the standard…. Read More »
Understanding Equitable Distribution in Pennsylvania Family Law Cases
Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state. While the courts will generally divide the marital estate 50/50, they sometimes favor one spouse by allotting them more of the marital estate than the other. There are several statutory factors that guide judges on equitable distribution. Suffice it to say, if one spouse would be left in… Read More »
Gruber v. Gruber: Understanding Pennsylvania’s Relocation Law
When divorced parents share custody of their children, there are very few issues that cause as much tension as one parent’s desire to relocate with their minor child. Whether the move is for a new job or a new relationship, relocation cases force the courts to balance the parents’ freedom to move against the… Read More »
Alimony Awards in Pennsylvania Divorce Cases
What is the purpose of alimony? Generally speaking, the courts award alimony to one spouse when they cannot support themselves with their own finances. This buys the spouse time to become financially viable on their own. It is not, for example, to be used as punishment for marital misconduct or to “repay” the spouse… Read More »
Simeone v. Simeone: How Pennsylvania Courts View Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement can offer clarity and protection for both spouses. On the other hand, it can also spark fierce disputes when the marriage ends. In Pennsylvania, the landmark case of Simeone v. Simeone defined how courts evaluate these agreements. The case remains the foundation for modern Pennsylvania family law on prenuptial agreements. Background… Read More »
Pennsylvania Court Weighs in on Child Custody Case
Few issues that are resolved in divorce are more emotional than custody concerns. Parents love their children and want to spend time with them. In some cases, this pits them against one another in court. Such was the case with M.J.M. v. M.L.G. In this article, the Philadelphia child custody lawyers at the Law… Read More »
B.L. v. L.S.: How Pennsylvania Courts Handle Contested Custody Agreements
Custody disputes can be extremely challenging for all parties involved. Parents almost always believe that they’re acting in their child’s best interests, but have very different definitions about what that entails. The Pennsylvania courts need to balance these situations carefully by applying the “best interests of the child” standard in custody cases while respecting… Read More »
Long v. Long: Clarifying What Counts as Alimony in Pennsylvania
When a marriage ends, financial arrangements between former spouses can take on many forms. Each form serves a different legal purpose. Confusing one for another can have costly consequences. The Pennsylvania Superior Court’s decision in Long v. Long provides important guidance on how courts determine whether post-divorce payments actually qualify as “alimony” under Pennsylvania… Read More »
What is the “Date of Separation” and How Does it Influence Marital Property Decisions After Divorce?
The date of separation is a crucial concept when it comes to Pennsylvania divorces. It has significant implications for how property is divided during your divorce. It acts as a dividing line that distinguishes property that is subject to equitable distribution from separate property that is owned solely by one spouse. In this article,… Read More »