Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

The state of Illinois has reportedly collected a record amount of child support for the fifth consecutive year, according to this news report. The department has apparently collected a record $1.38 billion for custodial parents of Illinois children during fiscal year 2009, slightly higher than last year. The department is also working to deny hunting and fishing license permits for parents who fail to pay child support. They are also working to suspend these parents’ driver’s licenses.

Pennsylvania too has very strict laws in place that make penalties for parents who fail to pay child support very severe. Any amount owed in back payments are known as “arrearages” and a parent who does not pay them can face penalties including jail time, driving license and passport suspension, bank account seizure, reporting of failure to pay to credit agencies, seizures of assets, garnishing paychecks and so on. If you need advice on how to collect child support that is owed to you or pay up child support that you owe, please consult with an experienced Pennsylvania child support attorney for legal advice and counsel.

The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz has years of experience dealing with complicated divorce laws, child custody and child support issues. Our attorneys can help you recover the child support you are legally entitled to, help draft a child support contract or help parents who have not paid child support in some time make that payment without facing penalties. Call us today for a free consultation.

Pennsylvania State Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow’s ex-wife wants a share of all the additional money he has been earning as a director on the Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania board and others since their divorce, according to this news report. Diane Mellow made the demand in a court petition asking to increase her alimony in Pennsylvania. Robert and Diane Mellow were married in August 1966 and were divorced in November 2006.

According to their divorce agreement, Mellow agreed to pay his ex-wife a monthly alimony of $2,600 with $150 a month increases on each anniversary of when the alimony payments began. However, Diane Mellow now contends that things have changed now because the senator has been earning a lot more because of his involvement with various boards. At question is whether the divorce agreement can be modified. Robert Mellow’s attorney says that cannot be done because his ex-wife signed the settlement knowing that its terms would be final. Diane Mellow’s attorney says that state law allows for an adjustment in alimony if the circumstances of either person changes substantially for an extended period.

When it comes to divorce and alimony, there are many issues that can affect your life in the long term. If you are going through a divorce, you know that alimony, property distribution, child custody and child support are significant matters. You need a skilled Pennsylvania divorce attorney to make sure you get a fair settlement whether you are the one paying the alimony or receiving it. Whatever your situation, please call the Law Office of Sheryl R. Rentz for a free consultation. Our experienced and skilled family law attorneys will work hard to make sure your case has a positive outcome.

According to a recent report, Andre Iguodala, Sixers basketball star, is facing a child support lawsuit by Clayanna Warthen, of South New Jersey. The female child, London, was born this year in May and Warthen is seeking temporary support of $12,000 to $15,000 a month. Often, those involved in child support disputes would prefer for matters regarding which parent pays, how much should be paid, for how long, and by what means, to all be settled out of court if possible. However, elements of child support can get complicated fast and in this case, litigation has proved necessary.

As reported by his attorney, Iguodala feels “blessed to have a healthy new daughter” and he will give her “all of the support and love she needs for a happy and full life.”

During her pregnancy, Iguodala provided Warthen with $3,000 to $4,000 multiple times to help support her and their child; however, Warthen expects higher sums to help her provide for London. In the suit, Warthen is asking the court to have Iguodala reveal his finances in which he signed a contract worth an alleged $80 million. She is also demanding that her daughter receive the “same opportunities and benefits any child born of the defendant.” Iguodala also has a son born in 2007.

No matter which state a child support dispute takes place in, the same obstacle to reach a compromised decision in the best interest of the child exists, although the law dictates how this is to be done in different ways. Even though this child support lawsuit is taking place in New Jersey, if it were taking place in Pennsylvania, the amount of child support awarded by the court would be established in accordance with the Pennsylvania Support guideline, which was developed for children of separated or divorced parents to attain the same amount of parental incomes as if the parents were together. (Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 1910.16.)

Whether you think you aren’t receiving enough child support or are paying too much, the experienced Philadelphia child support lawyer, Sheryl R. Rentz, is available to help you with your case. To ensure the well-being of your child and the defense of your rights, call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz for a free consultation today.

Officials in Montgomery County are cracking down on parents – deadbeat dads and moms – who owe back Pennsylvania child support payments, according to this news report. If parents don’t pay their child support arrearages by the deadline, Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies will actively go after parents who owe the money, officials say. The Sheriff’s Department says it could get ugly. Deputies won’t just contact the parents, but also their employers and basically “do whatever it takes to these people that owe child support to get them to pay it and stand up to their responsibilities.”

In Pennsylvania, failure to comply with a child support order is punishable by up to six months in jail. Those living outside of Pennsylvania who owe money can expect to be contacted by federal agents. There is about $9 million in outstanding child support payments just in Montgomery County, officials say.

If you are a parent in Pennsylvania who wants to pay these child support dues after not making them for a while or if you are a parent who would like to collect what is owed to you, please consult an experienced Pennsylvania child support attorney for free advice. If you owe child support arrearages, you could face several serious consequences including jail time, driving license and passport suspension, bank account seizure, seizure of certain incomes and assets in addition to the embarrassment of it all.

The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz has handled child support cases in Pennsylvania for years. We offer free and confidential consultation on any potential case regarding child support, child custody or divorce issues. Call us today to find out more about your legal rights and options.

A Pennsylvania group is lobbying for a change in state law saying courts should choose joint physical custody of children by both parents as the first option during a divorce proceeding. According to an article in the Patriot News, the Pennsylvania Families Association is supporting House Bill 463, which would require judges to first consider joint custody unless there is evidence that one of the parents is not suitable to have custody of the child or it is not in the child’s best interest to do so.

According to this new law, parents would have to submit a “parenting plan” to the court with mediation provided if needed. However, the Pennsylvania Coalition against Domestic Violence states this law would place emphasis on parents’ desires rather than the best interest of the children. Under current Pennsylvania law, the guiding principle for judges is to consider what is in the best interest of the child during a PA child custody dispute.

Joint custody can sometimes be the ideal situation, but in many cases, it is not the best solution. This is especially true in cases where one parent has a job and is stable while the other is not. Whatever your situation, when you are negotiating something as crucial and sensitive as child custody during a divorce proceeding, you need the advice and guidance of an experienced and knowledgeable Pennsylvania child custody lawyer, who knows the ins and outs of the law and can work the situation to your advantage.

Skilled Philadelphia child custody attorney, Sheryl R. Rentz, has years of experience and can handle almost any child custody issue throughout Pennsylvania. You would be well-advised to move forward in making your legal claim in family court after learning about your specific rights and the complex laws surrounding child custody in Pennsylvania. For more information, contact the law offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today.