September, 2009 | Pennsylvania Family Law Blog - The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz Archive
Economy Causing Parents to Request Child Support Reductions
It’s no surprise that the current condition of our economy has had drastic financial influences on a variety of aspects of many people’s lives, and, unfortunately, the lives of our children as well. When custodial and noncustodial parents’ employment becomes unstable and in some cases nonexistent, child support payments go unpaid and children suffer the consequences. According to an article, in one man’s situation, he used to have no trouble paying his $433 monthly child support; however after going unemployed and unable to get another job, the man moved in with his parents, who, in addition to offering him a place to stay, are now paying the man’s child support payments as well. This father attempted to receive a court-approved reduction in his child support payments, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
The report reasons that men are being hit harder financially than women are in this tough economy, with the 9.8 percent of men unemployed as opposed to only 7.5 percent of women. In addition, it is typically dads who are caught in the nightmare of not meeting the needs of their child support payments because men often assume the role of the noncustodial parent. Before the economic downturn, many of these noncustodial fathers were able to pay; however, with their incomes decreasing, they are no longer able to make child support payments that were previously based on higher past wages. Read the rest »
Faking an Abduction and Child Endangerment Reason Enough for Husband to File Divorce
The hot topic of discussion lately has been the controversial story of a woman who called 911 in May of 2009, claiming that she and her 9-year-old daughter had been kidnapped by carjackers. After turning up at Walt Disney World in Florida, the woman was charged with a number of criminal offenses, filing a false police report being one of them. It’s not very surprising that this woman’s second husband filed for divorce since the abduction ruse. Although law enforcement officials have declined to provide information on the full scope of the investigation, questions as to what this woman’s motives truly were and why she would rope her young daughter into going along with it are still waiting to be answered. Read the rest »
Shawn Merriman of San Diego Chargers Accused of Physical Domestic Violence
No matter how heated a quarrel can become involving a married couple, partners, or two people just allegedly dating, there is never any excuse for things to become physically violent. On September 6, 2009, outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, Shawn Merriman, was arrested and charged with battery and false imprisonment of reality TV celebrity Tila Tequila. Apparently, the well-known football player is being accused of choking, restraining, and throwing Ms. Tequila to the ground when she was trying to leave his house.
It is being argued in Merriman’s defense that Ms. Tequila had been drinking and, according to his attorney, Merriman “essentially was doing what was appropriate under the circumstances in trying to protect the safety of Miss Tequila. There were numerous eyewitnesses that will support his version of the events that transpired at his home.” Read the rest »
Pennsylvania Child Custody Battle of Father Over Son Continues
For seven years, a 28-year-old father has been doing all he can to get custody of his 7-year-old son, who is currently under the Department of Human Service’s care. However, according to an account, the agency is trying to terminate the father’s parental rights and put the boy up for adoption despite his father’s actions. In April of this year, the man was awarded full custody of his 9-year-old daughter and the current challenge he is facing in getting custody of his son is proving to be highly complex.
The DHS isn’t backing down despite the fact that the 28-year old father has a clean record, a steady job, and a house in West Philadelphia. Despite his stability, the agency stated that the father has failed to attend his bi-weekly visits with his son. In stressing the importance that visitations play in fostering healthy relationships between parent and child, a DHS spokeswoman bluntly stated that “the court is basically looking at the relationship between the parent and the child and that has to start with them seeing each other.” This is information that all parents seeking custody of their children should take note of. Read the rest »
Tracy Morgan and Wife Divorce after 23 Years of Marriage
On Friday, August 7, 2009, comedian and actor Tracy Morgan, 40 filed for divorce from his wife, Sabina, in Bronx Supreme Court. Tracy Morgan and his wife were high school sweethearts and were married for 23 years. However, the couple is suspected of having been separated for about eight years. Said a friend of the former couple’s in an article from the NY Daily News, “Basically they were divorced without the paperwork”. Read the rest »
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