August, 2011 | Pennsylvania Family Law Blog - The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz Archive

Pennsylvania Leads the Nation in Child Support Collections

By Sheryl Rentz on August 29, 2011

According to a press release from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Pennsylvania ranks first in the United States regarding the percentage of child support collected. August is nationally designated as Child Support Enforcement Awareness Month, making this news all the more relevant.

Secretary Gary Alexander stated, “Pennsylvania is clearly out in front, making sure parents fulfill their financial obligations to their children. When parents are held accountable, it helps make certain children can thrive and develop to their fullest potential.”

Pennsylvania is the only state in the U.S. that meets or exceeds all five standards set by the federal government in determining how effective each state’s child support enforcement program is. Those five standards are the following: Read the rest »

Allegheny County Offers Amnesty to Parents Owing Back Child Support

By Sheryl Rentz on August 24, 2011

PittsburghLive.com reports that Allegheny County is offering parents owing back child support that have warrants out for their arrest a chance at amnesty. It is the second time in four years that the county has taken such action.

According to the article, parents that have active bench warrants relating to child support cases will be able to appear in court to address the problem without being afraid they could be arrested or incarcerated. “We’re just trying to collect child support. We really don’t have an interest in putting people in jail. We want to get people on the right track,” said the deputy court administrator for the adult section of family division. Approximately 1,900 letters were sent to the last known addresses of parents that owe child support notifying them of the program. For the past four months, deputies from the sheriff’s department have also been leaving blue cards at the last known addresses of people owing back child support. The sheriff has said people have been coming forward to resolve their problems. Read the rest »

Guatemala Judge Orders U.S. Couple to Return Adopted Girl

By Sheryl Rentz on August 11, 2011

A judge in Guatemala recently ordered a couple in America to return their adopted daughter back to her birth mother, reports CNN. According to the article, Survivors Foundation, a rights organization based in Guatemala City, supports the girls’ mother. In 2006, the group alleges the girl was kidnapped, then adopted and taken to the U.S. For many years, the girl’s parents have fought to get her back. Read the rest »

Supermodel Sues Salma Hayek’s Husband for $46,000 a Month in Child Support

By Sheryl Rentz on August 3, 2011

Supermodel Linda Evangelista recently revealed that billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault is the father of her 4-year-old son. Pinault is currently married to actress Salma Hayek, with whom he has a 3-year-old daughter. Evangelista alleges her son was conceived in 2006 during the married couple’s brief separation.

Now, Evangelista is suing Pinault for approximately $46,000 per month in child support, according to The International Business Times. The sum is estimated to be the largest support order in the Manhattan family court’s history. Pinault is believed to be worth over $11 billion. Read the rest »