April, 2012 | Pennsylvania Family Law Blog - The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz Archive

Frozen Pre-Embryos Awarded to Wife in Pennsylvania Court Case

By Sheryl Rentz on April 27, 2012

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania recently awarded frozen pre-embryos, created from the former husband’s sperm and the wife’s eggs, to the woman in a very interesting legal case. In order for the woman in this case to preserve her ability to have a child after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she was advised to undergo IVF (in vitro fertilization). Following the fertilization, the pre-embryos were then cryopreserved. The husband and wife later separated, and the husband then biologically conceived a child with another woman. Read the rest »

Pennsylvania Family Law: Paternity by Estoppel

By Sheryl Rentz on April 18, 2012

In a recent ruling in a family law case, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania deemed that paternity in Pennsylvania by estoppel will continue in the state. Paternity by estoppel acts to impose an obligation on the party who holds himself out as the father of a child and continues to provide support for the child as well. The mother in this particular case acknowledged that she had an extramarital affair with the alleged father during the course of her marriage to her husband. Testing did establish that her husband was not the biological father of the child.

The alleged father asserted paternity by estoppel to defeat the child support claim and argued that the husband had established the father relationship with the child, adding that his involvement in the child’s life had been insignificant. Also, the mother and her husband remained married even though they were separated. Read the rest »

Practical Solutions to 3 Financial Fights Couples Have

By Sheryl Rentz on April 11, 2012

Marriage is certainly difficult, and a number of things may put a strain on an otherwise happy twosome. Newlywed or not, one of the most common things for a pair to fight about is finances, which is also one of the primary reasons a couple may get a divorce. In recognition of this unfortunate fact, Creditcards.com offers their assistance by providing solutions to several financial problems couples frequently fight about. After interviewing relationship and financial experts, here is the information that can help you avoid a future money-related spat with your partner: Read the rest »

Dennis Rodman Back in Court, Allegedly Owes More Than $800,000 in Child Support

By Sheryl Rentz on April 4, 2012

Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman is again in legal trouble for purportedly owing his ex-wife $860,000 in child and spousal support, according to a report by the Associated Press. The 50-year-old was found in contempt of court in November for failure to pay child support for his two children, and he appeared in an Orange County court recently for sentencing but the hearing was postponed until May 29. The former NBA star may face up to 20 days in jail unless he pays the amount that his ex-wife contends he owes.

Rodman’s attorney asserts that her client owes far less than $860,000 and will provide evidence of his payments to the family court judge. She also aims to have his contempt of court finding overturned. His attorney also claims Rodman is “broke” and is barely able to keep up with his living expenses, let alone the $5,000 in child support he pays for a son from another relationship and the $4,500 a month in spousal and child support he is supposed to pay to his ex-wife in this case. Read the rest »