Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

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:

1. Determining a child’s paternity
2. Instituting child support orders through local courts
3. Collecting current monthly child support payments
4. Collecting past-due child support payments
5. Being cost-effective when collecting child support payments

Notably, the state collects $5.68 in child support for every dollar spent in administrative-related expenses. In contrast, the national average is $4.86 for every administrative dollar spent.

Whether you are looking for legal assistance to obtain the child support that you are legally owed, you need support implementing a child support contract between yourself and other party, or you are behind on your child support payments, The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can help. Divorce laws and child support payment calculations can be quite complicated, and our child support lawyers in Chester County have many years of experience handling all types of cases related to these family law issues. Call our law offices today at 610-645-0100 to learn more about the legal options available to you, based upon the specifics of your circumstances. We can help.

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.

In 2007, when the family court first offered an amnesty program, 756 defendants came to resolve issues relating to child support. About $134,000 in back child support was collected by court officials.

To learn whether you are eligible for this program, call 412-350-5600.

During the divorce process, some of the most challenged and difficult issues tend to involve child support. Unfortunately, one parent often ends up not making their child support payments, or a parent may be required to pay child support even though they shouldn’t be. Regardless of what county you reside in, if you are having difficulty with issues relating to child support, you may find it beneficial to consult with a Pennsylvania child support attorney to learn more about the legal options available to you, based upon the specifics of your circumstances.

At The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our lawyers have experience in dealing with the complexities of divorce laws in Pennsylvania. We help families recover the child support to which they are legally entitled, assist couples needing to implement a child support contract, and help parents that have not paid child support in a while. No matter your situation, we understand your problems are special and unique. Call our law offices at 610-645-0100. We will listen.

The dire states of the economy and job market have led to financial hardship for many people. For parents in Ohio who are behind on their child support and unable to make payments, the Licking County Child Support Enforcement Agency is hoping that an array of options will help change that. According to a NewarkAdvocate.com article, the agency is considering arrear waivers for individuals financially unable to pay, community service programs that will help pay down amounts owed for parents who may be unemployed, and forgiveness of a certain portion of the amount of child support due for those individuals who qualify. Reportedly, because amounts owed are already paid to the parent who cares for the child, any waiver or reduction of payment would be taken as a loss by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, with no children being affected whatsoever.

While unemployment and other financial hardships are making it difficult for individuals across the country to make child support, the well being of one’s child should always be taken into account. Appropriate steps should be taken to ensure that at least a portion of an agreed upon amount of child support is paid each month. The law is very strict when it comes to enforcing child support payments in Pennsylvania. Consequently, the punishment for those who fail to make payments can be very severe. In the event that a parent refuses to make an effort to arrange for payment, an enforcement application can be filed with the court, and a variety of penalties may be imposed.

In Pennsylvania, there are legal options available for parents who have fallen behind on payments, yet want to make amends for past due amounts. For more information about child support arrangements in Pennsylvania, please contact the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100. Our experienced Pennsylvania family law attorneys offer free and completely confidential consultations, and are prepared to help you with your situation.

When children are involved, divorce and child support go hand-in-hand. In the majority of cases, divorcing parents know that child support payments will be made; how much those payments will be worth; and how the transaction will take place - whether through wage garnishment or otherwise. However, according to a WAFB.com article, a Baton Rouge man recently discovered that his wages have been garnished for years for a pair of children whom he doesn’t know and who belong to a woman that he never met.

Reportedly, the wage garnishing had always confused the man, but he figured that the reduction being made to his check was regarding taxes or insurance or some other necessary cost. Labeled as “Discretionary Allotment” on his check, the man never questioned the charge while serving 12 years in the United States Navy. However, after taking on a job at Wal-Mart, the man noticed that the reduction reappeared on his check, but this time labeled as “Family Support, Child Support” instead of the description used previously. The Louisiana resident contacted the Division of Child Support Enforcement of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, and the matter is currently being investigated in order to correct the error. Unfortunately, according to the Department of Human Services, mistakes like this do happen every once in a while, particularly when the mother filing the paperwork only knows that father-in-question’s name, and not his social security number.

At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our experienced Pennsylvania child support lawyers offer assistance in all areas of family law, including matters surrounding child support. For more information about how we can assist you, call us today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.

Whether you are currently thinking about filing for divorce and children are involved, or are presently receiving or paying child support in Pennsylvania, you should be aware of the new PA child support guidelines that went into effect on May 12, 2010.

One of the main child support guideline changes relates to the increase of the Basic Monthly Child Support Schedule. According to a Main Line Media News report, the Basic Monthly Child Support Schedule, which is a chart that determines the basic child-support amount based on the parents’ combined monthly net incomes and number of children, has been altered at all income levels.

The revision of the Schedule will pertain to all cases in which the parties’ shared monthly net incomes are less than $30,000. This means that for cases involving parties that have shared monthly net incomes above $30,000, an income-based formula will be utilized to determine child support payment amounts. That being said, high-income child-support cases in Pennsylvania will now be centered almost exclusively on income instead of expenses for a child’s “reasonable needs”.

The new schedule also contains an assumption that the parent paying child support has overnight visits with the child or children at least 30% of the time. If this does not apply to your particular situation, the other parent may request that the court issue a higher child-support amount. Moreover, the new guidelines have raised the “Self-Support Reserve” (minimum income level of the individual disbursing support) from $748 to $867 per month to match the 2008 federal poverty level for one person.

In order to calculate whether these new guidelines will contribute to an increase or decrease in child support payments, specific incomes and family situations must be examined on an individual level.
Most importantly, parents must realize that the new guidelines do not automatically modify child support orders. If you wish to file a Petition to Modify, it is recommended that you consult with a Pennsylvania child support attorney who will systematically examine how the new guidelines will affect your specific situation before you file. If you have any questions regarding the status of your Pennsylvania child support payments, please contact experienced Philadelphia family law attorney, Sheryl R. Rentz, for a free consultation. Call 610-645-0100 today.

Mississippi has recently taken efforts to receive federal funding to help children. Based on a 2.wjtv.com report, Mississippi’s Department of Human Services is hoping that offering free paternity tests will motivate more potential fathers to take responsibility for helping support their children, if that responsibility is in fact theirs to uphold.

According to the report, the state’s main goal is to obtain more child support payments, which will ultimately assist Mississippi federal funding for the new fiscal year. Therefore, the Department of Human Services is providing DNA tests, which can amount to costs between $300 and $500. This initiative may even be something that Mississippi prolongs or that other states adopt to further help parents who can’t afford a paternity test.

Paternity tests are provided to outweigh any doubt when it comes to questioning who the father of a child is, and are especially sought after when child support is in high demand. These tests are usually administered when issues pertaining to child custody and child support arise, and are known to be over 99% accurate in comparing the DNA of a child to a potential father.

The skilled Philadelphia family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz are highly familiar with the complexities surrounding child support and many other family law issues. In our many years of experience assisting parents in receiving the accurate child support they need, we have also helped parents in modifying their child support when such action applies to their particular situation. To learn more about how the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can help you with all of your child support or family law matters, please call 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.

Source article: http://www2.wjtv.com/jtv/news/local/article/dhs_offering_free_paternity_tests/20038/

Philadelphia family court is offering amnesty to the thousands of parents who have bench warrants for outstanding child support payments, according to a kyw1060.com report. The court’s administrative judge announced that beginning November 12 and ending on November 18 at 4pm, parents with outstanding bench warrants are free to come in without worrying about being arrested. Parents should note that they will still have to pay their child support debt.

Based on the article, the judge stated, “We will in fact withdraw your bench warrant and we will register you for a court hearing so that you can come back into the courthouse and meet your obligations.” This is definitely a break that parents owing child support may want to consider, especially since the court is working with Philadelphia fatherhood organizations to help fathers without jobs acquire employment training and find jobs. The opportunity to obtain long-term employment and benefits is a step in the right direction to ensure that parents receive the financial support they need to take care of their children.

Approximately 5,100 individuals have bench warrants against them, and they roughly owe a combined $48 million in child support. After November 18, bench warrants will be enforced once again for parents who are behind on their child support. Parents who would like more information can contact Philadelphia Family Court at 215-686-9300 or through email at philaamnesty@pacses.com.

Falling behind on child support payments has become a bigger problem in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation ever since the economy took a down-turn. Nevertheless, trying to doge paying child support or turning to procrastination instead of finding a solution are not productive courses of action. At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Philadelphia child support lawyers have assisted many parents in receiving child support from the other parent so that children can be properly cared for and given the financial support they need. For a free consultation of your child support or family law case, please call Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100.

Source:http://www.kyw1060.com/Phila–Offers-Reprieve-for-Parents-Behind-in-Child/5661605

Supporting a family takes work, and subsequently, requires money. Parents may find this responsibility daunting when raising even just one child, let alone more than one. Such a task may become even more challenging after a divorce, or when eight children are involved. According to a seattlepi.com story, Kate Gosselin has submitted paperwork asking for child support in addition to temporary spousal support from her estranged husband, Jon Gosselin.

The Gosselin divorce has been at the forefront of family law discussion recently due to its many complexities. For instance, Kate’s lawyers claim that she is unable to pay bills due to John removing money from their joint bank account. Her attorneys stated, “She needs relief in light of the draining of substantial marital assets.” Apparently, Kate submitted petitions for child and spousal support last week at just about the same time she filed an emergency petition requesting to have a Pennsylvania judge order Jon to return the money that he took from the joint account. Reports say that these financial issues are scheduled to be addressed on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

Although most divorces and disputes over child and spousal support are not nearly as publicized as the Gosselin’s situation, their struggles serve as a reminder of how complex family law matters can be. As experienced Philadelphia spousal support attorneys, we understand what a critical time this is for you in obtaining the financial support you need. In deciding how much spousal support a person should receive, courts in Pennsylvania will examine parental responsibilities, property holdings, length of time spent not working, the need for spousal support, age and health factors, standard of living experienced while in the marriage, as well as many other elements.

It is very common for spousal support to change over time when circumstances evolve. This is one of the many reasons why you must stay informed of your legal rights and options when it comes to spousal support, child support, and other family law issues. To learn more about how to ensure that you receive the spousal support you need, call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. today for a free consultation at 610-645-0100.

Source Article: http://www.seattlepi.com/tvguide/411019_tvgif10.html

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.

In the beginning of this year, a survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that 39 percent of the members cited a rise in modifications being made to child support payments. There was also a 42 percent increase in the number of instances where adjustments to alimony payments had to be made.

A family court judge from Texas said that when deciding on child support modification or reduction, she examines whether the parent is actively putting in the effort to get another job, whether he or she is unemployed or underemployed by choice, and whether the parent is able to preserve a job that matches their skills and education. This judge even pointed out that a parent may have assets that can be converted into cash in order to provide their child with what she or he needs to carry on a healthy life.

While judges are empathetic to the affects of our tumultuous economic climate, it is a judge’s job to focus on what is best for a child’s well-being, which is why a judge will put emphasis on what extra efforts a parent is making to help his or her child or children.

If you are currently struggling to pay your child support or if you are trying to get the child support that is owed to you, the skilled Philadelphia child support attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can help guide you through this challenging time. Our lawyers understand that family issues surrounding child support disputes can be quite difficult, and we are here to contribute our knowledge of Pennsylvania family law, which can often be complex and demanding. Call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.

Source report: http://www.wric.com/global/story.asp?s=11002393

Former Major League Baseball star, Troy Neel, has been sentenced to five years of probation for failing to pay more than $700,000 in child support – the worst deadbeat record in Texas history. According to this Associated Press news report, a federal judge in San Antonio, Texas, sentenced the former Oakland Athletics first baseman, who could have received a maximum penalty of two years in prison. The judge spared him the prison sentence only because he would not have been able to pay child support while incarcerated. Neel was ordered to pay $779,000 in restitution. The 43-year-old Neel apparently lived in a South Pacific island resort when the $5,000 monthly payments for his two children went unpaid.

Child support payments have their purpose, but more importantly they are a significant part of a divorce agreement where one parent promises to pay the other monthly to support their children. Failure to pay child support in Pennsylvania can result in serious consequences including jail or prison time, suspension of passport or driver’s licenses, freezing of bank accounts and assets, as well as garnishing paychecks.

Skilled and aggressive representation from an experienced Pennsylvania child support attorney is a must if you are in a tough situation – whether it is paying up the money or as a parent trying to collect the child support you are due. Please call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. We will ensure that your legal rights are protected and that your situation is promptly and satisfactorily resolved.