Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

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

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.

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.

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 Philadelphia man, who was forced to pay child support for another man’s daughter and went to jail for falling behind on those payments, is suing two Pennsylvania counties alleging that officials changed his personal identifying information to make him appear to be the child’s father. According to this Associated Press news report, Walter Andre Sharpe Jr. names Dauphin and Montgomery counties in the federal lawsuit filed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Sharpe is seeking unspecified damages. He apparently spent more than a year in jail in Dauphin County where the girl’s mother lived. Sharpe has also been denied reimbursement for the $12,000 he has paid so far in child support – for a child that apparently wasn’t his own.

This is no doubt a shocking story. It’s hard enough in these tough economic times to make Pennsylvania child support payments to support your own children, but to be forced to pay money to a child who is not your own is simply appalling. The DA apparently decided against filing criminal charges against county officials after an investigation. It seems terribly unjust to Sharpe who was not even given his money back.

Such situations can be extremely tough because skipping child support payments is an extremely serious issue, as it should be. There are many Pennsylvania deadbeat dads who fall back on or don’t pay child support. While those dads should be held accountable, what happened in this case is unreasonable and wrong.

If you are involved in a child support case in Pennsylvania – whether you want to make your payments or have payments made by the parent of your child- please call the Law Office of Sheryl R. Rentz to find out how we can help you with your particular situation. Call experienced Philadelphia child support lawyer Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation. We will remain on your side and fight to protect your legal rights.

Beaver County’s domestic relations division is apparently charging those receiving alimony payments a new $120 annual handling fee citing poor economic conditions as an excuse. According to this news article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the fee covers those receiving spousal support but not child support payments through the county. The fee went into effect after an order was signed by Beaver County President Judge John McBride in April. The new order was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, a gazette of statewide rules and proposals, the report said. County officials told the newspaper that that they did not want to tap into the pool of those receiving child support payments because it would affect children.

Alimony, maintenance or spousal support is an obligation established by divorce law that is based on the premise that both spouses have an absolute obligation to support each other during the marriage unless they are legally separated. In some cases, this obligation may continue after the separation or divorce. There are many different types of alimony in Pennsylvania, which would depend on the circumstances of the divorce, the length of the marriage and the duration of the spousal support. Alimony is often a hotly contested issue in divorce cases.

The outcome of your divorce case could alter your financial situation for the long term, possibly for the rest of your life. If you are going through a divorce and need legal representation to make sure that your rights and interests are protected, please contact skilled Pennsylvania divorce attorney and alimony lawyer, Sheryl R. Rentz for a free consultation. Our office has years of experience handling divorce cases and can assist you in any of your alimony issues. Please contact us today to have qualified and aggressive legal representation on your side immediately.