Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

Delaware County is a prominent county in Pennsylvania with an estimated population over 550,864. Being comprised of suburbs of its neighboring city, Philadelphia, Delaware County is the fifth most populous county in Pennsylvania. Considering that approximately 206,320 households and 139,472 families reside in Delaware County, the area is no stranger to complex family law matters, making experienced Delaware County family law lawyers all the more important.

Family law in Pennsylvania is a highly complex and sensitive area of law that relates to issues involving divorce, pre-marital agreements, spousal support, property division, domestic violence, child visitation, child custody, and more. When dealing with a divorce, there are several complex matters that must be handled efficiently and in a timely manner in order for a person to obtain positive results. Divorces, if not handled properly, can significantly compromise an individual’s rights to child custody, support, or visitation, as well as other financial issues. A skilled Delaware County divorce attorney will make sure that your rights are protected and work to help you achieve a successful case outcome.

Don’t leave your family law or divorce case up to chance. Contact the Delaware County family law and divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz. We are familiar with the many challenges you may be facing in filing for divorce or working through child custody, modification of child custody, and spousal support. Our dedicated attorneys have years of experience in PA family law. Call 610-645-0100 today for a free consultation.

On any given day, no-fault divorce is cited throughout most of the country as the primary reason why a marriage simply didn’t work. Of the 50 states, New York remains the lone holdout state that does not allow no-fault divorces in its court system. However, according to a USA Today article, no-fault divorces may soon be cited throughout the entire country, including New York, if legislation already approved by the New York State Senate is also agreed upon by a state Assembly conference committee.

According to statistics, the marriage rate in the United States in 2008 was 7.1 per 1,000 people, while the divorce rate was 3.5 per 1,000. This essentially supports the common adage that one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. Regardless of which reasons are cited for a divorce, a host of different elements need to be carefully examined in order to come to an agreement that is amiable for both parties. While many people hope that a marriage will inevitably improve over time, sometimes the differences are simply too great, and parties have no choice but to file for separation. For such parties in New York, declaring a divorce to be no-fault may soon be a possibility.

Divorces in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States can be complicated. While one party may feel strongly that a certain aspect of a marriage caused it to go awry, another party may not consider that aspect to have been a detriment whatsoever. In any event, the best course of action for any individual looking to file for divorce in Pennsylvania should involve retaining the services of an experienced Philadelphia divorce attorney who will fight for the best possible outcome. At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Philadelphia divorce lawyers are available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your divorce. For a free consultation, please contact us today at 610-645-0100.

Philadelphia County is situated in Pennsylvania and shares similar boundaries with Philadelphia, which holds the county seat. As one of the first three counties established in 1682 along with Chester and Bucks counties, Philadelphia County is now the most populous county in Pennsylvania with an estimated population of 1,540,351 in 2008. In an area that encompasses 142.6 square miles, according to the United States Census Bureau, tons of families choose to call Philadelphia County home. With so many families inhabiting Philadelphia County, it is no wonder that family law issues often arise, especially when it comes to divorce.

Divorce in Philadelphia County may take place for a variety of reasons. While every divorce case is different, these types of family law issues typically involve several complex and detail-oriented factors that can influence a person’s financial stability and rights to spousal support, child support, child custody, and child visitation. A skilled Philadelphia County divorce attorney assists those seeking a divorce in many different ways. By making sure that every detail of a divorce case is thoroughly examined, an experienced lawyer will help you obtain a positive outcome while making the process as smooth as possible.

Family law in Pennsylvania covers a wide range of life-altering circumstances. At The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Philadelphia County family law lawyers understand the challenges you may be facing in filing for divorce, child custody, modification of child custody, and spousal support. Our skilled attorneys handle many other family law issues in Pennsylvania and can help you get your life back on track. Call 610-645-0100 today for a free consultation of your PA divorce or family law case.

With the growing popularity of social networking sites, couples who are experiencing marriage difficulties need to be aware that what they post on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace can be held against them in a court of family law. Chicago’s local ABC affiliate, WLS-TV, recently ran a news story discussing the growing reality that the information we post in cyberspace is just as real as any other information we choose to divulge. Reportedly, one couple’s divorce, like many couples throughout the country, was the direct result of using a social networking site, which ultimately led to their separation after 26 years of marriage.

Interestingly enough, as a result of the social networking phenomenon, many Philly family law attorneys are finding themselves instructing clients on what not to post on social networking profiles, even if those profiles are supposedly private, non-public sources of information. According to the report, it is a good idea to approach social networking as you would approach supplying your local newspaper with information about yourself. That is, unless you’re comfortable posting your personal information on the front page of a newspaper, you should be hesitant in posting that information on a social networking profile page.

In the article, clinical psychologist Dr. Erin Alexander reasons that “you may have individuals within the couple who have very different personal boundaries and don’t mind sharing personal information but as it affects their partner, that’s something that you need to reconcile and be on the same page about.” Per fair warning, be careful about the information that you make public, because it may lead to complicated matters that can include divorce.

In all divorce cases, it is extremely important that all details are carefully examined. The skilled Pennsylvania divorce lawyers at the Law Offices Sheryl R. Rentz have experience handling a variety of divorce cases, and are prepared to ensure that the rights of their clients are not infringed upon in a court of law. For more information and a free consultation, please contact the Philadelphia divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz by calling 610-645-0100 today.

Entering into marriage is proving much easier than walking away from it, as many same-sex married couples are finding out. According to a recent CNN.com article, a new issue is starting to manifest itself, posing an interesting dilemma that has some states at odds over what to do. That is, while same-sex marriage may be legal in a handful of states across the country, those states who oppose such unions are now at the center of a new issue - divorce involving same-sex couples.

Reportedly, one such couple - two women who were legally married in Massachusetts, but who reside in Pennsylvania - were denied their request of a divorce in Pennsylvania. While states typically recognize the laws of other states, and act accordingly when making their own decisions, the issues of same-sex marriage has many state legislators confused as to how to proceed with divorce cases. One point of concern revolves around the idea that, if a state that opposes gay marriage signs off on a gay divorce, then that state may in essence be recognizing gay marriage as legal, despite state laws that say otherwise.

While any Pennsylvania divorce case is complicated, matters become much more exasperated when state law begins to be interpreted in a variety of ways. When this type of complication takes place, there may be the potential for multiple appeals and much debate to take place. However, regardless of the circumstances, the skilled Philadelphia family law attorneys at the Law Offices Sheryl R. Rentz have experience handling a variety of divorce cases. Our dedicated and knowledgeable divorce lawyers in Philadelphia are prepared to ensure that the rights of our clients are not infringed upon in a court of law. If you are thinking of filing for divorce, please don’t hesitate to contact the Philadelphia divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz for more information and a free case consultation. Call 610-645-0100 today.

Financial responsibility after a divorce, particularly after the loss of a spouse or ex-spouse, is also connected to survivor benefits if a spouse or ex-spouse passes away. Our previous two blogs addressed a few important issues regarding how divorce may or may not affect your social security. We now turn our attention to whether or not an individual may collect spousal or ex-spousal survivor benefits. Generally speaking, if you are divorced, and if you remarry before the age of 60, you are not allowed to collect a survivor benefit based on the earnings of your deceased ex-spouse for the duration of that new marriage.

A few other factors that may influence whether you qualify to obtain survivor benefits relate to your age and how long your marriage lasted. For instance, you may be able to receive survivor benefits beginning at the age of 60. However it should be noted that you may be able to receive these benefits before the age of 60 if you are at least 50-years-old and disabled.

In order to qualify to receive survivor benefits when an ex-spouse dies, your marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years. You also must not be entitled to a higher benefit based on your own personal work record. If a child is still at home with you, this may contribute to eligibility. However, you may be able to receive an increase in payment if you get benefits based on your own work and then are widowed. You can contact the Social Security Administration to discover if this applies to you.

At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our dedicated and knowledgeable Pennsylvania family law attorneys have assisted many individuals going through a divorce determine the best course of action for their particular situation. We understand that several factors influence a divorce and that you need an attorney with many years of experience in Pennsylvania family law who can help you in an efficient and timely manner. For a free consultation, please call Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100.

In Part Two of our blog series discussing how divorce may or may not affect your social security, we will discuss what role time and age may play in social security and divorce. Based on a recent Wall Street Journal article, it is helpful to note that an individual who has not yet arrived at his or her full retirement age may receive a percentage of the monetary gain he or she would be entitled to get at that time.

When taking into consideration the benefits you are provided by your own work earnings, what is owed to you would generally have to be less than the benefits you would be given through your spouse’s work benefits. An exception to this is that if you delay filing for Social Security until your full retirement age, you can limit the degree of your application to your ex-spouse’s benefit only. In doing this, you can also maintain accumulating credits for postponing your own retirement benefit up to the age of 70.

Please note that if your ex-spouse obtains a payment based on your profits, your personal Social Security benefit should not be affected at all. For example, whether a person is still married or recently divorced, if subject A applies for benefits from Social Security based on subject B’s earnings record, then subject B’s benefits should not be altered, reduced, or penalized because of subject A’s application. Let’s say these two subjects divorce. Subject A can still apply for benefits and the circumstances would remain the same, even if subject B remarries and the new spouse applies for benefits based on subject B’s record.

If you require more details regarding how divorce may influence your financial stability, please contact Sheryl R. Rentz for more information. At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our skilled Pennsylvania family law attorneys have a wide range of legal knowledge and skill, lending us the experience that you need to be successful in your family law efforts. Call 610-645-0100 today.

As a Philadelphia family law attorney, I am often asked whether or not a divorce will affect social security benefits. This is a question that many individuals encounter throughout the United States, including Pennsylvania. From my experience as a divorce lawyer, and according to a Wall Street Journal article, there are a few points that may help clear up any confusion regarding social security retirement benefits based on an ex spouse’s work record.

In Part One of our blog series discussing whether or not a divorce will affect your social security, we will discuss four universal conditions that you must meet in order to obtain social security retirement benefits from your ex-spouse’s income. They are as follows:

1. You cannot be re-married
2. You had to have been married for at least 10 years
3. Your ex-spouse has to be allowed Social Security retirement or disability benefits
4. You must be at least 62-years old

In addition, some individuals may wonder if their retirement benefits will be reduced because of an ex-spouse’s entitlement to a portion of these funds. If an ex-spouse is to receive a part of your benefits, any sort of decrease should not be seen in what finances you are entitled to when you retire. Divorce affects lives in many ways but it does not have to turn your life upside down or burn a hole in your pocket. One of the most important things you can do is to stay informed about your legal options and know what factors, if any, may influence your financial stability.

If you or someone close to you is thinking about filing for divorce in Pennsylvania, seeking legal counsel from a skilled Pennsylvania divorce lawyer may be a productive step in the right direction. At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our family law attorneys know the ins and outs of Pennsylvania law as it pertains to family law, including divorce, spousal support, and much more. Call Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.

Anyone who has gone through a divorce and has children is likely to tell you that it takes a lot of heart and courage to fight for what is best for your child. Even when a parent does not receive primary physical custody for their child or children, obtaining visitation rights or joint custody are both very important issues of concern.

A recent article from the New York Times discusses a collection of articles from Working Mother Magazine that address a new and heightened tendency for fathers to be given custody of children over the children’s mothers. Interestingly, as more women have become primary earners in a marriage, more women have seen their husbands receive primary physical custody of their children when a divorce takes place. According to the article, there are approximately 2.2 million divorced women in the U.S. who did not obtain primary physical custody of their children during their custody hearings. Furthermore, at this point, about 50% of fathers who seek primary custody in such divorce cases are granted it.

As numerous social viewpoints about parenting shift, our standards evolve, and the economy fluctuates, the percentage of fathers granted primary custody will rise and will very likely continue increasing in the years to come. The article certainly raises the question as to whether a parent should be granted full custody based predominantly on the idea that the parent who works less is able to spend more time with the children. Consequently, the question as to whether or not the adage “the parent who works more, parents less” is actually true also arises, and needs to be carefully examined in a family court to determine if such an idea is truly in the best interest of the child.

Determining child custody is not taken lightly by either parents or the court system. In fact, there is much to take into consideration when deciding which parent should be granted primary physical custody. Both maintaining employment in order to provide financial support and being available to care for children are a few of the important factors taken into consideration in family law cases.

If you are currently going through a divorce or are thinking that a divorce may be an option for you and your spouse, the Pennsylvania family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can ensure that your child receives the custody that is best for his or her well being. For more information about the legal matters surrounding your particular situation relating to child custody, child support or spousal support, please contact Sheryl R. Rentz. Call us today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.

Source:http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/more-fathers-getting-custody-in-divorce/

According to a recent huffintonpost.com article, Jim Nantz, a well-known CBS sportscaster, faces some newfound issues regarding his divorce. Apparently, Mr. Nantz is now required to pay an annual sum of $916,000 to his ex-wife for alimony and child support, both in addition to surrendering his home in Connecticut.

Based on the report, the Judge decided that neither Mr. Nantz nor Ann-Lorraine “Lorrie” Carlsen Nantz was solely at fault for their 26-year marriage ending. Instead, it seemed to be more a case of two people drifting apart over the years. Often referred to as “our nation’s most prominent sportscaster,” Mr. Nantz filed for the divorce about a year ago after he and Lorrie tried years of marriage counseling.

The final decision of the divorce proceedings resulted in Nantz having to pay $72,000 in monthly alimony payments to his ex-wife until either he dies or she remarries. Additionally, Nantz is also responsible for a $1,000 weekly child support payment benefitting his daughter for the next two years. According to Nantz’s attorney, he will not be fighting the terms of the divorce decree because he wants what is best for his daughter.

This divorce case demonstrates that even when divorcing spouses seem to be on somewhat agreeable terms and emotions do not seem to be running high, the legal matters surrounding alimony and child support are still very serious and often complex. If a divorce case goes to court, a judge will base the amount of child support on a variety of factors, as is similar when calculating alimony. To ensure that you receive the proper amount of either payments, or to make sure that you do not end up paying more than you should, the services of a skilled Pennsylvania divorce attorney may be obtained.

At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our experienced PA family law attorneys have the legal knowledge and resources to handle a wide-range of cases, whether it is pertaining to divorce, domestic violence, property division, alimony, child support, or much more. We are dedicated to assisting our clients in an efficient and effective manner while also providing the moral support necessary to get through such a challenging time. Visit www.srrentzlaw.com for more information or call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation of your divorce or family law case.

Source:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/03/jim-nantz-forced-to-pay-w_n_344364.html