Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

An article on The Huffington Post reports that a Nebraska state senator recently proposed legislation that would provide judges the option to send couples with children who are minor-aged to counseling before granting a divorce. Moreover, in cases where no minor-aged children are involved and one spouse believes the marriage could be saved, counseling would be required. The bill does not specify who would pay for the counseling.

In Wyoming, a similar bill was introduced, and would make it mandatory for any couple wishing to marry to attend three hours of marriage counseling. If they failed to do so, they would have to wait a year before receiving a marriage license. Additionally, the bill would require couples who are seeking divorce to attend three hours of counseling. If they fail to do so, they would have to wait one year to file for marriage dissolution. This bill would require couples to pay for the counseling.

However, similar bills have been rejected. In 2009, a bill failed to pass in Texas that proposed anyone who files for divorce with minor-aged children would be required to complete 10 hours of counseling. In Oklahoma, in 2008, a bill was rejected that would have required couples who wished to divorce visit a therapist or faith-based counselor. The bill also aimed to eliminate “incompatibility” as grounds for divorce if the couple had been married for over 10 years or had children.

These bills raise several questions, such as, who will pay for the counseling? Therapists have expressed apprehension regarding whether or not insurance would cover the expense of counseling if the bills pass. Critics have also noted that the bills may not even be constitutional, as they would hinder an individual’s rights by creating obstacles to end marriage. Forty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a state law that mandated fees for divorce filings because it wasn’t affordable for the middle- to lower-classes.

The Pennsylvania divorce lawyers at The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz have dedicated their practice to helping those in need of legal assistance with family law matters in Pennsylvania. If you are considering filing for divorce in Pennsylvania, contact us today by calling 610-645-0100 to learn how we can help guide you through this difficult time.

When the difficult decision is reached to divorce your spouse, you may not know what to do next. At this time, it is crucial to find a Pennsylvania divorce attorney to help ensure that your legal rights are fully protected once the divorce process begins. Because divorce can be one of the most painful and complicated chapters of a person’s life, it is important to have an experienced lawyer fighting on your behalf.

When you contact a law office to schedule your initial meeting, make sure you will be meeting with the attorney themselves, not an assistant. A skilled attorney will be able to answer any questions you have about the divorce process in Pennsylvania, and you will be able to discover if they are the right attorney for you during the meeting.

There are a few items you should plan to bring that will help the meeting run smoother and be more productive. Bring your tax returns, a list of your assets and any liabilities, bank and credit card statements, a mortgage statement, if applicable, and any investment statements.

Topics that are typically covered during initial consultations include whether mediation is an option, if a PA pre-marital agreement was signed, property division, and more. If children are involved, the attorney can advise you on other aspects of Pennsylvania divorce, including child custody and child support. They can also inform you of financial and tax issues pertaining to divorce, and can determine whether alimony or spousal support should be paid.

When meeting with a divorce attorney for the first time, remember to keep in mind that it is important for you to feel comfortable with them. This is crucial since you will need to develop an emotional rapport with the lawyer, as well as disclose personal information to them. You should be completely honest with the attorney when sharing the history of your marriage and its dissolution. You do not need to worry as your truthfulness is protected by attorney-client privilege, and will only serve to strengthen your case. You should not be afraid to ask the lawyer any questions you have, including what their experience level is with divorce cases in Pennsylvania.

It is important you find the right attorney for you. At The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Pennsylvania divorce attorneys have many years of experience handling divorce cases in the state. We can help you during this difficult time in your life. Call 610-645-0100 to learn more.

A recent article in The Sun Herald discusses several useful tips to help make the divorce process easier for both a divorce lawyer as well as the individual seeking a divorce. The article notes that after hiring an attorney, you shouldn’t just sit back and relax – there are some things you can do to help your lawyer, which is to the benefit of both of you.

First, you should tell your attorney the truth. They need to know the good facts as well as the bad ones. But rest easy – under attorney/client privilege, you can disclose all aspects of your marriage without any fear of the details being leaked. If your lawyer knows all the facts surrounding your marriage, it will prevent them from being blindsided in the middle of a court hearing, which you should try to prevent at all costs. You may want to write a very brief summary of the facts of your case to give to your lawyer.

Second, if you need help, get it. If you are finding your divorce is having a serious impact on your health, or you aren’t able to handle it as well as you thought you would, find a good counselor who specializes in divorce recovery. Your attorney needs you to focus as best you can on your case.

Third, you should listen to your lawyer. Let them do their job – that’s why you’re paying them. Going through a divorce can be very emotional, and it’s likely you’re not thinking straight. Your attorney knows what you need to do, and it is important for you to listen and follow their advice. That said, if your lawyer is advising you on a course of action you don’t understand, ask them to explain it—you shouldn’t follow them blindly.

Lastly, help with your lawyer’s workload, which can make the divorce process smoother. Gather the necessary documents, such as an inventory of your marital assets, make copies, and organize them well ahead of the due date. This can help your attorney and their paralegal save a lot of time than if you had given them a pile of mixed up papers that would require them to sort through.

Helping your attorney will only help you through what can be an extremely difficult time in your life. At The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Pennsylvania divorce lawyers can provide the legal assistance you require during your divorce and answer any questions you may have about the process. Call 610-645-0100 to schedule a free consultation today.

In our last blog post, we discussed financial considerations that couples who are divorcing in Pennsylvania need to take in order to gratify both parties, as highlighted in a recent Reuters article. This post marks the conclusion of the two-part series, and will talk about several other items that divorcing couples need to spend time deliberating over during the divorce process in Pennsylvania.

You will need to discuss paying for your children’s future college tuition bills with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. Statistically, children whose parents have divorced are less successful at completing college than children whose parents’ marriage is intact. Often this can be attributed to the failure of parents who have divorced to come to terms with who will pay the tuition bills. You and your future ex-spouse need to have a specific arrangement on this. Be clear what percentage each party will pay of the tuition bill, and agree to adjust the amounts in the future to allow for inflation.

You should also consider including “kick-out clauses” to your Pennsylvania divorce agreement. Many people are hesitant to agree to pay alimony payments because they are worried that they may lose their job, particularly in this economic climate. Writing emergency clauses into the agreement that permit a spouse to reduce alimony payments if they suffer a financial setback can be beneficial to both parties. Clauses such as these should apply to either spouse, and should only be allowed to be a temporary adjustment.

The Pennsylvania divorce process can be very complex, and often leaves many people confused about the next steps they should take. The Pennsylvania divorce lawyers at The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can answer your questions regarding the divorce process and help you decide your next course of action. Please call our law office today at 610-645-0100 to schedule your free consultation now.

A recent article published by news outlet Reuters discusses ways that the everyday person can afford a divorce. Most people can’t afford paying huge divorce settlements like most celebrities do these days and move on with their lives, particularly during the current economic climate. Many troubled couples are finding it difficult to split up at all, with many couples deciding to continue to cohabit even as they file for divorce in Pennsylvania because they aren’t able to sell their house. Many people don’t want to agree to pay costly alimony payments because they’re worried about the weakness of the job market. Discussing paying for their children’s medical care and future tuition bills that are far into the future can seem insurmountably high and impossible. However, staying together for the sake of finances probably isn’t the best option, as the relationship is likely to continue to deteriorate and the children may suffer more.

One of the most critical things that a couple going through the divorce process in Pennsylvania needs to do is obtain a clear picture of where they stand financially. Add up credit card bills and find out how much the house is worth in today’s market. If you think your soon-to-be ex-spouse is hiding money from you, hire a certified public accountant who specializes in finding hidden money (also referred to as a forensic specialist) to make sure all the assets between the two of you are known.

You should also get financial and tax advice from a financial adviser who specializes in divorce. They will know how to properly divide 401(k) plans, real estate, and other assets to reduce taxes so more money remains with you and your future ex-spouse. They can also help you decide how to structure alimony payments, retirement transfers and real estate sales. To locate a specialist, check the website of the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts.

If it is possible, you should try to sell your house. If one spouse decides to stay in the house but depends on the other spouse to pay for the mortgage, it can compromise the financial health and credit ratings of both spouses. It can also keep a divorced couple financially tied together long after the divorce is completed, which can be unpleasant. Many couples today are trying to negotiate short sales, which is when the house is sold at a price that’s below the amount that is owed on the mortgage and persuading the bank to accept the lower payment as full payment.

At The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Pennsylvania divorce attorneys can help guide you through the divorce process and make things go as smoothly as possible for you. We offer free consultations. Please call us today at 610-645-0100 and we can answer your questions about divorce in Pennsylvania. Also, be sure to check back with our blog to read the second part of this two-part series regarding how you can afford a divorce.

With the Christmas season now in full swing, it is also unfortunately the season for divorcing couples to argue over who should get their kids for the holiday. This month’s festivities can already be very emotional for a person who is facing divorce in Pennsylvania, and figuring out how to reasonably divide the holidays with your children and a soon-to-be ex-spouse can be especially trying.

A recent article from The Huffington Post notes that divorce attorneys at this time are often forced to file emergency motions asking a judge to settle disputes between divorcing couples over who will have their children on Christmas Day if neither will budge on their stance.

While every person’s situation varies, if you do find yourself in Pennsylvania divorce court this holiday season to resolve a child visitation dispute, there are some things you can expect.

Typically, judges will adhere to the visitation agreements that are already in existence. One of the biggest parts of a divorce is child custody, and a good attorney will draw up a holiday visit schedule, in writing, before a Pennsylvania divorce is completed. Also, you should not expect to “win” a holiday visit over your soon-to-be ex-spouse. Judges will usually make their decision based on whatever is best for the kids, so you should avoid making promises about parties or vacations to your children before a judge makes their ruling. Holiday conflicts can be very emotional and difficult, particularly for kids.

Everyone deserves to have a merry holiday season, even if they are going through a Pennsylvania divorce. You should try your best to avoid divorce court during this time, but it may be unavoidable, depending on circumstances.

If you are going through a divorce in Pennsylvania, or if you are considering divorcing, you may have questions regarding the divorce process and your child custody or visitation rights. The Pennsylvania child custody attorneys at The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can answer any questions you may have about Pennsylvania’s laws regarding divorce, child custody and your visitation rights. Call us today at 610-645-0100 to learn more about child custody and visitation rights in Pennsylvania during or after a Pennsylvania divorce.

Surviving the holidays during or soon after a divorce in Pennsylvania can be very difficult. Feelings of loneliness or anger are only magnified during cheery festivities with friends and family. Often the holidays are anticipated with dread by a newly divorce or separated person. While there aren’t any magical cures for the holiday blues, there are some things you can do to help make coping with a Pennsylvania divorce easier during the holidays.

Try to plan ahead to do something fun, stress-free, and relaxing with the people you genuinely care about. If you’re worried the holidays are going to be too painful with reminders of your divorce everywhere, consider taking a vacation to escape.

Create new traditions with your friends and family. While you might want to hold on to some past traditions and rituals, you should also try to create new ones, free of memory of your now ex-spouse. This can also give you a fun project that can distract you from suffering from any sad or lonely feelings.

If you have kids, make sure you assure them that holiday celebrations are going to continue in spite of the divorce or separation, but in a different way. They can also help you brainstorm new ways of celebrating the holidays. Decide ahead of time with your now ex-spouse how the holidays will be divided to reduce confusion and complications. Try to keep arrangements as simple as possible for the sake of your children.

Make sure you’re realistic in all your holiday expectations. Picture perfect holidays are just an illusion and only occur in the movies. If you’re feeling particularly down, ask for support from friends and family. Be clear with them what you need from them, whether it’s a listening ear, companionship, or if you need a distraction.

Always take care of yourself by getting regular amounts of sleep and exercise and try to eat healthy in order to maximize your coping abilities. Day by day, things will get easier for you.

The prospect of divorce can seem scary and complicated. However, with an experienced Philadelphia family law attorney, the divorce process can be smooth. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Sheryl Rentz have helped guide many individuals through the Pennsylvania divorce process. Our attorneys will fight to ensure your best interests are taken into consideration throughout the entire process. For more information about Pennsylvania divorce, call us today at 610-645-0100.

Anyone who’s ever said that filing for divorce is an easy process has probably never been through a divorce themselves. Divorce is usually one of the most stressful situations that a person can ever go through in life. It is a complicated process that involves a substantial amount of work. However, once the divorce process is completed, its conclusion does not mark the end of hard work, particularly if children are involved.

According to a recent NapaValleyRegister.com article, the divorce process can best be described as a major period of change. A person’s daily routines are significantly altered, their finances are inevitably affected, and relationships with their now ex-spouse and close family friends are forever changed. Ultimately, individuals who divorce are not only changing their marital status, but also the way they live after the divorce is finalized.

Pennsylvania divorce involving families with children often deal with five major points of contention: division of property; spousal support payments; child support payments; child custody rights; and child visitation arrangements. The best interests of the children are the basis of most decisions made in family court. Whether that means one parent is given custody over the other, or both parents are given equal say in decision-making matters pertaining to the children, the interests of children always supersede the parents’.

Regardless of how simple or complicated the Pennsylvania divorce process may seem, an experienced family law attorney will be able to carefully guide an individual going through a divorce. If you are considering filing for divorce in Pennsylvania, do not hesitate to contact the skilled Philadelphia divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl Rentz. Our experienced Pennsylvania divorce lawyers will fight to ensure that your best interests are taken into consideration at all times, and will see to your children’s well being. For more information about divorce law in Pennsylvania, please call us today at 610-645-0100.

Every now and then, trends need to be re-examined, particularly when it comes to statistical data associated with those trends. When it comes to divorce rate and co-habitation before marriage, what can be deciphered today is different from what was concluded decades ago. According to a recent Newsweek article, living together before marriage was formerly considered a warning sign that an eventual marriage was doomed to end in divorce; but as society’s view of co-habitation has changed over the years, the correlation between co-habitation and divorce has less to do with the act of living together, and more with external factors that may have led to two people choosing to live with one another.

In the 1970s, nearly a third of couples decided to live together before marriage. At the time, societal views of the act of co-habitation were predominantly negative. Now, nearly two-thirds of all couples decide to live together before marriage and, while it is still considered by some to be an improper path taken prior to saying I do, it is much more accepted than ever before. However, when the financial situations of the two co-habiting individuals are taken into consideration, the likelihood of divorce is inevitably affected.

Reportedly, those individuals who live together to save money are often in financial situations characterized by a lack of financial security, and are more likely to divorce as a consequence.  Therefore, while divorce is not necessarily the direct result of living together, any two individuals who choose to and make such a decision based heavily on finances are likely to argue over financial issues on a more regular basis; thus making them more susceptible to choosing divorce over sustained marriage. In short, financial concerns and issues are a major cause of divorce in today’s couples.

In Pennsylvania, regardless of your financial circumstances, filing for divorce can be a difficult decision to make. To ensure your best interests are protected, retaining the services of an experienced Pennsylvania divorce attorney is the best course of action. For more information about filing for divorce in Pennsylvania, please contact the skilled Philadelphia family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz. Call us today at 610-645-0100 for a free telephone consultation, and we will assist you with all matters pertaining to your divorce.

Insurance policies are taken out in the event of some sort of disaster. Up until recently, divorce was hardly considered the type of disaster that insurance would cover. However, according to a recent dispatch.com article, one particular insurance company is now offering divorce insurance to individuals who feel that their marriages cannot be saved.

Critics of the newly offered insurance product reason that couples who have this insurance may be less inclined to make their marriage work, opting instead for a monetary payout once proof of the divorce is furnished to the insurance company. Reportedly, the insurance costs about $16 a month per unit, which translates to $1,250 once the policy matures. An individual purchasing this insurance must wait four years until the policy matures, although riders can allegedly be purchased to minimize the length of the maturity period. While many may view this insurance as an extra precautionary measure taken in defense of divorce, others may consider it an indication that a marriage is not built upon strong enough of a foundation to ultimately last in the first place, and that couples who purchase this insurance may simply be setting themselves up for failure.

Deciding to file for divorce in Pennsylvania is a difficult thing. While some couples may know for certain that divorce is the only logical option for them, others may not be as sure. While statistics do show that a large number of marriages fail each year all across the country, all options should be considered when filing for divorce. Ultimately, equitable division of assets and fair custody arrangements are in the best interest of both parties involved, and should be the end goal that both strive for.

If you are thinking of filing for divorce in Pennsylvania, please call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz. Our experienced Philadelphia divorce attorneys are prepared to assist you with a variety of Pennsylvania family law matters, including divorce proceedings and alimony arrangements. For more information, as well as a free consultation, contact the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100.