Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

In the continuous fight against domestic violence, Verizon announced this week that it will be donating more than $590,000 to aid Pennsylvania domestic violence shelters. The funding for this generous donation comes from the Verizon Foundation and the nationally recognized HopeLine program, which provides refurbished cellular phones and airtime to nonprofit groups for use by domestic violence survivors.

The aid is certainly coming at an opportune time; Pennsylvania shelters have unfortunately seen a spike in domestic violence calls, which they attribute to the pressures of an ailing economy. Domestic violence agencies in the state have also been struggling with waiting lists at shelters and extended stays, and have reported an increase in elder abuse, teen dating violence, and increased calls for help to crisis hotlines. Statewide, more than 40 domestic violence organizations are presently being supported by Verizon.

Domestic violence is an extremely serious issue that will effect one in four woman in their lifetime, and encompasses a wide range of acts committed by one person against another in an intimate relationship or within a family. Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior used to gain power and control over another individual, and can include psychological, sexual, or emotional intimidation, economic control, verbal abuse, or physical violence. Though domestic violence effects people regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, the overwhelming majority of adult victims are women, and interpartner violence is a major cause of injury to women.

Domestic violence victims have legal rights that they should be aware of, and an experienced Pennsylvania domestic violence attorney can ensure those rights are protected. If there has been actual or threatened physical abuse, a lawyer can assist in getting the victim a protection from abuse which can remove the abusing person from a jointly-occupied residence and provide that no contact may occur for up to eighteen months. In the situation of divorce, if domestic violence took place during a marriage, a domestic violence survivor can claim custody of the children, finances, or even the house. Sheryl R. Rentz has been helping domestic violence victims for years and can help you protect your legal rights when you are trying to leave a dangerous situation. Please call (866) 290-9292 for a free consultation.

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) has played an important role in encouraging battered women and children to seek the support and guidance they need to free themselves from abuse. Ending violence towards women and children is the goal of the National Coalition Against Violence (NCADV).

Domestic violence, which is also referred to as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), is the willful physical assault, intimidation, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive tactics and behaviors committed against an intimate partner. The effects of domestic violence include psychological and emotional trauma, physical injury, and even death. Unfortunately, according to the NCADV, many domestic violence cases go unreported, which is why it is important, as a community, to reach out to those who are afraid to find the support they deserve. Here are a few suggestions of what you can do in your community for DVAM:

• Chili Cook-Off – Invite teams, individual cooks, and even restaurants to compete in a chili contest. Have entertainment, open chili tasting to the public, and prizes for the best chili. All proceeds would benefit the local women’s and/or children’s shelter.
• Church Campaign – Ask religious institutions in your area to address the issue of domestic violence.
• Ribbon Campaign – Distribute purple ribbons to people in your community, the symbol for the Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign.

If you or a loved one is being emotionally and/or physically abused by a spouse or intimate partner, the first and most crucial step is to remove yourself, or the victim, from the situation. Sheryl R. Rentz is an experienced Delaware County orders of protection lawyer who can help victims of domestic abuse stay safe while they pursue divorce. In many cases, victims of domestic violence in Pennsylvania are entitled to significant benefits after a divorce. There is no excuse for the mistreatment of a spouse or child. Contact the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today for a free and confidential consultation at 866-290-9292.

Manny Ramirez, a former World Series MVP who retired this year after allegations of substance abuse, is facing domestic violence charges for allegedly slapping his wife during an argument, according to The Huffington Post. The former baseball star could be sentenced to up to one year in jail for misdemeanor domestic battery charges.

Domestic violence is against the law, whether it involves physical or emotional abuse, and whether it is directed at a spouse or a child. Ramirez was arrested after his wife called 911, stating that she had been hit in the face and head, which now had a bump, during an argument with her husband. She made the call for fear that the violence would escalate. After determining that she was safe from further harm, the dispatcher sent law enforcement to the home. It is unknown whether there have been previous incidents of domestic violence.

If you or a loved one has been or is a victim of domestic violence, the most important step to take is to safely leave the situation or take legal action to make it stop. In many divorce cases, if domestic violence had been present in the marriage, the victim may be entitled to substantial benefits, including full child custody and sole ownership of any assets.

Sheryl R. Rentz is an experienced domestic violence attorney in Pennsylvania and has handled cases involving a variety of situations, including divorce due to domestic violence, filing charges of domestic violence, as well as disputing false allegations. If you are looking to resolve a domestic violence situation, contact The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today at 866-290-9292 for a consultation.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is developing a set of guidelines to help schools in the state teach students, teachers, and parents to recognize the signs of teen dating abuse and domestic violence and how to appropriately respond should such abuse and/or violence occur.

According to the article, a draft of the education and response guidelines were released by the PDE recently. While adopting the recommendations are not yet mandatory for schools in Pennsylvania, many hope schools will adopt them regardless.

Closely tied to the guidelines is the Demi Brea Cuccia Bill, sponsored by Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre County). Sixteen-year-old Cuccia was murdered by an ex-boyfriend in August of 2007. The bill would have made it mandatory for school districts in the state educate students regarding dating and domestic violence. The House overwhelmingly passed the bill, but it stalled in the Senate. The legislation was then amended in part into the school code for 2010 and was passed. Now, teen dating violence and domestic violence education is recommended for grades 9 through 12. Activists and legislators are working to make this education mandatory.

Studies have shown that as many as one in eleven high school-aged students in the U.S. are victims of physical abuse from a dating partner every year, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV). Other studies have also found that as many as one in five high school-aged girls have been abused sexually by a dating partner. Additionally, in a national survey taken by the PCADV in 2011, three out of four shelters in the U.S. have reported an increase in the number of women that are seeking assistance from abuse.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of domestic violence, there is help available to you. Consulting with a domestic violence attorney in Montgomery County can help you understand your legal rights as well as explain what options are available to remedy the situation, such as filing for a protection from abuse order (PFA). To find out how The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can help you during this difficult time, call us at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.

Victims of domestic violence abuse in Pennsylvania can file a “protection from abuse” (PFA) order. This is a civil order that can be granted to adults (age 18 or older) and offers them and their children protection from abuse from a family or household member (including a spouse, ex-spouse, sibling, parent, relative by blood or marriage, or a child), sexual or intimate partner (including same-sex), or a person with which they have a child in common with. Under the Protection From Abuse Act, abuse is defined as physical or sexual abuse; causing a person bodily injury either intentionally or recklessly; false imprisonment; putting a person in fear of “imminent bodily injury”; and stalking.

To file a petition for a PFA, you will have to go to a county courthouse, where courthouse staff will help you fill out the necessary paperwork, but will not offer legal advice. You will then be taken before a judge, who will review the petition and converse with you to conclude whether a PFA should be issued. If they do, you will be granted a temporary PFA, and a hearing will be scheduled in about 10 days. During this time, your abuser will be served and notified of the court hearing.

At the hearing, a judge will listen to the facts of the Pennsylvania domestic violence case. Both you and your abuser will be given an opportunity to testify and present evidence and witnesses. It may be in your best interests to hire a Philadelphia family law attorney to represent you, especially if your abuser will have a lawyer. If the judge determines abuse has taken place, a final PFA will be granted, which can range in length between one to 36 months. Depending on the circumstances of a case, the terms of a PFA can vary, but under most PFAs, an assailant cannot abuse, harass, stalk, or threaten you; they must stay away from where you live, work, or attend school; they are not permitted to harass your relatives; they cannot have a gun or a gun permit; and they are required to pay for any losses you suffered as a result of their abuse, which could include medical bills and lost wages. You are able to file for an extension of your PFA for an unlimited number of times.

It is important for victims of domestic violence in Pennsylvania to remember that they have legal rights. At The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Pennsylvania domestic violence lawyers will protect your rights and help you during this difficult time in your life. Call 610-645-0100 today.

A recent article on PennLive.com discusses the progress that has been made to prevent domestic violence in Pennsylvania, but notes that work still remains to be done to put an end to it.

Founded in 1976, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence now has a network of 60 domestic programs that provide free services for victims of domestic violence in all of Pennsylvania’s 67 countries. Services include transportation, emergency shelter, counseling, and transitional housing. The network has helped over 2 million domestic violence victims escape continued abuse and rebuild their lives. In 2010, almost 100,000 men, women, and children were given assistance through the coalition.

While more domestic violence statistics are still being calculated for 2010, in 2009, about 180 people in Pennsylvania lost their lives because of domestic violence. Alarmingly, it is a 49 percent increase in the domestic violence fatality rate since 2007. These statistics remind us that there is still much work to be done to help protect victims of domestic violence in Pennsylvania and prevent these incidents from happening in the first place.

If a person is enduring domestic violence or abuse, the most important thing they can do is to safely remove themselves from the situation as quickly as possible. A good first step can also be to file a restraining order, but sometimes, this is not enough. Someone who has suffered verbal or physical abuse at the hands of a spouse, partner, boyfriend or girlfriend, or their parents has legal rights. Seeking assistance can help put a victim of domestic violence on the road to survival that leads to a life free of brutality.

If you have been a victim of domestic violence in Pennsylvania, you have legal rights. At The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Pennsylvania domestic violence attorneys will fight to protect your rights and help obtain the compensation you deserve in a court of law. Contact our law firm today by calling 610-645-0100 to schedule a free consultation.

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, in a partnership with Verizon Wireless, four Public Broadcast System (PBS) stations hosted community events across the state of Pennsylvania during the month of October. The events were aimed to help promote awareness of the different options and services accessible to at-risk individuals and domestic violence victims. Events will continue into November, but every American should take time, no matter the month, to see what each one of us can do to help bring to light the seriousness of domestic violence.

According to PR Newswire, prominently featured throughout the events was a screening of “Telling Amy’s Story,” a documentary that chronicles the events that led to the death of Amy Homan McGree, whose husband shot and killed her, leaving behind two children. The film was created by Penn State Public Broadcasting and has aired on PBS stations across the United States. The film was shown on WQLN on October 6, on WHYY on October 12, on WLVT on October 21, and will be shown on WQED in Pittsburgh on November 18. For more information about past and future events, please visit http://www.telling.psu.edu/.

Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of race, religion, age, or gender. While studies show that 23.6 percent of women have reported at least one episode of violence by an intimate-partner in their lifetime, men can also be victims of domestic violence. It is estimated that in every 100 situations involving domestic violence, about 40 cases, or 40 percent, involve violence by a woman against a man.

In a recent study released by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), while there was a drop in violent crime in 2009, fatalities that were related to domestic violence increased significantly. The study shows that those deaths increased to over 22 percent from 2008, and almost 49 percent from 2007. According to The Patriot News, there were 121 domestic violence-related deaths in 2007; 147 in 2008, and 180 in 2009.

Peg Dierkers, the Coalition’s executive director, believes the bad economy of the U.S. is one of the main reasons for the increase in domestic violence-related fatalities. She notes that control and power are two hallmarks of abuse, and an abuser who loses their job may feel they have less control over their lives, causing them to lash out. Dierkers also notes that Pennsylvania cut the budget for domestic violence services by 2 percent for the 2010 year.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of domestic violence in Pennsylvania, help is available to you. The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz will fight to protect your rights in a court of law. Our Pennsylvania domestic violence lawyers represent victims of domestic violence across the state. If you are considering divorcing your spouse because of domestic violence, contact our office at 610-645-0100 for a free telephone consultation.

Domestic violence, sometimes referred to as domestic abuse, can take many forms and can involve multiple members of one’s family, including children. Domestic violence in Pennsylvania can involve physical abuse, typically in the form of striking another individual’s body; emotional abuse, in the form of verbally assaulting an individual; or sexual abuse. Intimidation tactics, such as economic deprivation and stalking, are also considered forms of domestic violence. Regardless of the form of domestic violence, the abusive behavior should immediately be reported to the proper authorities, and should certainly be considered during all divorce proceedings.

Marriage can be defined as a partnership in which both individuals involved are charged with treating the other in a fair and just manner. In divorce proceedings where one partner claims that they suffered domestic violence abuse at the hands of the other, the abused party may be able to seek benefits to help compensate for the effects of such treatment. Spouses who experience domestic violence of any form have rights, and those rights should under no circumstances be disregarded during the divorce process. Remember the most important thing to do in any domestic violence scenario is to remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible to ensure your safety and physical well being.

The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz represents individuals who have been victims of domestic violence and are seeking a divorce from their spouse. Our Pennsylvania domestic violence attorneys will fight to ensure that your rights are protected. For more information about divorce proceedings involving domestic violence, please contact our offices at 610-645-0100. Our Philadelphia family law lawyers offer free telephone consultations.

A timeonline.com article reports that a former Beaver County mother was sent to jail for up to six months for violating court orders when she took her son to Turkey without legal permission and then did not return until four years later. The woman had ignored multiple court orders demanding that she return her 11-year-old son to Beaver County.

When the couple initially separated in 2006, the mother was granted primary custody and the father was given visitation rights. Later that year, the mother took their son to Turkey for a vacation but did not return, despite a court order that stipulated they had to be back by the end of summer.

Subsequently, courts in both Pennsylvania and Turkey ruled that she was in violation of the custody order and was required to return to Beaver County with her son. She and the boy returned in late January 2010 so that she could attend a contempt hearing. The judge granted the father temporary primary custody and the mother was sentenced to jail.

It is not uncommon for parents to want sole custody of a child after a separation. There are many reasons a parent might be compelled to keep a child away from the other parent. If domestic violence or child abuse is a factor, there are legal avenues to pursue to protect the child. Whatever the case, spiriting a child out of state or out of the country only complicates the matter, and as in this case, may work against the parent who is trying to maintain full custody.

While all custody disputes have a measure of complexity, cross-state and international cases are particularly difficult. The experienced Philadelphia child custody family lawyers at Sheryl R. Rentz are equipped to defend your rights as a custodial parent and to safeguard the well-being of your child. Please call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz for a free and confidential evaluation.

Source:http://www.timesonline.com/bct_news/news_details/article/1504/2010/february/02/mom-jailed-over-custody-dispute-could-be-released-friday.html

Every day in Philadelphia hundreds of victims of domestic violence turn to one of the four main domestic violence agencies in the city. These include Women Against Abuse, Women in Transition, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, and Lutheran Settlement House. On some days, the number of victims seeking assistance in Pennsylvania is nearly 2,500. You can visit this website for more information: http://www.helpwomen.org/pr/DV08Sum.pdf.

The Philadelphia Police Department is investigating new ways of strengthening their partnerships with the agencies mentioned above by scheduling follow-up visits and making referrals after 911 calls. Help is available to victims, but services are also offered to abusers as well. Most abusers were victims in their lifetime, and counseling and education are available to help break the vicious cycle.

The Philadelphia Police Department estimates that nationally, nearly 4 million women suffer some kind of domestic violence by an intimate partner every year. The Philadelphia PD has a very informative website at http://www.ppdonline.org/prev/prev_pers_dom.php on personal safety and crime prevention that identifies domestic abuse clearly.

Domestic violence is a complex issue with many facets. It is not something just between couples, but also can have drastic influences on children and siblings. Though it is less common, men are battered by their female partners as well. Same-sex couples also experience a high rate of domestic violence.

If you or a loved-one has suffered from domestic violence, the experienced Pennsylvania domestic violence attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz know how overwhelmed you may feel. Our skilled lawyers will be able to assist in navigating through the legal system so that you may end the abuse and have a safer home. Call 610-645-0100 for a free consultation of your case.

Source:http://www.philly.com/philly/health_and_science/20091229_Phila__rethinks_how_police_probe_domestic_abuse.html