Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

According to The Washington Post, a new bill has been proposed in the Maryland General Assembly Senate that will define what happens to pets when their owners divorce. With many households considered to be DINKs (duel income, no kids) these days, it is not surprising pets have become an important part of divorce proceedings.

If passed, the bill will give courts the power to grant a custody agreement for a divorcing couple’s pet. The court will also be permitted to give one party sole ownership of a pet, as well grant one party sole ownership of a pet with the other party given visitation rights on a court-approved schedule. The court will also be able to give both parties ownership of a pet and both parties can share custody on a court-determined schedule. However, the court will not be able to order either party to pay pet-related expenses to the other party.

The hearing for the proposed legislation is scheduled for March 14.

The guiding model regarding pet custody in Pennsylvania is referred to as “the Barney rule,” which stems from a case in 2002 in which a couple agreed to share possession of their dog, Barney, in their divorce settlement. However, when the ex-wife moved away, the ex-husband went to court to enforce the agreement and argued the dog should be treated like a child. He lost. The judge ruled that the dog was property and not a family member, despite an owner’s personal feelings. The judge also said the divorce agreement was similar to setting a visitation schedule for a lamp; therefore, pets are not subject to custody or visitation arrangements. Pennsylvania courts have reaffirmed this decision and rule that pets are personal property and belong to the party that receives that property during divorce.

If you are considering divorce and have questions regarding property division or pet custody, consulting with a reputable Pennsylvania property division lawyer can help you understand the laws surrounding the division of marital assets. Contact the attorneys at The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz to learn more. Call 610-645-0100 today.

During the Pennsylvania divorce process, dividing up a couple’s marital assets can be complicated, regardless of whether the separation was cordial or not. Each state in the United States has their own specific laws about how marital assets should be divided. Pennsylvania is an “equitable distribution” state. This means if the parties are unable to reach a settlement, the court will decide what a fair division of the marital assets is. In the U.S., 41 states are equitable distribution states.

Marital assets can encompass a wide variety of items, including: houses, the money in bank accounts, other material goods like clothing, furniture, vehicles, jewelry, and any other real estate that was acquired during the length of the marriage.

To decide how the marital assets should be divided, the court will classify which debts, assets, and properties are marital. The court assigns them a monetary value. The court will then distribute the marital assets equitably between both parties. This does not mean the assets are divided equally, but rather what is decided by the court to be fair.

Several factors can affect how the court distributes the marital assets between spouses during a Pennsylvania divorce. A few of the factors for determining the division of property in Pennsylvania include:

• How long the marriage lasted;
• Whether there were any prior marriages;
• The income of both parties;
• The health and age of both parties;
• If children are involved, which spouse is responsible to provide for them;
• Whether one party has separate property or assets that are of great value; and
• Whether one spouse committed infidelity or abuse (the courts penalize these offenses).

Unfortunately, sometimes one party may try to hide income or assets, or even allege the other spouse abused or mistreated them in order to receive a better result from a Pennsylvania divorce filing. A family law attorney who has experience with the distribution of assets during a Pennsylvania divorce case can help defend your rights to your assets during the divorce process. They can help you receive the maximum amount of assets while following good practices and adhering to ethical standards.

The Pennsylvania divorce lawyers at The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can help you through this difficult time in your life. Call our office today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation and to find out more about how we can help protect your assets during a Pennsylvania divorce.

While questions about the Dodgers’ future still abounds, there is still much uncertainty regarding what will happen for owner Frank McCourt and chief executive Jamie McCourt. According to a latimes.com article, there has been much “buzz” in the media over how Frank allegedly fired Jamie and “branded her with a scarlet letter”. Another big issue in the divorce filings relates to the large annual expenses that Jamie is saying she needs to maintain the lifestyle of a baseball owner. While no one can really blame the questionable ownership of the dodger franchise for the team’s performance in the National League Championship Series, this separation emphasizes the many challenges a divorce may create.

Similar to the McCourts, some married couples experience long-term tension that is often difficult to hide from close friends and family, and especially children. The couple formally closed the purchase of the Dodgers from News Corp. in January 2004 for approximately $430 million. Although there has been no word on whether the McCourts will sell the franchise as a means of dividing their assets, such an option is one that they may explore. However, based on the report, Frank claims that the Dodgers belong to him and him alone, while Jamie claims that she owns part of the team.

When a couple decides to file for divorce, some of the main legal issues that arise circulate mostly around child custody and finances. According to the article, considering that Jamie and her estranged husband collected “in salary and/or distributions” between $7 million and $8 million a year, division of property and assets, and spousal support may definitely become an issue of concern for both parties.

Going through a divorce in Philadelphia does not have to turn your life upside down. At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our skilled Pennsylvania divorce lawyers have helped many clients obtain the amount of spousal and child support that they need. Our experienced family law attorneys have the legal knowledge and resources to assist you either through settlement or through court proceedings, based on what is best for your particular case. For more information on how the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can assist you through your divorce or any other family law matter, please call 610-645-0100 today for a free consultation.

Source:http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-shaikin4-2009nov04,0,5095602.story

In a previous blog entitled, “Since When is Pet Custody Compared to Child Custody?”, we discussed an unusual case that had gone to trial for the second time over a very loved dog named Dexter. Although we usually hear about former couples or spouses going to court over custody of their children, this case is still significant in that both parties considered their dog Dexter to be like a son. And as it turns out, this case was more concerned with the issue of division of property than it was with actual custody. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Superior Court judge finally made a decision in the case to have the former couple share custody of their property, Dexter the pug, in five-week rotations.

According to the newspaper article, before the couple split, they lived together for seven years in a home they both owned. Although the man involved in the custody dispute claims he should have been given full custody of Dexter because he purchased the dog, took him to the vet, and paid for his food, it was determined that the woman also played an influential role in Dexter’s life by helping take care of him. The judge handling the case made it clear that this was not an official “custody arrangement” because dogs are “just one of many objects to be divided in a breakup.” Although the couple may not agree with this point of view, the judge also referred to Dexter stating, “He might be cute and furry, but he’s still property. He’s no more than that.”

Break-ups are never easy, and can be especially difficult to handle on your own when legal issues pertaining to the division of property/assets and custody are involved. As the case involving Dexter clearly shows, we are often attached to a broad range of “property” that we may feel is worth going to court for in order to make sure it remains ours. However, not every dispute over the division of assets or custody is taken to court.

If you or someone close to you is going through a divorce in Pennsylvania, it is highly likely that the issue of division of assets will arise. To ensure that you fairly receive ownership of property that is yours, it may be in your best interest to seek the legal counsel and representation of a skilled Pennsylvania property division attorney. At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz P.C., our family law attorneys have the experience and knowledge to handle cases pertaining to the division of property, child custody, child support, and much more. Call Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation of your family law case.

Texas business magnate David Saperstein recently announced to his wife Suzanne that he wanted a divorce. The circumstances wouldn’t have been too extraordinary, but for the fact that the announcement occurred while both David and Suzanne were flying over Texas in their own private Gulfstream IV plane. The Sapersteins had been known for years as a high profile couple. David Saperstein built his fortune from the ground up by developing a system of traffic reports which he later sold to mega-broadcaster Westwood; one for more than one and a quarter billion dollars.

Suzanne Saperstein had made a name for herself in the international press by exhibiting a passion for both haute couture and furniture from the 1700’s. Vanity Fair did a famous profile on the Sapersteins in 2002. This piece featured Suzanne Saperstein at her massive home in Los Angeles, Fleur De Lys.

According to inside information, Saperstein left his wife to be with Hillevi Svensson, the house nanny whom — according to the New York Post — many describe as Suzanne a few decades younger.

The assets that will likely be battled over and discussed with property division attorneys include a $100 million villa in Beverly Hills, a Gulfstream IV private jet, and a massive collection of furniture from the 1700’s.

Even if your upcoming divorce is not as “high stakes” as the Sapersteins’, you need effective and efficient representation to ensure that you are fairly treated in settlement or court. Consider retaining the services of Sheryl R. Rentz. Our skilled Pennsylvania divorce lawyers fight to achieve the desired outcome for every single client. If you are seeking an attorney who will provide you with quality service and really listen to the issues at hand, then call our firm today for a free initial telephone consultation at 610-645-0100. We will listen.

On November 22, 2008, a London Court unceremoniously dissolved the marriage of British film director Guy Ritchie and American pop superstar Madonna. Madonna had filed for the separation, claiming that Ritchie had exhibited unreasonable behavior. The court took all of a minute to dissolve the marriage, and neither Madonna or Ritchie nor their attorneys were around to hear Judge Reid deliver the decree nisi.

The Madonna-Ritchie separation was a remarkably low-key affair — especially when compared to the bloodbath that was the divorce of former Beatle, Paul McCartney, and his ex, Heather Mills.

All told, it’s estimated that Madonna’s personal fortune is worth nearly half a billion dollars, while Ritchie’s assets total nearly $50 million. The couple will share custody of their two boys, an eight year old son named Rocco and a three year old adopted son named David Banda. Madonna also has a 12-year-old daughter with an ex-boyfriend, Carlos Leon. The Friday afternoon court hearing in which the decree nisi was pronounced also featured the dissolution of 17 other marriages.

The couple married at a Scottish Castle in late 2000 but encountered problems stemming from the fact that — at least according to Madonna — Ritchie spent his time at the bar with his friends and proved to be generally “indolent.” Ritchie suggested that for her part, Madonna was unhealthily obsessed with Kabbalah and was very controlling and OCD.

The couple shared substantial assets, including properties in London, New York, and Beverly Hills, which their property division lawyers will have to discuss.

To get assistance with your Pennsylvania divorce matter, you can turn to the reliable and experienced representatives here at Sheryl R. Rentz. Our firm has worked on hundreds of high profile cases involving child support, child custody, spousal support, and divorce. We offer quality service in providing legal advice and moral support during these difficult times for you and your family. Let us show you how dedicated we are by calling 610-645-0100 for a free initial telephone consultation with one of our skilled Philadelphia divorce attorneys.

On November 25, 2007, distressing news broke for WWF legend Hulk Hogan. His wife of many years, Linda Hogan, had filed for divorce through the Pinellas County Court in Florida. Hulk (whose legal name is Terry Bollea) and Linda had starred in their own reality television series on the VH1 Channel called Hogan Knows Best. Towards the end of the season, the show featured Linda and Hulk attending counseling sessions together, but the show concluded with the couple finding common ground.

Some speculate that a deep emotional rift ripped the couple after Hulk Hogan was sited on August 26, 2008 for a drag racing accident which severely injured a passenger in his vehicle. Although the Hulkster himself wasn’t seriously hurt, the incident touched off new tensions within the Hogan household. Fewer than three months later, Hulk’s son, Nick Bollea, got into a car crash himself.

At the time of Linda Hogan’s surprise divorce filing, the Hogans were living together in a Miami Beach estate estimated to be worth more than $10 million, which is a substantial amount to be discussed with their property division lawyer. Hulk Hogan gained fame as a “professional” wrestler in the 1980s, during which time he battled against such high profile “bad guy” wrestlers as Rowdy Roddy Piper and Junkyard Dog.

Whether you are dealing with a high profile colorful divorce like Hulk and Linda Hogan’s or an intimate family law struggle, get in touch with the experienced Philadelphia divorce lawyers of Sheryl R. Rentz. Our attorneys provide quality service throughout Pennsylvania and Philadelphia and we want to make the process of building a case as effective and efficient as the system allows. We pride ourselves in being thorough and dedicated when giving legal advice and moral support to each and every client. To get your free initial telephone consultation, please call 610-645-0100 today. We will listen.