Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

A recent article on nypost.com demonstrates how some divorces can get out of hand, and fast. Ex-supermodel Stephanie Seymour’s divorce to pony breeder and polo player Peter Brant has become full of allegations, making legal matters much more complicated. Filed in the state of Connecticut, the divorce is turning ugly, and fast. Brant has claimed that Seymour has quite a few bad habits that have consequently cost him thousands of dollars. For example, Brant says that Seymour spends $257, 000 per month, with an average of $50,000 alone going towards the purchase of new clothes.

One of the biggest issues this divorcing pair seems to be experiencing is over dividing their assets. According to Brant, Seymour has been “running amok” at their mansion, which still has not been accounted for. Allegedly, Seymour has been removing items from the property through a hole in the property fence that she herself made. Also, Brant says that Seymour ruined his Kentucky Derby trophy and destroyed a valuable piece of art in an angry tantrum. Seymour and Brant have three children ages 4, 13, and 15.

There’s no doubt that a lot of different allegations can be thrown around when a separation is creating tension, overwhelming emotions, and even confusion as to the legal elements of the imminent divorce. However, many allegations are valid and deserve to be properly addressed when deciding family law matters relating to child custody, spousal support, and property division. In many cases, divorce proceedings can be much smoother with the help of a skilled Philadelphia divorce attorney that has experience handling such legal issues.

At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our family law attorneys have assisted many clients in achieving a successful outcome in their divorce case by obtaining property that is rightfully theirs and achieving desired child custody that is reflective of what is in the best interest of the children involved. To find out more about how the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. can help you during such a challenging time, call 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.

Source Article: http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/ex_beauty_was_wild_spender_qMMyGlKFv3chudX30UvzqM

Supporting a family takes work, and subsequently, requires money. Parents may find this responsibility daunting when raising even just one child, let alone more than one. Such a task may become even more challenging after a divorce, or when eight children are involved. According to a seattlepi.com story, Kate Gosselin has submitted paperwork asking for child support in addition to temporary spousal support from her estranged husband, Jon Gosselin.

The Gosselin divorce has been at the forefront of family law discussion recently due to its many complexities. For instance, Kate’s lawyers claim that she is unable to pay bills due to John removing money from their joint bank account. Her attorneys stated, “She needs relief in light of the draining of substantial marital assets.” Apparently, Kate submitted petitions for child and spousal support last week at just about the same time she filed an emergency petition requesting to have a Pennsylvania judge order Jon to return the money that he took from the joint account. Reports say that these financial issues are scheduled to be addressed on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

Although most divorces and disputes over child and spousal support are not nearly as publicized as the Gosselin’s situation, their struggles serve as a reminder of how complex family law matters can be. As experienced Philadelphia spousal support attorneys, we understand what a critical time this is for you in obtaining the financial support you need. In deciding how much spousal support a person should receive, courts in Pennsylvania will examine parental responsibilities, property holdings, length of time spent not working, the need for spousal support, age and health factors, standard of living experienced while in the marriage, as well as many other elements.

It is very common for spousal support to change over time when circumstances evolve. This is one of the many reasons why you must stay informed of your legal rights and options when it comes to spousal support, child support, and other family law issues. To learn more about how to ensure that you receive the spousal support you need, call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. today for a free consultation at 610-645-0100.

Source Article: http://www.seattlepi.com/tvguide/411019_tvgif10.html

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.

The slowing economy and weak job market is having an adverse effect on child support, Illinois officials are finding out. According to this news report in the Chicago Tribune, a lot of parents are asking for a break because they have lost their jobs or have some other economic hardship. The Illinois Division of Child Support is apparently seeing a slowdown in collections and an increase in support paid out of unemployment benefits. This trend is understandably putting a strain on custodial parents who depend on that child support check to keep their households running. Illinois law requires parents who don’t have custody to pay between 20 and 50 percent of his or her income, depending on the number of children involved.

Pennsylvania has very strict laws that make penalties for those who don’t pay child support extremely severe. Any amount owed in back payments is known as “arrearages.” The parent who fails to make those payments can face harsh penalties including jail time, driver’s license and passport suspension, bank account seizure, reporting of failure to pay to credit agencies and seizure of certain incomes and properties.

Whether you are a parent who wants to collect child support or a parent who is seeking assistance to make these payments, the Law Office of Sheryl R. Rentz can help you. Please contact us for a free and comprehensive consultation to learn more information about your legal rights and options. We can help you recover your legally entitled child support, help couples who are worried about making a child support contract, or even help parents who have not paid child support for some time. Call experienced Philadelphia child support attorney Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.