With financial deceit being such a common part of unions, electronic discovery, or the use of technology to uncover hidden assets, can help a person unearth any wrongdoing. A part of the reason electronic discovery is increasingly popular is because more people are using technology to hide assets to begin with. Spouses or partners who may be suspicious of their loved one’s activities can investigate their social networking accounts or their web viewing history to find signs of a hidden business deal or bank account. In addition, forensic experts and divorce attorneys are now using advanced search tools to swiftly analyze things such as credit card bills or online bank statements.

Though technology can help a dubious partner find answers to looming questions, the legality of obtaining such evidence is still a gray area. For example, it is perfectly legal to do a Google search on your significant other, but it is potentially illegal to hack into a password protected Facebook account or smartphone for the purposes of gaining information. In addition, information not obtained legally is generally not admissible in court. Attorneys do say, however, that even if the information is not allowable in court, it can empower them in negotiations, perhaps in order to get the partner a successful divorce settlement.

The divorce process can be very difficult and there are a number of issues to resolve before the divorce is final, such as financial matters. Pennsylvania divorce financial issues lawyer Sheryl R. Rentz understands how important it is to obtain the financial support you need after a split and knows how to discover and assess a partner’s true financial assets so that you get the full settlement that you are entitled to. To discuss your case further, please call (866) 290-9292 to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Community Property

An essential matter in a divorce is how to split up community property assets, which are everything that spouses own together. Pennsylvania is not a community property state, however, which means as an equitable distribution state all property acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name it is in, is part of the marital estate and is subject to equitable distribution in a divorce. To fairly divide the assets, the court takes into consideration several different factors.

Separate Property

Separate property is everything spouses owned separately, which does not need to be divided between the pair. Separate property typically includes anything owned prior to marriage, anything a spouse earns after the separation, or anything inherited or received as a gift during the marriage. This type of property can sometimes be mixed up with community property, so it is important to be able to provide documentation or other supporting paperwork showing it is yours.

Understanding the complexities of the different divorce-related legal matters, such as property division, can be difficult and frustrating without the help of a knowledgeable Pennsylvania property division attorney. Sheryl R. Rentz has a wealth of experience in family law and will help you throughout the entire divorce process, ensuring your lawful rights are protected and answering any questions along the way. For a complimentary consultation, please call (866) 290-9292.

The woman in this case is now 44 years old and has no children, and was led to believe she cannot conceive a child naturally.

Both parties agreed that the pre-embryos were marital property and, as such, were subject to equitable distribution. As neither party in this case signed the part of the consent form which related to the disposition of the pre-embryos in the event of death of one party or divorce, the trial court found that the wife’s inability to conceive a child biologically without the use of the embryos outweighed the husband’s desire to avoid procreation. The balancing test, which is used to decide between the competing interests represented in a case, was utilized in the court case.

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania ultimately affirmed the order of the trial court awarding the pre-embryos to the wife.

At the law firm of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Montgomery County family law attorneys understand the complexities of family law issues and aim to handle these types of cases with compassion, discretion, and efficiency. For assistance with any of your family law needs, from divorce to child custody, please schedule a free consultation with our legal team by calling (866) 290-9292.

The alleged father asserted paternity by estoppel to defeat the child support claim and argued that the husband had established the father relationship with the child, adding that his involvement in the child’s life had been insignificant. Also, the mother and her husband remained married even though they were separated.

The alleged father’s argument previously prompted the lower court and Superior Court to grant his motion to dismiss the support action against him, and continue to hold the husband responsible for the child’s support. However, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania reversed the decision and remanded back to the lower court for proceedings. The Court explained that the purpose of paternity by estoppel is to keep families intact and protect the best interests of the child. The Court needed to be convinced that it was in the best interest of the child to continue to recognize the husband as the father of the child, and it was determined that no such evidence was presented at the hearing.

In summation, paternity by estoppel is still a viable principle in Pennsylvania, but it must be supported by an analysis of what is in the child’s best interests to succeed.

Child support matters can be complicated, and without proper legal representation, a former spouse may not get the money he or she needs to support family members. If you are involved in a child support case in Pennsylvania, Montgomery County child support lawyer Sheryl R. Rentz has the knowledge and experience necessary to obtain the compensation you need to provide the best life you can for your family. For assistance with your case, please call (866) 290-9292.

1. Lying about purchases: Lying about money, i.e. not telling your significant other about that expensive purchase you just made or “rounding down” the amount spent, is risky for a couple’s financial health and may cause the other person to be mistrustful or feel betrayed. How to fix it: Make a date to have an honest discussion about spending habits and limits, and check back in with each other regularly. Making a date will reinforce that you are a couple working together as team.
2. “I make more than you”/“You don’t earn enough”: The amount of money each partner makes can be a hot button issue, and those who make more and brag about it end up belittling their partner, though they may simply be worried about your joint financial future. How to fix it: Rather than point out the wage disparity in your union, consider the other’s contributions by making a list, such as cleaning the house or running errands. If the list shows that one of you could be doing more, make a plan to fix it.
3. What you “want” is not viewed as a “need” by your partner: Something one of you wants and sees as a necessity, the other sees as a luxury, such as buying clothing, electronics, or vacations. One person constantly satisfying his or her “wants” can spell trouble for a twosome. How to fix it: Make a “matched pairs” list in which each person lists their wants and needs and compare to see what matches up. Make a goal and budget to buy items that match up, and anything not mutual should receive less priority.

Using these simple solutions to solve common financial problems can help you and your partner have a more harmonious, argument-free union. However, simple advice may not always be enough to resolve problems in a marriage. If you have made the decision to get a divorce, Montgomery County divorce lawyer Sheryl R. Rentz is a knowledgeable divorce attorney who can help you throughout the entire process. For more information on how she can help, call (866) 290-9292.

Rodman’s attorney asserts that her client owes far less than $860,000 and will provide evidence of his payments to the family court judge. She also aims to have his contempt of court finding overturned. His attorney also claims Rodman is “broke” and is barely able to keep up with his living expenses, let alone the $5,000 in child support he pays for a son from another relationship and the $4,500 a month in spousal and child support he is supposed to pay to his ex-wife in this case.

This is unfortunately not the first time the former NBA star has found himself in legal trouble, previously being in a California court for owing the state a large amount of back taxes for 2002 to 2003. Court documents show Rodman still owes more than $350,000 in back taxes, though that figure is disputed by his current counsel. Also, in 2008 Rodman pled guilty to spousal misdemeanor for striking his former girlfriend and was ordered to undergo counseling and perform physical labor.

Following a divorce, child support can be an important source of income for the former spouse to take care of his or her family. When the party ordered to pay does not fulfill his or her obligation, an individual has the right to pursue legal action. Sheryl R. Rentz, a child support attorney in Pennsylvania, has the experience and knowledge to help you get the child support that is rightfully owed to you. To discuss your specific case, please call (866) 290-9292.

Secular courts in the U.S. cannot interfere in a religious divorce, which further complicates matters for the women, and violence may occur as a result. For example, a New Jersey couple was apprehended for arranging the kidnapping and beating of a man who refused to give a GET. Thus, some are promoting more civilized solutions to this problem.

Siegel urges women to sign the prenuptial agreement devised two decades ago by the Beth Din of America, a leading Orthodox religious court. Couples who sign this agreement agree to have all aspects of their religious divorce decided by a Jewish court. In addition, the husband agrees to pay his wife $150 a day in the event they separate until the pair is religiously divorced, adjustable for inflation. Basically, the husband will support his wife until he gives her a GET. Different versions of this religious prenuptial agreement exist, but the one promoted by the Beth Din of America is the most widely used.

A Rabbi for the court states this prenuptial agreement works to prevent agunah situations and the “improper use of the GET in divorce negotiations.”

Divorce is a complicated matter regardless of religious affiliation, and selecting a qualified divorce lawyer in Pennsylvania can help make the process of divorce less difficult and demanding for all parties involved. Sheryl R. Rentz has years of experience helping couples who have made the decision to divorce and has the knowledge needed to protect your legal rights throughout your case. Please contact our offices at (866) 290-9292 for a complimentary consultation.

In addition, the divorce rates for military couples are higher than those of the general population, increasing to 3.7 percent in 2011 from 2.6 percent in 2001, so understanding the financial matters that can arise during a divorce is imperative for a military couple who have made the decision to file for a Pennsylvania divorce.

A military pension is more valuable than other retirement plans because there is no minimum age; i.e., a person enlisting at age 18 can retire at 38 and receive a pension for the next 40 years, complete with cost-of-living increases. A former spouse is entitled to one-half of the amount that accrued during the marriage. However, the mix of state and federal rules which govern military pensions may make it challenging for a former spouse to collect benefits even if it is awarded by the court during a divorce proceeding.

For example, if the marriage overlapped the period the individual was in the service by 10 years or longer, the government sends the benefit directly to the ex-spouse, but if it is less than 10 years, it is up to the former spouse to send a share of the pension to the other. If the person does not fulfill this obligation, the former partner not receiving the portion of the pension must go to divorce court in the state where the ex-military spouse resides.

As is evident with the issues surrounding the division of a military pension, the financial matters that arise during a divorce can be complicated, and a mistake may cost a person the benefits he or she rightfully deserves. To ensure your financial matters are capably handled, an experienced Montgomery County retirement accounts and divorce lawyer can help ensure a resolution regarding any issues, including the division of a retirement plan, is reached efficiently and is in the best interest of both parties involved. To discuss your case with Sheryl R. Rentz, a knowledgeable PA divorce attorney, please call (866) 290-9292 for a no-cost consultation.

1. Family support: A divorce document should clearly define the nature of “family support” because for tax purposes this phrase doesn’t mean anything. An audit may be in a former pair’s future if one spouse treats the family support as alimony (which is deductible for the payer), while the other treats the payments as child support.
2. Deducting of legal fees: A divorcing couple may be able to deduct hefty legal fees; in general, legal fees for divorces are not deductible, but fees related to protecting or fighting to get income-producing assets are deductible. The divorce attorney should provide a year-end summary of charges outlining total billable hours and costs for each area of dispute so the deducting of certain fees could survive an audit.
3. Exemptions and filing status: Deciding on which spouse will get the exemption for the children or the head-of-household filing status can be done more easily with the help of a tax professional. A tax pro can educate a couple on how to ensure each person gets the appropriate claim on his or her tax form and can arrange to have the divorce agreement include the right elements.
4. Splitting assets: Though the assets of a couple may seem to have been divided equally, one can end up with all the tax liabilities while the other can get the assets that are completely tax-free. This is an important issue to discuss with the divorce attorney and/or a tax professional to ensure assets are fairly split.

These are just a few of the tax-related issues to be aware of following a divorce, so it is important to seek the help of an experienced Pennsylvania divorce financial and tax issues attorney to avoid future financial fallout from the split. Sheryl R. Rentz has extensive experience aiding divorcing couples and helping them discuss and resolve finances and asset division. To discuss your case during a free consultation, please call (866) 290-9292.

A recent poll indicates that three-quarters of divorce lawyers reported an increase in prenuptial agreements over the last five years, according to Theindychannel.com. With an estimated 40 percent of marriages ending in divorce in the U.S., discussing this option with your future spouse may help avoid a great deal of stress in the future.

A prenup is basically a contract entered into before marriage that includes provisions for specific things in the event of death or a divorce. Examples of provisions include: division of property, spousal support, guardianship, and terms for asset forfeitures in case of adultery. A prenup isn’t necessarily right for everyone, but in certain instances it can be invaluable in the unfortunate event that a marriage ends. If one of the parties getting married has substantial assets, a prenup may be a very reasonable thing to have drawn up. Also, if a member of the engaged pair has children from a previous marriage, getting a prenup created may be wise as it can ease tension between the new spouse and the person’s children. An instance where a prenup may not be needed is if a couple is entering their first marriage in their 20s, and likely may not have a great deal of assets or issues to sort out from previous relationships.

Preparing a prenuptial agreement with a divorce lawyer has a number of advantages and allows couples to decide on various things, such as paying bills and beneficiary designations, together with a neutral party there for assistance. Divorce can be very complicated, so discussing this issue with your spouse and deciding whether or not it is the right decision for you as a couple can save a lot of trouble if the union ends later. Sheryl R. Rentz is an experienced Pennsylvania pre-marital agreement lawyer who can assist couples in deciding if a prenup is an appropriate option for them. Please call (866) 290-9292 for a consultation.