Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

It’s no surprise that the current condition of our economy has had drastic financial influences on a variety of aspects of many people’s lives, and, unfortunately, the lives of our children as well. When custodial and noncustodial parents’ employment becomes unstable and in some cases nonexistent, child support payments go unpaid and children suffer the consequences. According to an article, in one man’s situation, he used to have no trouble paying his $433 monthly child support; however after going unemployed and unable to get another job, the man moved in with his parents, who, in addition to offering him a place to stay, are now paying the man’s child support payments as well. This father attempted to receive a court-approved reduction in his child support payments, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

The report reasons that men are being hit harder financially than women are in this tough economy, with the 9.8 percent of men unemployed as opposed to only 7.5 percent of women. In addition, it is typically dads who are caught in the nightmare of not meeting the needs of their child support payments because men often assume the role of the noncustodial parent. Before the economic downturn, many of these noncustodial fathers were able to pay; however, with their incomes decreasing, they are no longer able to make child support payments that were previously based on higher past wages.

In the beginning of this year, a survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that 39 percent of the members cited a rise in modifications being made to child support payments. There was also a 42 percent increase in the number of instances where adjustments to alimony payments had to be made.

A family court judge from Texas said that when deciding on child support modification or reduction, she examines whether the parent is actively putting in the effort to get another job, whether he or she is unemployed or underemployed by choice, and whether the parent is able to preserve a job that matches their skills and education. This judge even pointed out that a parent may have assets that can be converted into cash in order to provide their child with what she or he needs to carry on a healthy life.

While judges are empathetic to the affects of our tumultuous economic climate, it is a judge’s job to focus on what is best for a child’s well-being, which is why a judge will put emphasis on what extra efforts a parent is making to help his or her child or children.

If you are currently struggling to pay your child support or if you are trying to get the child support that is owed to you, the skilled Philadelphia child support attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can help guide you through this challenging time. Our lawyers understand that family issues surrounding child support disputes can be quite difficult, and we are here to contribute our knowledge of Pennsylvania family law, which can often be complex and demanding. Call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.

Source report: http://www.wric.com/global/story.asp?s=11002393

Beaver County’s domestic relations division is apparently charging those receiving alimony payments a new $120 annual handling fee citing poor economic conditions as an excuse. According to this news article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the fee covers those receiving spousal support but not child support payments through the county. The fee went into effect after an order was signed by Beaver County President Judge John McBride in April. The new order was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, a gazette of statewide rules and proposals, the report said. County officials told the newspaper that that they did not want to tap into the pool of those receiving child support payments because it would affect children.

Alimony, maintenance or spousal support is an obligation established by divorce law that is based on the premise that both spouses have an absolute obligation to support each other during the marriage unless they are legally separated. In some cases, this obligation may continue after the separation or divorce. There are many different types of alimony in Pennsylvania, which would depend on the circumstances of the divorce, the length of the marriage and the duration of the spousal support. Alimony is often a hotly contested issue in divorce cases.

The outcome of your divorce case could alter your financial situation for the long term, possibly for the rest of your life. If you are going through a divorce and need legal representation to make sure that your rights and interests are protected, please contact skilled Pennsylvania divorce attorney and alimony lawyer, Sheryl R. Rentz for a free consultation. Our office has years of experience handling divorce cases and can assist you in any of your alimony issues. Please contact us today to have qualified and aggressive legal representation on your side immediately.

Men can stop making child support payments after learning through DNA testing that they are not the father of the child, under a legislation approved by the Tennessee House this month. According to this news report, House Bill 805, sponsored by Rep. Stacey Campfield passed on a 66-24 vote. The measure, called the “baby daddy bill,” is about being fair, Campfield has said. This of course will not apply in cases where the man has legally adopted the child. Another provision in this bill also states that the child support payments are to continue for 60 days after “childhood is disestablished.”

Genetic testing has changed the face of Philadelphia divorce cases – especially in matters of child custody and child support – in recent years. If you have been paying child custody to the mother of a child who is not yours, it is no doubt an unfair situation. However, in such cases, it is the child who suffers. The mistake may have been the mother’s, but it is the child’s quality of life that suffers when the mother stops receiving payments.

In cases where paternity is in question, you need a skilled Pennsylvania child custody lawyer with experience in child support matters. Whether you are a mother who wants to prove the father’s paternity or a father who wants to prove otherwise, the Law Offices of Sheryl Rentz can help you. If you proceed without a skilled attorney on your side, you may suffer financially for the rest of your life. Please do not let this happen to you. Call Sheryl R. Rentz today for a free consultation and objective evaluation of your case.