Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

The contentious divorce between Frank and Jamie McCourt, and the subsequent fate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been widely publicized. Earlier this year, a post-nuptial agreement which stipulated that Frank McCourt gets sole ownership of the Dodgers in the event of a divorce was invalidated in court, extending the divorce battle. But now, with the impending Dodgers bankruptcy decision and approximately two years after they announced their separation, the McCourts have come to an agreement on the terms of their divorce after their initial settlement was nullified in June.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Jamie McCourt, who initially fought for half ownership of the Dodgers, agreed to turn the bankrupt team over solely to her ex-husband on the condition that she receive a settlement of approximately $130 million by next spring. If Frank McCourt has not paid Jamie the settlement by then, and is still in ownership of the team, he must sell the team to pay his ex-wife. Whether he stays in ownership remains to be seen, however.

Frank McCourt is currently battling with Bud Selig, Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner, in bankruptcy court over the potential sale of the team. If the court orders the sale of the Dodgers, then the first $130 million of net proceeds would go to Jamie McCourt if she has not been paid by that time. It is possible that the net proceeds would not be more than $130 million, which would leave Frank McCourt with nothing from the team’s sale.

Divorce is a difficult, emotionally charged process which becomes exponentially more stressful when the media becomes involved. Public marital assets, like a sports team, don’t make it any easier. High profile couples need a high profile divorce attorney who can help them get through their divorce discreetly and efficiently. If you are contemplating a high profile divorce in Pennsylvania, contact the experienced Delaware County high profile divorce lawyer Sheryl R. Rentz for a consultation at (866) 290-9292.

In a report entitled “Marital Events of Americans: 2009,” the U.S. Census Bureau identifies regional trends in divorce rates for men and women, according to The Huffington Post. The findings are based on 2009 data from the American Community Survey. The report concludes that the South has the highest divorce rates for men and women and the Northeast has the lowest.

According to the Census Bureau, the South includes Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Oklahoma. In this region, there are 10.2 divorces per 1,000 men and 11.1 per 1,000 women. These rates exceed the 2009 national averages for men and women, which are respectively 9.2 per 1,000 and 9.7 per 1,000. According to a Census family demographer, the higher divorce rates are largely due to the region’s higher marriage rates.

The Northeast, defined as Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont and New York, has a divorce rate of 7.2 per 1000 men and 7.5 per 1,000 women. The lower divorce rates in the Northeast, in contrast to the South, are greatly attributed to lower marriage rates.

Choosing to divorce is a complicated but sometimes necessary decision. There are many factors that are taken into account during a divorce in Pennsylvania and, without a knowledgeable attorney, it is easy to be taken advantage of. If you are considering a divorce in Pennsylvania, contact Sheryl R. Rentz, an experienced Montgomery County divorce lawyer at 866-290-9292 for a consultation.

Recently released data from the Census Bureau shows that divorces in the United States have leveled off slightly after decades of increase, with couples now somewhat more likely to reach 10 years of marriage. However, the “seven-year itch,” the trend of couples divorcing after seven years of marriage, was found to have carried on, reports ABC News. The new data finds that almost one out of every two first marriages is estimated to end in divorce, with about 46 percent of marriages not lasting until their 25th wedding anniversary.

The data is based upon the most recent figures from the Survey of Income and Program Participation, conducted by the Census Bureau, which surveyed 55,497 adults who have been or are married. According to the data, about 75 percent of people who have been married since 1990 reported they had been married for 10 years, which is an increase of about three percent for people who were married in the 1980s, when divorce rates peaked in the U.S. Divorce rates were the highest in the 1960s and 1970s, after laws were passed that made it easier to divorce.

Based upon the new data, couples who did divorce separated after about seven years of marriage, on average, and divorced one year later. The trend is often referred to as the “seven-year-itch.” For people who got remarried, typically, four years passed before they did so.

The Census Bureau partially credits the slight decline in divorce to the recent increase in couples who chose cohabitation instead of marriage, as well as the increase in the average age of marrying couples as many chose to wait before entering into long-term commitments.

For many years, Philadelphia divorce lawyer Sheryl R. Rentz has assisted many clients as they navigate through the complexity of the divorce process, helping them determine a solution that best fits their needs. If you have questions about getting a divorce in Pennsylvania, call 610-645-0100 today.

Delaware County is a prominent county in Pennsylvania with an estimated population over 550,864. Being comprised of suburbs of its neighboring city, Philadelphia, Delaware County is the fifth most populous county in Pennsylvania. Considering that approximately 206,320 households and 139,472 families reside in Delaware County, the area is no stranger to complex family law matters, making experienced Delaware County family law lawyers all the more important.

Family law in Pennsylvania is a highly complex and sensitive area of law that relates to issues involving divorce, pre-marital agreements, spousal support, property division, domestic violence, child visitation, child custody, and more. When dealing with a divorce, there are several complex matters that must be handled efficiently and in a timely manner in order for a person to obtain positive results. Divorces, if not handled properly, can significantly compromise an individual’s rights to child custody, support, or visitation, as well as other financial issues. A skilled Delaware County divorce attorney will make sure that your rights are protected and work to help you achieve a successful case outcome.

Don’t leave your family law or divorce case up to chance. Contact the Delaware County family law and divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz. We are familiar with the many challenges you may be facing in filing for divorce or working through child custody, modification of child custody, and spousal support. Our dedicated attorneys have years of experience in PA family law. Call 610-645-0100 today for a free consultation.

According to a recent huffintonpost.com article, Jim Nantz, a well-known CBS sportscaster, faces some newfound issues regarding his divorce. Apparently, Mr. Nantz is now required to pay an annual sum of $916,000 to his ex-wife for alimony and child support, both in addition to surrendering his home in Connecticut.

Based on the report, the Judge decided that neither Mr. Nantz nor Ann-Lorraine “Lorrie” Carlsen Nantz was solely at fault for their 26-year marriage ending. Instead, it seemed to be more a case of two people drifting apart over the years. Often referred to as “our nation’s most prominent sportscaster,” Mr. Nantz filed for the divorce about a year ago after he and Lorrie tried years of marriage counseling.

The final decision of the divorce proceedings resulted in Nantz having to pay $72,000 in monthly alimony payments to his ex-wife until either he dies or she remarries. Additionally, Nantz is also responsible for a $1,000 weekly child support payment benefitting his daughter for the next two years. According to Nantz’s attorney, he will not be fighting the terms of the divorce decree because he wants what is best for his daughter.

This divorce case demonstrates that even when divorcing spouses seem to be on somewhat agreeable terms and emotions do not seem to be running high, the legal matters surrounding alimony and child support are still very serious and often complex. If a divorce case goes to court, a judge will base the amount of child support on a variety of factors, as is similar when calculating alimony. To ensure that you receive the proper amount of either payments, or to make sure that you do not end up paying more than you should, the services of a skilled Pennsylvania divorce attorney may be obtained.

At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our experienced PA family law attorneys have the legal knowledge and resources to handle a wide-range of cases, whether it is pertaining to divorce, domestic violence, property division, alimony, child support, or much more. We are dedicated to assisting our clients in an efficient and effective manner while also providing the moral support necessary to get through such a challenging time. Visit www.srrentzlaw.com for more information or call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation of your divorce or family law case.

Source:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/03/jim-nantz-forced-to-pay-w_n_344364.html