Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

Recently, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver announced their separation after 25 years of marriage, following Schwarzenegger’s admission that he had a child with his former housekeeper 10 years ago, reports The Huffington Post.

While it remains to be seen whether the couple will divorce, several questions have been raised, including whether or not there was a pre-nuptial agreement before their union. The couple’s net worth is valued at over $500 million, and under California law, assets acquired during their marriage would be split 50-50, meaning Shriver stands to gain at least $200 million if they divorce.

Perhaps the biggest question that has been raised is in regards to the child’s paternity. The estranged husband of the woman identified as the mother of Schwarzenegger’s son has come forward saying he only recently learned he was not the boy’s biological father. It has been reported that a secret DNA test was performed 10 years ago to prove that Schwarzenegger was the father of the child, but official details have not been released.

Pennsylvania paternity cases raise many delicate and sensitive issues, and can be very complicated. Often, genetic testing is needed to determine whether an alleged father has paternal rights, or whether they belong to someone else. It may be necessary for paternal determination to be done by a jury if the genetic testing results are not conclusive. While one of the most reliable ways to establish paternity, genetic testing results are not 100 percent indisputable. After hearing both sides of the situation, the jury will decide whether a man is responsible for the welfare of the child in question.

Paternity disputes can be incredibly stressful for all parties involved, which is why consulting with an experienced Philadelphia paternity attorney can help those facing paternity issues in Pennsylvania understand the legal options available to them. Sheryl R. Rentz is a highly skilled lawyer at The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz and can help you navigate the process for genetic testing or paternal determination by a jury, if necessary. To learn how Ms. Rentz can assist you during this difficult time, please call 610-645-0100.

According to an article published at www.publicopiniononline.com, a Franklin County judge gave a toddler’s parents joint custody in a temporary custody order, and then scheduled another hearing to determine permanent custody. The decision was made during a hearing to determine whether Colorado or Pennsylvania has jurisdiction in the case.

The child was born in Colorado but has lived with his paternal grandmother in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania for the last four months. In a special arrangement between the grandmother and mother, the child was to stay temporarily while the mother was on bed rest due to her current high-risk pregnancy. When the mother came to get her son last month to take him home to Colorado, the grandmother refused to turn him over. The father then filed for custody. The father acknowledged that he was not named on the child’s birth certificate and did not have custody of the child. Under the temporary order, the child will be turned over to his mother when she arrives back in Pennsylvania. The article states that a final appealable custody order is expected to be issued August 6, 2010.

If you or someone you love is involved in a custody dispute, we understand that these family matters are almost always emotionally charged. Parents usually need help navigating through Pennsylvania child custody laws. All parties involved in a custody dispute typically need legal counsel and representation. Often, as it is with the child custody case above, paternity issues arise as well. The law offices of Sheryl R. Rentz can facilitate the establishment of paternity as well as the custody agreement. With our many years of experience in Pennsylvania family law and child custody, we have the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful outcome in your custody efforts. Call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz at 610-645-0100 today for a free consultation.

Source:http://www.publicopiniononline.com/ci_14362629

Financial responsibility after a divorce, particularly after the loss of a spouse or ex-spouse, is also connected to survivor benefits if a spouse or ex-spouse passes away. Our previous two blogs addressed a few important issues regarding how divorce may or may not affect your social security. We now turn our attention to whether or not an individual may collect spousal or ex-spousal survivor benefits. Generally speaking, if you are divorced, and if you remarry before the age of 60, you are not allowed to collect a survivor benefit based on the earnings of your deceased ex-spouse for the duration of that new marriage.

A few other factors that may influence whether you qualify to obtain survivor benefits relate to your age and how long your marriage lasted. For instance, you may be able to receive survivor benefits beginning at the age of 60. However it should be noted that you may be able to receive these benefits before the age of 60 if you are at least 50-years-old and disabled.

In order to qualify to receive survivor benefits when an ex-spouse dies, your marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years. You also must not be entitled to a higher benefit based on your own personal work record. If a child is still at home with you, this may contribute to eligibility. However, you may be able to receive an increase in payment if you get benefits based on your own work and then are widowed. You can contact the Social Security Administration to discover if this applies to you.

At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our dedicated and knowledgeable Pennsylvania family law attorneys have assisted many individuals going through a divorce determine the best course of action for their particular situation. We understand that several factors influence a divorce and that you need an attorney with many years of experience in Pennsylvania family law who can help you in an efficient and timely manner. For a free consultation, please call Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100.

The state of Illinois has reportedly collected a record amount of child support for the fifth consecutive year, according to this news report. The department has apparently collected a record $1.38 billion for custodial parents of Illinois children during fiscal year 2009, slightly higher than last year. The department is also working to deny hunting and fishing license permits for parents who fail to pay child support. They are also working to suspend these parents’ driver’s licenses.

Pennsylvania too has very strict laws in place that make penalties for parents who fail to pay child support very severe. Any amount owed in back payments are known as “arrearages” and a parent who does not pay them can face penalties including jail time, driving license and passport suspension, bank account seizure, reporting of failure to pay to credit agencies, seizures of assets, garnishing paychecks and so on. If you need advice on how to collect child support that is owed to you or pay up child support that you owe, please consult with an experienced Pennsylvania child support attorney for legal advice and counsel.

The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz has years of experience dealing with complicated divorce laws, child custody and child support issues. Our attorneys can help you recover the child support you are legally entitled to, help draft a child support contract or help parents who have not paid child support in some time make that payment without facing penalties. Call us today for a free consultation.

Pennsylvania State Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow’s ex-wife wants a share of all the additional money he has been earning as a director on the Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania board and others since their divorce, according to this news report. Diane Mellow made the demand in a court petition asking to increase her alimony in Pennsylvania. Robert and Diane Mellow were married in August 1966 and were divorced in November 2006.

According to their divorce agreement, Mellow agreed to pay his ex-wife a monthly alimony of $2,600 with $150 a month increases on each anniversary of when the alimony payments began. However, Diane Mellow now contends that things have changed now because the senator has been earning a lot more because of his involvement with various boards. At question is whether the divorce agreement can be modified. Robert Mellow’s attorney says that cannot be done because his ex-wife signed the settlement knowing that its terms would be final. Diane Mellow’s attorney says that state law allows for an adjustment in alimony if the circumstances of either person changes substantially for an extended period.

When it comes to divorce and alimony, there are many issues that can affect your life in the long term. If you are going through a divorce, you know that alimony, property distribution, child custody and child support are significant matters. You need a skilled Pennsylvania divorce attorney to make sure you get a fair settlement whether you are the one paying the alimony or receiving it. Whatever your situation, please call the Law Office of Sheryl R. Rentz for a free consultation. Our experienced and skilled family law attorneys will work hard to make sure your case has a positive outcome.