Divorce | Pennsylvania Family Law Blog - The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz - Part 5
Learn About LGBT Divorce
Recent changes in the legal landscape that pertain to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities have resulted in new challenges when it comes to family law. In particular, in Pennsylvania, the case Whitewood v. Wolf was a federal lawsuit that successfully challenged the Pennsylvania marriage laws, which were amended in 1996 to ban same-sex marriage. The decision of the district court in May 2014 found that the ban violated the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the United States Constitution and thus made same-sex marriage legal in Pennsylvania. Of course, a year later, the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
These changes, still only a few years old, have been a great boon for LGBT rights, but have also created new issues in the way family law is adjudicated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—considering that those laws pertaining to marriage, divorce, and child custody were crafted with only heterosexual couples in mind. Read the rest »
Do Social Media Posts Have the Power to Affect Your Divorce Case?
Social media has become a routine part of everyday life for the general population. It’s a great way to stay connected with family and friends and to document thoughts and experiences. However, social networking is no longer just a harmless activity relegated to the cyberworld. Posts on popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are now finding their way into the courtroom and making divorce cases even more complicated than they already are.
If you are going through a divorce in Montgomery County, it’s vital that you recognize how social media posts can have a direct affect on your case. It’s best to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania divorce attorney if you have any uncertainties about things you or your spouse has posted. Read the rest »
Let’s Discuss Dog Custody After a Divorce
Any dog owner will tell you that he or she views that dog as a member of the family—a child even, or a “fur baby” as they are sometimes called. When an unfortunate event like divorce happens, you might expect the custody of the pet to be treated the same as child custody. However, that is not the case.
No matter how you may personally view your pet, in the eyes of the law, your pet is property. It is split up the same way other assets—such as a car, furniture, or money— are in a divorce. Read the rest »
How Is Pet Custody Decided in a Divorce?
We are all aware of how stressful and traumatic a divorce can be and the severe impact it can have on our families. One aspect of divorce often gets overlooked: what happens to our pets? In the event of a marriage’s dissolution, this question has many divorcing couples scrambling for an answer. Read the rest »
What Are Grounds for Divorce in Pennsylvania?
The decision to file for divorce is never easy. Even if you are sure this is the best move for you and your family, there are many life-altering repercussions of ending a marriage that must be taken into consideration. Not least of which, the actual process of going through a divorce is complicated, expensive, and difficult to navigate.
How To Legally Change Your Name in Pennsylvania
There a number of reasons why a person might want to legally change their name. The most common of course is when a person gets married. Unfortunately, when a marriage ends in divorce, many people will then need to change their name back. The process can be confusing and time consuming, and comes at a difficult time when you will have many other more pressing concerns.
Pennsylvania law governs the process under which a person’s name can be changed in the State of Pennsylvania. The Office of the Prothonotary is where you must go to submit the necessary documents to procure a name change. Depending on where you live in Pennsylvania, this office is typically located in your county’s courthouse. Depending on why you are requesting a name change and whether it involves an adult or a minor, there are different procedures to follow.
Reduced Waiting Period for Divorce without Consent Becomes Law December 3, 2016
Last month, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a bill into law that would reduce the waiting period for those seeking divorce without their spouse’s consent from two years to one. There are, however, some exceptions. For instance, if one spouse has an abuse conviction, the other spouse only needs to wait 90 days to move forward with nonconsensual divorce proceedings. Also, a waiting period is waived if one spouse has been confined to a mental hospital for the last 18 months and is expected to remain confined for 18 more months. The law will be going into effect statewide December 3, 2016.
The Divorce Code was initially passed in 1980 and was meant to give couples time to reconcile their marriage before pulling the plug. The initial waiting period at the time was three years, but it was reduced to two years in 1988. If you are considering ending your marriage and your spouse is not cooperating, or, if you are dealing with an abusive partner, you need to speak with an experienced divorce attorney. The Ardmore Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. can answer any questions you may have and represent you during your divorce proceedings. Ms. Rentz has been successfully representing Pennsylvania divorce clients for over a quarter of a century and she will use that experience on your case. Call (610) 645-0100 today for a free case evaluation.
Divorce and the Holidays in Pennsylvania
The holiday season is a time of celebration that is typically defined as the period beginning on Thanksgiving and continuing through until New Year’s Day. The holidays do potentially bring on a fair amount of stress and anxiety also. In a situation where you are amid the process of divorce, the holidays can be particularly difficult for some of these possible reasons.
Read the rest »
The Difference Between Contested and Uncontested Divorce
If you are experiencing difficulties or irreconcilable differences with your spouse and you ultimately decide to end your marriage, you can dissolve your marriage through an uncontested or contested divorce. Here are the differences between the two types of divorce.
How to Handle Investments During a Pennsylvania Divorce
Every January, there is a significant spike in marital splits. It is unclear if this increase in the number of divorces is a result of heightened tensions during the holidays, but every year, a substantial number of families fall apart in January. If you are one of the many individuals who are about to go through a divorce, you are probably worried about how your divorce will affect your children, your property and your investments. Read the rest »
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