Divorce | Pennsylvania Family Law Blog - The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz - Part 8
Top Signs of a Marriage Headed for Divorce
As years go by and circumstances change, married couples are bound to face a number of rocky patches that threaten the relationship. Through careful navigation and perseverance it is possible for some couples to get back on track, but what if the path has gotten more than just a bit rocky? Whether a marriage has lasted a few years or several decades, there tend to be a few key signs that indicate a marriage is irretrievably broken and headed for divorce.
If you experience any of the following, it may be time to consider the best course of action for yourself, your children, and even your spouse. Contact Pennsylvania divorce attorney Sheryl R. Rentz to discuss your situation and to learn more about your legal rights and options.
What Are Grounds for Divorce in Pennsylvania?
Throughout the country, each state has a different set of regulations when it comes to divorce; however, every state requires that a person specifies his or her reason for filing for divorce. In Pennsylvania, spouses are allowed to obtain a no-fault divorce under certain terms when both spouses mutually agree that divorce is the best course of action. No-fault divorces are typically filed as one of the following:
- Mutual Consent – You and your spouse may each consent to a divorce and file an affidavit, which will make your marriage irretrievably broken after at least 90 days.
- Irretrievable Breakdown – You and your spouse may file an affidavit stating that you have lived separately for a minimum of two years and your marriage is irretrievably broken.
How to Initiate the Divorce Talk with Your Spouse
In many cases, divorce does not begin as a mutual decision. One spouse will have realized that the marriage is no longer working; while the other has no idea their partner is unhappy, until the news is finally broken during a heated argument or a stressful holiday gathering.
If you believe it is time to end your marriage, the following tips can help you broach the subject without making a difficult situation even worse:
First, do the research. Consult an experienced divorce attorney and learn about your state’s divorce laws. Knowing your options will help you create a realistic plan of action, especially regarding how your financial situation will change and how you hope to settle custody matters, if children are involved. It’s better to make a well-informed decision rather than blurting out your feelings without first understanding what it could mean in the long run. Read the rest »
How to Handle Threats During Divorce
Whether or not the decision was mutual, divorce can bring out the worst in people. Unfortunately, threats often come up during the divorce process in order to force one spouse to give in to the other’s demands. While some threats may involve property or money, threats about violence or causing harm should be reported to law enforcement.
The Pennsylvania divorce attorneys at The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. understand that the process of divorce can be complex and emotional, and will help protect your rights against the other spouse’s threats.
The most common threats that come up during a divorce settlement include: Read the rest »
Ways to Help Teens Cope with Divorce
Divorce can be an incredibly difficult time for each family member involved. Parents may be faced with not only the loss of a very important relationship, but also the struggle to help the children cope with a sudden upheaval in the family dynamics. When the divorce comes about during a child’s teenage years, the breakup may be particularly overwhelming. Adolescence already involves plenty of developmental changes, and a divorce may add to the confusion and frustration that many teens experience.
The following tips may help you and your teen cope with the transition:
Listen – Allow plenty of time to talk one-on-one with your teen and listen to his or her feelings. Remain calm and understanding, and explain that the divorce is not his or her fault. Read the rest »
Preparing for a Consultation with Your Divorce Lawyer
Choosing a Pennsylvania divorce attorney is an important decision if you are considering or entering a divorce. Your attorney will assist you with every stage of the process, so it is important to work with someone you feel confident about relying upon.
When you prepare for an initial consultation with a divorce attorney, keep the following tips in mind: Read the rest »
Five Mistakes We Make During Divorce
Can divorce be complicated and stressful? Absolutely. During divorce we no longer use our brains; we use our hearts. Pain, sadness, anger—every emotion seems to overpower us during divorce.
Courtesy of an article in The Huffington Post, Dr. Jeff Gardere, relationship expert, says well-intentioned partners can make serious mistakes during the process of divorce. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family law attorney Sheryl R. Rentz wants you to know that you cannot allow your emotions to control your thinking. There are serious complex issues to be handled before you can move on with your life. Read the rest »
Licensed Pennsylvania Marriage Counselors’ Advice for Surviving Valentine’s Day Single
Courtesy of Dvorce360.com, staying sane on Valentine’s Day when you have recently returned to single status after a divorce is not easy. Family therapists and marriage counselors, Jennifer McCarron from North Wales, Pennsylvania, and Eugene Kayser who practices in Abington, Pennsylvania, have seven tips for survival:
- Treat yourself by doing something that nourishes you like a spa session, a walk, a visit to the gym, any activity that nurtures.
- Simply choose to ignore Valentine’s Day. Don’t participate in activities normally associated with the day. Treat it as if it is a holiday that your religion does not recognize. Read the rest »
Issues of Middle-Age that May Lead Women to Divorce
As women reach age 50-something, they may start to wonder if this is all there is to life. Whether or not this is a mid-life crisis, middle age is a time of questioning whether women are where they want to be. As was reported in The Huffington Post, many married middle-aged women said they no longer wanted to be married to their husbands. They were finished with marriage. They were not happy. They felt doomed to live the rest of their lives the way they had up to the present.
Midlife Changes
Midlife is an anxiety-filled time for women. Family law attorneys are familiar with just how difficult making the decision of whether or not to divorce can be. Read the rest »
Beginning Your New Year with Divorce: Why Couples May Divorce in January
As reported by Divorce360.com, a number of couples across the nation make the difficult decision to divorce at the beginning of the new year, but why is January a popular month to make a split official? The increased filings in the beginning of the New Year may be in response to the need for “self-improvement” that many feel during the start of a year. One woman, the operator of FamilyLawCourts.com, jumped at the chance to finalize her divorce from her husband in January with thoughts of “new year, new life.”
However, the woman regrets the decision she made to do a bifurcated divorce suggested by her attorney, which speeds the finality of divorce before custody or financial issues are negotiated. Read the rest »
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