Pennsylvania Family Law Blog – The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz
What Is an Anonymous Divorce?
Anyone who has gone through a divorce will tell you that it is a highly emotional time. Now imagine the added stress of millions of people knowing about your divorce and talking about it constantly on TV, radio, and social media. That’s an issue high-profile couples have to deal with when they split up. Every salacious and embarrassing detail of your marriage is now common knowledge. If you have children, they can do a quick Google search and find out things that you may want to keep hidden. This is driving a lot of high-profile couples to request an anonymous divorce. Read the rest »
Pets: Divided Like Property, or Shared with Custody?
Any pet owner will tell you that she views her pet as a member of the family. When couples divorce, one would expect pets to be treated the same as children, given how much they mean to their “pet parents.” In some states, like Illinois, the laws are moving in this direction. However, that is not the case in Pennsylvania. Read the rest »
Valentine’s Day Sees an Increase in Divorce
When you hear Valentine’s Day, thoughts of love, roses, chocolates, and happy couples come to mind. You may also think about the lonely single people of the world who dread the day or just pretend it doesn’t exist. No matter what emotions the day brings for you, you would never think that the traditional day of love is when most people file for divorce! But in truth, February 15th sparks the beginning of divorce season, and we family law attorneys across the U.S. become very busy. Read the rest »
Don’t Be Fooled by Cuffing – Divorce Lasts Longer Than Marriage
During the summer, people generally want to be single and free; but once it gets cold, singles feel the need to settle down and find someone to be with for the winter months. “Cuffing season” refers to this time of year when people desire relationships. Although it sounds like a joke, it’s actually scientifically proven that humans want to mate during the colder months. Since it gets darker quicker, this activates your melatonin, which makes you sleepier and lazier. Ultimately, you would rather be inside having intimate interaction instead of going out and being around a lot of people. Read the rest »
Is Parallel Parenting Right for You?
Ending a relationship is always a tough thing to get through, but it can be harder when you have children with that person. While other couples get the luxury of never speaking to each other again, that can’t be the case when a child is involved.
Although co-parenting is an ideal situation, it doesn’t work for everyone. If there is a lot of conflict between the two parents, parallel parenting might be the best option. (If domestic abuse is the reason, the court would have to determine whether it’s safe for the child to be around that parent before any parenting plan can be put in place.) Read the rest »
When Is Custody Not Given to Either Parent?
Child custody battles are hard to get through, especially when parents cannot get along. But parents must put their feelings to the side and do what’s in the best interest of the child. They might as well.
Pennsylvania’s family court judges will stick to this rule whenever they are faced with a custody decision. They do not show favoritism, or automatically side with the mother as most people believe. However, there are times when the “best interest of the child” is to NOT give custody to either parent, but to a legal guardian or a responsible family member. Read the rest »
Does Getting Married Young Put You at Risk for Divorce?
Everyone remembers their high school sweethearts. Knee-deep in teenage love, you thought you’d be together forever. Now that you’re much older, can you imagine marrying your high school sweetheart at the ripe old age of 18?
Most likely the answer is no. Which makes perfect sense. Read the rest »
Domestic and International Adoptions: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to starting a family, many Americans turn to adoption. While it can be a truly rewarding process, there are certain decisions that must be made while navigating this journey.
There are two types of adoption: domestic and international. Domestic might seem like the “common” form of adoption amongst average Americans, but international adoption is on the rise. It’s not just for celebrities! Read the rest »
Making Blended Families Work with a Prenup
Prenuptial agreements are more than just plot points in your favorite dramas or lyrics in your favorite Kanye West song. They may have a “bad” reputation in the media, but in real life, they could be your answer to finding stability. Read the rest »
Are Cohabitation Agreements the New Prenup?
Many of us can recall a time where we happily moved in with a significant other, thinking it would last forever.
However, when the relationship took a turn for the worse, you were stuck in a very sticky situation. Who moves out? Both paid for the furniture, so who gets it?
As more couples decide to live together before getting married, they are opting to sign cohabitation agreements to avoid the headache of a messy breakup. Read the rest »
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