Pennsylvania Family Law Blog – The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz
Difference between Alimony and Spousal Support in Pennsylvania
According to a recent study by the American Psychological Association, in Western cultures, approximately 90% of people have been married by the time they reach the age of 50. Additionally, they find that roughly 45% of marriages in the US fail. The process of terminating a marriage is strongly correlated with increased stress levels and financial difficulties. In Pennsylvania, two commonly awarded, or ordered actions of the courts are those of alimony and spousal support. Often the two terms are mistakenly used interchangeably, and in Pennsylvania they are two separate and distinctive legal orders.
The US Models for Child Support Orders & Child Support Modification
Child support obligations in the US are taken seriously at the federal, state and local levels of government. The system in the US has a federally outlined framework, but empowers the states to create and enforce the majority of the specific guidelines for their programs. All of the states adhere to a broad focus of ensuring that parents are providing financial care and support for their children, and Pennsylvania is no exception. The federal requirements are that the states establish a uniform statewide set of guidelines and that these laws are formally reviewed and reevaluated within a minimum interval of every four years. The US military branches and federally recognized tribal entities maintain these requirements as well; however, those models have rare and unique intricacies which will not be analyzed in the calculation methods to be outlined.
Facts on Spousal Support in Cases without Dependent Children
Those facing a divorce quickly come to the realization that there are potentially large financial issues and decisions that are now going to be rendered. Some of the major economic aspects of a divorce include the division and distribution of assets, child custody, child support, and spousal support/alimony. Pennsylvania courts have the duty and the power to design, order, and enforce what they determine is a fair resolution to maintain some economic justice and equity when finalizing a divorce.
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Attorney Help Through a Pennsylvania Surrogacy
Making the decision to pursue surrogacy as a means of having a child can be a great option, especially for couples who have found it difficult to conceive naturally. Surrogacy is where a woman (also known as the surrogate mother) makes an agreement with another person or couple (also known as the intended parent or parents) to carry their child. There are two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. Traditional surrogacy involves artificially fertilizing the surrogate’s egg with the father’s sperm. Gestational surrogacy is where an embryo created from the intended mother’s egg and the intended father’s sperm is implanted in the surrogate mother. Once the child is born, typically the intended parents will assume all rights to the child and the surrogate mother is free of any financial responsibility or support of the child. 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.
What Is a Pennsylvania Post-Decree Modification Order?
It is possible to change an existing order of the court with a post-decree modification order. Post-decree petitions in Pennsylvania most often involve requests to change a Dissolution of Marriage, Annulment, Legal Separation, or Judgment of Paternity. They can be used to enforce a court order that already exists or to change a court order because of a change in circumstances.
There are a number of issues that can be handled with a post-decree motion. These include: Read the rest »
Ardmore Family Law Arbitration Tips
Even the most contentious of separations can be settled out of court when families choose to go through arbitration. In family arbitration, the spouses appoint an arbitrator who will help make some key determinations. This allows the separation to go quickly and with less conflict.
Going to court is expensive, you can’t choose your judge, and the private details of your divorce could be made public. In arbitration, you get to choose an arbitrator and your information will remain private. It’s advisable to consider going through arbitration if there issues you simply can’t resolve. Read the rest »
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 »
Sherri Shepherd Ordered To Pay Child Support
Sherri Shepherd, former co-host of the popular daytime talk show The View has been ordered to pay child support to a child that she and her former husband had through surrogacy.
According to news reports, the courts have ordered Shepherd to pay child support despite the fact that the child is not biologically hers and she is divorced from her ex-husband Lamar Sally, who is the child’s biological father. The child was conceived using Sally’s sperm, but is Shepherd’s son by law since she was married to Sally at the time and had agreed to raise the child. Read the rest »
Pennsylvania Divorce Waiting Period Could Be Reduced
Under current Pennsylvania law, there is a two-year statutory waiting time period in “no- fault” divorce cases. This means that the majority of separated couples in Pennsylvania cannot officially divorce until they have been apart for two years.
Recently, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has voted to pass House Bill 380, which will reduce the statutory waiting time period from two years to one year. The bill now goes to the Senate where it will be considered. Read the rest »
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