Pennsylvania Family Law Blog – The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz
Rupert and Wendi Murdoch: Lessons from an Affluent Divorce
As the much-publicized divorce of Rupert and Wendi Murdoch continues, the media seems to relish uncovering every aspect of the split, particularly because the couple in question includes someone with significant wealth and a global news empire. But what, if anything, can be learned from the details that emerge when such an affluent couple calls it quits? Examining how the parties try to protect such high-profile assets can reveal a lot of practical advice for even those without millions of dollars in the bank.
Legal Agreements
One of the most notable factors in this divorce is that Rupert and Wendi signed a prenuptial agreement followed by two postnuptial agreements. Postnuptial agreements are typically used to solidify the prenuptial agreement and to make the separation of assets cleaner.
Montgomery County Clerk Challenges Pennsylvania’s Ban on Gay Marriage
Over the past few weeks, the elected register of wills in Montgomery County has been issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite Pennsylvania’s ban on gay marriage. So far, at least 100 licenses have been issued to gay men and women hoping to receive the same rights and protections under the law as heterosexual couples.
As the only Northeastern state that does not legally recognize same-sex marriage, the county clerk’s actions have caused a stir on both sides of the issue.
Supporters argue that the open defiance is an act of civil disobedience, not unlike women fighting for the right to vote, or African Americans fighting for civil rights. However, opponents say the county clerk is flat out breaking the law and “may be guilty of a misdemeanor for each act of neglect or refusal.”
Increasing Number of Single-Parent Households Headed by Fathers
According to the Pew Research Center, the number of single father households in the U.S. has steadily increased during the past few decades, from 1% in 1960 to at least 8% in 2011. The most notable explanations for the shift include the rising trend of non-marital births, as well as the consistent rate of divorce in recent years.
However, some experts suggest that changes in the current legal system and an overall evolution of how society views fatherhood to also be considerable factors in this growing trend.
Pennsylvania Father Faces Series of Charges after Fleeing with 2-Week-Old Son
Phillyburbs.com recently reported that a 32-year-old Pittsburgh man was arrested and jailed after jumping out of a second-floor window with his two-week-old son. The police had attempted to serve the man with an emergency protection-from-abuse order from the infant’s mother at her apartment when he fled with the baby. Read the rest »
Signs of a Controlling Spouse
According to a poll commissioned by Divorce360.com, about 36 percent of Americans said they divorced in order to escape relationships that had become verbally or physically abusive. Domestic violence can take many forms and often develops subtly over a period of time. CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Sheryl Cates says that patterns of coercive control that one person exercises over another fall under the umbrella of domestic abuse, such as threats and intimidation, physical harm, or economic deprivation.
In many cases, victims of abuse are unaware that they are involved in an unhealthy, and sometimes dangerous, relationship until the abuser has taken over his or her life. Whether dating or years into a marriage, it’s important to identify the warning signs and know when it’s time to escape a toxic situation.
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.
Surviving the Summer Child Custody Transition
Divorced families often face a unique situation during the summertime, especially when the parents live far apart. In such cases, it is not uncommon that one parent may have custody of the children throughout the school year, while the other may have custody over the summer break.
Making the transition from one household to the other for a few months can be awkward for everyone involved, but there are ways in which the “school year parent” can help the children make the summer switch. Read the rest »
Important Decisions to Make When Choosing Adoption
Adoption can be a rewarding and life-altering event that allows couples or single parents to provide a safe, loving home to a child in need. However, making the decision to adopt and going through the process comes with a wide range of obstacles. If you are thinking about adopting, the following considerations may be helpful: Read the rest »
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 »
Tips for Maintaining Financial Security During a Pennsylvania Divorce
There are a wide range of hurdles to overcome when pursuing a divorce. From custody battles and asset division to overcoming emotional upheaval, it can be easy to forget about the importance of maintaining financial security. Many Pennsylvania divorce financial and tax issue attorneys understand that negotiating a fair and just settlement agreement is one of the biggest steps toward ensuring a stable future after your divorce is finalized.
The following steps can help you ensure financial security throughout the divorce process: Read the rest »
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