Chester County Family Law Lawyer
Legal Assistance with Family Matters
People in Chester County may be in need of family law services for any of a number of reasons, from adoption to divorce. Family law attorneys use negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, and litigation when necessary to preserve the rights and interests of our clients. Our skills include flexibility and creative thinking to resolve a wide range of family matters.
When You May Need a Family Law Attorney in Chester County
At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., we have been assisting clients with family law matters for more than 25 years. We take the time to ask questions and listen closely to your concerns. Attorney Sheryl R. Rentz has extensive experience in a wide range of family law matters, including the following:
- Divorce: Pennsylvania law recognizes both no-fault and fault grounds for divorce. Examples of fault grounds include desertion, cruelty, and adultery. Grounds for a no-fault divorce are irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Spouses who consent to a no-fault divorce mutually may receive a divorce judgment from the court after a 90-day waiting period.
- Child custody: In Pennsylvania, there are two parts to child custody – physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody refers to the child’s living arrangement, while legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions for the child. In most cases, both parents share legal custody. If one parent is granted sole physical custody, the other will have visitation.
- Child support: Both parents have an obligation to provide for the child financially. Depending on the circumstances, one parent may be required to make child support payments to the other to help the child enjoy a healthy, more financially stable life. In most cases, the non-custodial parent makes child support payments to the parent who has primary physical custody.
- Alimony: Marriage is a legal contract that involves sharing financial assets and resources. When a marriage is dissolved, it can leave one party in a financially unstable position. For example, one spouse may have focused on taking care of the home and the children while the other focused on a career. Alimony can help the lower-earning spouse maintain the standard of living established during the marriage post-divorce.
- Paternity: When a woman gives birth to a child, it is clearly established that she is the child’s mother. However, the identity of the father may not be so clear cut, particularly if the parents are not married. Although the mother may have no doubt who is the father of her child, paternity will need to be established in the eyes of the court before the father can be held responsible for his parental duties or claim his parental rights.
Chester County Family Law Courts and Local Services
Family Court in Chester County is located at 201 W. Market St., Suite 5402, West Chester, PA 19380. Family Court Administration is responsible for divorce, equitable distribution of property, custody, and protection from abuse. The Domestic Relations Office oversees child support and spousal support. Family courts include Juvenile Court, Dependency Court, and Delinquency Court. Local services through the court include a regional emergency alert system known as Ready ChesCo, an emergency rent and utility assistance program, and weekly data updates on COVID-19.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. for Family Law Services
At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., we provide honest, reliable, and customized representation to our clients. Our firm was founded in 1992. We take the time to ask questions and listen to your concerns. Call us at (866) 290-9292 if you are in need of a Chester County family law attorney.
Chester County Resources
- Chester County Domestic Relations Office
- Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families
- Chester County Family Court
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