Law Office of Gary R. Swavely, Jr. Blog

Marital agreements can be a useful tool for parties as they prepare to get married or even after they are married. Partners enter marital agreements for a variety of reasons, including protecting family property, settling various matters that may arise during a divorce, and providing for children from a previous relationship. Before you consider signing a marital agreement, there are many things that you should consider. A Read more . . .

Many people considering getting divorced in Pennsylvania have minor children. In that case, the parties need to agree on issues that include child support and child custody. If they can't come to an agreement, those terms of the divorce will be decided by a judge.

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Some people believe that prenuptial (prenups) agreements are unromantic, can ruin a wedding, and can cause problems between partners.  However, there are many reasons why you should consult a Pennsylvania marital agreements lawyer to discuss a prenup.

For example, if you have inherited a considerable sum from your family, own a family operated business, or have children from a previous relationship, entering a prenuptial agreement can protect your children and pre-marital assets.

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Q: Can parents be sued for their adult child’s actions?

Parents getting divorced in Pennsylvania have many issues to work out when children are involved. The court looks at what's in the best interest of the child when deciding child support and custody issues. But whether couples are divorced or remain married, how they raise their children can impact them well into adulthood.

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Dealing with custody issues can be a very emotional, complicated, and frustrating process when parents are in the same city or state. However, when parents are in different states or even a different country, child custody issues can become far more complex. Under Pennsylvania custody laws, the child’s best interest is a guiding factor in determining child custody disputes, including child relocation issues.

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Q: Can a family lawyer help a domestic violence victim? 

In the majority of cases, couples considering getting a divorce in Pennsylvania have many issues to work out in the transition from a single household to two separate ones.
In addition to the division of marital property, there are issues of spousal support (also known as “alimony”) including who is responsible for paying it, how much they must pay, and for how long they must pay it.
If the couple has children together, perhaps the hardest thing to work out is Read more . . .

How Much Will I Have to Pay in Spousal Support?

If you are facing divorce, you need to know what your financial picture will be. You cannot make wise financial decisions, such as renting or buying an apartment or house if you do not know how much disposable income you will have. If you anticipate that you will have to pay alimony (also called maintenance or spousal support), you should do yourself a favor and speak with a skilled divorce lawyer about your particular circumstances.

Presumed Amount of Spousal Support

Pennsylvania courts use guidelines to calculate a presumed amount of spousal support. The courts take the position that the guideline-calculated amount is correct.
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Q: What if my spouse ‘snaps” after served with divorce papers?

When couples consider getting divorced in Pennsylvania, they often take their time and weigh many factors. Others may decide more quickly based on a sudden and/or unforgivable event or change in circumstances. But once the decision to split has been made, the next worry may be how their children or soon-to-be former spouse will handle the news—especially the initial reaction.

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Because adoptions are shrouded in secrecy, there are many myths swirling around them. Since the misinformation can result in some people being less willing to consider adoption, our Reading adoption lawyers are dispelling these six myths surrounding adoption today.

MYTH #1: People who are adopted cannot get their birth records in Pennsylvania.
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