Law Office of Gary R. Swavely, Jr. Blog

Q: What damages can I recover for injuries in a car accident?

A Lancaster County New Year's Eve car crash reportedly claimed the life of a teenaged girl and sent the car’s other three occupants, including the adult male driver, to Lancaster General Hospital "as trauma patients". The teen died at the scene despite life-saving efforts of first responders.

Motor vehicle accidents often result in the death and/or serious personal injury of the drivers and passengers involved. An investigation continues into what caused the vehicle in the apparent single-car accident to allegedly veer off the road and crash through a detached garage behind a home around 6:00 pm.

Now that same-sex marriage is just as legal as different-sex marriage in all 50 states, everyone has a right to a legal marriage with their partner of choice. No more having to settle for “marriage substitutes” like civil unions or domestic partnerships. Being able to marry does not, however, solve all the problems that two people can experience. With legalized marriage comes the possibility of divorce and having to sort out the same issues different-sex couples have faced for many years, as well as some scenarios that have been unique to same-sex couples.

Q: What can be done to enforce a child support order?

There is no place safe in Pennsylvania for “deadbeat” dads or moms.

Lancaster County child support attorneys know that the county’s collection rate of 84% matched the state of Pennsylvania's overall collection rate--which is by far the best in the nation at enforcing child support orders. In comparison, the national average is 65%.
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If you are facing the possibility of getting a divorce in Pennsylvania, you may be wondering if you will receive or have to pay alimony, and if so, how much. Unlike the calculation of child support, there is no formula for determining the amount of spousal support in Pennsylvania. A Reading divorce lawyer can help you understand the factors that judges consider when awarding spousal support. In the meantime, take a look at the following 17-factors.

Pennsylvania judges use statutory guidelines called the “17 Factors” when deciding how much alimony to award in a divorce, what kind of spousal support, how long it will last, and the form of payment.
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Q: Why would couples sign a post-nuptial agreement?

Pennsylvania marital agreement attorneys help couples before or after their marriage enter contracts establishing the rights and responsibilities of the couple if they don't live happily ever after.

Q: Can child custody become a criminal matter?

It isn't every day that a Reading, Pennsylvania child custody dispute makes national headlines, but it recently happened.

Pennsylvania family law attorneys help couples who are divorcing or separating with the transition to living separate lives. That often includes distributing jointly-held marital property and, in the case of minor children, determining what is in the best interest of the children as far as child custody and child support are concerned.
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If you cannot afford to pay child support because you have lost your job, your options will depend on several factors, including why you lost your job and whether there is already a court order requiring you to pay support. A child support lawyer can be a tremendous ally during this time. While it is true that lawyers cost money, they can also save you money in the long run and help you avoid defaulting on a court judgment.
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Q: What should I do if I can’t make my child support payment?

Many people have heard of or watched "America's Most Wanted" a television show that for a quarter of a century, used actors to reenact dangerous fugitives and sought public’s help in locating them and bringing them to justice. The episodes would display a toll-free phone number for viewers to call in their tips on the fugitive’s whereabouts.

Well, hard-core or violent criminals are not the only fugitives that are being sought out. The hunt is on for “domestic relations fugitives” and local sheriff’s offices are asking for the public’s help in tracking down some of the Family Court’s “Most-Wanted” offenders.

A domestic relations fugitive is a person who is wanted for failure to appear in Family Court.
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If you are going through a divorce and children are involved, you and your ex-spouse will need to come together and make child custody decisions. Child custody refers to the rights and obligations that parents have when it comes to caring for their children. It is broken down into two types: physical and legal custody. Both parents tend to have legal custody, but one may not have physical custody, depending on where they live.

This article discusses the differences in types of child custody.
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Even the most passive observer of American life will have noticed that the United States is moving towards granting equal rights to same-sex individuals and couples.  For example, the US Supreme Court recently ruled that same-sex marriages are to be legal in all 50 states.  On the other hand, not every corner of America is moving at the same rate.  The Texas Supreme Court just ruled that while same-sex couples can get married in Texas, that doesn’t necessarily mean that those couples are entitled to the same rights and benefits as married mixed-sex couples.  With so much changing so quickly, family planning for same-sex couples can be very difficult.
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