by Karen UlmerIn Pennsylvania, if a divorcing couple cannot come to an agreement outside of court, all marital assets will be divided according to equitable distribution, which means, effectively, whatever the court thinks is appropriate after considering a number of factors. As long as both parties are reasonable, we encourage divorcing couples to avoid court so they […]
Divorce and Deferred CompensationApril 29, 2026 - 12:41 pm
Rental Properties and DivorceApril 17, 2026 - 9:37 am
Pets in DivorceApril 8, 2026 - 11:23 am
Agency Adoptions
An agency adoption is utilized my prospective parents who do not have direct contact or a pre-existing relationship with the natural parents. When working with an adoption agency, the agency serves as an intermediary between parties looking to adopt and parties looking to relinquish their rights as a parent and place a child for adoption. […]
Fostering to Adopt
There are always a number of children looking for quality foster parents to provide a stable, loving environment while waiting to be reunited with family or transition into a forever home. To get started as a foster parent, you will need to apply and pass several background clearances. Your home will also be inspected as […]
What If I Don’t Have the Documents I Need for Divorce?
When you meet with your lawyer or mediator to begin the divorce proceedings, you need to have many documents with you, both personal and financial. Not having access to these documents could delay proceedings or damage your case and limit your settlement options. A partial list of documentation includes: Personal data: birth certificate; marriage license; […]
Issues When Dividing Vacation Properties in Divorce
In Pennsylvania, if a divorcing couple cannot come to an agreement outside of court, all marital assets will be divided according to equitable distribution, which means, effectively, whatever the court thinks is appropriate after considering a number of factors. As long as both parties are reasonable, we encourage divorcing couples to avoid court so they […]
Obtaining a New Birth Certificate After Adoption
After your adoption hearing, you will still need to take a few steps to obtain a new birth certificate. A Certificate of Adoption is forwarded by the court to Vital Records to alert them the adoption was finalized. You would then contact Vital Records with a request for a new birth certificate and submit the […]
Necessary Documents for Adoption
Prior to filing an adoption petition you should make sure you have all the requisite documents to submit to the court simultaneously. This will permit the court to schedule your petition sooner rather than later. Exactly which documents you will need to include depend on what type of adoption you are seeking. All petitions will […]
Adoption Hearing
One of the final steps in the adoption process is the adoption hearing. The hearing is often ceremonial in nature. It is common for family and friends to attend along with the prospective adoptee parents. The adoptee(s) must be present as well. At the hearing, the Petitioners should be prepared to show all legal requirements […]
Counseling for Adoption
Each county is responsible for keeping a list of qualified counselors who are available to assist natural parents contemplating voluntary relinquishment or facing involuntary termination of their parental rights. Prior to an adoption taking place, the rights of the natural parent(s) must be terminated. This is a permanent act and accordingly, the courts ensure that […]
Your Child’s School District
If you are separated from your child’s other parent and do not reside in the same school district, you need to have a discussion as to which school your child will attend. Selecting a school district is an example of an education decision that should be discussed in the context of shared legal custody. Custody […]
Child Support Awareness
Child support in Pennsylvania is based on statewide guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The guidelines set support based on the combined net monthly income of the parents as well as the number of children involved. August is National Child Support Awareness Month. August has been dedicated to child support awareness since 1995 when […]