by Karen UlmerDivorce affects every aspect of a person’s life: economic, physical, emotional, and social. Men and women experience these changes differently, however. If you are divorcing, it’s best to know what to expect so you can develop a strategy that will help you through the process with the least harm to your health and well-being. Economic […]
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
Adoptions for Same Sex Couples
Now that Pennsylvania recognizes same-sex marriages, same-sex partners can also benefit from the simpler process of a kinship or step-parent adoption. This means no home study is required. The adopting parent would still complete the requisite background checks. At the adoption hearing the court will verify that all requirements for an adoption have been met. […]
Where to File for Adoption
An adoption petition can be filed in a number of places depending on the circumstances of your case. Pursuant to 23 P.A. CS 2302, an adoption may be brought in the county where the parent(s) reside, where the adoptee resides, where an office is located for an agency having custody of the adoptee, or with […]
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 […]
What If Your Ex Hid Money During the Divorce?
While the law requires both spouses to disclose all assets and liabilities with an accurate estimation of value for distribution between spouses, it’s not uncommon for someone to try to hide the actual worth of their property. This is, of course, illegal. But if the lie isn’t caught, the lying spouse gets to keep more […]
The Effects of Divorce on Men and Women
Divorce affects every aspect of a person’s life: economic, physical, emotional, and social. Men and women experience these changes differently, however. If you are divorcing, it’s best to know what to expect so you can develop a strategy that will help you through the process with the least harm to your health and well-being. Economic […]
Marital vs. Non-Marital Property
When most people think of property, they think only of assets, but debts are also considered property for the purpose of a divorce settlement. In order to divide assets and debts between the spouses, a thorough listing and determination of status is needed. That status can be marital, non-marital, or a combination of the two. […]
Home Studies
If you are adopting a child that is not related or not within the categories of relation qualifying as a kinship adoption, you will need to have a home study completed as part of the adoption process. You should have your requisite background checks completed prior to or in connection with requesting your home study […]
College Scholarships and Divorce – Who Has to Pay?
We wrote a recent blog about children’s student loans and divorce. But what about children’s scholarships? How are those handled? Unlike other states, parents in PA do not have a financial obligation to pay college tuition. However, to reduce conflict, you may want to negotiate tuition payments as part of your divorce process. The […]
If Your Spouse Won’t Agree to a Divorce in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is unusual among states in that it still has both no-fault and fault divorce options on the books. The many issues regarding divorce in PA are defined in Pennsylvania Statutes Title 23 Pa.C.S.A. Domestic Relations, Part IV. Uncontested Divorce There are two no-fault, or uncontested, options: Mutual Consent and Irretrievable Breakdown. Mutual Consent: In […]
Shared Accounts and your Divorce
Digital technology has advanced at such a rapid pace and has permeated so many aspects of our lives that you don’t realize how many ways you’re dependent on it until you have to separate your digital world from the partner with whom you’ve shared it. Chances are, you’ve disclosed much or all of your personal […]