PENNSYLVANIA HAS NEW SUPPORT GUIDELINES
Pennsylvania has adopted revised support guidelines that are now in effect.
SUPERIOR COURT OVERRULES PRESUMPTION AGAINST HOMOSEXUAL PARENTS
On January 21, 2010, in the case of MAT v. GST, the Pennsylvania Superior Court overruled 25 years of an evidentiary presumption that favored heterosexual parents for primary physical custody in custody cases.
RESUMING MAIDEN NAME DURING DIVORCE
Pennsylvania Law allows any party to a divorce to resume their prior surname (maiden name) during the divorce even before the divorce is granted. See 54 Pa.C.S. Section 704. To do so you simply prepare and file a Notice to Resume Prior Surname with the Prothonotary where the divorce was filed. If you have any questions regarding this or any other family law issue please contact us to schedule a free initial consultation.
RECOMMEND REVISIONS TO POWERS OF ATTORNEY
PETERSON & PETERSON STRONGLY RECOMMENDS AMENDING YOUR POWERS OF ATTORNEY TO PROTECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR MONEY!
If you are married and you receive an inheritance it is your separate property (not subject to distribution between you and your spouse if you divorce) unless you co-mingle the inherited property. If you buy real estate with the inheritance and take joint title with your spouse, the inheritance becomes marital property. The same thing happens if you deposit the inheritance into a joint bank account.
You can protect your separate assets!
PENNSYLVANIA CUSTODY RELOCATION
When parents of children separate and one parent wants to relocate so that the custody arrangement must change, what happens?
In Pennsylvania the Courts follow the case of Gruber v. Gruber, 583 A.2d. 434 (1990). The Gruber case requires that the relocation be in the best interests of the children. The parent wishing to relocate must prove:
1. that the move would substantially improve the quality of life for the relocating parent and children;
2. that the move is not based on a whim or animosity toward the other parent; and
3. that there is a realistic substitute visitation schedule for the non-relocating parent.
If you have questions about how this law applies to your custody situation please contact us by telephone or e-mail to arrange a free initial consultation.