Divorce and Family Law Articles
Updates on Parenting Coordination Programs in Pennsylvania
By: Lindsay H. Childs, Esquire
It has been over five years since the Pennsylvania Supreme Court brought Parenting Coordination programs back to our state. On March 1, 2019, Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1915.11-1 was enacted, providing that a Parenting Coordinator may be appointed by a…
Donna Marcus Case Note Published About Protection From Abuse
Feinman & Childs Family Lawyer Donna M. Braslow has published a case note in the PBA Family Lawyer about developments in a case about protection from abuse for victims of sexual violence or intimidation. The case note can be found in Volume 46, Issue No. 1, (Spring, 2024), or you can read…
Who Keeps the Family Pet After Divorce?
By Donna Marcus
During a divorce, assets such as bank accounts and real estate will need to be divided and distributed, and if children are involved, custody will need to be addressed. But who retains custody of the family pet after divorce? In most households, pets are like members of the…
ADR in the Golden Years: The Case for Using Alternative Dispute Resolution in Gray Divorces
Originally published in PBA Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, Volume 45, Issue No. 3, Fall 2023.
By: Lindsay H. Childs, Esquire
As a family law practitioner, you have likely heard the term “gray divorce.” It seems that there are an increasing number of programs regarding how to handle a divorce for…
Family Lawyer Discusses Name Changes for Adults and Children
Any time that someone wants to change their name, and the change is not due to a marriage or divorce, that person must file a petition with the court to seek permission for the name change. Due to a risk of fraud and the fear that some individuals may try to change their name to avoid…
I’m Not the Child’s Parent – Can I Obtain Third-Party Custody?
Sometimes it is in the best interest of a child for a non-parent to have custody. This is particularly true when the child’s parents have mental health or substance abuse issues, are incarcerated or deceased. In Pennsylvania, third-party custody is a legal arrangement where a non-parent seeks…
Using Alimony and Child Support as Qualifying Income for a Mortgage
A major factor to consider during the divorce process is how to handle the division of the marital residence. The parties may choose to sell the marital home and use their share of the profits as a down payment for their respective new homes. In the alternative, one party may wish to remain…
Premarital Purchase of Real Estate – Pitfalls and Solutions
Thinking about purchasing a house with your significant other? If you are not married, you should consult with an attorney before making that commitment. Many people assume that if they purchase a home with their boyfriend or girlfriend, and the relationship later breaks down, the law will…
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Pennsylvanians seeking a quick resolution of their divorce or family law matter should consider alternative dispute resolution processes. Due to COVID-19, the Pennsylvania Courts were closed for all but emergent matters from mid-March until the beginning of June. Therefore, the Courts are…
A Main Line Family Law Attorney Advises: How do you File your Taxes when your Divorce is Pending?
As Main Line family law attorneys, we know that when a divorce is pending, clients are often confused as to whether they are considered “married” or “divorced” for tax filing purposes. Since there is no “legal separation” document that is filed in Pennsylvania, you are not considered divorced…
Can a Grandparent File for Custody of a Grandchild?
We often hear the question, “Can a grandparent file for custody of a grandchild?” It may seem obvious that parents can file to obtain custody of their child or children. But the question often arises about who else is permitted to do so. On one end of the spectrum is a random stranger, who…
Do Both Spouses Need A Divorce Lawyer?
When a couple decides to divorce, the first step often involves both spouses retaining separate lawyers. But do both spouses need a divorce lawyer? In Pennsylvania, the Rules of Professional Conduct say that an attorney shall not represent a client if the representation involves a concurrent…