Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

Many divorcing couples do not realize that maintaining two separate households after a divorce is very costly. In many instances, the same family income is now being divided to run two residences and pay the bills associated with them. In addition to this, one spouse is inevitably paying spousal and child support, straining finances even more. Thus, it is important to approach divorce proceedings with a clear head and accurate picture of one's finances.

Developing a post divorce budget can be helpful in these situations. Pennsylvania residents should take some time to know what their monthly expenses will look like. This is an even more important step for those individuals who have never dealt with bills or managed the household budget alone because their spouse has been in charge of it so far. Figuring out what one's immediate needs are, how much they will cost in the short-run and the long-run is beneficial and could include a new car, a new place to live, insurance and everyday items such as groceries and gas.

Pennsylvania residents might remember reading a recent post highlighting the differences between millennial couples and those of previous generations. For example, millennials are getting married later and pulling down the divorce rate. It was also mentioned how they are trying to be prudent about their financial choices, opting to live with their significant other before tying the knot in an attempt to drive down living costs. Another way in which millennials are different from their older counterparts is their approach to bank accounts after marriage.

According to one survey, 28% of millennials are opting to keep their bank accounts separate from their spouses and forgoing the traditional joint bank accounts. This is more than double the amount of baby boomers and Gen X couples that keep their accounts separate. One of the reasons for this is because it has become easier to split money through applications that allow one to pay someone immediately.

Having a child is often the most important day in the lives of their parents. Whether the couple is married, divorced, or never married one another in the first place, a father's right to remain an active part of his children's life is important. A child needs the affection, attention and encouragement from both of their parents to flourish, and the parent's relationship with one another should not affect that bond.

Fathers in Pennsylvania have recently begun protesting what they believe is a one-sided approach taken by courts. According to the PA Father's Rights Movement, judges typically side with mothers when it comes to determining child custody and other family law matters. One father claimed he had not been able to see his children in more than three years and all motions filed by him had been dismissed without adequate reason. Fathers were raising the issue to address the lack of equal parenting time and hoping legislators could figure out a way to get their voices heard.

As a Pennsylvania resident who has a genuine fear of someone with whom you used to share a relationship, you may be exploring your options and trying to determine what you might be able to do to protect yourself or your child. In Pennsylvania, you may be able to obtain at least temporary protection against your abuser by securing what is known as a protection from abuse.

While the content of a protection from abuse order can vary to some degree based on the specifics of your situation and whether the order applies to just you, or you and your child or children, such an order will typically establish guidelines your abuser must abide by. For example, it may ban your abuser from contacting or harassing you, or you and your child, or it may force your abuser to return certain belongings of yours or your child.