Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

Getting a fair deal in property division during a divorce

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC posted in Property Division on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

Among the variety of issues that must be addressed in a divorce case in Pennsylvania, property division is the most likely to have a long-term impact on a person's financial security. After all, for most married couples, working together toward greater financial security is one of the main goals in life, particularly nowadays when both spouses are likely to be employed and earning an income. When it comes time to end the relationship, how those accumulated assets will be divided can be a major sticking point.

However, if both soon-to-be ex-spouses focus on getting a fair deal - not a deal that is slanted in favor of one over the other - then it may be possible to reach a satisfactory conclusion in the divorce case. But, what does a fair deal look like? Well, for starters, it doesn't always mean that all of the accumulated assets will be split 50/50. And, in many cases, such a "split down the middle" really doesn't make sense, based on the assets involved.

Why should you and your spouse choose mediation?

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

Most couples who are ending their marriage choose the traditional method of divorce: litigation.

However, there is an option that is growing in popularity: mediation. There are several advantages to consider including the fact that there is no judge in the mediation process.

How can you protect a business in a divorce?

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC posted in Divorce on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

Everyone who gets married in Pennsylvania is likely to bring their own assets and debts to the relationship. For example, it is not uncommon these days for people to have thousands of dollars in student loan debt by the age of 22, while it may also be the case that some people can expect inheritances from relatives which may boost their financial security. Unique assets and debts can quickly become commingled in a marriage.

However, when a person who owns a business gets married, protecting that business can become a concern of paramount importance. So, how can Pennsylvania residents protect their businesses in the event of a divorce?

Are "millennials" taking a different approach to divorce?

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC posted in Divorce on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

There are millions of people in America who belong to the so-called "millennial" generation. These individuals, typically categorized as those who were born between 1980 and 2000, have been seen as changing quite a few different aspects of American society, from how we communicate with one another, to how we work and how we form relationships. Technology, it seems, is at the heart of it all.

So, are millennials taking a different approach to divorce as well, changing how marriages end? Well, according to a recent report, that very well may be the case. Many reports have noted that millennials are waiting longer to get married than previous generations and, when they do get married, these individuals are seemingly more hesitant to proceed with a divorce. However, when they do, they may be worried about how they are perceived by others in their online presence.

The basics about child support in Pennsylvania

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC posted in Child Support on Friday, February 1, 2019.

Child support issues in a divorce case can cause quite a bit of concern for Pennsylvania residents. After all, you are not only ending a relationship with your soon-to-be ex-spouse, you are also addressing issues like child custody and child support that will likely affect your children for years to come. It is important for our readers to know the basics about child support in Pennsylvania.

For starters, child support issues typically come up in a divorce case because one side or the other requests child support. Although there are many new, innovative approaches to solving child custody arrangements these days, child custody is inextricably linked to child support. In most cases, one parent will be awarded primary custody of the children, while the other parent has parental visitation. This is true even in joint custody arrangements. As a result, the children are likely to be with one parent more than the other, creating a bit of a disparity in who is making direct payments for many things.

The right approach to child custody issues

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC posted in Child Custody on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Sometimes, the toughest part of a divorce is the issue of child custody. Child custody matters will also need to be addressed when a couple isn't married and never have been, but they have children together. No matter the family dynamic, child custody issues can be difficult for Pennsylvania residents to address.

Why are child custody issues so problematic in family law court? Well, any of our readers who are parents will understand: their children are the most important part of their lives. Parents, in general, do everything they can to make their children happy and make sure that their children have everything they need. When a child custody dispute arises, the issue at the heart of the matter is very personal for everyone involved.

Expect new tax laws to impact divorce cases in Pennsylvania

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC posted in Divorce on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Pennsylvania residents who are preparing to divorce understandably have quite a few questions and concerns. After all, a divorce can be a life-altering event for most people, putting an end to a relationship that, perhaps, lasted for years. No one gets married with the expectation that the union will end in divorce, so the end of a marriage can be an emotional time often made more complicated by the financial issues that must be addressed during the process.

However, despite the emotions involved in a divorce, couples could benefit from taking a stark look at how the divorce will impact their finances. In particular, as a recent report pointed out, couples in Pennsylvania will want to explore how new tax laws that go into effect in 2019 will impact their divorce case and life afterward.

How can finances and debts lead to divorce?

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC posted in Divorce on Friday, December 21, 2018.

Some couples in Pennsylvania who are going through a divorce can point to an exact issue or point in time that caused the tension in their relationship, ultimately leading to a split. However, for most couples, the issues that led to a divorce are probably more likely to build over time. This can certainly be the case with financial problems and debt, which can creep up as money issues are not properly addressed.

So, how can financial issues and debt lead to a divorce? Well, according to one recent article, financial and debt problems can lead to frequent arguments for a couple. And, when couples fight more often, the chance of a divorce ending the relationship increases by 30 percent, according to one study that was examined in the recent article.

Can I get custody of my grandchild?

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC on Monday, December 10, 2018.

As a grandparent, you have a special relationship with the child of your son or daughter. This may be similar to the one you had with your child, or it could be a typical grandparent-grandchild bond. Regardless, losing contact with your grandchild would be extremely painful for both you and the child.

Do you have any legal rights to gain custody of your grandchild?

What complex issues come up during property division?

On behalf of Graff & Associates, LLC posted in Property Division on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Although Pennsylvania residents going through a divorce will expect to encounter many complicated issues as the legal proceedings play out, no issue can present as many thorny problems as the property division part of the case. During the course of a marriage, most couples acquire a significant amount of assets - oftentimes, more than they even realize when the divorce case starts. So, what complex issues can come up during the property division part of a divorce in Pennsylvania?

Well, for starters, perhaps the most important part of the property division process is to determine which assets are considered marital assets and which are separate assets. Separate assets, typically, were solely owned by one spouse or the other prior to the marriage and, therefore, remain separate from the assets that will be divided during the divorce. Marital assets, on the other hand, will be subject to a split between the soon-to-be ex-spouses.