Family Law

Family law encompasses all the laws and regulations governing the family unit. This includes laws governing divorce, child custody and support, visitation, and adoption. Learn more about each below.

Marriage Dissolution - Commonly called a divorce, this terminates a valid marriage. Pennsylvania allows specific grounds for divorce, whether it is contested or uncontested. When couples dissolve their marriage, the parties must reach agreements concerning spousal support, child custody and support, and property division, among other things. If such agreements cannot be reached, the court will decide these issues based on Pennsylvania law. I can advise you on what grounds you can seek a divorce, and help you negotiate the various agreements needed to terminate the marriage. If necessary, I will represent your interests before the court. Contact me today for a case evaluation.

Child Custody - This involves each parent's right to make decisions for the child (referred to as legal custody), and the right to have the child reside with, or visit, a particular parent (referred to as physical custody). This is commonly the most contentious part of a divorce. Pennsylvania courts decide child custody issues based on "the best interests of the child," a set of factors derived from the child's age and maturity, proximity to common areas, and relationships with parents and other relatives. I can advise you on how these factors can affect your custody wishes, whether you seek to establish a custody order or modify an existing one. Contact me today for an evaluation.

Child Support - Pennsylvania law requires that children be supported, and sets specific guidelines on the amounts a non-custodial parent must pay. However, courts may deviate from these guidelines depending on the individual situation. I advise clients on what the statutory guidelines provide, and initiate actions to establish, or modify support obligations. Grandparent Visitation - Under the Custody and Grandparents Visitation Act, grandparents may be granted reasonable visitation rights, and/or custody in the event an unmarried parent of a child is deceased or deemed unfit to be a parent. The Act also allows grandparents bring an action against existing parents for custody and/or visitation rights. If you are seeking custody or increased visitation of a grandchild, contact me today to learn more about your rights.

Adoption - Pennsylvania has liberal adoption laws. Essentially, any person may adopt, and any person may be adopted, regardless of age or residence. However, certain consent provisions must be met in order to validate the adoption before the state. An increasing number of clients have contacted me for stepparent adoptions. When a parent remarries after the death of a former spouse or after a divorce, the new spouse may desire to formally adopt the child or children of their current spouse. Contact me today to learn more about the adoption process.