Articles

A court may grant custody to a grandparent if it serves the grandchild’s best interests and if: Presumptions in Child Custody Disputes Visitation Rights “Visitation” commonly refers to a third party’s access to a child, while parents typically handle “primary custody” and “partial custody.” Key points include: Third-Party Visitation Grandparents’ Visitation Grandparents may seek visitation […]

Pennsylvania law recognizes several fault-based grounds for divorce, outlined below: Possible Outcomes at Trial Even if one or both spouses plead these fault-based grounds, they can stipulate at trial to grant the divorce to one or both parties, allowing the process to move forward. If the trial is contested, the court has discretion to: If […]

After identifying and valuing all marital assets, the court will distribute them in a manner it deems fair—keeping in mind that “equitable” does not necessarily mean an even 50/50 split. This division becomes final once the divorce is concluded and cannot be changed later. Two important concepts that can influence property classification are: Factors for […]

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Philadelphia What Is a Flat Fee Divorce? Simply put, a flat fee divorce allows you to budget for your divorce ahead of time. Instead of paying multiple legal bills as the process unfolds, you pay one upfront cost that covers everything from filing fees to your attorney’s services. After […]

In Pennsylvania, dividing property in a divorce typically involves two steps: Marital Property Separate Property About Divorce Lawyer R. Badet Divorce Lawyer R. Badet has extensive experience guiding clients through both straightforward and complex divorces. He also handles spousal support, child support, and custody matters. With a deep understanding of divorce law, he works to […]

Pennsylvania allows several defenses for spouses facing a fault-based divorce claim. These defenses can prevent or undermine an action for divorce on fault grounds: About Divorce Lawyer R. BadetDivorce Lawyer R. Badet is well-versed in handling every stage of the divorce process, including both fault-based and no-fault proceedings. His practice encompasses simple and complex divorces, […]

Calculating Child Support Pennsylvania’s guidelines aim to balance the child’s needs with the payer’s ability to pay, taking into account net income and earnings. Courts typically assess: Note: Child support typically includes reasonable educational costs that reflect what the child requires and what the parents can afford. If a special-needs child must attend a specific […]

There are three primary forms of child custody that parents should understand: Jurisdiction for Child Custody Philadelphia follows the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), which aims to prevent conflicts among states regarding child custody and visitation (including initial custody decisions and any modifications). The main points include: Exclusive Continuing Jurisdiction The court […]

An annulment declares that a marriage was never valid, differing from a divorce that ends an existing and valid union. Annulments may apply to marriages considered legally void or voidable. One factor courts look at is whether the marriage was brief and whether there are no children; a longer marriage with children often requires divorce […]

Alimony payments are made to the spouse who is financially disadvantaged. There are three primary categories of alimony: 1. Periodic Alimony 2. Lump-Sum Alimony 3. Rehabilitative Alimony Factors for Determining Alimony When deciding on alimony, courts consider several elements, including: Considerations for Awarding Alimony Courts focus on two main considerations when deciding on alimony: Although […]