Articles

For a divorce case to proceed in Pennsylvania, the courts must have both subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction over the parties involved. If the court has personal jurisdiction over one party, it can grant the divorce on an ex parte basis (without both parties being present). However, to make decisions regarding property division, spousal […]

Step One: The Notice to Defend, Complaint, and Verification (Form 1). To initiate a divorce case, you begin by filing a “Complaint.” Along with the Complaint, two additional forms are required: the “Notice to Defend and Claim Rights” should be attached at the top, and the “Verification” should be attached at the bottom. The Complaint […]

In situations where it is in the best interests of the child, the court may award custody to a grandparent who: Presumptions in Child Custody Cases: Visitation Rights: The term “visitation” generally refers to third parties, such as grandparents, while terms like primary and partial custody are used for parents. In most cases, the non-custodial […]

A grandparent may be awarded custody of a grandchild if it is determined to be in the child’s best interests, provided that: Presumptions in Child Custody Cases: Visitation Rights: While the term “visitation” is often used for third parties, parents usually refer to primary and partial custody. In general, the non-custodial parent is granted reasonable […]

After the court identifies and values the marital property, it will proceed to make an equitable division. It’s important to note that “equitable” does not necessarily mean a 50/50 split. Once the divorce is finalized, the court’s property division is final and cannot be altered. The court uses various principles when making an equitable division, […]

What Is a Flat Fee Divorce?A flat fee divorce allows you to plan the cost of your divorce upfront. Unlike traditional divorces, where costs may vary throughout the process, a flat fee is a one-time payment that covers everything from filing fees to attorney fees. Once the fee is paid, the firm will manage the […]

In a Pennsylvania divorce, the division of property follows two main steps: Marital Property: Separate Property: Divorce Lawyer R. Badet is a skilled and dedicated divorce attorney, committed to assisting clients at every stage of the divorce process. His practice covers a wide range of issues, including both simple and complex divorces, spousal support, child […]

In fault-based divorces, several defenses can be raised, including: (1) recrimination; (2) connivance; (3) condonation; (4) collusion; (5) provocation; (6) insanity; (7) consent; and (8) justification. Divorce Lawyer R. Badet is an experienced attorney dedicated to assisting clients throughout the divorce process. He handles both straightforward and complex divorce cases, including issues of spousal support, […]

Calculating Child Support: In Pennsylvania, courts follow standard guidelines to determine child support amounts. They assess the reasonable needs of the child and the obligor’s ability to pay, taking into account both parents’ net incomes and other sources of income. Factors for Child Support Calculation: Note: Child support may cover reasonable educational costs, such as […]

There are three main types of child custody to understand: (1) Legal Custody, (2) Physical Custody, and (3) Shared Custody. Jurisdiction for Child Custody: Philadelphia follows the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act to prevent interstate custody and visitation disputes, including initial decisions and modifications. This act defines how to determine the child’s “home […]