Articles

If the marriage has lasted a longer time and there are children involved, it is typically necessary to proceed with a divorce, not an annulment. Void Marriage Voidable Marriage A voidable marriage is valid until one of the parties seeks an annulment, requiring a judicial decree to dissolve the marriage. Voidable marriages can only be […]

Alimony is financial support paid to the spouse who is economically disadvantaged. There are three main types of alimony: (1) periodic alimony, (2) lump-sum alimony, and (3) rehabilitative alimony. Periodic Alimony:This type of alimony requires the court to order the husband to pay a monthly amount, such as $2,000, to the wife, until her death […]

Pennsylvania upholds a strong presumption of paternity to promote family stability, meaning that a child born to a married woman is presumed to be the child of both the woman and her husband. This presumption stands unless the marriage was not intact at the time the paternity is questioned, and it is shown that the […]

When dividing property in Pennsylvania divorces, several factors are considered, including: (1) Professional Licenses or Degrees, (2) pension benefits, (3) personal injury settlements, (4) marital debts, (5) goodwill, (6) future interests, (7) tax implications, and (8) alimony or spousal support. Professional Licenses or Degrees: While a professional license or degree is not considered marital property, […]

If someone wishes to end their marriage in Norristown, they may file for divorce at the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. The court is located at 2 E Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401. For more details, you can contact them at 610-278-3360. The court operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. […]

Custody modifications are determined based on the child’s best interests. There is no requirement to demonstrate specific “changed circumstances,” although the court may consider significant changes as a starting point to assess what is in the child’s best interest. When a custody modification is requested, the court will focus on the child’s welfare, giving priority […]

For Pennsylvania courts to handle a divorce case, they must have both subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction over the parties involved. The court can grant a divorce on an ex parte basis if it has personal jurisdiction over just one party. However, for the court to divide property or make decisions about spousal support, […]

Step One: Filing the Notice to Defend, Complaint, and Verification (Form 1). The divorce process begins with the filing of a “Complaint.” You must also attach two forms to the Complaint: the “Notice to Defend and Claim Rights” at the top and the “Verification” at the bottom. The Complaint is filed with the office responsible […]

In certain situations, a court may award custody to a grandparent if it is deemed in the best interest of the child. The following conditions must apply: Presumptions in Child Custody Cases: Visitation Rights: The term “visitation” typically applies to third parties like grandparents, while terms like “primary custody” and “partial custody” are used for […]

After the court identifies and values the marital property, it will divide the assets in an equitable manner. However, it’s important to note that “equitable” does not necessarily mean an equal 50/50 split. Once the divorce is finalized, the property division is final and cannot be changed. The court uses several key principles to ensure […]