Articles

For a divorce to proceed in Pennsylvania, the court must have both subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction over the parties involved. If the court has personal jurisdiction over at least one party, it can grant a divorce without the other party’s involvement. However, to address matters such as property division, spousal support, child support, […]

Step One: The Notice to Defend, Complaint, and Verification (Form 1). The divorce process begins with the filing of a “Complaint.” Two forms must be attached to the Complaint: the “Notice to Defend and Claim Rights” should be placed on top, and the “Verification” should be placed at the bottom. The Complaint must be filed […]

If it is in the best interest of the grandchild, the court may grant custody to a grandparent who: Presumptions in Custody Cases: Visitation Rights: The term “visitation” typically applies to grandparents and third parties, while “primary custody” and “partial custody” are used for disputes between parents. Third-Party Visitation: Courts may allow visitation for grandparents […]

After the court identifies and values the marital property, it will proceed with an equitable distribution, though it’s important to note that “equitable” doesn’t always mean a 50/50 split. Once the divorce is finalized, the court’s decision on property division cannot be altered. The court uses several principles when determining an equitable division, including: (1) […]

What Is a Flat Fee Divorce?A flat fee divorce allows you to plan the cost of your divorce upfront. Unlike traditional divorce processes, you pay a one-time fee that covers all costs, including attorney and filing fees. After payment, the firm handles your case until its completion. It’s important to note that the fee varies […]

In Pennsylvania, the property division process during a divorce involves two main steps: Marital Property: Separate Property: Divorce Lawyer R. Badet is an experienced attorney, dedicated to assisting clients throughout the divorce process, whether the case is simple or complex. His practice focuses on divorces, spousal support, child support, and child custody. Visit his website […]

The following are defenses available in fault-based divorce cases: (1) recrimination; (2) connivance; (3) condonation; (4) collusion; (5) provocation; (6) insanity; (7) consent; and (8) justification. Divorce Lawyer R. Badet is a seasoned divorce attorney committed to assisting clients through every phase of the divorce process. His expertise covers both simple and complex divorce cases, […]

Calculating Child Support: Pennsylvania has standardized guidelines for determining child support, focusing on the reasonable needs of the child and the ability of the obligor (the parent paying support) to contribute. The guidelines are primarily based on the parties’ net incomes and other earnings. Factors for Calculating Child Support: Note: Child support covers reasonable educational […]

Child custody cases in Philadelphia involve three main types of custody: (1) Legal Custody, (2) Physical Custody, and (3) Shared Custody. Jurisdiction for Child Custody: Philadelphia follows the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) to prevent interstate disputes about child custody. This law sets guidelines for determining a child’s home state, which holds […]

Void Marriage: Voidable Marriage: A voidable marriage is initially considered valid until one party seeks an annulment. The annulment requires a judicial decree to dissolve the marriage. Only the parties involved can challenge a voidable marriage. Examples of voidable marriages include: If the marriage is voidable, the annulment must be pursued within 60 days of […]