Articles

For a Pennsylvania court to preside over a divorce case, it must have both subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction over the involved parties. Key Jurisdictional Requirements Residence and Domicile Two critical concepts for determining jurisdiction in a divorce case are: Six-Month Residency Requirement To establish personal jurisdiction, the petitioner must: Full Equity Powers of […]

Filing for divorce in Pennsylvania involves several steps and specific legal documents. Here’s a step-by-step guide: Step One: File the Complaint The Complaint and Required Attachments Filing Fees:You must pay a filing fee unless you have been granted permission to proceed In Forma Pauperis (without paying fees). This request, if applicable, should be submitted with […]

Grandparents can be awarded custody if it is in the best interests of the child and the following conditions are met: Presumptions in Child Custody Cases Visitation Rights Visitation Terminology:For parents, the terms “primary custody” and “partial custody” are used, while “visitation” applies to grandparents and third parties. Grandparents’ Visitation Rights Grandparents can seek visitation […]

In Pennsylvania, fault-based divorces are grounded on specific actions or behaviors by one spouse that justify the dissolution of the marriage. These grounds require clear and convincing evidence to support the claims. Fault-Based Grounds for Divorce Trial and Court Decisions During a contested trial, the court has several options: Alternatively, if both parties agree, they […]

In Philadelphia divorces, property division follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means a fair division of marital property based on various factors—not necessarily a 50/50 split. Once finalized, the court’s division of property cannot be modified. Principles Applied in Equitable Division Factors Considered in Equitable Division The court evaluates several factors when dividing marital […]

What Is a Flat Fee Divorce? A flat fee divorce allows you to predict and plan for the cost of your divorce by paying a one-time fee that covers all aspects of the process, including filing and attorney fees. Once the fee is paid, the firm oversees the case until completion. However, this fee is […]

In Pennsylvania, property division during a divorce involves two key steps: Marital Property Marital property encompasses all assets acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title. Separate Property Separate property refers to assets not considered part of the marital estate. Examples include: Key Considerations About Divorce Lawyer R. Badet R. Badet […]

Child support in Pennsylvania ensures both parents contribute to the financial well-being of their minor children. Calculating Child Support Courts in Pennsylvania follow established guidelines to calculate child support. These guidelines consider: Reasonable educational expenses, including private school tuition for special needs children, may also be included based on the child’s needs and parents’ financial […]

Understanding child custody is critical for navigating custody cases in Philadelphia. There are three main types of custody arrangements: Jurisdiction for Child Custody Philadelphia follows the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) to prevent inter-state disputes over custody and visitation. Declining Jurisdiction A court with proper jurisdiction may decline to exercise it if […]

An annulment legally voids a marriage, treating it as if it never existed, unlike a divorce, which dissolves a valid marriage. Types of Marriages Subject to Annulment Void Marriages Void marriages are treated as if they never occurred and do not require judicial dissolution. Examples: Key Points: Voidable Marriages Voidable marriages are considered valid until […]