Articles • Divorce Lawyer R. Badet

Equitable Division of Property in Philadelphia Divorces

In Pennsylvania, once marital property has been identified and assigned a value, the court divides it equitably—which does not necessarily mean a straight 50/50 split. Once the divorce is finalized, the property division is no longer open to modification. When determining how to distribute marital property fairly, the court applies principles such as transmutation and […]

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Philadelphia

What Is a Flat Fee Divorce? A flat fee divorce allows you to know in advance what your case will cost. Instead of charging you periodically, you pay a single fee that typically covers everything from the filing fee to the attorney fee. Once you’ve paid, the firm manages your divorce proceeding all the way […]

Division of Property in Philadelphia Divorces

In Pennsylvania, dividing property during a divorce involves two main steps: Marital Property Separate Property About Divorce Lawyer R. Badet Divorce Lawyer R. Badet has extensive experience representing clients throughout each phase of the divorce process, handling both straightforward and highly complex matters. His practice areas include spousal support, child support, and child custody. Known […]

Defenses to Fault-Based Divorce in Pennsylvania

Several defenses are recognized when one spouse seeks a divorce based on the other spouse’s alleged fault. These include: About Divorce Lawyer R. Badet Divorce Lawyer R. Badet has extensive experience guiding clients through every step of the divorce process, from straightforward to complex cases. His practice includes spousal support, child support, and child custody […]

Child Support in Pennsylvania

Calculating Child Support Pennsylvania’s guidelines assess the reasonable needs of the child and the payer’s ability to provide support, focusing on net income and other available resources. Courts also look at various factors, including: Private school or specialized education costs may be included if deemed reasonable, particularly when a child’s special needs require it and […]

Philadelphia Child Custody Lawyer

In Pennsylvania, child custody generally falls under three primary categories: Jurisdiction for Child Custody Philadelphia follows the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), which aims to prevent conflicts between states regarding initial child custody determinations and any modifications. Under this law: Exclusive Continuing JurisdictionThe court issuing the initial custody order retains exclusive jurisdiction […]

Annulment in PennsylvaniaAn annulment declares a marriage invalid from the start, unlike a divorce, which ends a valid marriage. Annulments apply when a marriage is legally void or voidable, and they often depend on how long the couple has been married and whether they have any children. Generally, if the marriage has lasted for a long time or children are involved, parties may need to pursue divorce rather than annulment.

Void Marriage A void marriage is treated as though it never happened, requiring no formal decree to end it. Examples include: A void marriage can be challenged by the spouses themselves or a third party. In Pennsylvania, for instance, a parent or guardian can petition to void a minor’s alleged common-law marriage before the minor […]

Alimony in PhiladelphiaIn Philadelphia, alimony is provided to the spouse who faces an economic disadvantage following a divorce. There are three main categories:

Factors Influencing an Alimony AwardWhen determining alimony, courts will generally consider: Key Considerations for Granting AlimonyCourts weigh two main points when awarding alimony: the disadvantaged spouse’s need and the other spouse’s financial capacity. While fault is sometimes considered in alimony decisions, it typically does not affect how marital property is divided unless marital assets were […]

Adoption in PennsylvaniaAdoption in Pennsylvania is governed by statute and effectively ends a child’s existing legal relationship with their biological parents while forming a brand-new legal relationship with the adoptive parents.

Legal Effects of Adoption Termination of Parental RightsBefore an adoption can proceed, the biological parents’ legal rights must be terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. A parent’s rights cannot be terminated solely because of environmental issues beyond their control (for example, inadequate housing, lack of income, or limited access to clothing or healthcare). Procedure for Termination […]

Alimony in Philadelphia

Alimony is paid to the “economically disadvantaged” spouse. There are three types of Alimony: (1) periodic alimony; (2) lump sum alimony; and (3) rehabilitative alimony. ● Periodic Alimony: Factors for Determining Alimony: When determining alimony, the court will consider several factors including these: Considerations for Awarding Alimony: The court will make two primary […]