Attorney’s Fees in Estate Planning
If an attorney is preparing your Will, trust agreement, powers of attorney, etc., you will need to pay him or her. Many attorneys (including me) charge a flat fee for estate planning services. That means you decide what documents you...[Continue reading]
Pros and Cons of the Domestic Relations Office
Some people go through the domestic relations office to establish child support, spousal support or alimony pendente lite orders. Some people make those arrangements without involving the domestic relations office. There are pros and cons to involving or not involving...[Continue reading]
What to Expect at a Domestic Relations Conference
A domestic relations conference is an uncomfortable experience, but it can help to have an idea what to expect. You, your spouse (for simplicity, I’m going to use “spouse” throughout this blog post even though you and the other party...[Continue reading]
Family Law Issues and Unmarried Couples
Unmarried couples are, by definition, not married. So although they may act like married couples, live like married couples, have families like married couples, in some ways the court system treats them differently. Unmarried couples who end their relationship and...[Continue reading]
What Happens if I Die Without a Will?
If you die without a Will, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a default plan in place that determines who receives your assets. Dying without a valid Will is called intestacy, so distribution of assets without a valid Will is controlled...[Continue reading]
When Should I Think About Getting a Will?
Assuming you are over the age of eighteen and are of sound mind, you should think about getting a Will right now. Many people think about having a Will prepared when they experience some major life change, such as divorce,...[Continue reading]
What to Expect at a Custody Conciliation Conference
The purpose of a custody conciliation conference is, if possible, to reach an agreement regarding custody without going to a hearing before a judge. If you don’t reach an overall agreement, it may still be possible to narrow down the...[Continue reading]
Who is Capable of Making a Will?
The short answer - almost everyone over the age of 18 is capable of making a Will. The law states that you must be at least 18 years of age and of sound mind to make a valid Will. The...[Continue reading]
Challenges to Divorce Agreements
Can you challenge the validity and enforceability of a Marital Settlement Agreement? If so, on what basis and with what probable result? A Marital Settlement Agreement is the legally binding contract between you and your spouse that contains all of...[Continue reading]
What about Attorney’s Fees in Divorce?
If an attorney is representing you in a divorce, custody and/or support action, you will need to pay him or her. Most attorneys (including me) charge an hourly fee, so the total fees depend on the amount of time your...[Continue reading]