Information contained in these FAQ’s does not constitute legal advice and are for general reference only. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment to obtain advice tailored for your specific situation and circumstances.
While it is technically possible to file for custody of your minor child or children without an attorney, it strongly discouraged! There are many factors the Court takes into consideration when deciding custody, and without an experienced attorney on your side, you may end up being stuck with a custody Order that severely effects your ability to see your children. Please call our office today at 724-853-0364 to schedule your free consultation and protect your rights. Existing Custody Orders can be modified at any time. However, if the existing Order is recent, and there has been no substantial change in circumstances, the chances of obtaining a modification decrease significantly. Many factors, however, can support the claim of a change in circumstances. It is therefore imperative to hire an experienced attorney to analyze the facts of your situation and guide you in the process. Please call our office today at 724-853-0364 for your free consultation. While the Courts consider many factors, it is ultimately the goal of the Court to award custody in fashion that serves the best interest of the minor child. This could result in anything from an award in the form of a 50/50 split, to one parent receiving full custody. And while one parent may receive primary physical custody, the Court will typically award periods of visitation to the other parent. Due to the numerous issues that effect custody, it is imperative that you hire an experienced attorney to protect your custody and visitation interests. Please call our office today at 724-853-0364 to schedule your free consultation. To file for child support, you will typically file a complaint for support with the domestic relations office in the county in which you reside. For help with this process, please call our office today at 724-853-0364 to schedule your consultation. In its most simplest explanation, support is determined by, among other things, the parties’ income, the number of other children of which the payor is responsible, the average amount of time which the payee has physical custody of the child, and the parties’ earnings capacity. Pennsylvania then uses a series of statutorily prescribed calculations and a grid to determine the amount of child support to be paid. For assistance and to make sure you receive (or pay) your fair amount, please call our office today at 724-853-0364 to schedule your appointment. Yes. To file for a divorce in Pennsylvania, at least one spouse must currently live in Pennsylvania for at least 6 months. The answer to this question depends on many factors, including whether your spouse is in agreement with the divorce, the date of your separation, the complexity of the marital estate, and many other factors. If both spouses cooperate completely, and there is a minimal marital estate to divide, a divorce may be obtained in as little as approximately five months. However, the process typically takes longer, as it is not often that the parties agree on everything throughout the process, and sometimes a hearing is needed to help determine a split of the marital estate. On the other extreme, divorces can take up to as much as one year if one party does not want the divorce and the separation occurred after December 5, 2016. The best and most expedited way to obtain a divorce is to hire an experienced attorney to represent your interests and start the process. Please call our office today at 724-853-0364 to schedule your free consultation. The short answer is no. However, if your spouse does not cooperate with the divorce proceedings, you may have to wait for a certain period of time before you can be awarded a divorce without his or her consent. Pennsylvania law provides that for one spouse to obtain a unilateral divorce, the parties must have been separated for at least one year (if the separation occurred after December 3, 2016). If you separated before December 3, 2016, then you have to have been separated for a period of two years. There are many factors which the Courts consider in determining what constitutes being “separated.” Because of the importance of the date of separation, it is imperative that you contact an experienced attorney to discuss the specifics of your situation. Please call our office today at 724-853-0364 to schedule your free consultation. Depending on your income, your standard of living established during the marriage, your earnings ability, and your spouse’s income, you may be able to receive monthly support payments during the pendency of the divorce, which may possibly continue after the divorce is finalized. You may also be able to force your spouse to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees. Please contact our office today at 724-853-0364 to schedule your free consultation. We provide a free consultation for most types of cases! Please call our office at 724-853-0364 for more information and to schedule your consultation. Most types of cases will require you to provide a retainer fee in an amount to be determined by the attorney during your consultation. Legal work will be billed against the retainer per an hourly fee determined during your consultation. These amounts will be determined based upon many factors such as the type of case, the amount of worked involved, and any extenuating circumstances. Please call our office at 724-853-0364 for more information or to schedule your consultation. Simply contact our office to schedule a consultation (free for most types of cases). If we decide to work together, you will need to sign a fee agreement, which is standard procedure when hiring any attorney. This protects both you and the attorney and will clearly set forth the attorney’s hourly fee. Depending on the type of case and the projected work involved, you may need to provide a retainer fee in an amount to be determined during your consultation.
How do I file for custody in Pennsylvania?
There is currently a custody order in effect, can I modify it?
How is custody determined in Pennsylvania?
How do I file for child support in Pennsylvania?
How is child support determined in Pennsylvania?
Is there a residency requirement to file for a divorce in Pennsylvania?
How long will it take to get a divorce in Pennsylvania?
Can my spouse prevent me from getting a divorce?
Can I receive alimony or make my spouse pay my legal fees in Pennsylvania?
Do you offer free consultations?
How much does it cost to hire your law firm?
How do I hire your firm?