March 1, 2024

5 MORE Tips to Choosing Your Divorce Lawyer

Continuing Our Series on Navigating the Divorce Maze ICYMI: We reviewed tips 1-5 here. We recommend reading those tips first. 6. Experience and Expertise  Divorce cases can vary widely in complexity, so it’s crucial to choose a divorce lawyer with relevant experience in handling cases like yours. Inquire about their track record and success rate […]

February 13, 2024

Navigating the Divorce Maze: 5 Tips to Choosing YOUR Divorce Lawyer

Choosing the right divorce lawyer is a decision that can significantly impact the outcome of your divorce proceedings, and even your mental health. At a time when emotions are often (and understandably) running high, you’re also thrust into the complexities of a legal process.   You need a guide, an ally, a true partner – someone […]

January 12, 2024

Unemployment Compensation and Support Orders in Today’s Economy

Unemployment Compensation and Support Orders Unemployment. It is often an unexpected event that many may face but few are prepared to endure.  In some circumstances, a portion of one’s income can be recouped by applying for and receiving unemployment compensation.  Unemployment and the loss of one’s normal income can be stressful.  That stress is further […]

March 4, 2014

When, Why, and How Cohabitation is a Bar to Alimony

Payee cohabitation affects alimony There are many misconceptions about alimony, when it is awarded and when a party is no longer entitled to alimony. Some consider it to be merely a reward for one, and punishment for the other; however, it is intended to serve a critical function when the conditions are proper. Because cohabitation […]

March 3, 2014

Getting the most out of a divorce settlement

How a QDRO can provide peace of mind One of the most frustrating aspects of finalizing a divorce can be ensuring that the other party follows through on the terms of a  divorce settlement. Regardless of the amount, a spouse may be reliant upon the retirement funds for current or future financial needs. Often, women […]

January 4, 2014

Spouse Stopped Paying Support

What to do when your spouse leaves you paying all the expenses This is an all too common occurrence and frequent question in cases of separation and divorce. Husband or wife leaves the home, sometimes without much warning, and the other is left struggling to maintain the bills in his or her absence. Electric bills, […]

December 4, 2013

The True Cost of Separation without Divorce

How long-term separations can be more expensive than divorce With divorce comes a lot of intimidating decisions. The prospect of sorting out custody, support, alimony, and division of property can lead many couples to detach from their marriage and walk away. Rather than officially address each major issue, these couples have the best intentions to […]

November 24, 2013

Divorce mediation – is it for you?

A realistic view of the modern approach When a couple begins to consider divorce, it sometimes cushions the inevitable to suggest divorce mediation. As a means to an end, divorce mediation makes perfect sense to help protect the best interests of your children and your finances without breaking the bank. Many do this to reduce […]

A Common Regret After Divorce in Pennsylvania

How not hiring a lawyer can lead to regret   Our office knows the extent to which a divorce can exhaust a client, especially when they have sought counsel after being un-represented for much of the proceedings. We also know how satisfied clients feel for having solid guidance during a tough time. Handling divorce in […]

October 24, 2013

Late-life Divorce on the Rise

The emerging trend of “gray divorce” and what to consider According to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University, divorce rates for couples over 50 have doubled between 1990 and 2009. Late-life divorce, also known as “gray divorce”, is becoming more common and creating uncertainty about future implications. Financial […]

September 5, 2013

Child Support Deviation based upon Custody | Bucks County

PA Guidelines Allow Child Support Deviation Based on Custody The calculation helps determine child support or support deviation for Bucks County and all Pennsylvania support cases. The amount child support deviation may increase or decrease depending on the amount of parenting time spent with the child(ren). It may not necessarily rely on overnights either – […]

September 4, 2013

Welcome Jahn S. Chesnov, Esquire: 27 Years of Family Law in Bucks County

We are excited and pleased that Jahn S. Chesnov, Esquire has joined our team to continue providing excellent service to the Bucks County community. Mr. Chesnov will provide insight and advice to support our large portfolio of family law cases. As a seasoned practitioner of Family Law in Bucks County, Mr. Chesnov provides 27 years’ experience […]

July 20, 2013

Waiving Child Support in Pennsylvania

In developing a Marital Settlement Agreement, parties may sling numbers and financial data as a means to an end. After months of analyzing incomes, debts, and appraisals, a couple may find a financial middle ground on how to settle their divorce. Often, individuals consider bargaining payments of child support. Unfortunately, utilizing this exchange of money […]

February 9, 2013

Know Your Social Security Benefits after Divorce

Are you not receiving Social Security benefits?  Are you are present divorced? Was your prior marriage lasted for at least 10 years? Are you 62 years old?     Do you remain unmarried? If your answers to the above questions are YES, this is the right time for you to review your Social Security benefits. You […]

What is the Attorney Client Relationship?

A lawyer, is an officer of the Court, has commitments to uphold in the service of his clients. It is his duty to advise clients of their legal rights and obligations, help clients by taking legal action to protect their interests and assist clients before courts, tribunals, or administrative bodies (Basic Principles on the Role […]

October 23, 2012

The “best interest of the child” in filing Child Custody action

When a relationship ends, it is not the end of everything. It is just the beginning of a long legal battle for child custody. There are so many things to consider in enforcing one’s ones right over the child and sometimes … you will have to make a difficult decision. Pennsylvania has extensive laws about […]

August 14, 2012

N.R.H. Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights of J.L.H.

544 BUCKS COUNTY LAW REPORTER 2012 BCBA N.R.H. Invol. Term. of Parental Rights [  85 Bucks Co. L. Rep. N.R.H. Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights Mother appeals decree granting Bucks County Children & Youth Social Services Agency’s request to terminate her parental rights. Parent and child –  Involuntary termination of parental rights – Grounds for […]

August 9, 2012

Procedure Modification

PROCEDURE 11-10 MODIFICATION / TERMINATION The mother appealed from an order that modified the parties’ child support. She claimed that her procedural due process rights were infringed upon by the trial court. The father had filed a petition for modification of a prior support order. The petition failed to specifically aver any facts or request […]

Amount of Support

SUPPORT 11-1 AMOUNT OF SUPPORT 11-1.28 Guidelines/Deviation The wife is a German citizen whose relationship with the husband bore a single child during 2003. The wife married the husband on October 29, 2005. In order to facilitate the wife’s lawful immigration status and permit her to become a permanent resident of the United States, the […]

August 2, 2012

Chase v. Chase

BUCKSCOUNTYLAW REPORTER 527  Chase v. Chase 2012 After the entry of an order modifying an award of alimony and child support, Mother appeals this Court’s Order alleging that Father misrepresented his income and failed to report a change in income, and that a change in the amount of alimony and child support should have been […]