Now that Valentine’s Day is past and Spring is almost upon us, many couples are starting to plan or are in the midst of preparation for their upcoming nuptials. While the focus is usually on the event itself, couples often start to think about what happens after the wedding and whether a prenuptial agreement, or “prenup”, is something that they should contemplate. I recently wrote a post for the Avvo Martindale blog about how lawyers can help their clients navigate a prenuptial agreement. https://www.martindale-avvo.com/blog/ask-attorney-jennifer-b-im-new-to-family-law-can-you-explain-prenups ..read more

In Pennsylvania, a parent of a minor child may file an action for physical and/or legal custody of the child.  In certain circumstances, this right is also extended to grandparents and third parties who stand in loco parentis to the child.  Therefore, though it is presumed the parent has a right to custody, it may be forfeited if, by convincing evidence, the best interest of the child is served by awarding custody to a third party. A person who stands in loco parentis has created a parent-like relationship to the child sufficient to warrant providing that individual the right to seek ..read more

“Dogs have more rights than children.” These are the powerful, haunting words spoken by the aunt of Kayden Mancuso, a 7-year old child who was brutally bludgeoned to death by her Father, Jeffery Mancuso, on August 6, 2018, only a few short months after her Father was awarded partial, unsupervised custody pursuant to a Court Order entered May 21, 2018.  Unfortunately, Kayden’s death was not the first, nor the last, to occur at the hands of a parent where warning signs were present.  But it was Kayden’s death which spurred the introduction of SB 868, also known as “Kayden’s Law.”  ..read more

Jennifer Brandt, chair of the firm’s Family Law Practice, was a guest on Court TV discussing updates in the George Floyd and Amber Guyger cases ..read more

Jennifer Brandt, chair of the firm’s Family Law Group, was a guest on Fox 29 News discussing the current status of divorce proceedings in light of COVID-19. Watch here: https://www.fox29.com/video/833760 ..read more

January 1, 2022 saw the changes made pursuant to Pennsylvania’s quadrennial review of child support go into effect.  While most of the changes and updates were minor, there are some that may impact existing child support orders. The largest change provides for across the board increases in the child support guideline calculations at all income levels.  The rule change provides for an average increase at all income levels of 15% for one child, 16% for two children and 18% for additional children.  Although, families with high income earners tended to see the largest increases. Su ..read more

In Pennsylvania, a parent of a minor child may file an action for physical and/or legal custody of the child.  In certain circumstances, this right is also extended to grandparents and third parties who stand in loco parentis to the child.  Therefore, though it is presumed the parent has a right to custody, it may be forfeited if, by convincing evidence, the best interest of the child is served by awarding custody to a third party. A person who stands in loco parentis has created a parent-like relationship to the child sufficient to warrant providing that individual the right to seek ..read more

“Dogs have more rights than children.” These are the powerful, haunting words spoken by the aunt of Kayden Mancuso, a 7-year old child who was brutally bludgeoned to death by her Father, Jeffery Mancuso, on August 6, 2018, only a few short months after her Father was awarded partial, unsupervised custody pursuant to a Court Order entered May 21, 2018.  Unfortunately, Kayden’s death was not the first, nor the last, to occur at the hands of a parent where warning signs were present.  But it was Kayden’s death which spurred the introduction of SB 868, also known as “Kayden’s Law.”  ..read more

Jennifer Brandt, chair of the firm’s Family Law Practice, was a guest on Court TV discussing updates in the George Floyd and Amber Guyger cases ..read more

Jennifer Brandt, chair of the firm’s Family Law Group, was a guest on Fox 29 News discussing the current status of divorce proceedings in light of COVID-19. Watch here: https://www.fox29.com/video/833760 ..read more