Married couples tend to acquire resources together. They consult one another before buying new vehicles, and they pool their income to buy a home together. They may also take on numerous financial obligations together. Married couples may share joint credit cards. They may also help one another pay off the balance due on credit cards held separately by either spouse. When spouses begin discussing divorce, credit cards can quickly become a point of contention during that process. As such, those preparing for divorce may need to carefully consider the three issues below when negotiating credit c ..read more

Higher-value assets often become focal points during contested divorces. Spouses fight over how they share their property and sometimes over what assets they have to divide with each other. Retirement accounts may be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if someone earns a competitive wage and started the account years ago. Most people preparing for divorce may hope to keep as much of their retirement savings as possible after the divorce. If someone has a retirement account held only in their own name related to their employment, can they treat that account as separate property d ..read more

Deciding whether to keep your marital home during a divorce involves more than just an emotional attachment to the property. It requires a comprehensive evaluation of financial viability, future needs and the potential impact of owning this asset on your personal life. Consider these critical points if you’re contemplating keeping your marital home. Affordability You must assess whether you can afford the overall costs of the home on your income. This includes mortgage, utility, property taxes, maintenance, and insurance payments. You may need to review your budget closely to determine if stay ..read more

One of the hardest aspects of sharing custody is the need to give up time with one’s children. Parents subject to a Pennsylvania shared custody order often miss certain experiences with their children. They may alternate holidays with the other parent and may only spend a certain percentage of the week with their children. It can be very difficult for a parent to accept reduced access to and time with their children. Usually, the terms established in a custody order are the result of negotiations between the parents or a reflection of what the judge believes is in the best interests of the chi ..read more

Co-parenting can help to ensure a stable and nurturing environment for children after a separation or divorce, depending on a family’s unique circumstances. Reducing stress in a co-parenting relationship can benefits parents and children alike. Implementing effective strategies can make this journey smoother and more favorable for everyone involved. Recognizing and practicing specific approaches can help to enhance a co-parenting experience. Leave the past alone Focusing on the present and future rather than dwelling on past conflicts is crucial in co-parenting. This approach helps redirect en ..read more

The law in Pennsylvania calls for marital property to be divided equitably in a divorce, but determining what is and what is not a fair outcome may not be easy when divorcing spouses have become emotionally attached to the assets being discussed. This is often the case when art collections that have taken years or even decades to amass must be divided. In these situations, the first step taken is usually determining which pieces are part of the marital estate and which pieces are separate property. Marital and separate property Assets that a divorcing spouse already owned when they got married ..read more

There are many ways for unhappy spouses in Pennsylvania to pursue a divorce. Perhaps the simplest option is divorcing through mutual consent with a spouse. Both parties agree that divorce is necessary and set their own terms. It is also possible for one spouse to seek a no-fault divorce by filing paperwork and asserting that the marriage has experienced an irretrievable breakdown. Occasionally, people opt to file for a divorce based on fault. They blame their spouse for the marital situation and want that fault reflected in the public records. There are six grounds for fault-based divorces Pen ..read more

For many people, an engagement ring is an incredibly expensive purchase. For instance, there are those who say that an engagement ring should cost around three months’ salary. Some people spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars to buy the right ring. At the time of the purchase, the person who is buying the ring is simply excited to propose and expecting to get married. What happens if they get divorced? For example, say that you spent $20,000 to buy an extravagant engagement ring for your significant other. You got married, but then your spouse asked for a divorce five years late ..read more

In an ideal world, divorces would represent “smooth sailing.” Reality tells a different story. Proactive planning with spouses cooperating can make things easier for both spouses while looking out for the best interests of their children. To say that divorce is stressful would be an understatement. Close to half of United States couples are pulling the plug on their marriages. It would be an understatement to claim that anxiety levels remain high throughout and following a marital dissolution. Money-related matters At the top of the list of stressors is finances. More contentious divorces ..read more

According to several estimates, the average length of time a couple stays married is 7.2 years. No two marriages are the same, and there are many different reasons why couples in Pennsylvania choose to divorce. Infidelity, financial problems, and the simple stress of managing daily life are just a few examples. However, there is strong evidence that predicts when these problems begin to take their toll on a marriage, giving credibility to the theory of the eight-year itch. Why eight years? Experts say that in the first years of marriage, your partner plays a significant role in your life. Perh ..read more