• Family Law

Gifts May Warrant Deviation in Child Support Calculation

The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

In Pennsylvania, child support is based on an income-driven system. To calculate child support, both parties' net incomes are obtained and then applied to a guideline. Pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S. §4302, for purposes of child support, "income" includes compensation for services, including, but not limited to, wages, salaries, bonuses, fees, compensation in kind, commissions and other similar items. Income also includes income derived from businesses, gains derived from dealings in property, interest, rents, royalties, dividends, annuities and income from life insurance and endowment contracts.

What Does 'Proceeding' Really Mean?

The Legal Intelligencer

Thursday, May 30, 2013

The definition of "proceeding" was finally addressed April 17 by the Pennsylvania Superior Court in Ferko-Fox v. Fox.

Pa. Legislature Should Reconsider Filial Support Law

The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Last year's decision by the Pennsylvania Superior Court that a nursing home was authorized to collect nearly $100,000 in outstanding bills from an adult child of an indigent nursing home resident, Health Care & Retirement v. Pittas, garnered widespread attention.

Parents and Children Suffer Without Parenting Coordinators

The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I read with interest the article titled, "Concerns Over Judicial Authority Drove Parenting Coordination Elimination," published in the May 7 edition of Pennsylvania Law Weekly.

Concern Over Judicial Authority Drove Parent Coordinator Elimination

The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

To many family law practitioners, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision to eliminate parenting coordinators in custody matters was a reasonable measure to keep decision-making in the purview of the state's judges.

Supreme Court Rule Abolishes Use of Parent Coordinators

The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Parent coordinators have just been abolished in Pennsylvania. By an order dated April 23, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has adopted Rule 1915.11-1 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. Rule 1915.11-1 will become effective May 23, and it states that courts shall not appoint any other individual (excepting masters and hearing officers) to make decisions or recommendations or to alter a custody order in child custody cases.

Training the Next Generation of Family Law Attorneys

The Legal Intelligencer

Monday, April 29, 2013

My colleague, Lisa Shapson, usually writes this column, but she has allowed me to commandeer her platform this month in order to pontificate about my newest professional interest: supporting the next generation of family law attorneys.

Justices Agree to Eye Pathological Parent-Child Bonds

The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

The state Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case involving whether parental rights should be terminated under the state Adoption Act of 1980 when a pathological bond exists between a child and a parent.

Sole Legal Custodian's Decision Cannot Be Challenged by Other Parent

The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Under Pennsylvania law, "legal custody" is defined as: "The right to make major decisions on behalf of the child, including, but not limited to, medical, religious and educational decisions." "Sole legal custody" is defined as: "The right of one individual to exclusive legal custody of the child."

Setting Rules and Reining in Emotional Clients

The Legal Intelligencer

Friday, March 29, 2013

This month, I want to focus on how we, as family law attorneys, must also rein in our emotional clients by being better with them.

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