What You Need to Know About Family Law in Philadelphia
Family law matters are often some of the most complicated and difficult due to the emotional circumstances surrounding them. While many family law matters concern divorce cases and child custody matters, family law also includes legal issues pertaining to domestic violence, adoption, and other questions that can affect the family. Whether you need assistance with a divorce and child custody case, or you need help with an LGBTQ adoption, an experienced Philadelphia family attorney at our firm can assist you. Do not hesitate to get in touch with the family law advocates at van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin to learn more about how we serve individuals and families in Pennsylvania.
Types of Family Law Cases We Handle in Philadelphia
At van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin, we routinely represent individuals and families in a wide variety of legal issues affecting the family. Examples of some of the types of family law legal matters we handle include but are not limited to the following:
- Divorce in Philadelphia, including issues like the division of marital property and alimony;
- Prenuptial agreements, including the drafting and enforcement of these agreements;
- Child custody, including legal custody, physical custody, relocation, and other matters;
- Parentage, or determining paternity for purposes of custody and child support;
- Child support, including determining child support obligations of both parents;
- Modifications of existing court orders due to a change in circumstances;
- Adoption, including LGBTQ adoption cases; and
- Domestic violence matters affecting families.
If there is a specific family law issue that you are facing, one of the experienced family lawyers at our firm can speak with you today about your case.
No-Fault and Fault-Based Divorce in Philadelphia
Under Pennsylvania law, divorce can occur on fault-based grounds or the party filing for divorce can seek a no-fault divorce. Pennsylvania is one of a minority of states that still has fault-based grounds for divorce, which can include desertion, adultery, cruel treatment, bigamy, sentence of imprisonment for two years or longer, and other grounds.
However, there is also a no-fault option for divorce, which is known as divorce by “mutual consent,” or divorce due to “irretrievably breakdown.” Through mutual consent, the statute says that “the court may grant a divorce where it is alleged that the marriage is irretrievably broken and 90 days have elapsed” since the filing of the divorce. In addition, the statute says that the court “may grant a divorce where a complaint has been filed alleging that the marriage is irretrievably broken,” and where the parties have lived separate and apart for at least one year.
Philadelphia Child Custody Issues
Many family law issues pertain to child custody and legal matters involving minor children. Our firm can assist with child custody determinations and child custody modifications when necessary.
Children and Pennsylvania Family Law
Many different kinds of family law cases involve minor children. Sometimes child custody questions arise in a Philadelphia divorce, but they can also come up when unmarried parents decide to separate, or when one of the parents is seeking child custody or one of the parents is trying to obtain child support. In cases where parentage or paternity is in question, it may be necessary to determine paternity before moving forward with a child custody matter.
Matters in a Philadelphia Divorce
Pennsylvania divorce law governs many different types of family law issues, including the division of marital property, alimony, and enforcing a prenuptial agreement in the event of a divorce. As you may know, in a Pennsylvania divorce, all property will be classified as marital or non-marital property, and all marital property will be divided according to the theory of equitable distribution. Property division can be complicated for many different reasons, including but not limited to:
- Complex property, including investments and business holdings;
- Assets that are difficult to value, such as art collections; and
- Commingled property, where marital property has been mixed with non-marital property in such a way that makes classification difficult or even impossible.
Contact a Philadelphia Family Law Attorney
Family law cases can be complicated, and they can involve many different types of legal issues. Whether you need assistance with a divorce or a domestic violence case, one of the dedicated Philadelphia family law attorneys at our firm can begin working with you on your case today.
If you’re facing a family law matter, please don’t hesitate to call our lawyers today for a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. We are here to serve you.
