Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Family Legal Blog

Weighing the pros and cons of divorce

On behalf of Beroes Law Center posted in divorce on Friday, August 10, 2018.

For some people, making the decision to end their marriage is very easy and they are certain that it is the right move. For others, deciding to divorce can be tough and there may be many questions that arise. For example, how will the kids be affected when their parents split up? What will the financial consequences of divorce be and what are some other stressors that may be encountered during the divorce process? These are just a couple of examples of some of the questions that people may struggle with while deciding whether or not to get a divorce.

While some people may worry about the potential downsides of a divorce, there are a number of benefits that people may be able to enjoy as well. For example, someone who feels trapped in an unhealthy marriage may have a newfound sense of freedom and happiness once they are no longer married. People may also be able to secure an arrangement that works out better for parents as well as children and they may have the opportunity to pursue their interests more fully, relocate for a better job or improve their lives in other ways.

Relocating after you end your marriage

On behalf of Beroes Law Center posted in divorce on Friday, July 27, 2018.

The end of a marriage can bring up various issues, whether they are legal or emotional in nature. From family law matters such as a custody dispute to stress and depression, many different changes can come into a person’s life after splitting up with their spouse. However, divorce should not always be seen in a negative light, it can also result in all sorts of new opportunities. For example, someone may be able to move to a new city after they move on from a marriage that was holding them back, opening up more lucrative job opportunities or allowing them to live where they wish.

However, there are various factors to keep in mind if you plan on relocating after splitting up with your spouse. For example, if you have a child with your former partner and plan on bringing the child with you, it is very important to closely look over the ins and outs of parental relocation. There are a number of requirements that parents need to satisfy before moving with a child and it is vital to be fully prepared for the steps you may have to take.

Protective orders are not one-size-fits-all

On behalf of Beroes Law Center on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

Keeping your self and the ones you love safe from harm is always a priority when you have a family. Unfortunately, sometimes the individuals who pose a treat are those who are close to you, and may even be family members. For those who face credible threats to their safety or the safety of someone in their care, a protective order may provide the clout they need to to enforce their rights and protect themselves from danger.

Of course, protective orders may vary greatly depending on the needs of the situation and the kind of danger that the order seeks to limit. If you or some one you love is considering a protective order, make sure you understand what this means and the options that you may have to keep your rights and safety secure.

Paying child support as a business owner

On behalf of Beroes Law Center posted in child support on Friday, July 13, 2018.

For some business owners, the financial consequences of ending their marriage can be tough, whether they struggled with the division of marital property or alimony. Child support payments can also be difficult for business owners for a number of reasons, from figuring out how much they will be required to pay to making payments on time in the wake of financial difficulties. If you run a business, it is important to make sure that you stay current on child support you owe regardless of business-related challenges you may encounter.

Some business owners may find that their income fluctuates, while others may need to shut down their business altogether due to unexpected challenges that have arisen. If you have recently experienced major financial changes, it could become much more difficult to stay current on your child support. However, you could have a number of options available. Aside from setting aside money and changing your financial habits, you might be able to have your child support order modified.

Drug addiction and divorce

On behalf of Beroes Law Center posted in divorce on Friday, June 29, 2018.

There are all sorts of factors to consider with respect to divorce, from challenges that couples face in the early stages of the process to post-divorce legal complications involving children or payments. For some couples, drug addiction is an especially difficult matter that impacts their divorce in different ways. Not only can drug addiction lead to divorce in the first place, but it can create challenges in court and after a divorce is finalized as well.

Drug addiction can be an incredibly difficult habit for people to deal with and for some, such as parents, it can be particularly tough. Whether you do not want your child around his or her other parent due to their drug use or you are struggling with an addiction and are worried about losing the ability to see your child, it is important to work toward a favorable outcome that serves your child’s best interests if you are in the middle of a custody dispute. From drug treatment to going over all of your legal options, there are different steps you may want to take.

Challenges related to unpaid child support

On behalf of Beroes Law Center posted in child support on Friday, June 15, 2018.

Many different legal issues arise for those who end their marriage, especially if they have children. Custody disputes can be very difficult, but child support can lead to ongoing problems if a parent is unable to pay what they owe or refuses to make payments on time. Daily life can be challenging for a custodial parent who may be unable to buy clothes or school supplies for their child. However, there are also a number of consequences non-custodial parents may run into, which highlights how crucial it is to avoid this predicament in the first place.

When a parent falls behind on their child support responsibilities, they could have their wages garnished or be taken into custody and spend time behind bars. However, there are many other ramifications associated with the failure to pay child support. For example, a person's tax refund could be intercepted partially or entirely, leading to additional financial strain. Moreover, someone who owes enough unpaid child support may not even be able to receive a passport in the U.S., which could disrupt their plans to travel overseas for business or leisure.

Positive life changes after a divorce

On behalf of Beroes Law Center posted in divorce on Friday, June 1, 2018.

We have covered many divorce topics on this blog, some of which can be very stressful for people to handle. For example, losing sleep over a bitter child custody dispute or worrying about the financial impact of property division and alimony payments can be very difficult for those who are approaching or already in the middle a divorce. Moreover, the emotional effects of ending a marriage can be very hard as well, particularly for couples who have been married for many years or have kids. With this being said, divorce is not always difficult and should not be seen as something that is necessarily negative. In fact, many people have been able to enjoy a brighter future once their marriage is over.

There are many potential benefits for some people who go through a divorce, especially those who were unhappy in their marriage. For example, someone who was subjected to verbal or physical abuse may be relieved to find freedom from mistreatment, while others may enjoy having the ability to live life according to their own terms. Others may have been unhappy for many years, feeling trapped, and enjoy the sense of having a fresh start. For some, divorce can bring financial advantages, whether a person is able to move across the country or world for a better opportunity, fully commit themselves to work, or find some other financial advantage after ending their marriage.

Is it time to replace your trust’s trustee?

On behalf of Beroes Law Center on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.

If you have a trust that you use as a part of your estate plan, then you chose and appointed a trustee somewhere along the way. However, in many cases, the trustee you chose when you established the trust no longer serves your best interests or the interests of your beneficiaries. If you have substantial concerns about your trustee's ability or willingness to perform the job, it is time to consider replacing the trustee with someone more capable of protecting your priorities.

While removing a trustee is not an extremely complex legal procedure, it is one you must handle with great care. A trustee has fairly broad access to the assets held within the trust, so it is important to address the matter wisely to avoid further complications and potentially lose some assets along with your relationship to the trustee in general. Some careful, timely planning can help you transition to a different trustee more in line with your needs while keeping your rights and assets secure.

The benefits of modifying a child support order

On behalf of Beroes Law Center posted in child support on Friday, May 18, 2018.

As a non-custodial parent who owes child support, you might have a number of responsibilities on your plate and stressors that arise on a daily basis. If you are unable to pay child support or expect that you will fall behind in the months to come, you could worry about the different consequences of back child support. For example, you may be concerned about being taken into custody, having your tax refund intercepted, or being unable to apply for a passport, among other challenges. For some people, child support modification is a great way to address these issues and it offers a number of benefits.

For starters, modifying a child support order can provide peace of mind and lower a person’s stress levels. Instead of worrying about the consequences associated with falling behind, they may be able to sleep easier at night knowing that they will be able to stay current on their child support payments even though they may have lost their job, had their hours cut, or experienced another significant change to their financial circumstances such as a medical crisis.

Ending your marriage after a vacation

On behalf of Beroes Law Center posted in divorce on Friday, May 4, 2018.

Couples choose to end their marriages for different reasons, but sometimes two people simply are not compatible with each other. Moreover, these differences may be especially clear under certain circumstances, such as a family vacation or a couple’s getaway, when two people realize that they do not seem to get along very well. Vacations can bring out strong emotions and extremely high levels of stress and when a couple does not get along very well, this can be an especially difficult time.

Sometimes, a spouse may have an affair during a vacation or act in a way they later regret due to stress and anger brought on by the trip. There are other issues that can arise with regard to vacationing and a couple’s decision to divorce. For example, someone who wants to end their marriage should start looking into the various ways that divorce could affect them (financially, emotionally, etc.), which can be more difficult to do while on a trip.