No two divorces are exactly the same. Every couple’s circumstances are different. While many divorces are settled relatively smoothly, others can be more complex. Recognizing some of the most common factors that can complicate divorce could help with your preparation....
Divorce
Can your spouse ignore the divorce petition?
When you decide to get divorced, one of the first steps is to serve your spouse the divorce petition. You can do this yourself or you can hire someone else to do it for you. In any case, your spouse is officially given the paperwork so they know you want a divorce and...
Unemployment can impact divorce odds
It can be difficult to lose your job. It creates a lot of uncertainty and removes the stability that you previously enjoyed. Even if you know that you will eventually find another job, this can be a difficult position to find yourself in. It can also have an impact on...
Can you afford the house after divorce?
If you’re getting a divorce, you may have decided that you don’t want to lose your house. You know that many divorced couples sell their home when they end their marriage. They can then pay off their mortgage and split up any money that they’ve earned from that sale....
How does adultery affect a Pennsylvania divorce?
Adultery is one of the most commonly cited reasons that people file for divorce in Pennsylvania. Sexual infidelity damages marital relationships and can even endanger someone's physical health. It is quite common for those who discover that their spouse has cheated to...
A divorce could be caused by financial differences
Divorce often happens for financial reasons. One example of this could be financial infidelity, where one spouse is spending money and not telling the other. Another example could be financial stress – perhaps caused by job loss – that means a couple doesn’t have...
Proposed law would allow judges to view pets as more than property
Many divorcing couples in Pennsylvania are surprised to learn that there’s no guidance in the law to help them determine how to share “custody” of their pets. While dogs and cats are beloved family members to many people, our law, like that in most states, considers...
Should you stay for the kids when the marriage isn’t working?
The reality is that every marital relationship is bound to face challenges. However, couples can often tell the difference between a solvable disagreement and one that might boil over. Whether one should remain in an irretrievably broken marriage for the children’s...
Don’t let issues with your co-parent ruin your child’s wedding
While you’re probably looking forward to your child’s upcoming wedding this summer, you may be dreading having to see and interact with your ex -- especially if you're still going through a "gray divorce" or have just done so. Remember, it’s not just the wedding day,...
How should you tell your children you are getting a divorce?
One of the most dreaded tasks divorcing parents must face is breaking the news to their children. It is usually vital to tell them early to prevent them from hearing it from someone else. Unfortunately, most parents do not know how to approach this task or what...