, The attorneys of Newman Williams PC ,

Family Law FAQ’s: Stroudsburg Divorce

On Behalf of | Mar 11, 2018 | Divorce Law, Family Law, Firm News

Eastern Pennsylvania Divorce FAQ’s

Newman Williams is a Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania law firm that provides Divorce Law services including child custody and visitation, child support issues, property division, paternity and prenuptial agreements.

Family Law issues consist primarily of divorce, child custody, visitation, and support. While the Courts have certainly made it easier for individuals to file some of the required paperwork to litigate these issues without the assistance of an attorney, unforeseen disputes and complications can often arise suddenly which you may not be prepared to resolve.

–> Family Law FAQ’s  ::  –> Contact Divorce Lawyer  –> Custody & Visitation FAQ’s  :: Support FAQ’s

Divorce Law FAQ’s

1. Do I need to hire an attorney for a divorce?

No one needs to hire an attorney; however, it is always highly recommended as you may encounter unforeseen disputes and complications.

2. How is the divorce commenced?

All civil actions, including Divorce, are begun by filing a Complaint.

3. How quickly can I be divorced?

In Pennsylvania, generally the quickest way to obtain a divorce is through an uncontested no fault proceeding. An uncontested no fault divorce can be obtained after the 90 day waiting period has expired, provided the parties have taken the proper steps to distribute all of their marital property. If the parties have not resolved all their economic issues, then they cannot obtain a divorce.

4. Can my spouse and I retain the same attorney?

Some attorneys will act as a mediator, but it is never advisable to have the same attorney for a divorce. A divorce is an adversarial proceeding, and should be treated as such.

5. How much will my divorce cost?

Each and every divorce is unique; therefore the cost issue is also unique.

6. What if my spouse does not consent to the divorce?

If your spouse does not consent, you may still obtain a divorce, but generally you will have to appear in front of a Divorce Master. The Master is appointed by the Judge to deal with the economic issues and to make a recommendation as to the distribution of marital property.

7. Is there always a trial?

No, not always. If the parties can come to an agreement then there is no need to ever appear in court. However, if the parties cannot agree, as is often the case, then litigation may be necessary.

8. My spouse and I are very cooperative. Is there any way that we can limit attorney fees?

Yes. Generally, if the parties can work directly to resolve their issues, legal fees for both sides may be reduced.

9. What are the grounds for divorce?

There are two grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania fault and no fault. Most divorces these days are generally no fault divorces, however the fault grounds still exist, those grounds are (1) willful and malicious desertion for one or more years; (2) adultery; (3) cruel and barbarous treatment, endangered the life or health of the injured and innocent spouse; (4) bigamy; (5) sentenced to imprisonment for a term of two or more years upon conviction of having committed a crime; or (6) offered such indignities to the innocent and injured spouse as to render that spouse’s condition intolerable and life burdensome.

10. Will marital fault impact on my rights to a property settlement?

No, not really, however support and alimony may be impacted by marital misconduct.

11. Will the Court papers in my divorce become public records which anyone can read?

Yes, generally all civil court filings are public record.

12. How will the marital property be distributed?

Property is distributed according the following factors contained in the divorce code:

(1) The length of the marriage

(2) Any prior marriage of either party

(3) The age, health, station, amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities and needs of each of the parties

(4) The contribution by one party to the education, training or increased earning power of the other party

(5) The opportunity of each party for future acquisitions of capital assets and income

(6) The sources of income of both parties, including, but not limited to, medical, retirement, insurance or other benefits

(7) The contribution or dissipation of each party in the acquisition, preservation, depreciation or appreciation of the marital property, including the contribution of a party as homemaker

(8) The value of the property set apart to each party

(9) The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage

(10) The economic circumstances of each party at the time the division of property is to become effective

(10.1) The Federal, State and local tax ramifications associated with each asset to be divided, distributed or assigned, which ramifications need not be immediate and certain

(10.2) The expense of sale, transfer or liquidation associated with a particular asset, which expense need not be immediate and certain

(11) Whether the party will be serving as the custodian of any dependent minor children

13. What property is subject to equitable distribution?

All marital property may be equitably distributed. Generally, martial property is broadly defined as all property acquired by either party during the marriage and the increase in value of any nonmarital property.

14. What property is not subject to equitable distribution?

Separate property is not equitably distributed. Separate property is broadly defined as:

(1) Property acquired prior to marriage or property acquired in exchange for property acquired prior to the marriage.

(2) Property excluded by valid agreement of the parties entered into before, during or after the marriage.

(3) Property acquired by gift, except between spouses, bequest, devise or descent or property acquired in exchange for such property.

(4) Property acquired after final separation until the date of divorce, except for property acquired in exchange for marital assets.

(5) Property which a party has sold, granted, conveyed or otherwise disposed of in good faith and for value prior to the date of final separation.

(6) Veterans’ benefits exempt from attachment, levy or seizure pursuant to the act of September 2, 1958, as amended, except for those benefits received by a veteran where the veteran has waived a portion of his military retirement pay in order to receive veterans’ compensation.

(7) Property to the extent to which the property has been mortgaged or otherwise encumbered in good faith for value prior to the date of final separation.

(8) Any payment received as a result of an award or settlement for any cause of action or claim which accrued prior to the marriage or after the date of final separation regardless of when the payment was received.

15. What about child care, medical care and other costs?

Reasonable child care expenses paid by either parent, if necessary to maintain employment or appropriate education in pursuit of income, shall be allocated between the parties in proportion to their net incomes and added to his and her basic support obligation. When a parent is receiving a child care subsidy through the Department of Public Welfare, the expenses to be allocated between the parties shall be the full unsubsidized cost of the child care, not just the amount actually paid by the parent receiving the subsidy. However, if allocation of the unsubsidized amount would result in a support order that is overly burdensome to the obligor, deviation pursuant to Rule 1910.16-5 may be warranted.

A party’s payment of a premium to provide health insurance coverage on behalf of the other party or the children shall be allocated between the parties in proportion to their net incomes, including the portion of the premium attributable to the party who is paying it, as long as a statutory duty of support is owed to the party who is paying the premium. If the obligor is paying the premium, then the obligee’s share is deducted from the obligor’s basic support obligation. If the obligee is paying the premium, then the obligor’s share is added to his or her basic support obligation. Employer-paid premiums are not subject to allocation.

When the health insurance covers a party to whom no statutory duty of support is owed or other persons who are not parties to the support action or children who are not the subjects of the support action, the portion of the premium attributable to them must be excluded from allocation. In the event this portion is not known or cannot be verified, it shall be calculated as follows. First, determine the cost per person by dividing the total cost of the premium by the number of persons covered under the policy. Second, multiply the cost per person by the number of persons who are not owed a statutory duty of support, or are not parties to, or the subject of the support action. The resulting amount is excluded from allocation.

16. What are unreimbursed medical expenses?

Unreimbursed medical expenses are those expenses not covered by insurance such as insurance co-payments and deductibles and all expenses incurred for reasonably necessary medical services and supplies, including but not limited to surgical, dental and optical services, and orthodontia. They do not include cosmetic, chiropractic, psychiatric, psychological or other services unless specifically directed in the order of court.

17. Are Private School and Mortgage payments compensable?

Since support schedule is general and does not take into consideration the Private School Tuition, Summer Camp, and Other Needs, then the court may determine that one or more such needs are reasonable, the expense thereof shall be allocated between the parties in proportion to their net incomes. The obligor’s share may be added to his or her basic support obligation.

The guidelines assume that the spouse occupying the marital residence will be solely responsible for the mortgage payment, real estate taxes, and homeowners’ insurance. If the obligee is living in the marital residence and the mortgage payment exceeds 25% of the obligee’s net income (including amounts of spousal support, alimony pendente lite and child support), the court may direct the obligor to assume up to 50% of the excess amount as part of the total support award. If the obligor is occupying the marital residence and the mortgage payment exceeds 25% of the obligor’s monthly net income (less any amount of spousal support, alimony pendente lite or child support the obligor is paying), the court may make an appropriate downward adjustment in the obligor’s support obligation. For purposes of this subdivision, the term “mortgage” shall include first mortgages, real estate taxes and homeowners’ insurance and may include any subsequent mortgages, home equity loans and any other obligations incurred during the marriage which are secured by the marital residence.

–> Family Law FAQ’s  ::  –> Contact Divorce Lawyer  –> Custody & Visitation FAQ’s  :: Support FAQ’s

***********************************

Talk To One of Our Eastern Pennsylvania Divorce Attorneys

Contact our office today to discuss your family law questions with a Stroudsburg divorce lawyer. We are available between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at other times.

You can reach us by phone at 570-421-9090
, toll free at 800-506-0191 and via contact form to schedule your initial consultation.

(Visited 159 times, 1 visits today)

Archives

Categories

FindLaw Network