Family Law Attorney in Snyder County

Family law issues can be complicated, especially when they impact the happiness of your loved ones. A variety of issues may arise with divorce, making it difficult to understand your legal options when your emotions are clouding your decisions. At Purdy Law, our family law attorneys in Snyder County are committed to helping you and your family, whether it be navigating divorce, drafting a prenuptial agreement, or adoption. No matter what type of family law matter you are currently facing, our legal team is more than happy to assist you.

The decision to end a marriage is not one that is taken lightly. Inevitably, it will have ramifications in most aspects of your life. Common issues that are related to divorce include:

Child Custody

Your children’s happiness means everything to you. Pennsylvania courts make child custody arrangements based on the best interests of the child. This standard is used to determine both physical and legal custody. Physical custody concerns which parent the child will live with, while legal custody concerns which parent will make important decisions related to the child’s health, education, and religious upbringing. In many cases, the court may order shared custody when it determines that both parents should be actively involved in the child’s life.

Child Support

Even though two people may decide to terminate their marriage, each still has a financial responsibility to their child. Pennsylvania law calculates child support based on each parent’s income, with the noncustodial parent (the parent the child does not live with) generally having the responsibility for paying support. In addition to calculating each parent’s income, the amount of time the child spends with each parent will also be considered in determining a support amount.

Division of Marital Property

The Commonwealth divides marital property based on equitable distribution. Equitable distribution seeks to divide property based on what is fairest, not necessarily equally. Factors the court looks at include the duration of the marriage, the earning potential for each party, and the sources of income for each party, among others.

Alimony or Spousal Support

During a divorce, the lower-earning spouse may request that their partner pay them alimony (known as spousal support in Pennsylvania). Spousal support is not a given, with the court assessing whether it is absolutely necessary. Courts examine the factors set out in 23 Pa.C.S. §3701 in deciding if spousal support will be granted.

Some of the factors considered are the age and earning capacity of each spouse, the duration of the marriage, and the amount of training or education that would be necessary for a spouse to find suitable employment. If the court determines that you are incapable of supporting yourself, then alimony will be awarded, but most likely for a short period of time. During this time, the court will want to see that you are making significant progress toward being able to financially support yourself.

Mediation

Being able to resolve issues out of court can reduce the stress and financial strain associated with family law matters. Mediation involves a neutral third party who will hear both sides’ concerns and facilitate a conversation to reach an agreement. Our family law lawyers are trained mediators, having successfully assisted couples through divorce-related cases. For those who are committed to the process, mediation offers a viable alternative to court.

Protecting Your Future: Prenuptials and Postnuptial Agreements

Your future matters, which is why our legal team recommends that newlyweds create prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. These agreements dictate how assets will be divided in the event of divorce. These contractual agreements can take a lot of the guesswork out of divorce, making it easier to rebuild your life during such a life-altering event.

Adoption

Welcoming a new member into your family is a joyful experience. The adoption process must be followed to a tee, with any failure to follow procedures resulting in delays or having to appeal the adoption. Our team of family law attorneys is prepared to assist you every step of the way to help you expand your family.

Family Law Attorneys Serving Snyder County

If you and your spouse are considering divorce, it is important that you know that it is not an isolated event. Divorce will impact your finances, as well as your children’s lives. At Purdy Law, our family law lawyers understand that getting a divorce is an emotional process, but also one that will impact the rest of your life. That is why our legal team is committed to assisting you throughout the process and explaining any legal terms that may be confusing. To learn more about how we can help, do not hesitate to contact our office online or by phone at (717) 674-2885 today.