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Family Law & Estate Planning Blog

At McMorrow Law, LLC, in Wexford, Pennsylvania, our attorneys are compassionate, experienced and focused advocates. We use every tool at our disposal to help guide you through the family law process and other legal issues. We take care of today so that you can focus on your better tomorrow.

Blog Category | Divorce

Women’s unrecognized home labor often leads to divorce

Both spouses in modern marriages typically work. Long gone are the days when husbands were the only ones working. In fact, in many households, the wife may be the higher-earning professional. Despite both spouses working full-time, wives frequently have many more obligations in the family home. There is a presumption...

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Who keeps the house when parents divorce?

If you and your spouse are facing divorce, one of the biggest questions you likely have is “what happens to the family home”. On the one hand, your house is a major financial asset; on the other hand, you and your children may also have a strong emotional attachment to...

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When may a person seek annulment of a marriage?

Whereas divorce terminates a marriage, an annulment may outright void a marriage as though it never happened. In contrast to divorce which does not require any specific grounds, seeking an annulment in Pennsylvania is possible with only limited grounds. There is a common misconception that annulment is a religious formality...

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When may a person seek annulment of a marriage?

Whereas divorce terminates a marriage, an annulment may outright void a marriage as though it never happened. In contrast to divorce which does not require any specific grounds, seeking an annulment in Pennsylvania is possible with only limited grounds. There is a common misconception that annulment is a religious formality...

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Can bad behavior affect your divorce case?

Contentious divorces are very stressful. You may be unhappy about the circumstances that led to your divorce, and this unhappiness can steadily build into resentment. Your feelings might cause you to treat your former spouse badly, and you may even feel justified in this poor treatment if infidelity or abuse...

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The 20/20/20 Rule

Marriage to a member of the military in Pennsylvania brings with a number of sacrifices. Your service member spouse often must relocate on short notice, or will sometimes receive assignments that call them away for extended periods. Yet these sacrifices are often offset by the unique benefits you enjoy due...

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How legal separation works in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a state that has no formal process for what is commonly called legal separation. If a couple wants to get a court order to end their marriage, then they have to be eligible for and obtain a divorce. Under Pennsylvania law, a couple can each agree to a...

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Opening the divorce discussion with children

It is an uncomfortable feeling for people to answer questions about their divorce, especially when they have strong opinions and emotions about their situation. Even more challenging is when parents must inform their children of their decision to separate. Talking with young children presents unique circumstances that require careful navigation...

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Benefits of filing for divorce

Many couples who are contemplating divorce in Pennsylvania wait until after the holidays to take the first steps. The process of filing for divorce includes speaking to an attorney, filing a complaint and having the other spouse served with the paperwork. In fact, January is the most popular month for...

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How a divorce impacts a person’s business

Most people start out their married life thinking that their love and happiness will last forever. The unfortunate truth is that a sizeable portion of marriages end in divorce. Pennsylvania residents may be interested in seeing how a divorce could impact their small business. When a small business owner gets...

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Planning to move forward after divorce

When couples in Pennsylvania decide to divorce, they may have a difficult time in the immediate period following the separation. It can be challenging to adjust to a newly single life, especially after a longer-term relationship. Since almost half of first marriages end in divorce, it’s wise to think about...

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Common myths to ignore when ending a marriage

Couples in Pennsylvania may believe that ending their marriages will make their lives better. While this may be true for some, there are several myths about divorce and separation that couples should disregard. One of the big misconceptions is that child custody or alimony is awarded solely based on a...

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Personal loans could pay divorce expenses

On average, an individual going through a divorce will spend about $15,000 in legal fees. A person who is ending a marriage in Pennsylvania or anywhere else may turn to a personal loan to cover that expense. This may be an ideal solution because lenders may allow a person to...

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Filing a military divorce

Divorce is a life-changing event with emotional, financial and legal repercussions. Military personnel often serve in demanding roles throughout the world. A divorce is a huge stressor. It can make a difficult situation even more challenging and emotionally draining. If your marriage is past the point of no return, you...

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Divorce can affect a credit report

Many spouses in Pennsylvania are wary of the financial impact of divorce. Separation could be particularly difficult for couples who have been married a long time or have a significant amount of investments. However, these issues can go far beyond the immediate division of assets at the end of a...

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Moving through the divorce process

When people in Pennsylvania notice long-term problems in their marriage, their thoughts may turn to divorce. While divorce is quite common and around 2 million Americans choose to end their marriages every year, many people know little about how the process actually works. As a result, they may have a...

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Dividing the family business during a divorce

Pennsylvania business owners considering divorce may find themselves wondering how they can protect their investment in the enterprise and emerge from the end of the marriage with a fair deal. One of the most important pieces of information that can allow a business to be handled properly in a divorce...

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March: The “Divorce Month”

It is hard to believe that winter is finally nearing its end and the cold temperatures could soon be a thing of the past. But unfortunately, with the end of the cold winter months comes a surge of something most would consider equally as depressing – divorces. A prior analysis...

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A NEW WAY TO PART WAYS: COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE

Everyone knows someone who has gone through a divorce and most would say it was not a pleasant experience. It does not have to be. What if the spouses, with the assistance of two collaboratively trained lawyers, were empowered to settle their divorce out of court creating an outcome that...

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Divorce Options: Is the Collaborative Process Right for You?

When considering a divorce, there are many factors to consider in making such a big decision. There are several possible approaches for couples entering into divorce proceedings. The “kitchen” table approach is when the parties are able to work everything out themselves without any outside assistance. Mediation allows the parties...

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Annulment versus Divorce in Pennsylvania

Divorce might be easy? Well, when it is difference between an annulment and a divorce, an annulment is much harder to get. There are two categories of marriages for which an annulment may be sought in Pennsylvania. The first are marriages that are void by their existence. The second are...

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Divorce: Who stays in the home?

Exclusive Possession of the Marital Residence and Divorce in PA: What to do when your spouse won’t leave Bethenny Frankel’s divorce has been gracing the front pages of the tabloids since she filed last year. Bethenny and her husband, Jason Hoppy, with whom she shares a three-year-old daughter, have continued...

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Stars Without Prenuptial Agreements & Divorce

Stars Without Prenups and the Divorces that Follow Michael Jordan. Madonna. Tiger Woods. Alec Baldwin. Rupert Murdoch. Mel Gibson. What do all of these individuals have in common? Yes, they are all famous celebrities. Yes, they are all worth millions upon millions of dollars, perhaps even billions. However, what likely...

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Marital Misconduct & Divorce: What Does Cheating Get You?

MARITAL MISCONDUCT & DIVORCE IN PENNSYLVANIA – WHAT DOES CHEATING GET YOU? This summer the tabloids saw no shortage of cheating scandals to headline their front pages. From Anthony Weiner’s second “sexting” scandal to Simon Cowell’s pregnant married lover, the nation has watched marriage after marriage fall victim to various...

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George Zimmerman Divorce: A Pennsylvania Perspective

The George Zimmerman Divorce from a Pennsylvania Perspective Shellie Zimmerman, George Zimmerman’s wife, filed for divorce last week in Seminole County, Florida, less than two months after he was acquitted of murder in the death of Trayvon Martin. Ms. Zimmerman says in her divorce complaint that the parties, who married...

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