Prospective adoptive parents in Pennsylvania must submit to a home study as part of the adoption process. The Child Welfare Information Gateway explains that this study assesses the qualifications and background of the hopeful parents and certain other individuals who...
Family Law
Why finalize a divorce with a negotiated settlement?
When Pennsylvania couples decide to divorce, they may experience a range of emotions, from anger and confusion to even a sense of relief. Depending on the circumstances leading to the end of the marriage, some people may want to lash out against their spouse or use...
Study examines parental alienation claims in custody cases
Some people in Pennsylvania may be familiar with the term "parental alienation syndrome". However, some experts say that it has been misused in custody battles and that it is not scientifically supported.PAS was first described by a child psychiatrist in the 1980s...
As a grandparent, you can ask the Pennsylvania courts for visits
There is a popular saying that only the best parents get promoted to grandparents, and while that isn't true, having grandchildren in your life can certainly feel like a reward for successful parenting.There is something unique and beautiful about the relationship...
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,...
Mediation to reach a child custody agreement
There are two situations in which a parent in Pennsylvania might need to meet with a child custody mediator. One is if the mediation is court-ordered. The other is if the other parent requests a session with a mediator. In the former case, a parent must comply with...
How to maintain family unity during the holidays
The holiday season can be especially stressful for a parent in Pennsylvania who has recently ended a marriage. The good news is that there are ways for families to come together to have a happy holiday season even if they lack a traditional structure.Parents will...
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...
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...
How to handle a familial adoption in Pennsylvania
When people think of adoption, they often imagine someone taking in a child whom they never met and with whom they have no relationship, which certainly does happen.However, many adoptions that take place in the United States involve people with a pre-existing...