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Pennsylvania Family Law Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How will a new child affect my existing child support payments?

I am currently paying $1,000 a month in child support for my first child. I recently had another child with a different partner, and she plans to seek child support as well. How will this affect my child support payments?

0 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Does my husband need a will for me to inherit everything?

My husband believes he doesn't need a will since he assumes I, as his wife, will automatically inherit everything. I think he should have a will. He has no legal documents regarding his assets, which are only in his name, and he wishes for me to inherit everything after his passing. He has... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How can I get custody of my kids from Puerto Rico to Pennsylvania?

I am the father of my children who were taken by the Department of Family in Puerto Rico due to alleged child neglect on the mother's part. I live in Pennsylvania and want to bring my children here, but they are not being handed over to me, even though they are not residents of Puerto Rico.... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Will my pre-marital home remain separate in a divorce if not deeded to spouse?

I'm about to get married and currently own a home in Pennsylvania that I purchased before the marriage, with only my name on the deed and mortgage. Both my fiancé and I will be living in the home, and my fiancé will contribute towards the mortgage and home improvements. If I do not put my... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Civil Rights for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can our son’s name be placed on a birth certificate w/o permission..does he have sign a passport request for the child

My son requested a paternity test… she did not complete the test.The grandparents requested custody to the court in PA NO. 2022-07639. Stating the material grandparents the daughter as the mother and our son as the father hereafter shall have shared legal custody of child born in 2022. Maternal... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can parents in PA prevent a minor from leaving home if feeling unsafe?

I am under 18 and feel unsafe at home due to ongoing fighting and arguing with my siblings and parents. There are no legal issues or interventions related to our family situation, nor are there any specific legal arrangements like custody. I've talked to my grandma and uncle about this; my... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Pennsylvania on
Q: How can I contest or modify my divorce settlement in PA due to manipulation?

I signed my divorce settlement under significant pressure, as my ex was very manipulative, using our children and other personal issues against me. This led me to agree to terms that were not in my best interest. I want to understand what options I have to contest or modify the settlement and... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: is there any way to see sealed chriminal records from 1936 on a releative?

I know who the Judge was, the approximate date of the charges, the date of the plea the arresting officers names and the charges.

0 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I'm going back and forth in court about my daughter and I need consult on the matter

My ex-husband and I have a court agreement for our daughter that he gets her every Friday-Monday. Since I no longer qualify for CCIS I have to pay out of pocket for child care. He has been put on child support but is over $4,000 in the rears and he has to pay out of pocket for the day he picks her... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Pennsylvania on
Q: I’m court ordered to go to my dads house, if i ran away on my own would my mom be held in contempt

this is all hypothetical but i’m saying if she were to drive me to my dads house, and then i personally made the decision to go elsewhere, is she in contempt of court?

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Family Law and Child Custody for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a custody judge refuse a modification if it was agreed a civil law suit settlement?

Ex husband and my dad involved in altercation. Judge ordered my dad’s visitation from granddaughter be eliminated. Two years later, ex sued dad for pain and anxiety. His lawyer said if go to mediation, pay 6 figure amount and agree to counseling, he will restore dad’s visitation rights. Dad... View More

Charles A. Pascal Jr.
Charles A. Pascal Jr.
answered on Jan 13, 2025

The judge is under no obligation to sign. Custody and visitation was not an issue that could have possibly been resolved in the civil lawsuit between your ex and your dad, as that suit did not have the child at issue in any legal way. The best that they could agree to was to go with a united front... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Elder Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Do I need a lawyer if a poor loved one dies, with a simple estate?

My father has just died. He has a simple estate: no real property, no valuable possessions, and all his money is in a checking account, less than $10k. Do I need a lawyer to handle the details of his passing?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 22, 2025

A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm very sorry for the loss of your father. Although some questions go unanswered here on the forum, you could try reposting and adding the headings, "Probate" and "Estate Planning."... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: my lawyer agreement for representation states that if the retainer amount is earned they will ask for another retainer

I was in contact with my lawyer multiple times he did not tell me that my retainer was exceeded or that I was being charged past the $2500 of my retainer did not get any invoices no billing until months after the conciliation was completed and all it was was a letter that said I owed over $2000... View More

Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on Dec 10, 2024

What is your question? Are you asking if you owe your attorney the additional fees? Have you tried having a reasonable discussion with the attorney? I suggest that you do this before deciding what to do about the additional fees. You should receive a detailed invoice outlining the services... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How long do you have to appeal a divorce if you were forced under durress & under the influence knowingly by ex&lawyer?
Tony Chiaramonte
Tony Chiaramonte
answered on Dec 10, 2024

This response is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice tailored to your specific circumstances, please consult with a qualified attorney in Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, appealing a divorce decree and challenging a marriage as void or voidable are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Pennsylvania on
Q: Hi there! I’m seeking an attorney to change a deed Who in Reading specializes in deeds.?

There’s a deed owned by 2 brothers in Reading, and one is deceased. The heir wants to put his name in place of his fathers.

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 24, 2024

If the current two-brother deed is held as joint tenants with right of survivorship, the filing of a Certificate of Death of one brother with Registrar of Deeds should give surviving brother a clean (and insurable) right to the whole of the property. At that point, the sole owner (surviving... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Family Law, Civil Rights and Social Security for Pennsylvania on
Q: My parents are withholding my birth certificate and Social security card, can I get the police to return these to me?

I reached out to my parents to ask for my birth certificate and social security card, the original copies, I am 21, and they are refusing to give them to me. So I am considering having the police remove the documents from their house and return them to me, is this legal? I live in Lancaster PA, but... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 14, 2024

If your parents are withholding your birth certificate and Social Security card, you have the right to request these documents, especially since you are an adult at 21. These are personal documents that belong to you, and you should have access to them. In this situation, it’s important to try to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Hello, my husband has a will with me asbeneficiary of tangible assets and our minor child as one on who gets his inherit

guardian his friend & a trustee ..do I as the wife get money to raise the child and take care of myself?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 7, 2024

Child support, in money, generally ceases upon death of the payor.

You can elect to take against the Will, however, your question offers no values to support a recommendation.

Confer with an experienced PA lawyer, armed with your full facts. to get your best recommendation.

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Estate Planning and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: If trustee is also POA and I'm suing the trustee, can the settlement agreement involve POA stipulations?
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
PREMIUM
W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Aug 26, 2024

While you fail to say so. I have to assume, from your question, that your litigation involves the trustee's Power of Attorney. If so, it is highly likely that the Court would approve any reasonable settlement stipulation of the litigants, and that would extend to POA provisions,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes, Family Law and White Collar Crime for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a court enforce a protection order and issue penalties against a parent after involuntary TPR, despite a pending

Can a Dependency Court in Allegheny County, PA, still enforce a protection order and issue a Rule to Show Cause against a parent after the involuntary termination of parental rights, especially if the parent has filed an appeal?

If a parent's rights were involuntarily terminated and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 7, 2024

In Allegheny County, PA, after an involuntary termination of parental rights (TPR), a parent is generally no longer considered a "party" to the dependency case. The court's order stating that the parent is not to be notified of future proceedings indicates that their legal standing... View More

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