I reported my ex to the police over a month ago concerning an incident and now wish to recant my statement. No legal action has been initiated, though officials from Children and Youth Services have spoken to both me and my ex. I haven't discussed recanting with a lawyer or law enforcement... View More

I previously attempted to obtain a PFA against someone due to abusive behavior, but it was dismissed because the court believed I was lying for custody purposes. Recently, this person has contacted me four separate times through text messages, urging me to come to their house, despite knowing I am... View More

I have an apartment with my soon-to-be ex-girlfriend of 13 years, and both of our names are on the lease. She recently cheated and left me and our two kids for two months, then returned. Our daughter prefers that her mom leave and that I stay in the apartment. I have a complete work history and... View More

I am an endorser on a student loan that my ex-husband and I co-signed for our daughter. Repayment statements began arriving about a year and a half ago. My ex-husband, a sole proprietor of a business, filed for bankruptcy about three years ago, but federal student loans, like ours, are typically... View More

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James L. Arrasmith Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 25, 2025

You need to take immediate action to safeguard your financial well-being since federal student loans typically survive bankruptcy proceedings. First, request all loan documentation from AidVantage, including payment history and current status, to establish a paper trail showing your proactive... View More

I, the father, have filed a petition of contempt against the mother for arranging a psychological evaluation for our child without my consent, though we have joint legal custody. The mother has filed a petition to transfer the case to a new jurisdiction, as she and the child have moved to a... View More

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Patrick J Cooper
answered on Mar 27, 2025

You should always file your response timely according to the rules of civil procedure. You will want to check to verify whether the prior relocation order specified whether issuing court retains jurisdiction or if it provides for a transfer to the new state of primary residence of the child. I... View More

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I am a co-executor and beneficiary of my mother's estate, sharing these responsibilities with my sibling who has narcissistic personality disorder and is an alcoholic. After my mother passed away, I requested the Family Exemption of $3,500 due to upcoming bills and was told by the attorney... View More

I need to retrieve my personal belongings, including important documents and clothes, from my bedroom at my parents' residence in Allegheny County, PA. This should only take about 15-20 minutes. My parents previously allowed me in but rushed me and actively prevented me from retrieving my... View More

I am planning to move out of state with my 10-year-old child. We do not have any custody agreement or court documents supporting custody, and we were never married. The father is actively involved in our child's life, seeing her every other week, but he provides no financial support. He has... View More

How can I legally evict my ex-girlfriend from my house in Pennsylvania? She moved in with her children (ages 19, 17, and 10) in September 2023. My 11-year-old daughter and I have been staying elsewhere for her safety and mental health. My ex-girlfriend has never paid rent or bills, and there's... View More

I am considering a 50/50 child custody arrangement where the child would spend summers with the mother and the school year with the father. Currently, no formal custody arrangements or court orders are in place. I am unsure if the other parent will agree to this proposed arrangement. How should I... View More

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?

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

Michael Cherewka
answered on Feb 28, 2025

The short answer is for assets that are owned solely by your husband you do NOT inherit all of his assets when he dies. In fact, since the children are not from your marriage, you would most likely inherit only one-half (1/2) of his assets and the other half would go to his children.

if... View More

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

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

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.
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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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
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

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
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

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.

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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

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

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James L. Arrasmith 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