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Pennsylvania Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: What is a good argument for reduced child support due to fixed income and permanent disability?

The child support formula being paid is mathematically impossible to pay. Living on a fixed income, “life” happens (unexpected vet/medical bills, etc.) and ex is very litigious, which requires retaining and paying lawyers constantly.

On a fixed income, it is impossible to pay off new... View More

Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on Oct 15, 2022

First you need to understand that the PA Support Guidelines do not take into account the multiple issues you raise. Your housing costs, credit card bills, unexpected expenses, etc. are generally not relevant. You may be able to convince a hearing officer/judge to deviate from the Guidelines but... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Pennsylvania on
Q: Custody agreement question in Pennsylvania.

If there is an agreement, and both parents decide to make changes to it, and follow this for a year, can one parent deide suddenly to go back to the original order because a petition was filed for a modification?

Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on Oct 15, 2022

Yes because a court order also overrides an agreement. However, you can always attempt to present the agreement to the court as evidence of what the two of you had been doing.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: My grandfather left his house to me in his will ,so after the reading of the will can I change the locks on the house
Stephen M. Asbel
Stephen M. Asbel
answered on Sep 28, 2022

The short answer is no. The house must pass through the estate administration. The executor must first ensure that your grandfather's debts, if any are addressed, that the administrative expenses of the estate are paid, and the required inheritance tax and any other tax obligations that may... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is it possible to file for custody while pregnant?

I am pregnant with my first child and ended things with the father. I asked if we could come to an agreement between the two of us vs going to courts and he is now threatening to go for custody. He cannot take care of himself, he does not support himself. He lives at home with his parents and blows... View More

Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on Sep 14, 2022

No, you cannot file for custody until after the baby is born. You're lucky that his mother is supportive of you. She can be your greatest ally if you make sure that she sees her new grandbaby. I suggest that you consult with a local family law attorney for guidance.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I asked a previous question regarding domestic violence and being kicked out of my home. I now live in my grandmothers

Home, that I cared for for years but had to go to a nursing home and she had a reverse mortgage on the home and is now in foreclosure and so I will need to find a place to live or buy the property at forclosure? Is that my only option?

David Kennedy Bifulco
David Kennedy Bifulco pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 6, 2022

There are specific rules regarding the purchase/repayment of the reverse mortgage by a family member. If the reason for the foreclosure is that your Grandmother is in a Nursing Home the contract should have provisions that cover this situation. It could be dependent on her status and whether it... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Pennsylvania on
Q: Who recieves money left in a checking account?

Father-In-Law passed away in December, there is only his wife (my mother-in law) and my wife (his daughter) surviving him. My Wife is the executor. There's no mention to where it goes in will. Only thing the will says is that the house is left to his wife (my mother in law) and that his... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Aug 4, 2022

Under PA law, the appointed executor's duty is to implement the expressed intent of the testator, as expressed in the probated Will.

If an asset of the testator is not disposed or bequeathed by that Will, it is for the Court, not the Executor, to determine the testator's...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Domestic Violence for Pennsylvania on
Q: What should I do once the pfa order against me expires today? My husband lied in order to obtain to begin with.
Ryan L Hyde
Ryan L Hyde
answered on Jun 16, 2022

I am not sure what you mean by your question. If the order has lapsed it no longer is in effect. Sounds like you still should avoid each other though.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Collections and Small Claims for Pennsylvania on
Q: I have power of attorney to someone.Who refuses to repay me?

I covered all thr expenses while they wer incarcerated including paying for power of attorney lawyer. They now are working and refuse to repay me

David Kennedy Bifulco
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answered on Jun 16, 2022

Without more information it is not possible to answer your question. You should contact an attorney that is experienced in collections and provide the attorney with all the details to get an answer to your questions.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Pennsylvania on
Q: I want to keep my mom's home, she passed away in April, and there's a balance on her mortgage, how?

It has a 26 thousand dollars balance, can I keep it or do I have to sell it?

Stephen M. Asbel
Stephen M. Asbel
answered on Jun 7, 2022

To fully answer your question would require additional information because whether or not you can keep the house will depend upon a number of factors. Are there other assets which can be used to pay off the mortgage? Are there other debts beside the mortgage which must be paid? Are there other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: In Pennsylvania, can you lock your husband out of the house for a night?

I am in a toxic situation. I'm dealing with mental abuse. I don't have the money to obtain an attorney to file for divorce. I need a night of peace and for him to calm down.

Karen  Ulmer
Karen Ulmer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 21, 2022

Until a court order is entered, the home belongs to both of you. If you lock him out, he is within his legal right to gain access. If you lock him out it may only elevate the mental abuse. If you can stay with a friend or family for a night that may be less confrontational. If he does anything to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Tax Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: If there is unclaimed death benefits from my grandparents who died 28 years ago is it hard to claim

I am the only child of their only child and they have no siblings left alive. My father who was their only child died 20 years ago. They had no will.

Mark Scoblionko
Mark Scoblionko
answered on May 19, 2022

Your question is not specific enough to answer. What are “death benefits?” Is this life insurance, real estate, etc.?

As a general proposition, a portion of estate assets would ordinarily go from one grandparent to the other and a portion would have gone to your dad, unless your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: in the state of PA how can i get my moms belongings from her partner and he is not letting us in house
Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 7, 2022

Im sorry by I am a New Jersey family law attorney and cannot give you advice on how to address an issue involving a dispute in Penn. Please direct your inquiry to a Penn lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Sibling and I are beneficiaries on grandmother's will.grandparents had custody of me. I want the house I live in.

My sister wants me to sell the house. She wants the money. I grew up in and have lived in this house for 20 plus years. My grandparents took custody of me because my mother left me with them as a child. I don't have the money to buy her out, but I want my house.

John B. Whalen, Jr.
John B. Whalen, Jr.
answered on Mar 30, 2022

… hello …

… from the information you have shared, that seems difficult … have you spoken to the Executor? …

John

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Family Law and Insurance Defense for Pennsylvania on
Q: i got into a car accident. my insurance is under my fathers name but my car is my name. who does the insurance money

go to. my father is keeping the money from me so i can’t get a new car. what do i do

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Mar 7, 2022

You may or may not have left out some relevant facts but I will try to answer----if the insurance company is paying a property damage claim for the vehicle then it should pay the titled owner(s) of the vehicle.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Immigration Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am 20 years old and my parents are trying to block my polish passport, can they do that?

I am trying to make a trip and my parents will not let me, I am 20 years old and I issued my passport when I was still underage. Can they block my passport?

Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Feb 22, 2022

No. After 18 you are legal adult and no one parent has any right to cancel your passport. If they persist call the police, as they have no right to conceal a legal US Passport from its holder for any reason, or go ahead and apply for a new one.

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law, Family Law and Personal Injury for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is this real money that was left for me
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 30, 2022

A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Some information may have been left off here. It isn't fully clear in what context the money left for you materialized, and your post straddles a number of categories - each could have different manners in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: my mother passed without a will i am her only child, people told me i need a paper stating i have conrtol of her estate

i am her only child i need help to point me i the right direction

John B. Whalen, Jr.
John B. Whalen, Jr.
answered on Dec 25, 2021

… my condolences …

… the paper that they are referring to is called a “Short Certificate” or “Letters of Administration” …

… you should consult an attorney who is experienced in Probate and Estates … many offer a free consultation …

… good luck …

… John …

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Pennsylvania on
Q: Children and Youth services of Pennsylvania. What are my rights?

Children and Youth services of Pennsylvania showed up to my house because my daughter missed the forst week of school because her father tested positive of covid 19, and we didnt want to spread the virus. Whoeever called CYS also stated that they think possible drug use is involved because of the... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 3, 2021

The government is legally allowed to do anything it wants. The government has agents, it has courts, and it writes the rules. The CPS can offer drug testing several times and then clamp down by removing the kids. A failure to take a test and pass it is evidence of drug use, and drug use is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Pennsylvania on
Q: What is considered a conflict of interest?

My son’s father has the same attorney, Who was my public defender back in 2012 for a criminal case , defending him in our child custody case. Wouldn’t that be considered conflict of interest?

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 2, 2021

Pennsylvania codifies a "continuing conflict" as such:

1.9 Duties to Former Clients

A lawyer who has formerly represented a client in a matter shall not thereafter represent another person in the same or a substantially related matter in which that person’s interests are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I would like to place my father's ashes with his deceased parents who are interred in a mausoleum. How would I do this?

The cemetery where my grandparents are interred have informed me that I cannot do this.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 14, 2021

The cemetary has their own rules. You don't necessarily have a right to inter remains wherever you wish. If it's a church run cemetary talk to the priest or religious official of that church.

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