On November 18, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill No. 1210, making it Act 146 of 2024 (the “Act”). The Act addresses animal abuse in domestic violence situations by amending the Protection From Abuse Act to grant judges the ability to order defendants to refrain from abusing victims’ pets. KingSpry’s Managing Partner and Family Law Attorney, Jessica F. … [Read more...] about New Pennsylvania Law to Protect Pets from Domestic Abuse Situations
Lehigh Valley Family Law
United States House of Representatives Approves Resolution to Strengthen America’s Children and Families
Gaining bipartisan support, H.R. 9076 (the “Resolution”) was approved by the United States House of Representatives in a 405-10 vote on September 18, 2024. The Resolution moves on to the United States Senate for approval, and if passed, it will enact the Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act. KingSpry’s Adoption and ART Practice Chair and Family … [Read more...] about United States House of Representatives Approves Resolution to Strengthen America’s Children and Families
The IRS Announces Updated Adoption Tax Credit Provisions
On October 22, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued Revenue Procedure 2024-40 (“Procedure”), wherein it announced the Adoption Tax Credit and Adoption Assistance Programs, which are set to take effect in 2025. KingSpry’s Adoption and ART Practice Chair and Family Law Attorney, Dorota Gasienica-Kozak, Esq., reviews the Procedure and highlights its key provisions regarding the … [Read more...] about The IRS Announces Updated Adoption Tax Credit Provisions
Uniform Parentage Act Gains Support of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 350 (“HB 350”) on June 24, 2024, which intends to update Pennsylvania adoption and parenting laws. Upon passage in the Pennsylvania Senate, HB 350 will enact the Uniform Parentage Act (the “Act”). The Act will provide courts with a clear legal framework to ensure that families’ rights are protected. KingSpry’s Adoption and … [Read more...] about Uniform Parentage Act Gains Support of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds a Federal Law Prohibiting Firearm Possession of a Person with a Domestic Violence Restraining Order
On June 21, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal statute prohibiting an individual subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a firearm if that order includes a finding that he “represents a credible threat to the physical safety of [an] intimate partner,” or a child of the partner or individual. 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8). In 1994, a federal law was passed prohibiting … [Read more...] about U.S. Supreme Court Upholds a Federal Law Prohibiting Firearm Possession of a Person with a Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Act 23 of 2024: Pennsylvania Law Reforms Administrative Procedures to Protect Children
On June 10, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 1018, making it Act 23 of 2024 (the “Act”). The Act will increase protections for child victims and witnesses in agency administrative proceedings. Senator Timothy P. Kearney sponsored Act 23, stating that it will “fix a serious oversight in our state agency administrative procedure that allows child abusers to confront and … [Read more...] about Act 23 of 2024: Pennsylvania Law Reforms Administrative Procedures to Protect Children