These days, many people treat their pets like they are children. Hence the term "furbabies." As a result, pet custody is becoming a frequent issue in divorce cases. It is not unusual for couples to fight over who gets to keep the family dog or cat after they go their separate ways. Pennsylvania Pets Are Personal Property In Pennsylvania and most other states, pets are treated as personal property … [Read more...] about The Dog Days of Divorce: Who Gets Rover When It’s All Over?
Lehigh Valley Family Law
What the Dobbs Decision Means for Family Law in Pennsylvania
On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark cases Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which have guaranteed the right to abortion for nearly five decades. In a 6-3 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the court found that the U.S. Constitution does not protect abortion rights and that states have the authority to … [Read more...] about What the Dobbs Decision Means for Family Law in Pennsylvania
A Proposed Amendment to Pennsylvania’s Constitution Could Have Huge Impact on Assisted Reproduction if Passed
An Amendment to Pennsylvania’s Constitution regarding elective abortions is under second consideration in the Senate and advancing toward passage. Although the Bill is aimed at attacking abortion rights, a significant impact on assisted reproduction is likely. In response to a lawsuit by an abortion industry seeking the requirement of public funding through Medicaid for abortions of low-income … [Read more...] about A Proposed Amendment to Pennsylvania’s Constitution Could Have Huge Impact on Assisted Reproduction if Passed
Unanimous Supreme Court Issues Narrow Decision Regarding Government Limits on Religious Discrimination by Government Contractors
The Fulton v. City of Philadelphia case has been followed by many, including those with an interest in foster care, LBGT rights and religious freedoms. The decision upheld the right of Catholic Social Services (“CSS”) to refuse to certify same-sex and unmarried couples as foster parents, as certifying such couples would violate the religious beliefs of the Catholic Church. The … [Read more...] about Unanimous Supreme Court Issues Narrow Decision Regarding Government Limits on Religious Discrimination by Government Contractors
Precedent-Setting Goodwin Opinion Holds Life Insurance Benefits Are Gifts, Not Marital Property
Pennsylvania’s Superior Court, in a precedential opinion, held life insurance death benefits are “gifts” and are therefore not marital property for purposes of equitable distribution. Equitable distribution is a process in which marital property is distributed equitably in a divorce proceeding. A court will only engage in equitable distribution if spouses are unable to agree on a property … [Read more...] about Precedent-Setting Goodwin Opinion Holds Life Insurance Benefits Are Gifts, Not Marital Property
Recent California Supreme Court Ruling May Impact Family Law Custody Evaluations
While evaluating a custody case, attorneys must decide whether to advise their clients to invest in a custody evaluation. A custody evaluation is a process in which a mental health professional, typically a psychologist, evaluates the parents, child(ren), and collateral witnesses to identify issues with the situation and, in some cases, make a recommendation to the court regarding an appropriate … [Read more...] about Recent California Supreme Court Ruling May Impact Family Law Custody Evaluations