In a decision issued on May 31, 2017, the Superior Court clarified the limit of the sanctions that can be applied in a custody matter when a parent is found to have violated a custody order. Mother and Father separated in March, 2014. Father filed a custody complaint and the parties agreed that Mother would enjoy primary physical custody of the children pending a custody trial. The interim … [Read more...] about Sanctions in Custody Matter Must Always Consider Best Interests
Lehigh Valley Family Law
Foster Care Affects All of Us
Since 1988, May has been identified as National Foster Care Month. The goal of this designation is to recognize the work of foster families, social workers and agencies, as well as to bring attention to the needs of children residing in foster care. The goal of this article is to identify why and how the community needs to respond to these issues. Recent headlines have highlighted the increasing … [Read more...] about Foster Care Affects All of Us
Request for Foster Care Maintenance Payments May Be Headed to the United States Supreme Court
As National Foster Care Month kicks off, a request for foster care maintenance payments from a kinship care provider in Kentucky may be headed to the United States Supreme Court. Previously, the Supreme Court held that foster care payments must be made to all foster care providers, regardless whether they are “regular” or kinship foster homes. It appears that many states nonetheless refuse to … [Read more...] about Request for Foster Care Maintenance Payments May Be Headed to the United States Supreme Court
What Are The Legal and Ethical Considerations of Egg Cryopreservation?
The facilities that provide egg cryopreservation services are relatively mainstream IVF clinics or private agencies, and uniformly are members of the Society for Assistive Reproductive Technology (SART). A woman giving her informed consent to egg freezing needs legal advice on issues such as medical procedural risks, disposition of eggs in case of incapacity or death, medical risks to the child … [Read more...] about What Are The Legal and Ethical Considerations of Egg Cryopreservation?
Birth Parent Rights Remain Primary Absent Proof of Dependency
Agencies must work to identify birth parents as soon as possible. In a cautionary tale for agencies and pre-adoptive parents alike, on March 6, the Superior Court determined that pre-adoptive parents did not have standing to participate in a custody action filed by the child’s birth father. The Court’s order sets the stage for custody of the child to return to the birth father. The case, K.W. v. … [Read more...] about Birth Parent Rights Remain Primary Absent Proof of Dependency
Civil Unions Dissolvable in Pennsylvania
In a December 28, 2016 opinion, the Superior Court determined that civil unions can be dissolved, despite the fact that Pennsylvania law does not specifically recognize civil unions. On July 12, 2002, two adult Pennsylvania residents entered into a civil union in Vermont, the first state to offer civil unions. In December 2002, the parties began living separate and apart. At that time, … [Read more...] about Civil Unions Dissolvable in Pennsylvania