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The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides that in 2015 there were 33,600 divorces statewide.  Of those, 2,582 divorces were finalized in Allegheny County alone.  While these statistics do not reflect how many of those divorcing couples have minor children, anyone who is divorced or in the process of getting divorced understands how difficult the process can be for an adult, with even greater stress for a toddler, school-aged child or […]

Before it adjourned in December, the previous Congress passed a sweeping income tax reform bill designed to extend the Bush tax cuts for a couple more years. One important feature of that law, which goes into effect in January 2011, is a “payroll tax holiday.” Workers who earn wages and salaries must pay 6.2% for Social Security payroll taxes until they reach  earned income of $106,800 per year. All earned […]

[This post originally appeared on BV Source in November 2009.] The winter holidays can be fun and relaxing, but at times they can also be stressful or disappointing. The downside of the holiday season is a special challenge for families who are experiencing divorce or separation. Here are a few tips to cope with the holiday season: 1. Keep your expectations realistic. People who are separated or divorced may have […]

The downside of the holiday season is a special challenge for families who are experiencing divorce or separation. Here are a few tips to cope with the holiday season.

As the holidays approach for many, it is a time of planning for an engagement. Holiday engagements frequently are rather public affairs with a profession of love and a request for commitment to marriage in front of family and friends. And of course the ring is fit for the occasion — extravagant, sparkly and beautiful. What happens, however, if down the road the couple does not get married?  Who gets […]

In formulating an award of child custody, in addition to physical custody, a court must decide legal custody: the right to make major decisions on behalf of the child, including, but not limited to, medical, religious and educational decisions. 23 Pa.C.S.A. §5322(a). The statute indicates the court may award a parent the right to make decisions regarding a child’s religion, including, but not limited to, which holidays the child would […]