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Is it possible to modify child support even though Pittsburgh courts are closed? The answer is, yes and it’s important to preserve retroactivity so the modification can be backdated. Pittsburgh family law attorney Brian C. Vertz, partner at our Pittsburgh family law firm Pollock Begg, details what to consider, including perhaps a temporary modification during the COVID-19 economic downturn. Read Brian’s corresponding blog about acting quickly to modify Pennsylvania child […]

  Should parents still comply with custody orders entered before the COVID-19 pandemic? Are the Pennsylvania courts providing remote access to resolve custody cases? Pittsburgh family law attorney Todd M. Begg answers custody questions parents are facing during the COVID-19 crisis. Todd, a partner in downtown Pittsburgh family law firm Pollock Begg, further explains the unusual custody questions now prevalent in many cases in his corresponding blog about how Covid-19 […]

Parents wishing to modify child support orders may be stymied while the courts of western Pennsylvania are temporarily closed by the shelter-in-place orders issued by Gov. Tom Wolf and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Yet, many parents need immediate relief as their incomes have been reduced by COVID-19-related business closures, layoffs, furloughs and the national economic downturn. They might not want to wait a month or more for the courts […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted most aspects of our lives. It’s no surprise it’s created questions and problems for parents dealing with child support and custody issues. Courts are taking the following position: A court order entered before the COVID-19 crisis is still enforceable unless it is modified. If you are able to pay, payments should be made as usual through Pennsylvania’s online payment system known as PACSES. If you […]

Since my career began as a Pittsburgh family law attorney in 1989, the court system has never been closed for an extended period. Court closures as a result of COVID-19 distance us from key guidance in managing custody matters involving minor children of separated or divorcing spouses, causing unprecedented difficulties in determining what is “in the best interest of a child.” Without court guidance how do we avoid anarchy? The ultimate […]

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 […]