Child Custody and Support
Children are the most profoundly affected parties to a divorce. They often pose difficult questions that even their parents have a hard time answering. While it is never easy to move on emotionally after a divorce, we can help you secure solid financial footing for you and your children with as little disruption as possible to their lifestyles and daily routines.
The experienced child custody attorneys at Raffaele Puppio can help you with all facets of the custody and child support equation in Delaware County, such as custody arrangements, partial custody rights, and financial support. While mutual agreement is the preferred route for resolving custody related disputes, we understand that courtroom action is sometimes necessary, and we are prepared to take that step to ensure the best possible outcome for your family. In every case, the well-being of the children involved is our highest priority.
Child custody arrangements and support obligations are ongoing issues that can persist well after a divorce is finalized. Changes in circumstances, such as a parent’s move or change in financial status – or, more seriously, lack of compliance by one of the parents with a court ordered custody arrangement or support obligation – can adversely affect children and families for years these arrangements. We will help guide you through these issues so that you and your children can experience peace of mind during what is often the most difficult time in their lives.
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From The Blog
Know Thy Trust: A Plain English Guide to Orchestrating Assets in Divorce Cases
March 13, 2019Living trusts and testamentary trusts are an essential part of a complete estate plan, but they can be challenging to set up and difficult to understand how they work. Trusts in divorce cases must be especially scrutinized, along with other estate documents, to help avoid any bad situations. Published by the American Bar Association, “Know... Read More...
Protection from Abuse…and Harassment
March 7, 2019It is the day before Thanksgiving, November 22, 2017. You are standing in open court seeking a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order against the shackled person in an orange jumpsuit accused of physically abusing you for years and charged with simple assault, intimidation of a witness, stalking, and harassment. The judge presiding over your case... Read More...
Truth or Consequences: Why Honesty is the Best Policy When Dealing With Your Lawyer
February 28, 2019In a divorce, all parties want to be treated fairly. It’s important to choose an attorney that you are comfortable with and feel that you can share personal information freely and honestly. When first meeting with a new attorney, be organized and know your goals, assets and debts, finances and marital themes of conflict. At... Read More...
Pennsylvania Alimony and Equitable Reimbursement
February 21, 2019In Pennsylvania, marital assets and debts are divided in a process called “Equitable Distribution.” During this process, the courts also decide whether alimony will be awarded to the dependent spouse. The “dependent spouse” is a term that may be used to describe the spouse with the lower income during the marriage or a spouse who... Read More...
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Affected by the Opioid Epidemic in Pennsylvania
December 13, 2018Approximately 2.6 million children are being raised by grandparents in the United States and that number continues to rise. In Pennsylvania, more than 100,000 children are being raised by grandparents or other relatives. Pennsylvania has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. As of the publishing of this blog, thousands of residents have died from... Read More...
Federal Tax Reform Effect on Alimony Deductions in 2019
November 29, 2018When parties file for divorce there are usually two main issues that need to be addressed before the parties will receive a decree in divorce: How the marital property is distributed between them – think: houses, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, etc. If one party must pay the other alimony. Alimony is not always awarded,... Read More...
Three Types of Spousal Support in Pennsylvania: How Are They Awarded?
October 3, 2018Three different types of spousal support exist in Pennsylvania: spousal support, alimony pendente lite, and alimony. When examining these types of support, the spouse with a lower income is often referred to as the “dependent” spouse. Spousal support is available only for parties who are separated but have not yet filed for divorce. After a... Read More...
Protecting Your Children Before, During, and After Your Divorce
August 29, 2018When going through a divorce, your children need special attention before, during and after your divorce to help them get through this very difficult time. Published by the American Bar Association, “Protecting Your Children Before, During, and After Your Divorce” outlines ways of helping your children get through the struggle of divorce. The recommendations start... Read More...
Educational Decisions for Children After Divorce in Pennsylvania
July 31, 2018When creating a custody order a court must make decisions regarding both physical custody and legal custody of children. Physical custody dictates who a child lives with and when. The State of Pennsylvania defines legal custody as, “The right to make major decisions on behalf of the child, including, but not limited to, medical, religious and... Read More...
Exclusive Possession of the Family Home in Delaware County, PA
May 30, 2018During a pending divorce matter, the court has the power to award to a party the right to exclusively reside in the marital residence, otherwise known as “exclusive possession.” To be awarded exclusive possession of a residence the party must file a Petition for Exclusive Possession with the court. Unless both parties agree that that... Read More...