Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can I Get Alimony if I Have a Disability?
Alimony, called “spousal support,” is money one spouse pays the other after the divorce. Spouses can also request alimony pendente lite, which lasts for the duration of the divorce. Under Pennsylvania law, no spouse has an absolute right to alimony; however, judges can award it if the circumstances warrant. One concern many disabled clients… Read More »
Mental Health & Pennsylvania Child Custody Disputes
Few issues are as sensitive as mental health. Millions of Americans struggle with depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder, and as a society we do not do a good job of encouraging those struggling to seek professional help. Mental health issues can definitely come up in Pennsylvania divorce, particularly with respect to child… Read More »
Should You Request the Family Home in Your Divorce?
Unless a marriage has been very short, couples usually acquire some property while married, and no asset is more valuable to most couples than their home. In a divorce, couples divide the property equitably or fairly. When we meet with clients, we go over the marital assets they have and discuss which ones they… Read More »
What is a Deposition in a Pennsylvania Divorce, and Should I Be Afraid of One?
Many clients express fears about their divorce, which is not surprising. There is a tremendous amount of inaccurate information on the Internet. Unfortunately, some people who have gone through a rough divorce post blogs about their experience, which creates the expectation that all divorces will be as catastrophic as the author’s. One concern our… Read More »
Must I Support My Child after Age 18?
Practically all our clients with children end up either receiving child support or paying it after a divorce. Although child support might feel like a financial burden, it almost always ends on a specific date: the day your child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later. Still, many people think they must… Read More »
How Much Say Does a Child Have in Custody Proceedings?
One question many of our clients have is whether their child can decide which parent to live with. We understand where the question is coming from. If your child is older—say, in his teen years—then forcing him to live with a parent he doesn’t want to be with could be very difficult. At the… Read More »
5 Common Mistakes People Make when Divorcing without a Lawyer
This is a DIY culture, and many people try to handle their own legal affairs, whether that involves drafting a will using a computer program or handling their own DUI case as it winds its way through the courts. Some people do okay by themselves if they have a simple legal issue, though others… Read More »
My Ex Refuses to Comply with the Court Order for Equitable Distribution
Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state. This means that a judge will divide the couple’s marital assets in a fair manner, considering all relevant circumstances. Couples can also decide how to divide up the property themselves and draft an agreement to that effect, which is often preferable. Dividing marital property, however, can be complicated…. Read More »
Witnesses at a Child Custody Hearing
When custody is in dispute, each parent will need to present evidence to a judge showing why they deserve custody. There are many types of helpful evidence, such as medical or school records. However, witness testimony makes up the bulk of evidence that a judge considers. In this article, we highlight the key categories… Read More »
Co-Parenting During the Holidays
With the arrival of autumn, the holiday season in the U.S. is about to start. Going through the holidays while divorced will certainly be a shock to many parents, but it is one that they can plan for. When divorced couples have children, it is vital that they co-parent effective year-round, and this includes… Read More »
