Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Will a Judge Enforce My Prenup?
Few people get married with the expectation that they will divorce. Nevertheless, thousands end up in Delaware County divorce court every year, and the prenuptial agreement they quickly signed before saying “I do” could come back to haunt them. Pennsylvania has detailed rules for dividing marital property and determining whether one spouse can receive… Read More »
Do Unmarried Couples Have Property Rights?
Many people choose to cohabitate without ever getting married. Some of them live together for decades even, all without ever tying the knot. What happens when these couples split up? Over the years, it is very common for a couple to become enmeshed financially. Does this mean they have the same property rights as… Read More »
What Should Be in a Parenting Plan?
The centerpiece of a child custody arrangement is the parenting plan. A judge will want to see a plan in writing before signing off on a custody order, so you need to develop one. You should also begin thinking very early in your divorce because parenting plans are not easy to write. One way… Read More »
Do I Have to Pay Child Support if I Lost My Job?
Yes, you do. And you must continue to make the same payment until a judge modifies your child support order. As experienced Delaware County family law attorneys, we receive this question often. The economy is very up and down, and people can lose a job at any moment. Once they lose a job, it… Read More »
Preparing for a Child Custody Fight
Ideally, parents can work out a custody arrangement between themselves and mutually co-parent effectively. Through cooperation, parents can come up with a parenting plan that works for everybody and that promotes the child’s relationship with each parent. However, the reality of divorce is often much different. Despite many clients’ best intentions, a custody fight… Read More »
Preparing Financially for a Divorce
Many people are unprepared for the true cost of getting divorced. They usually factor in filing fees and attorneys’ fees, but divorce has other financial ramifications you need to be aware of. Put simply, living as a single person again is usually much more expensive than sharing a household with a partner. Unless you… Read More »
Are Retirement Accounts Marital Property?
They can be. Under Pennsylvania law, a couple that divorces or legally separates must divide their marital property, which can include retirement accounts like your 401(k), 403(b), IRA, self-employed 401(k), and pension plan. To make sure that you do not get hit with a penalty for withdrawing funds, you will need your attorney to… Read More »
Pennsylvania Considering Change to Law on Pets in Divorce
Stories of divorce are usually full of anecdotes about spouses fighting over property, child custody, or alimony, but rarely are the stories about how to deal with the family’s pet. Pets are an integral part of the American family at this point, but divorce can upend how the family pet fits within the new… Read More »
Scrutinizing Property Transfers during Divorce
Few issues are more contentious in a divorce than the division of property. No one wants to give up an asset or assume a liability, especially in light of knowing financial resources will be smaller once the divorce is finalized. Unless there is a prenuptial agreement saying otherwise, marital property will need to be… Read More »
Can My Spouse Be Required to Pay My Attorney Fees?
Many considerations go into the decision to get divorced, including how a person will pay for the process. The repercussions of divorce are numerous, but finances are an area that is especially impacted by the dissolution of the marriage. Along with the court fees and costs of filing the paperwork and having time in… Read More »
