Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Custody Rights of Same Sex Couples
The recognition of same sex marriage in this country has changed the landscape of this institution in America. However, given the newness of this development and gaps in the law, the way same sex couples are treated in the areas of divorce and family law are not necessarily the same as heterosexual spouses. The… Read More »
How Fault-Based Divorce Works in Pennsylvania
The reasons couples get divorced are endless, but at some point, a break occurs and one or both spouses decide to end the marriage. Most states offer no-fault divorce to make the process of dissolving the marriage relatively quick and easy. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that still offers divorcing couples the… Read More »
What to Know about Meeting with a Divorce Attorney
Divorce is a big word that brings big consequences, and the first step for most people is meeting with a divorce attorney to discuss what to expect out of the legal process and what they hope to achieve by the end of the divorce. This may be the first time a person has ever… Read More »
Navigating Child Custody Exchanges
Sharing custody of a child after divorce can involve walking a path littered with the possibility of having an explosive argument at any time. Depending upon how acrimonious the divorce was, having simple and civil conversations can prove challenging. Unfortunately, splitting time with a child invariably requires regular communication and physical contact to accomplish… Read More »
Which Court Has Jurisdiction Over Child Support?
The circumstances of life can take a person far from where they started, but some obligations stay with them regardless of location. Child support is a prime example of a financial commitment that does not disappear simply because a parent moves to another State. Moving between jurisdictions, though, does raise the question of which… Read More »
Planning to Relocate as a Divorced Parent
Life takes a person in many unexpected directions, and circumstances that seemed fixed can change in an instant. Relocating to a new city or state is one of those decisions that often comes on the heels of changing jobs, going back to school, or moving closer to family. When a person is divorced with… Read More »
Study Shows Fathers Disadvantaged in Child Custody Cases
Stereotypes of proper parenting invariably put the father in a secondary role as the parent providing order and discipline to the household. The bulk of caretaking duties and decision making is left to the mother, who is presumed to be better equipped to provide this support. While this exaggerated dynamic is rarely seen in… Read More »
When Will a Court Approve the Modification of Child Custody?
Navigating the world as a divorced parent is full of ongoing challenges, both to meet the child’s needs and to keep a civil and functioning relationship with the former spouse. Sharing child custody is a balancing act of protecting the rights of each parent and keeping the child safe and secure. Once a plan… Read More »
How to Plan for the Changes of Divorce
Recognizing the need to end a relationship takes courage and the determination to follow through on a decision a person knows will cause a lot of heartache. Divorce may be necessary, but the significant repercussions make it advisable to plan for the changes in advance, perhaps some put into place before speaking to the… Read More »
Making Decisions in Child Custody Is Shared
When a couple with children divorces, the relationship is never really over because of the lifelong connection they have through their children. Further, when child custody is shared, which is the case in most families, divorced parents will see one another and remain in regular communication about the child as long as the child… Read More »
