Brookline Divorce Lawyers
Divorce and Legal Separation
Unlike many other states, Pennsylvania does not recognize legal separation.
But your date of separation may be highly relevant to your divorce.
Spouses who remain married for an extended period of time after separating may have legitimate disagreements about the contents of their marital estate.
If only one spouse wants a divorce and the parties have been separated for at least one year, a divorce may be granted so long as there is no dispute about the date of separation.
The one-year period begins at the date of separation, which may pre-date the filing of the divorce action.
To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Divorce: Dividing Marital Debts
When dividing a marital estate, it is important to value all of the assets accumulated during the marriage.
It is equally important to value all of the debts, which may include mortgages, car loans and school loans.
Credit cards comprise the most common debt in most divorce cases.
For many people, separating the credit-card debt is key to reaching a resolution on economic claims. If possible, they may attempt to pay off all credit-card debt as part of the divorce settlement in order to get a fresh start in their new lives.
Spivak Law Firm provides smart, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family-law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, alimony and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
For more information, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Divorce: Hidden Assets
Discovery, the formal legal process for obtaining information in a divorce, is essential if your ex refuses to provide important financial information.
Discovery is also an important tool if you believe your ex is hiding financial assets.
People do not usually engage in formal discovery for divorce because it can be expensive and time-consuming.
But you have may have no choice if your ex withholds or conceals information that is necessary for determining the value of the marital estate.
The most common forms of discovery include:
–Requests for Production: requests for documents that must be provided
–Interrogatories: written questions that must be answered
–Depositions: sworn testimony given in the presence of a court reporter
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of divorce and family law. To schedule a consultation, call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Divorce Waiting Period Reduced
The Pennsylvania State Senate recently passed an amendment reducing the separation period for no-fault divorces to one year. Prior to this amendment, if your spouse would not consent to a divorce, you had to wait a period of two years before requesting a final decree.
Once Governor Wolf signs the bill, the reduced waiting period will take effect within 60 days. However, the reduced waiting period will only apply to divorces filed after the effective date of the law. It is not retroactive.
If your spouse will not consent to a divorce, and you have not yet filed, you may consider postponing filing until the law goes into effect.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings. To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.