Pgh Divorce
Divorce: Refinancing the Marital Residence
The marital residence often represents the greatest asset in a divorce. Some people sell the home and divide any proceeds remaining from the sale. In other cases, a decision will be made for one of the spouses to remain at the property after the divorce is finalized.
If both spouses are listed on the mortgage, it will be necessary to refinance the loan. Under a refinance, the spouse who stays at the marital residence will become solely liable for the mortgage and all fees related to the property. The lending institution will approve the refinance in most cases involving a good credit history.
Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all divorce and family law matters. To schedule a consultation, call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
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 With Compassion
A divorce may be resolved in just a few months, though some cases drag on for years due to financial complexities in the marital estate and conflict between the parties.
For most people, divorce represents one of the most stressful and painful episodes in their lives.
It is common for one spouse to be further along emotionally than the other spouse in coming to terms with the divorce.
At Spivak Law Firm, we guide our clients through the divorce process with compassion.
In many cases, we are able to negotiate a financial settlement that meets their needs without ever having to go to court.
We handle all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support and Protection From Abuse (PFA).
For more information, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Dividing Retirement Accounts In Divorce
In many divorce cases, the spouses’ retirement accounts represent the largest assets in the marital estate. Retirement accounts such as a spouse’s 401(k), IRA, or pension may be valued at tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Retirement accounts opened during the marriage are considered marital property subject to division at divorce.
If a retirement account was opened prior to the marriage, then any increase in value from the date of separation until the divorce is finalized may be subject to equitable distribution. It may be necessary to calculate the marital portion of your retirement accounts, which can be divided by court order in a divorce settlement without tax consequences.
Spivak Law Firm provides smart, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all divorce matters. To schedule a consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Divorce: Risks For Kids
Research shows that divorce poses serious physical and emotional risks for children that can cause problems well into adulthood. Divorce can be a rough transition for children and it may be wise to enlist the help of a professional.
However, it is not abnormal for children to show signs of stress as they adjust. There are some general clues to look for when trying to decide whether your child needs therapy.
If you notice unusual behavior that persists for more than a couple of weeks, it is a sign your child might need help. Other specific symptoms include social withdrawal, increased sleepiness, and persistent mood swings.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and 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.
Divorce: Who Gets The Family Pets?
When undergoing divorce or separation, you are likely worried about child custody, division of your property, and your pets.
You may view your dog or cat as a member of the family, but under Pennsylvania law, they are as much family as your television set. Pets are technically personal property, which means that a court will not order visitation or custody schedules for pets.
Courts will likely classify the pet as marital or non-marital property. If your ex purchased the pet prior to the marriage, the pet will be considered non-marital property and will likely go to your ex.
However, you have the option to bypass formal court proceedings and mediate this issue with your ex to develop an agreement that works for both of you.
Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and 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.
Divorce Settlements in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, many divorces are resolved through negotiation, without ever having to appear in court, with a Marriage Settlement Agreement. But sometimes parties later regret entering into the agreement for failing to fully understand the terms.
It is important to thoroughly read over you Marriage Settlement Agreement before it is finalized. Also, ask yourself if this agreement is practical for your life. Can you really follow through with its terms? Can your ex?
If you do not have legal counsel, understand one thing: your ex’s attorney does not represent your interests. You should consult with your own attorney to review the agreement before signing. It’s possible that you aren’t receiving a fair deal.
Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and Protection from Abuse (PFA). Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Update Your Will After Marriage Or Divorce
The most important times to reassess your will include the times when your family makeup changes. For example, if you get married, everything changes to include your spouse. If you have a new child, you want to include the child in your will as well. If you have a divorce, you want to go back and change the funds and property that you are giving your soon-to-be ex-wife or ex-husband. You will also want to look at your will for other reasons to make changes.
To speak with a Pittsburgh attorney about drafting your will, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Providing Records to Your Divorce Lawyer
Once the divorce process is under way, your lawyer will need ready access to all relevant financial documents. Start by locating and gathering together the following records pertaining to both you and your spouse:
- Social Security numbers
- Income tax returns for the past three years
- Retirement savings plans statements for the past three years
- Bank account statements
- Insurance policies (life; automobile; house; other)
- Stock certificates
- Credit card bills
- Employment payment stubs
- Brokerage statements
- Pension statements
- Health insurance and work-related benefits
- Real estate records
- Receipts and monthly statements documenting household expenses and everyday expenses (groceries, gas, heat, water, personal grooming, transportation, gifts, clothing, laundry and cleaning supplies, entertainment, miscellaneous expenses, and so forth)
- List of all assets and liabilities
- Date of separation (the date of separation is the date used to determine the value of particular assets – the matrimonial home, bank statements, investments, and so forth)
To speak with a Pittsburgh family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.