Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

Why should you collect child support from the other parent?

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. posted in child and spousal support on Thursday, September 10, 2020.

Many divorced or unmarried parents forgo seeking child support for their kids from the children's other parent. Their reasons vary — a sense of pride that they can do it all themselves, not wanting to involve the courts or the child support agency, the desire to eliminate interactions with that person — but those reasons need to be re-thought.

The fact is that parents who turn down child support for their children are doing their kids a disservice. This is true whether they earn sufficient income to cover all necessities or not. In fact, there is evidence that paying child support increases non-custodial parents' involvement in their children's lives. This is because parents paying support are invested in their child's life.

Make strategic decisions regarding property settlements

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. posted in asset division on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

When you go through a divorce, dividing up the marital property is often one of the most contentious aspects. Even the most civil divorces can turn acrimonious over decisions on who gets the house and other major assets.

These are decisions that should only be made strategically. Both parties need to seek the counsel of their respective attorneys before making any demands. If you make these decisions using your heart and not your head, you could wind up with the short end of the stick in your divorce settlement.

Why you should fight for joint custody

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. posted in child custody and visitation on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.

If you are a Radnor parent who is going through a divorce, you could feel pressured to allow you soon-to-be ex-spouse to have sole custody of your child(ren). They may argue that it will just be on paper, and you can still see them as often as you like. They may claim it will simplify doctor's visits or school affairs to have a single parent in the driver's seat for these decisions.

Perhaps you countered that the single person might as well be you, then. When that didn't go well, you may even have considered their position.

Relocating with a child after divorce? Prepare for a heated talk

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. on Friday, August 7, 2020.

If you're ready to relocate for work or a new opportunity, having a child and an ex-spouse can be an issue. As a parent who is ready to move forward with your life, you still have to make accommodations for your child and your ex-spouse's relationship with them.

If you share custody now, the idea that you could take your child with you to a new location might be heavily challenged. You may do well if you relocate, but your ex-spouse is bound to ask if that's really what is in your child's best interests, especially if they won't see them as often as they'd like.

What to do when seeking a divorce.

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. posted in divorce on Monday, August 3, 2020.

You have finally come to grips with the fact that you need to tell your spouse that you want a divorce. It is a big decision, but it is one that you have to make if you want a better life in the future.

While this conversation is difficult, you will feel better once it is in the past. You can then turn your attention to the future, which includes doing the following:

Talk to your children: If applicable, sit down with your children, and your spouse, to discuss your divorce. The approach you take depends on their age.
Get your house in order: Divorce will impact you in many ways, with your finances at the top of the list. Start by looking at our website on the How to Help Us Help You section. Try to gather all applicable documentation that is requested in that section both financial and with respect to your children, if you have any.
Prepare for the divorce process: You will face one major decision after the next during your divorce. Select an attorney that you are comfortable with and have confidence in. If you are in therapy, speak to your therapist. If the children are in therapy, alert the therapist as to what will be occuring. This may be a long road ahead so prepare for all of the possibilities.

Your parenting plan can address custody, visitation concerns

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. posted in child custody and visitation on Tuesday, July 21, 2020.

As you move through the divorce process, it's critical to do your part in keeping a balanced and healthy living environment for your children. They're going through a difficult time, too, so don't leave them to figure things out on their own.

One of the most important things you'll do in your divorce is create a parenting plan. This outlines the legal rights and responsibilities of both parents, while also addressing a variety of key questions.

How to discuss divorce with your children

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. posted in divorce on Monday, July 6, 2020.

It's not the ideal situation, but you may come to the conclusion that divorce is the only way to regain control of your life.

While it's sure to impact you in many ways, from your emotional well-being to your finances, it'll have just as much impact on your children. And that's why you need to take special care of them during this difficult time.

How will divorce affect your financial future?

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. posted in divorce on Monday, June 22, 2020.

If you decide to divorce your spouse, you probably have a very good reason for doing so. It's not an easy decision, but it may be the best way to get your life back on track.

As you prepare for the divorce, turn some of your attention to the future. More specifically, focus on the impact of divorce on your financial future.

Prepare for divorce with an asset and debt division checklist

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. posted in asset division on Monday, June 8, 2020.

You'll take a variety of steps as you prepare for divorce. This should include the creation of an asset and debt division checklist.

With this guiding you, you'll have a clear idea of your current financial circumstances, the way divorce will impact your finances and how to best prepare for your life in the future.

What's the best way to ask for a divorce?

On behalf of Randi J. Vladimer, P.C. posted in divorce on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

Even if you are 100 percent sure that you need a divorce in order to move on with the life you want, there is nothing simple about approaching this subject with your spouse.

Fortunately, when you have an idea of what you want to say, it is easier to get your point across and move past this difficult conversation. Here is what you should do:

Map out the conversation: There is no way of knowing exactly how things will unfold, but you should map out what you want to say and how you want to say it.
Be upfront: Do not hide your feelings or attempt to dance around the issue. Be upfront and clear about your concerns and intentions. You do not want to give your spouse the wrong idea, so stick with the facts.
Hear them out: You owe it to your spouse to hear them out, so let them talk for as long as they need.
Do not turn back: Your spouse may make a compelling case for staying together, but if you are sure you want to divorce it is not a good idea to backtrack. You have put a lot of time into making this decision, so stick with it.