Here are some of our frequently asked questions:
How do I set up a meeting or hire you to represent me?
You can fill out the Contact Us form on this website, or call our office. Once we run a conflict check, we will be happy to speak to you for a 10 minute complimentary screening consultation so you can determine if we are a good fit for you. At the conclusion of that call, if you choose, we can schedule a consultation in our office (or by phone if an office meeting is impossible for you), which will be billed at our typical hourly rate.
What if I disagree with the Court’s decision on an issue?
Depending on the circumstances, there may be a process by which you can have the Court’s decision reviewed. If the decision was made by a Judge, you may have the right to appeal to an appellate court or ask the Judge to reconsider his or her decision. If the decision was made by a Master or Hearing Officer, you may have the right to ask a Judge to review the decision. There are often strict deadlines for these types of situations, so it is important that you contact us right away.
Can you represent both me and my spouse?
Typically, no. The Rules of Ethics that govern attorneys prohibit us from representing both sides in a most family law disputes. However, it may be possible for only one party to have an attorney (the other side would be representing him or herself).
If I have been served with a divorce complaint, what should I do?
We would recommend that you consult with an attorney as soon as possible so that we can review the document and determine your best next steps. You should never ignore a legal document such as a divorce complaint as doing so could potentially result in losing valuable rights.
I had an affair. Is that going to hurt me in my divorce or custody case?
Typically, no. In Pennsylvania, assets are divided without regard to marital fault, so the Court will not consider whether either party had an affair in determining how to divide assets. However, “marital misconduct” is one of the factors for alimony, so the Court can hear evidence of an affair in determining whether to award alimony.
The impact in a custody matter will vary based on the circumstances; however, in most cases the Court will not be concerned with the affair unless it has a direct impact on the children.