Scranton Family Law
When people think of family law, they tend to think of divorce. Divorce is a life event that encompasses many elements, such as asset division, child support, child custody, and alimony. It can be difficult for someone to handle all these elements on their own. That’s when a Scranton family law attorney can help.
Options for Divorce
There are several types of divorce:
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Uncontested. This means that both spouses have agreed to the divorce and have agreed on all the major issues. This is the easiest type of divorce.
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Contested. This is when the spouses disagree on the major issues in a divorce and maybe even the divorce itself. They will have to go to court to have a judge make all the decisions.
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Mediation. In mediation, you and your spouse meet with a neutral third party to discuss the issues involved in your divorce and reach an agreement.
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Collaboration. This is when the spouses work through the divorce issues through negotiation. Unlike mediation, each spouse is represented by a lawyer.
Dividing Marital Assets
Each state is different when it comes to asset distribution. However, most states follow the rule of equitable distribution. Equitable distribution refers to a fair distribution of marital assets, which may include marital homes, vehicles, money, and other assets acquired during the marriage. While most courts opt for a 50/50 split of assets, a judge may also find 60/40 or 70/30 fair based on each party’s contributions to the marriage.
Child Custody
Ideally, the parents will come to an agreement on their own about how to best split child custody. When the parties cannot agree, the judge will make a decision based on the best interests of the child. This means the judge will decide if each parent is fit to raise their child. In most cases, there is 50/50, or shared custody. However, if relocation is involved, it can become complex, so a more workable custody schedule will be required.
Child Support
Child support is given to the custodial parent by the noncustodial parent. This monthly payment is based on income and state guidelines and must be paid until the child turns 18 years old. One or both will also need to provide health insurance to the child. In addition, parents may have to pay additional support based on a child’s school tuition, medical expenses, and other special needs.
Spousal Support
Also known as alimony, spousal support is paid from the higher-earning spouse to the lower-earning one to help with living expenses. Alimony may be temporary or long-term. It will depend on various factors, such as age, education, health, and the length of the marriage.
Contact Us Today
Family law matters can be complex. You certainly don’t want to handle them on your own, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Pennsylvania laws and your legal rights.
When you need effective representation for your divorce, child custody, child support, or alimony case, the team at Needle Law Firm can help you get a favorable outcome. Contact us today by calling (570) 344-1266 or filling out our online contact form.
