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What are the grounds for divorce under Pennsylvania law?
Divorce is never an easy proposition. For people in Pennsylvania who have reached the end of the line in their marriage, taking that next step and moving forward with a divorce proceeding is complicated and emotionally wrenching. Given the inordinate challenges that people across the nation have faced in the...
Continue ReadingTaking care of insurance coverage during a divorce
Getting ready for divorce involves not only the working through of intense emotional issues that are bound to come up, but also the more pragmatic considerations of property division and, where there are children, custody and parenting time. These strong emotions can cloud details that both sides must consider as...
Continue ReadingWhat are the differences between legal and physical custody?
Child custody is a big term. It refers to the rights and powers of a parent or other person to care and provide for a child. In Pennsylvania, the best interests of children guide decisions related to child custody. However, parents may not know that there is more than one...
Continue ReadingDeciding on the right type of business structure
When a person wants to start a business, he or she may want to understand what type of business structure is the right one to use. In Pennsylvania, there are four main types of business structures, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Each business structure has its own registration...
Continue ReadingThe value of talking to your parents about estate planning
Estate planning can be a painful subject to discuss with one’s parents because it is about what happens after they are no longer alive. Many people do not have any sort of an estate plan and it is not even something that enters into their thinking. When your parents were...
Continue ReadingHorse and buggy struck in Franklin County crash
A Chambersburg man has admitted to consuming alcohol and using controlled substances prior to hitting a horse and buggy in Southampton Township, Franklin County. The crash occurred at 8:30 a.m. when the suspect’s pickup truck collided with the buggy in the 3100 block of Orrstown Road. Three people were in...
Continue ReadingI’m getting a divorce: what should I do with my will?
As if you don’t have enough to think about when going through a divorce, your will is one thing that needs to be addressed. Too many people forget about it and the impact a divorce can have upon their wishes. What it comes down to is this: either you make...
Continue ReadingWhat can I expect during the criminal trial process?
The criminal trial process can be confusing for many in Lancaster County, some of whom have never been charged with a crime before. After you are charged, an arraignment is conducted, discovery has been completed, and all preliminary hearings and pre-trial motions have passed, it is time for the actual...
Continue ReadingAttacking witness credibility could be key to your case
It’s natural to worry about pending criminal allegations that have been levied against you. After all, the ramifications of a criminal conviction can be devastating. It might threaten you with jail or prison time, and enormous fines might shake your financial stability. Harm to your job and housing prospects, your...
Continue ReadingDriving under the influence: will my license be suspended?
When someone is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, it is often their first and only experience with the criminal justice system. It can be a shocking and confusing time, with more questions than immediate answers. One of the most common things people want to know is what...
Continue ReadingHow to determine an equitable division of assets in divorce
People acquire property at various points in their lives, keeping some assets for years while disposing others. Sometimes they will acquire assets or start a retirement account when they are younger before they are married. Other times they will acquire property as they grow older, some of it being acquired...
Continue ReadingNavigating child custody in Pennsylvania
Navigating child custody can be stressful for many parents during their divorce. It is helpful for divorcing parents to be familiar with the family law process and how child custody is determined as they work through their own child custody concerns. Child custody factors considered in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, as most...
Continue ReadingHow to seal or expunge your criminal record in Pennsylvania
Let’s face it, everyone in the Lancaster area has made a mistake during their lifetime. Luckily most of those mistakes have not resulted in a criminal record but for those who do have a criminal record they may wonder if they can ever get rid of it. In fact, a...
Continue ReadingWhat should I consider when deciding where to locate my business?
After graduation from high school or college, many young adults have a good idea for a business they and a buddy want to go into together. It could be a landscaping business, a coffee shop or an accounting firm. Really, the possibilities are endless for those who are willing to...
Continue ReadingOverview of the criminal expungement process in Pennsylvania
When someone is convicted of a criminal offense, that person has to face a lot of challenges in his or her everyday life. The sad part is that In many of such cases, the offenses are minor and the person convicted has realized the mistake and now wants to move...
Continue ReadingThe potential penalties and consequences of DUI charges
The ramifications of drunk driving charges can be significant for accused drivers facing DUI charges. Accused drivers may face the threat of significant negative impacts to their personal and professional lives as a result of DUI charges which is why they should understand criminal defense options that may be available...
Continue ReadingAre the prosecution’s witnesses lying? Show the jury
It can be nerve-wracking to face criminal charges. After all, the potential penalties that you’re facing might be quite severe. Therefore, you’re probably trying to figure out what you can do to build the strongest criminal defense possible in hopes of beating the prosecution. While you might have a number...
Continue Reading3 tips to avoid vague language in a business contract
Whether you are in the early stages of business formation or are developing relationships to further grow your organization, writing strong contracts is crucial. It is common for the owner to favor his or her business in the terms of the contract, but it is important to use clear, concise...
Continue ReadingDrugged driving: What to know
Driving under the influence of alcohol – also known as DUI – is exceedingly dangerous. Equally dangerous is a less-known activity that can still lead to serious injuries and criminal charges: driving under the influence of controlled substances. Pennsylvania has very strict laws about operating a vehicle while using drugs,...
Continue ReadingA closer look at incentive trusts
Many individuals who engage in estate planning worry that the assets that they worked hard to accumulate will be squandered away or otherwise taken advantage of by their loved ones. This is an understandable fear. After all, you want what’s best for your loved ones. But one of the great...
Continue ReadingWhat are your options for the family home during divorce?
If you own a home, then you might have a significant amount of equity built into it. You might also be emotionally attached to it. These realities can make it difficult to deal with the family residence in the midst of divorce’s property division process. While you may feel strongly...
Continue ReadingTwo ways to control your estate long after you’re gone
On its face, estate planning may seem relatively simple. However, the estate plan that you need to truly suit your needs may be more complicated then you think. This shouldn’t deter you from creating an estate plan, of course. After all, as we’ve discussed previously on this blog, intestate succession...
Continue ReadingSixteen factors courts consider when making custody rulings
When a child’s parents break up or divorce, it can be an emotional time for all involved. Parents may be concerned about how much time they will spend with their child following the split, and the child may experience a significant amount of distress. For these reasons, it is important...
Continue ReadingWhat should I consider revisiting in my estate plan?
It is a good idea to routinely review an estate plan to ensure it is up-to-date. Life changes which means that parts of an estate plan may need to be updated as well. It is helpful for estate planners to know what components of their estate plan they should consider...
Continue ReadingHere are some ways to defend against DUI charges
If you’re facing drunk driving charges for the first time, then you’re probably worried about how such allegations may affect your future. It’s true that drunk driving charges can cause a lot of upheaval in your life, especially if they end up leading to conviction. You might have your license...
Continue ReadingWhat options do unmarried fathers have?
When it comes to a divorced couple in Pennsylvania, each parent’s roles and rights are usually clear, and thus, either party can provide documentation in the event of a dispute. However, it can be difficult for a father to understand his rights and duties when he isn’t married to the...
Continue ReadingWhat happens after a first DUI offense?
A DUI conviction can drastically change your manner of living. In Pennsylvania, the most extreme multiple offenses can result in fines as much as $10,000, up to five years in prison, and loss of license for up to 18 months. More than 20,000 DUI arrests occur every year in Pennsylvania,...
Continue Reading5 essential items to include in your estate plan
While most people understand many benefits result from creating a will to distribute their property after they die, only about four out of every 10 Americans have created an estate plan. Wills and trusts are key parts, but a comprehensive estate plan contains many other documents to protect you and...
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