Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Involved in a Custody Dispute? Then Stay Away From Social Media
When you are involved in a custody action, one of the most often overlooked things that could affect the outcome is your social media activity. To play it safe, you should stay away from social media. Why You Need to Stay Away From Social Media Social media is a representation of your life, and… Read More »
Understanding the Basics Behind Partition Actions
What is Partition? Partition is a court-ordered division of property. Partition applies to situations where there are joint owners of property. Partition actions normally involve real property but there may be occasions where partition involves other titled assets. How Partition Is Different From Divorce For married couples, the Divorce Code will govern how their… Read More »
Postnuptial Agreements: What are they, and Who are they For?
Oftentimes, a couple will enter into a prenuptial agreement before the wedding in order to specify how certain matters will be dealt with in the event of a future divorce or death. But what should happen if no prenuptial agreement was signed and a reason has arisen for the need for such an agreement? … Read More »
Protection from Abuse Orders in Pennsylvania
Domestic abuse has become extremely prevalent in the past year, in part because of all the stay-at-home orders. Being the victim of domestic violence can be terrifying. Oftentimes it is that fear that prevents victims from coming forward and taking action against their abusers. Speaking with and hiring an attorney experienced in these types… Read More »
Paternity in Pennsylvania
What is Paternity? Paternity essentially means determining who is the legal father of a child. Determinations of paternity may need to be made in support and custody matters. Why is Establishing Paternity Important? The child may be entitled to receive child support from the father. The father may be able to get a court… Read More »
What is the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act and Why Might it Matter to my Pennsylvania Case?
We get many questions about the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), especially from parents who move to Pennsylvania or ones who intend on moving to another state. Although it may seem complicated to understand, we will break it down here to the most basic concepts. What is the UCCJEA? This is… Read More »
What are the Steps of a Contested Divorce?
When many spouses first walk into our office, one of the first questions they want to know is whether their divorce case will have to go to trial. In other words, they are inquiring if a contested final hearing is necessary. Whether the entire case or just some important issues have to be resolved… Read More »
What are the Alternatives to Divorce Court?
Divorce can be a complicated and messy process. Part of that process includes a wide array of emotions that both parties and children will experience. One of those emotions is the fear of having a contested divorce hearing. Although Pennsylvania is a no-fault divorce code in terms of claims for divorce and division of… Read More »
Do Grandparents have rights in Pennsylvania?
Normally, in custody disputes, the custody action remains between the parents of the children. However, more and more, an increasing number of third parties are stepping in and petitioning courts for some type of custody of the children. These third parties are most often family members, and quite frequently they are the grandparents. If… Read More »
Common Child Support Questions in Pennsylvania
In previous posts, we have discussed the legal and physical custody of children. A topic that oftentimes goes hand in hand with child custody is child support. Child custody is determined based on the best interest of the child. Child support is calculated based upon a formula which starts with a calculation of each… Read More »
