Experienced Divorce Attorney in Delaware County, PA Providing Comprehensive Legal Services in Media, Springfield, Radnor, Chester County, Montgomery County, and Throughout Southeast Pennsylvania
If you have decided to dissolve your marriage, you’re already dealing with the emotional impact of divorce with respect to family relationships, parent-child bonds, and your own sense of self. But as you go forward, it’s vitally important to understand how divorce affects your finances, property, taxes and even your estate plan. By working with an experienced and knowledgeable attorney, you can begin to see that big picture and take prudent steps to protect your rights.
From our office in Media, Louis Wm. Martini, Jr., P.C. assists clients throughout Delaware County with every stage of the divorce process. Drawing on more than 30 years of family law litigation experience, we provide detailed guidance so you can make informed decisions to secure your future.
Major considerations for a divorce in Delaware County, PA
Before a judge can finalize your divorce, you must resolve four key areas of potential controversy:
- Alimony — There is no set formula for determining spousal support in Pennsylvania; amounts and duration of payments are entirely at the discretion of the judge, who must consider 17 statutory factors and any other relevant information in making a determination. The genders of the spouses are not a factor in determining whether alimony should be paid or to whom.
- Child Custody — Pennsylvania law divides custody into physical custody, which involves the rights and responsibilities related to providing a residence for the child, and legal custody, the authority to make decisions for the child’s welfare. Courts can award either type of custody to one parent (sole) or to both (shared). Parents are encouraged to negotiate their own parenting plan, which the court approves if the plan is in the best interests of the child.
- Child Support — Under Pennsylvania law, a child has the right to be supported by both parents. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has created guidelines based on the monthly income of both parents to determine the amount of child support a high-earning and/or noncustodial parent must pay to the other parent.
- Division of Marital Property — Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state. That means each spouse is allowed to keep separate property, but marital assets and debts are divided in a manner that is fair, though not necessarily equal.
No matter what the issues, we are determined to protect your rights by presenting all relevant information in a compelling manner in negotiations, in mediation, or in court.
Empowering you throughout the Pennsylvania divorce process
The legal process can be intimidating, with concerns about time, expense, and the pressure of appearing in court. When you go to court, a judge — who has little knowledge of you, your family’s dynamics or your children — must make important decisions about your finances and your children. At Louis Wm. Martini, Jr., P.C., we think you should be making these decisions. Whenever possible, we try to help our clients avoid litigation and instead resolve their divorce disputes through negotiation and settlement.
We do everything possible to relieve your stress during this difficult time. We draft and file all necessary legal documents, and we confer with your spouse’s attorney to explore opportunities for a negotiated or mediated resolution that could save you time and expense. When litigation is necessary, we represent you professionally at court hearings and fight for your parental and property rights.
Often, a fair resolution to a divorce depends on financial transparency and an honest assessment of each party’s ability and availability to parent the children. We begin by thoroughly examining your and your spouse’s properties, bank accounts, business interests, investments and debts. When financials don’t seem to add up, we use subpoena power to compel production of documents related to assets and debt. Once we know each party’s financial situation, we can work toward a fair alimony and property division agreement that leaves you in the most financially stable position possible.
When minor children are involved, we work to obtain child custody and visitation orders that respect parent-child bonds and advance the best interests of the children. Every step of the way, we try to make your divorce process as smooth as possible to reduce the negative impacts on your children. When divorce becomes heated, however, trial is often the only way to resolve issues. In these cases, we will go to court and fight to protect your financial interests and parental rights. Count on our attorney to put his decades of trial experience to work for you.
Contact an experienced Media, PA divorce lawyer serving Delaware County
Louis Wm. Martini, Jr., P.C. provides dedicated divorce representation to secure your rights and safeguard your future. Call us at 610-892-0666 or contact our office online to schedule a free consultation. We are conveniently located at 206 West State Street, just a few short blocks from the Delaware County Courthouse.