Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Three Things To Do When Served with a Restraining Order in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania laws are harsh when it comes to domestic violence, and the initial stages of the process are not favorable to the interests of a person accused of misconduct. Under the statute on Protection from Abuse (PFA), an accuser can file a petition on an emergency basis to get a restraining order against an… Read More »
Create a Special Needs Trust via Your Will in Pennsylvania
If you have a loved one with special needs, you may want to include provisions in your will that include financial support for that person after your passing. However, when an individual enjoys public assistance and benefits because of a disabling medical condition, there are financial factors for eligibility. You could disqualify your family… Read More »
FAQs About Creditor Claims in Pennsylvania Probate Cases
Creditors have rights with respect to the amounts due from a debtor, and these are not extinguished by the passing of the person who owed money. Upon death, an individual may owe on credit accounts, utilities, a mortgage, and many other bills. As such, as part of the key tasks of an estate administrator… Read More »
Can a Grandparent Seek Custody or Visitation Rights With Their Grandchild in PA?
Many grandparents form a close bond with their grandchildren. In some cases, that bond may be equal to–or even greater than–the child’s bond with one or both of their parents. But when it comes to legal matters like establishing child custody or visitation rights, what rights does a grandparent have under Pennsylvania law? Can… Read More »
Will My Heirs Have to Pay Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax?
A common question we get from estate planning clients is, “Will my estate have to pay a ‘death tax’?” This usually refers to the estate tax, which is a levy on your right to transfer property upon your death. For most Carbon County, Pennsylvania, residents, the estate tax is not something they need to… Read More »
Benefits to Working Out Pennsylvania Divorce by Agreement
When many people think of divorce, they conjure up images of drawn-out court battles, contested hearings, and bitter fights among the parties and their attorneys. This drama may attract TV and film audiences, but the truth is that the spouses are able to reach agreement on many divorce-related topics. In fact, Pennsylvania divorce statutes… Read More »
How Does Pennsylvania Calculate Child Support?
Even when parents are not involved in an intact relationship, they both have rights and responsibilities regarding minor children. One of the most important is the child support obligation, which is subject to very specific calculations that vary among all US states. The Pennsylvania child support statute provides a formula for determining the amount,… Read More »
Tips for Talking to Your Parents About Estate Planning
Your parents were always around to help you grow and learn as a child, and there may come a time when you need to return the favor by talking to them about estate planning in Pennsylvania. Many people are well-aware of the importance of making arrangements for incapacity and death, but the statistics indicate… Read More »
Can I Receive Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Long-Term Hearing Loss?
Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act requires employers to provide certain benefits to employees who suffer permanent injuries as the result of a work-related accident or exposure to an occupational hazard. This includes a disability that develops over an extended period of time. For example, Section 306 of the Workers’ Compensation Act authorizes an award of… Read More »
Will I Lose My Alimony If I Live With Another Person?
During the divorce process in Pennsylvania, a court can order one party to pay financial support to the other party. While the spouses are separated but no divorce case is actually pending, the court may award spousal support. Once a spouse files for divorce and the case is before the court, the judge may… Read More »
