Q. Tell us about yourself and your practice.
A. I am a native of Philadelphia and graduated from the cum laude from the Philadelphia High School for Girls. I received an academic scholarship to West Chester University, where I majored in Business Management with a minor in Political Science. I graduated from Temple University School of Law in May 1995 and went into private practice. I initially started practicing Real Estate Law. A couple of years later, I started practicing Family Law.
I worked at several places representing local labor union employees in Family Law matters. These unions include the Fraternal Order of Police, 1199C, 623 UPS Teamsters, Laborers Local 332, Local 56 Food Service Workers, District Council 33 and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.
I have represented hundreds of clients in the local area in Family Law matters. I pride myself in providing experienced, compassionate, high quality and affordable representation.
I am also the mother of my son Shane who was born in September 2006.
Q. Do you offer a free initial consultation?
A. Typically, I charge $100 for a consultation but for clients who mention Bizymoms I offer a free consultation.
Q. How long do you take to process a divorce?
A. It depends upon the parties. For there to be grounds to enter into a divorce decree, the parties must have been separated for 2 years or they can consent to a divorce 90 days after the complaint has been served. The statutory periods are prescribed by law. However, while awaiting the requisite time period, I work with my client to try to reach an acceptable settlement with the opposing party.
Q. Will you accompany a party to court yourself or send a representative?
A. I would be the only person accompanying my clients to court.
Q. What are the procedures to follow in filing for a divorce?
A. A complaint must be drafted, filed and paid for in the county in which one of the parties resides. The complaint must then be served on the opposing party.
Q. What are the elements that can influence custody?
A. The standard in determining custody in Pennsylvania is the best interest of the child. There are several factors that aid a court in making that determination which include:
1. Primary caretaker – courts will examine who played the primary role in the past in respect to raising of the children.
2. Child’s preference – depends upon age, maturity of child and rational for child’s preference. The older the child becomes more weight his/her preference may carry.
3. Siblings – courts try to keep them together.
4. Finances – only relevant if party is unable to provide an adequate home and environment.
5. Stability
6. Work schedules – may be considered to determine the time a party has available to care for and spend with the child.
7. Sexual orientation/preference – only a factor, if it is detrimental to the child but can be a subject of individual prejudices of the court.
8. Parents’ past conduct – not a factor, unless it had a harmful effect on the child.
9. New marriage/relationship – if stable, can be a positive factor but must be examined by the court.
Q. Who pays alimony and why?
A. Alimony is available for the economically disadvantaged spouse who can be husband or wife, upon petition. When determining the amount and duration of support, the court will consider the following:
1. The earning potential and earning capacities of the parties.
2. The ages and health condition of the parties.
3. The income of the parties.
4. The expectancies and inheritances of the parties.
5. The length of the marriage.
6. The contribution by one party to the earning capacity of the other.
7. The extent to which the earning power, expenses or financial obligations of a party will be affected by reason of serving as the custodian of a minor child.
8. The standard of living of the parties established while married.
9. The relative education of the parties and the time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking alimony to find appropriate employment.
10. The relative assets and liabilities of the parties.
11. Any pre-marital property.
12. The contribution of a spouse as homemaker.
13. The relative needs of the parties.
14. Any marital misconduct or fault
15. Tax consequences
16. Whether the party seeking alimony lacks sufficient property
17. Whether the party seeking alimony is incapable of self-support through appropriate employment.
Q. How can a lawyer help in the process?
A. A lawyer knows the applicable law as well as the proper procedures for litigating cases. Also, a lawyer can guide a client as to what they should realistically expect if the case is litigated in court which often helps a client determine what kind of settlement is acceptable.
Q. What can one do to speed up the process?
A. If the parties have agreements in regard to custody, child/spousal support and/or Equitable Distribution things can be facilitated more quickly. If the parties must litigate everything in court, the process can be much longer. |
