February 2013 E-Newsletter

From The Blog

Please visit our blog where we share legal insights, thoughts on legal news and much more. Below are some of our most recent posts.

• The Court Goes Too Far: A Parent's Right to Due Process
• 50 Ways to Say Goodbye When Getting Divorced
• Children, Holidays and Divorce
• Prenuptial Agreements and Death of a Spouse
• The Social Media Warning
• Does a School Have a Duty to Bus Children From Separate Homes?

Williams Family Law Featured in Suburban Life Magazine

Williams Family Law was featured on the cover of Suburban Life magazine's December 2012 issue.

The magazine also highlighted our firm, interviewed key partners and provided an overview of our Bucks County family law services in an article titled, "Close to Home."

Read the full article here.

Frequently Asked Questions at Williams Family Law

Q: What is the difference between legal custody and physical custody?

Legal custody is defined in Pennsylvania as "the right to make major decisions on behalf of the child, including, but not limited to, medical, religious and educational decisions." Physical custody is defined as "the actual physical control of the child."

Q: Can I move to another state with my children?

Relocation is possible, but absent consent of the other parent (or guardian) relocation requires permission from the court. The law requires the court to consider ten factors when determining whether to grant a relocation request:

1. The nature, quality, extent of involvement and duration of the child’s relationship with the party proposing to relocate and with the non-relocating party, siblings and other significant persons in the child’s life;
2. The age, developmental stage, needs of the child and the likely impact the relocation will have on the child’s physical, educational and emotional development, taking into consideration any special needs of the child;
3. The feasibility of preserving the relationship between the non-relocating party and the child through suitable custody arrangements, considering the logistical and financial circumstances of the parties;
4. The child’s preference, taking into consideration the age and maturity of the child;
5. Whether there is an established pattern of conduct by either party to promote or thwart the relationship of the child and the other party;
6. Whether the relocation will enhance the general quality of life for the party seeking the relocation, including, but not limited to, financial or emotional benefit or educational opportunity;
7. Whether the relocation will enhance the general quality of life for the child, including, but not limited to, financial or emotional benefit or educational opportunity;
8. The reasons and motivation of each party for seeking or opposing the relocation;
9. The present and past abuse committed by each party or member of the party’s household and whether there is a continued risk of harm to the child or an abused party; and
10. Any other factor affecting the best interest of the child.

Featured Practice Area: Divorce

Divorce is one of the most difficult experiences in a person's life. Although no one enters a marriage anticipating it will end in divorce, situations can change and couples may grow apart. Divorce, or even separation, can be an overwhelming process and becomes even more complex when children are involved or when the marriage involves high income or valuable assets. In a divorce proceeding, spouses tend to have different ideas regarding alimony, spousal and child support, child custody, how to fairly allocate their assets and liabilities and the distribution of marital property. It is essential to obtain competent and experienced legal representation when filing for a divorce.

At Williams Family Law, we are dedicated to supporting our clients during the divorce process so they can begin rebuilding their lives and their families. Our family law attorneys have strong working relationships with experts throughout Bucks County including psychiatrists, psychologists, financial planners and forensic accountants. We have also received specialized training in areas such as arbitration, collaborative law, parent coordination and mediation – and we work with each of our clients to determine the most efficient and effective divorce method for them.

If you have questions about the divorce process, consulting with a skilled family lawyer is critical and our family law attorneys are available to help. Find out more about divorce matters.

Around Town:
Doylestown Agricultural
Works Clock

As part of a Bucks County law firm, we live and work in a beautiful area in the Greater Philadelphia region.

This photograph depicts the clock outside of the historic Doylestown Agricultural Works building.

Constructed in 1867, the building served as a factory producing farm machinery and ironwork and was the area's largest employer.