Alimony & Spousal Support

Father Was Required To Pay Child Support Even Though He Had Primary Physical Custody

Feb 20, 2020

Trial court did not abuse its discretion in holding that father was obligated to pay child support of $1,500 per month to mother even though her custody percentage had been reduced. Parents married in 2005, separated in 2009, divorced in 2011 and had one child. Father agreed to pay $2,800 a month in child support […]

CHILD SUPPORT—-PATERNITY BY ESTOPPEL

Dec 13, 2019

Trial court did not abuse its discretion in holding that it was in child’s best interest for appellant to be liable for child support based on the doctrine of paternity by estoppel because appellant had a long-term in loco parentis, relationship with child that began when child was an infant, he held himself out as […]

SUPPORT AND ALIMONY CONTEMPT ACTIONS

Feb 06, 2019

Support contempt actions are instituted once a payor, for what can be a multitude of reasons, falls behind or fails to pay his or her support or alimony obligation through the Pennsylvania Child Support Program or some other agreement. Punishment mechanisms are statutorily in place if necessary to respond to these issues, but the court’s […]

DOCTRINE OF UNCLEANED HANDS APPLIED TO DENY PETITION TO MODIFY ALIMONY

Jan 30, 2019

Trial court abused its discretion in failing to apply unclean hands doctrine to deny husband’s petition to modify alimony where husband, an attorney, over the course of several years willfully submitted false documentation and testimony concerning his income. The parties cross-appealed from the trial court’s order reducing husband’s alimony obligation; husband further appealed the denial […]

PERMANENT ALIMONY DENIED WHERE SPOUSE FILED INCREDIBLE MONTHLY BUDGET

Nov 21, 2018

Denial of permanent alimony properly denied where wife filed incredible monthly budget that exceeded her monthly income and husband credibly testified as to the parties’ standard of living during the marriage. Wife Debora Cook appealed from the order establishing the equitable distribution of marital assets in the divorce action filed by husband Ronald Cook. Husband […]

Alimony Tax Changes May Affect Dynamics of 2018 Year End Divorce Proceedings

Sep 06, 2018

Alimony Tax Changes Under The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act May Affect The Dynamics Of 2018 Year End Divorce Proceedings and Settlements For years before the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), the payment of alimony would be deducted by the former spouse making the alimony payments for Federal income tax purposes […]

HOW LONG MUST ALIMONY BE PAID

Mar 14, 2018

Alimony is often deemed “rehabilitative,” that is, it is ordered for only so long as is necessary for the recipient spouse to receive training and become self-supporting. If the divorce decree does not specify a spousal support termination date, the payments must continue until the court orders otherwise. Most awards end if the recipient remarries. […]

FAMILY LAW – HOW THE TAX OVERHAUL WOULD ALTER ALIMONY

Feb 23, 2018

Congress’ giant tax overhaul is poised to reach virtually every corner of American life – even Splitsville. Republicans delivered their sweeping plan to an exultant President Donald Trump. One provision scraps a 75-year-old tax deduction for alimony payments. The new rules won’t affect anyone who divorces or signs a separation agreement before 2019. Many divorce […]

DIVORCES – ALIMONY PAYERS LOSE TAX DEDUCTION

Feb 21, 2018

Breaking up is hard to do. But the GOP tax bill could make it even harder, divorce lawyers say. The final version of the tax plan eliminates the tax deduction for alimony payments. Divorce lawyers say this move could make ending marriages an even more drawn-out and expensive process, and the change could be particularly […]

CAN ALIMONY BE MODIFIED IN THE FUTURE?

Aug 24, 2017

Whether or not an alimony order can be modified will depend on the specifics of the situation. The flexibility of alimony payments may depend on the specifics of the settlement. Read More… Circumstances Under Which An Alimony Order Can Be Modified In some cases, dual income spouses who were married for a relatively […]