Child support is of paramount importance in Pennsylvania. Statewide guidelines exist for child support and are outlined by Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. The guideline amount may not be appropriate for your particular matter if there are applicable facts warranting a deviation from the guideline amount of support. Additionally, the Court may order a division of certain child care expenses, children's activities, and/or other agreed upon expenses. The Court may order a parent to secure and/or maintain medical coverage for each child, and may determine the percentage of unreimbursed medical expenses each parent will be responsible for. The Court may also determine which parent will be claiming each child for tax purposes. Whether you are considering filing for child support, or have been served with a Complaint for child support, you should contact Karen Goldberg, Esq., P.C. to speak with an attorney. Schedule an initial consultation to go over your child support matter and, if applicable, review the guideline child support figures.
Pennsylvania makes a distinction between spousal support, alimony pendente lite, and alimony. Spousal support is support paid to a spouse prior to the filing of a Complaint in Divorce by either party. Alimony pendente lite, is support paid to a spouse after a Complaint in Divorce has been filed by either party, prior to a final divorce decree being entered by the Court. Alimony is support paid to an ex-spouse following the entry of a final divorce decree by the Court. Contact Karen Goldberg, Esq., P.C. today to review your case with an attorney to determine how you should proceed regarding your spousal support, alimony pendente lite and/or alimony matters.
Support procedures vary from county to county in Pennsylvania. In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, if an agreement cannot be reached at the Domestic Relations conference, it is likely that your support hearing will take place the same day. In some of the other counties, such as Armstrong, Beaver, Washington, and Westmoreland counties, it is likely that a de novo hearing will be scheduled on a date following the initial support conference if you file exceptions to the order.
If a support agreement is not reached, the Court may make a finding as to the respective incomes and/or earning capacities of each party. The finding of income may have an impact upon other future proceedings including, but not limited to, the Court's division of psychological evaluation fees between the parties to a custody matter, whether an award of alimony is appropriate, and/or the determination of how to equitably divide marital property. Accordingly, it is important to be represented by counsel at the time of your support proceeding.