Attorneys Guide Clients Through the Divorce Process
A divorce can quickly become emotionally-charged, especially when children are involved. At Giribaldi, P.C., our top priority centers around protecting children caught in the middle of their divorcing parents. We also work hard to preserve our clients’ legal rights in towns all over Delaware County such as Springfield, Upper Darby, Ridley Park, Drexel Hill, Broomall, Havertown, Bryn Mawr, Radnor, Wayne and Newtown Square.
If you are preparing for a divorce, trust the law office of Giribaldi, P.C. for experienced legal representation. We will advocate to establish effective child custody and child support agreements, so you can preserve your relationship with your children. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation at our law office in Media, Pennsylvania.
Offering Child Custody Legal Services
At Giribaldi, P.C., we are committed to guiding you through the divorce process. We want to make sure your children’s well-being is addressed. Our family law attorneys will fully explain parental rights and responsibilities, involving:
- Legal Child Custody: In Pennsylvania, the court may award shared legal custody to both parents or sole legal custody to one, based on the child’s best interest (23 Pa.C.S. 5323). This grants parents the ability to make decisions about their children’s education, religious upbringing and medical needs (23 Pa.C.S. 5322).
- Physical Child Custody: Physical custody determines children’s living arrangement and daycare responsibilities. Primary physical custody is granted to parents who will spend the majority of time with their children. The other parent normally receives visitation rights at specific times. Pennsylvania's exact terms are explained in the difference between legal and physical custody.
Every family is unique. We understand parents want to make the transition as seamless as possible on their children. We can help negotiate a plan for your children to remain in the same house each week, while you and your ex-spouse rotate living in an apartment. We want to help establish parenting plans that will benefit you and your children. In Delaware County, every custody case goes first to a Custody Conciliator, as our page on what to expect in Delaware County family court explains. Each step and deadline is laid out in the steps in a Delaware County custody case. Grandparents should read when grandparents can seek custody or visitation.
Outlining Child Support Guidelines
In Pennsylvania, child support is set under a statewide guideline that places primary emphasis on both parents' net incomes and earning capacities (23 Pa.C.S. 4322), and the guideline amount is calculated from the parties' combined monthly net income and the number of people being supported (Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16-1). Our page on how child support is calculated in Pennsylvania walks through the formula. The amount of child support a parent pays to the other parent may increase or decrease based on specific factors, such as:
- Income Level
- Shared Parenting Time
- Daycare Expenses
- Special Medical or Educational Needs
- Support Obligations to Other Children
Child support typically ends when a child turns 18, but modifications can be made if there is a substantial change in circumstances; see when child support ends in Pennsylvania. We represent clients seeking to modify or enforce child support agreements based on a significant increase or decrease in pay; the process is explained in how to change a custody or support order.
Contact Us
If you are going through a divorce or have any other family law concern, don’t hesitate to contact us to speak to an experienced lawyer.