How Can a Divorce Lawyer for Men Help?

By understanding the basic history of divorce in the United States, and having an in-depth knowledge and experience of the biases against men in family law courts, father’s rights attorneys are able to give men more than just a fighting chance at obtaining equality in the eyes of the law. While many states specifically have outlawed the use of the “Tender Years Doctrine” in divorce cases, the feeling that many judges still hold near and dear is that mother’s, not father’s make better residential parents.

The antiquated notions of women being better caregivers then men may be beginning to dissipate, but the fact remains that women file divorce at more than double the rate of men because they know the law (and biases) are on their side. There is no better defense than a good offense, which is why having a divorce lawyer for men is critical to protecting a man’s rights to his family, property, and income.

Resource: familylawrights.net

LGBT Adoption Information

LGBT adoption is the adoption of children by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) persons. This may be in any of the following forms:

Joint Adoption: When a same-sex couple, married or unmarried, jointly adopts a child

Step-parent Adoption: When one partner of a married same-sex couple adopts the other partner’s biological or adopted child

Second Parent Adoption: When one partner of a same-sex couple, married or unmarried, adopts the other partner’s biological or adopted child

Single-parent Adoption: When a single LGBT person adopts a child

If you are an LGBT person in the United States who is hoping to adopt, you have come to the right place.

LGBT Adoption Information

In recent times, more and more birthparents are choosing same-sex couples over different-sex couples. As reported on the 2000 Census, about 65,000 children lived with same sex parents. In 2012, 110,000 children live with same sex parents—nearly a 100% increase.

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Newtown Market Day

Market Day is a well-attended and wonderful event featuring crafters, artisans, fine arts, entertainment and food held on the first Saturday in October. Over 90 crafters will present a wide variety of interesting crafts, and demonstrations will include: chaircaning, quilting, and rug hooking. Our latest addition, a Farmer’s Market, will sell fresh-from-the-farm produce. Folk music, children’s activities, games, horse-drawn hayrides and a colonial militia encampment will be held throughout the day. Featured this year is a Puppet Theater in the Boone Garden. Local restaurants are participating in our Festival of Foods and Open Hearth Cooking will also be demonstrated. Activities will be held in and around historic Court Street & Centre Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year we have expanded to honor the 40th year of Market Day. The Newtown Library will hold a 5k run and Business sponsors will be set up on State Street between Court and Washington Streets. Historic Market Day was first held on Saturday, September 16, 1978, reviving an old tradition in Newtown, where long ago, local farmers brought their crops to town to sell. It was a day of festivities and contests that culminated with a horse race down State Street. So come and be a part of History. Stroll along charming Court Street and step back in time, while listening to the Town Crier announce activities and events.

Your Guide to Grandparent Rights

Families can splinter for a number of reasons: divorce, the death of a parent, drug or alcohol abuse, incarceration. When those situations occur, grandparents do have certain legal rights, and can seek visitation with grandchildren or even custody, but the relevant laws vary from state to state. Understanding your own basic rights can help ensure that your relationship with your grandchildren doesn't end even if the children's relationship with your adult child does.

The State of Grandparent Rights Grandparents in every state in the United States have rights, in some circumstances, to be awarded custody of their grandchildren or to be awarded court-mandated visitation with their grandchildren. Grandparents' rights are not constitutional in nature....Recognition of grandparents' rights by state legislatures is a fairly recent trend, and most of the statutes have been in effect for less than 35 years. Federal legislation may affect grandparents' rights, though these rights are based primarily on state law. Congress passed the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act in 1980, which requires that each state give full faith and credit to child custody decrees from other states. Federal legislation passed in 1998 also requires that courts in each state recognize and enforce grandparental visitation orders from courts in other states. All states have adopted a version of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (previously the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act), which requires courts in the state where a child resides to recognize and enforce valid child custody orders from another state. Though the UCCJEA is not a federal statute, the provisions of this uniform law as adopted in each state are similar.

Understanding Annulment

When considering a divorce you may wonder if you are eligible for an annulment. An annulment is a void of marriage. People belonging to certain religious groups may find an annulment a sound alternative from divorce. If you have an annulment you are considered single rather than divorced after the process. An annulment may be granted for the following reasons:

- Your spouse was married to someone else when you were married

- Lack of consummation

- Your spouse was not of sound mind at the time of marriage

- Fraud or misrepresentation

- Your spouse is impotent

- You or your spouse was under the age of consent at the time of marriage.

When seeking an annulment you must give specific reasons and supply evidence supporting you claims. The filing timeframe for an annulment varies from state to state. Annulments usually follow a brief marriage, but can depend on if your seeking an annulment due to something such as fraud. In such case your time limit may depend on when you discovered the fraud, and not on your actual marriage date.

State law governs annulments. Similar to divorce the rules vary state to state. Your annulment should be filed in the county where you live.

To obtain a civil annulment you must have a reason beyond irreconcilable differences to justify terminating your marriage. If you can not prove this a no-fault divorce may be a better way to dissolve the marriage without having to prove that one spouse or the other engaged in misconduct.

You will want to seek advice from a family lawyer if deciding to obtain an annulment. Family Law can help with establishing the timeframe for filing in your state. A family layer can also establish if the grounds for filing make any difference for the timeframe when filing and if you have prof necessary to move forward with an annulment.

Understanding pre-nuptial agreements.

When you decide to marry and have substantial assets, you can protect them through a pre-nuptial agreement. Advantages to an agreement may include:

- Determining individual assets and ensuring that they remain separate property after marriage

- Establishing financial security

- Preserving assets for children and beneficiaries

- Providing for children from a previous relationship

- Establishing agreed-upon procedures to resolve changing financial circumstances in the event of a separation or divorce

- Avoiding litigation over property division, spousal support and alimony in the event of divorce

Bucks County Family Law Attorneys at Liebmann Family Law can help you draft an effective pre-nuptial agreement that both protects your assets and fairly considers your future spouse. With decades of combined legal experience as our foundation, we can help you understand and guard against any potential risks.

If your future spouse requests you sign a pre-marital agreement, we can review it and counsel you on your rights and responsibilities before signature.

Post-Nuptial Agreements

Sometimes spouses find it useful to enter into a post-nuptial agreement that considers assets, income and property after you marry. A post-nuptial agreement can be especially effective if you expect to or experience substantial increases in income, property and inheritances during your marriage.

Our skilled Attorneys can tailor your post-nuptial agreement to protect your assets and your interests. We can also counsel you if you are asked to sign a post-nuptial agreement by your spouse.

 

http://www.liebmannfamilylaw.com/#!prenuptial-agreements-/ch9i

When your divorce is uncontested...

You can obtain a divorce by proceeding under one of Pennsylvania’s No Fault grounds by stating in your divorce papers that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The court will grant your divorce 90 days after the affidavit is filed citing mutual consent, provided all of the property issues have been resolved.

When your divorce is contested

You may still obtain a No Fault divorce where one party contests the divorce after a two-year separation, providing all of the property issues have been resolved.

Pennsylvania is also a Fault state. A Fault Divorce may include:

Adultery

Bigamy

Desertion

Cruel and inhuman treatment endangering the life or health of the spouse

Imprisonment for two or more years

Personal indignities

Confinement in a mental institution

If the two of you agree on issues of Property Division, your divorce can be granted without a trial. But if you don’t agree, a hearing may be necessary. The Attorneys at Liebmann Family Law, Attorneys at Law, bring decades of combined legal experience to help you through your divorce and legal separation in Bucks County. We understand the upheaval that divorce can bring and are always ready to answer your questions to ease your anxiety and stress at any stage throughout the process.

Our experience in practicing Family Law is the foundation upon which we work.

At Liebmann Family Law, Jeffrey A. Liebmann and his staff of dedicated professionals bring over 100 years of combined family law experience to the families of Newtown and all of Bucks County.

Our experience in practicing Family Law is the foundation upon which we work with our clients to assist them in understanding the short-term and long-term consequences of the important decisions they must make in this difficult process.

http://www.liebmannfamilylaw.com/

11 Rules for Helping Your Child Deal With Divorce – 1 of 11

Introduction The scene plays out all too often. Sandy's 9-year-old daughter eagerly waits by the window, bags packed. But after 20 minutes, maybe an hour, it becomes obvious her father is not showing up -- again. She begins to cry. "He's not here because he doesn't love me!" she yells, then storms up to her room and slams the door. "It breaks my heart to see her so hurt," Sandy says. "I don't want to bad-mouth her father, but I can't explain his actions either. I feel helpless, and then I get angry. When I confront him and she hears us fighting, it makes an already bad situation worse. I have no idea what to do." When an ex is unreliable, it can be frustrating and painful for both you and your children. However, there are subtle ways in which the parent who has custody can disappoint the kids as well -- and even contribute to the other parent's lack of commitment. While you can't make your child's hurt go away, you can help him cope with the various disappointments divorce brings. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind. 1. Make it clear your child is loved. When a parent regularly doesn't come through, kids assume that they are somehow to blame. If only they were more fun or better behaved, they believe, then surely their parent would want to be with them. As a result, self-esteem can plummet, notes Edward Teyber, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at California State University, San Bernadino, and author of Helping Children Cope With Divorce. You need to continually reassure your child that the other parent's lack of commitment has nothing to do with her "lovability." If, say, your daughter's father failed to show up, you might tell her, "Even adults make big mistakes, and sometimes they hurt the people they love. Canceling at the last minute -- even when he knows that the visit means so much to you -- is wrong. But it doesn't mean you're not loved." 2. Don't sugarcoat the situation. If you make excuses for the other parent, it cuts off your child's chance to express himself. "If a parent cancels because of a bad cold but went to work that day with the same cold, it's important that your child feel free to voice his feelings," says therapist M. Gary Neuman, creator of the Sandcastles Divorce Therapy Program and author of Helping Your Kids Cope With Divorce the Sandcastles Way. Let your child vent without your criticizing or apologizing for the absent parent. 3. Have an alternate arrangement. If your ex is often a no-show, have a backup plan whenever your child is supposed to see the parent. Whether it's a playdate or a special activity with you, a fun outing diverts the potential letdown. Agree on how long you'll wait for the pickup or the phone call, and then get on with your day. You might say, "Let's wait for half an hour, and if Mom isn't able to come, we'll head out to the mall." If Mom doesn't show, let your child know you can hear her disappointment without judgment ("I understand it may be sad when Mom doesn't come to get you on time"), and let your child respond. 4. Encourage your child to communicate. You can persuade kids 10 and older to talk to the other parent about his lack of follow-through. "Expressing themselves gives kids a sense of empowerment and can help ease their frustration," Neuman says. "Even if nothing changes, your child will feel better knowing he made an effort to remedy the situation." Talk to your child about voicing disappointment without lashing out in anger. He might say: "I miss you," "It hurts my feelings when you cancel," or "I'm embarrassed when everyone's mom and dad is at the game but mine." If he's uncomfortable talking about the issue, suggest he send a letter or an e-mail. 5. Be willing to alter the visitation schedule. "Of course, consistency is important, but some flexibility on your part can increase an ex's ability to come through," says David Knox, Ph.D., author of The Divorced Dad's Survival Book: How to Stay Connected With Your Kids. If certain days or times are continually missed, for example, you might say, "If Tuesday dinners aren't good, what would be better?" 6. Get others involved. Attempt to include other reliable, caring adults in your child's life. Not only are devoted family members and friends role models your child can depend on, but their commitment takes pressure off you. 7. Don't fight in front of your kids -- period. Heated conversations regarding unreliability or finances should take place on the phone when your kids aren't around. Research has found that the most poorly adjusted kids of divorce are those exposed to ongoing parental battles. "No one is saying you have to be best friends," Dr. Teyber says. "Some couples simply can't get along or trust each other and aren't likely to. But for your children's sake, you must stop fighting in front of them." 8. Aim for peaceful transitions. Even if you're not openly argumentative, kids can sense tension and become anxious themselves. According to Dr. Knox, research shows that many fathers avoid visiting their children simply because running into their exes becomes too much of an ordeal. "Some dads complain that they just can't handle the conflict when seeing their former spouse," he says. "Or a dad arrives to a clearly anxious child and assumes his ex has been bad-mouthing him. The father ends up rationalizing that it's better if he doesn't come at all." No matter how upset or angry you feel, be civil. If you truly can't, it might be best for your ex to collect your child from neutral ground -- at a friend's, at school, or at a McDonald's -- and you can leave for your car when you see him drive in. 9. Say goodbye with a smile. When your child does go off to be with the other parent, make it clear that you're happy she's spending time with him. Mothers can unconsciously make their child feel guilty about leaving. "If a child sees her mom is upset when it's time for her to leave, she won't be able to have a good time with her father," Dr. Teyber says. Let your child know she doesn't need to worry about you. This will help your ex feel less tense about pickups too. 10. Send the right welcome-home message. Parents are often unsure what to say when their kids come home from an ex's house. They don't want to seem disinterested, yet they're concerned about appearing too inquisitive. To play it safe, they may say nothing. "This silence unconsciously sends the message that you're either unhappy, disapproving, or uncomfortable with the time he spent with his other parent," Neuman says. "Or it makes the child feel as if the visit has betrayed you in some way." How to best handle their return? Pretend your kids came home from a weekend at their grandparents' house. Be interested and supportive. 11. Allow kids to express disappointment. Don't downplay your child's pain and sadness. While done with the best intentions, telling kids comforting things like "It's better this way" and "Don't worry, everything will be fine" sends the message that you can't deal with your child's unhappiness, or worse, that he shouldn't feel that way. "Whether he's upset about the divorce in general or about something more specific, like a parent's having to work late again, anger and disappointment are normal, healthy emotional reactions," Neuman says. "A child is entitled to these feelings and should be able to talk about them without worrying that his parents will be upset or angry." Offer your support and comfort by letting your child know you understand -- and that his feelings matter. "Then he'll be free to confront disappointment rather than avoid it," Neuman says. "This will serve him well throughout his life." http://www.parents.com/parenting/divorce/coping/helping-child-deal-with-divorce/

MARRIAGE - Requirements of Getting Married

Q. Legally, what is marriage?

A. Most states define marriage as a civil contract between a man and woman to become husband and wife. The moment a man and woman marry, their relationship acquires a legal status. Married

couples have financial and personal duties during marriage and after separation or divorce. State laws determine the extent of these duties. As the United States Supreme Court said about

marriage in 1888: "The relation once formed, the law steps in and holds the parties to various obligations and liabilities."

Of course, marriage is a private bond between two people, but it is also an important social institution.

Today, society also recognizes marriage as:

• a way to express commitment, strengthen intimate bonds, and provide mutual emotional support;

• a (comparatively) stable structure within which to raise children;

• a financial partnership in which spouses may choose from a variety of roles. Both spouses may work to support the family, the husband may support the wife, or the wife may support

the husband.

As our society becomes more complex, there is no longer a short answer to the question "What is marriage?" Definitions and opinions of the proper functions of marriage continue to

change. The women's rights movement and gay rights movement have changed some people's ideas of marriage and created new forms of relationships, including:

Α - domestic partnerships ≅ and Α civil unions ≅ for same-sex couples. Marriage will remain, but it will also continue to evolve.

http://www.americanbar.org/aba.html