Lehighton Legal Issues Blog

It's no secret that many Pennsylvania divorces involve less than amicable situations between spouses. In fact, you may be among those who have reason to believe that your ex's presence in your children's lives is detrimental to their well-being. Like all good parents, your kids' best interests are and always have been your highest priority.

It's one thing to feel that way, however, and quite another to have to prove parental unfitness in court, which is what you'll have to do if you request sole custody on those grounds. The judge overseeing your case is going to want to see strong evidence that supports your claim that you believe your children are better off in your sole care. Such situations are often highly stressful, so it helps to build a strong support network right from the start.

Bankruptcy can help lessen the financial challenges faced by debtors. Chapter 7, for example, allows liquidation of assets. But, Chapter 13 allows debtors to hold on to assets and pay off debts through a repayment plan.

A repayment plan is the main feature of Chapter 13 bankruptcy. A debtor must attend credit counseling. In these sessions, a counselor will help create a repayment plan that is practicable and reflects the amount of disposable income held by the debtor. A court must find that this plan is acceptable, because plans usually allow debtors to pay less than the amount they owe. Creditors have the opportunity, however, to object to this plan. An unacceptable plan may be modified. The debtor is responsible for making payments to a trustee if the court accepts the plan.

Violations of child visitation orders usually require litigation and often have insignificant consequences. A bill pending in the Pennsylvania legislature, however, would help provide relief for parents who lose time with their children when the other parent violated a child custody order.

Currently, a parent who loses time with their children when the other parent unlawfully withheld custody has few meaningful options. That parent must file a petition for contempt and go to court. The range of penalties for the parent who withheld custody include a fine, probation, an order to pay that parent's and, in very rare cases, imprisonment.

After a cold, dreary winter, you may be among the many in Pennsylvania who are eager to get back on your bicycle. Whether you bike to work, for exercise or for pleasure, by yourself or in a group, riding a bike is one of those childhood joys that carries over into adulthood without apologies. Unfortunately, along with the joy comes the danger.

Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other agencies track and evaluate the statistics related to bicycle accidents and injuries. While statistics may seem impersonal, they may help you and others realize how important it is to use caution and be defensive when you are biking among traffic.