Child custody trials can be interesting; alas, not as riveting as the clients seem to think. The Parnell trial pitted an ex Army ranger turned novelist/ U.S. Senate candidate against
Continue Reading THE PARNELL CUSTODY TRIAL When the Reach Exceeds the Grasp
The Kiddie Hearsay Statute: Not Just for Criminal Lawyers
In 1989 the Pennsylvania General Assembly adopted an oddly named law of evidence titled: “Admissibility of Certain Statements.” The thrust of the statute is that under limited circumstances, if a
Continue Reading The Kiddie Hearsay Statute: Not Just for Criminal Lawyers
GAG ORDERS IN CHILD CUSTODY; CAN BEST INTERESTS & FREE SPEECH BE BALANCED?
Father adopted a child with mother. Mother died two year later. Father remarried the stepmother in 2012, with whom this litigation took place. Stepmother adopted the child a year later.
Continue Reading GAG ORDERS IN CHILD CUSTODY; CAN BEST INTERESTS & FREE SPEECH BE BALANCED?
Coping with Abuse: A Second Jennifer Emerges
Time flies! In February of this year, a breaking story emerged about a senior White House staffer who was struggling with a security clearance. The staff person was Rob Porter
Continue Reading Coping with Abuse: A Second Jennifer Emerges
I’m Not a Bad Parent but I Play One on YouTube
While Alex Jones was the most recent high-profile example of a controversial public persona creating very personal and private problems, he is certainly not alone. Similar in theme, but not
Continue Reading I’m Not a Bad Parent but I Play One on YouTube
Delaware Passes Children’s Bill of Rights
Leslie Spoltore in our Wilmington office recently wrote about Delaware’s passing a children’s “Bill of Rights” into law. This law specifically addressed what children are to receive while under the
Continue Reading Delaware Passes Children’s Bill of Rights
RAPE SURVIVOR CUSTODY BILL ONE STEP CLOSER TO LAW
In February we mentioned the introduction of a bill in the Pennsylvania state Senate which would allow the termination of a rapist’s parental rights, but preserve the victim’s (and state’s)
Continue Reading RAPE SURVIVOR CUSTODY BILL ONE STEP CLOSER TO LAW
PROPOSED NEW LAW CLOSES CUSTODY LOOPHOLE FOR CHILDREN CONCEIVED BY RAPE
Pennsylvania’s child custody code requires the submission of a criminal record and abuse history affidavit which is designed to identify whether a party to a custody action or a member
Continue Reading PROPOSED NEW LAW CLOSES CUSTODY LOOPHOLE FOR CHILDREN CONCEIVED BY RAPE
BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN OUTWEIGH PARENTS EFFORTS AT REUNIFICATION
We’ve written about the process of terminating a parent’s custodial rights to their child an different cases presenting unique and unusual circumstances
Continue Reading BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN OUTWEIGH PARENTS EFFORTS AT REUNIFICATION
PREVENTING CHILD ABDUCTIONS BY PARENTS
Though I could count the instances on one hand, I have had a few cases in my career where a client had a legitimate concern about their former spouse or
Continue Reading PREVENTING CHILD ABDUCTIONS BY PARENTS