This morning (5/17) presented an article by Michael Waters in the on-line edition of The Atlantic noting that only about half of Americans die with a will (i.e., testamentary
Continue Reading DIVORCE: THE NEW ESTATE PLANNING TOOL?
Family Law
A RIGHT RESULT BUT FOR THE WRONG REASONS In Abuse Cases Can the Facts Go Far Beyond the Pleading?
By Mark Ashton on
In a non-precedential case decided on April 29, 2022 a panel of the Superior Court tackled a common and nettlesome question. We live in an age when petitions filed under…
Continue Reading A RIGHT RESULT BUT FOR THE WRONG REASONS In Abuse Cases Can the Facts Go Far Beyond the Pleading?
Family Law Litigation in Pennsylvania; What Hath Covid Wrought?
By Mark Ashton on
We try to keep track of trends in family law. 2020 was, for many reasons, an unusual year. But some trends are continuing when we reviewed the statistical survey published…
Continue Reading Family Law Litigation in Pennsylvania; What Hath Covid Wrought?
IN CUSTODY MATTERS MIND YOUR “PARTY” MANNERS
By Mark Ashton on
The Superior Court decision this week in Jacoby v. Jacoby is non-precedential but borrows heavily from a 2011 precedential decision in an Orphans’ Court appeal, In re Estate of Brown. …
Continue Reading IN CUSTODY MATTERS MIND YOUR “PARTY” MANNERS
GOOD NEWS FOR STUDENT BORROWERS Another Mess for the Support Courts
By Mark Ashton on
We are writing a lot about student debt; perhaps because there is so much of it. Last evening United Press International (UPI) reported that the US Education Department was issuing…
Continue Reading GOOD NEWS FOR STUDENT BORROWERS Another Mess for the Support Courts
So, is your Opinion of your Spouse Worth $75,000? Not If You Are Paying for the Privilege.
By Mark Ashton on
We have tried to suggest that when getting separated or divorced, the world does not seek your opinion of the person you once longed to have and to hold. But…
Continue Reading So, is your Opinion of your Spouse Worth $75,000? Not If You Are Paying for the Privilege.
Vaccine Wars Round 2: Are These Claims Justiciable?
By Mark Ashton on
Mark R. Ashton (Boosted)
In October there was a local case where parents were in conflict over vaccination of an incapacitated adult child. In that case, Matter of A.C.G., after…
Continue Reading Vaccine Wars Round 2: Are These Claims Justiciable?
Communicating the Divorce News to the Family
By Mark Ashton on
We recently posted on the matter of how to let friends and family know that a separation/divorce is imminent. In so doing, we neglected the far thornier subject of how…
Continue Reading Communicating the Divorce News to the Family
WHEN TAKING YOUR KID IS A CRIME
By Mark Ashton on
We live in some extraordinary times; ones where citizens seem to think that they can or sometimes must take the law into their own hands. The idea that a parent…
Continue Reading WHEN TAKING YOUR KID IS A CRIME
23 & EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!?!?!?!?!? If You Must Search for Ancestors Be Prepared for Surprises
By Mark Ashton on
The Sunday edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer presented a set of stories which are becoming common in a world where Americans can buy DNA kits at the drug store and…
Continue Reading 23 & EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!?!?!?!?!? If You Must Search for Ancestors Be Prepared for Surprises