The phrase “Truth is stranger than fiction” is attributed to Mark Twain. There are occasions when an appellate case presents a conundrum. And while it might seem fitting to criticize
Continue Reading An Early Nominee for 2024’s Most Bizarre Child (Non) Support CaseContempt
Post on Social Media, Go to Jail – How a Facebook Post Violated a Court Order
A recent criminal case addressed, in part, an issue we saw in the case of Elonis v. United States. The Elonis case went to the U.S. Supreme Court which …
Continue Reading Post on Social Media, Go to Jail – How a Facebook Post Violated a Court Order
The Sloppy World Of Contempt Proceedings
We have written before about the subject of when and how a person can be in “contempt” of a court order. The word itself is riddled with often misunderstood meaning. …
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C.A.J. v. D.S.M. A Mixed Due Process Message
My colleague Aaron Weems reported this case on April 12. In the spirit of our U.S. Supreme Court, I offer the following concurrence with his blog but spirited dissent from…
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Child Support Amnesty Week in Montgomery Co. June 10th
(Photo: Its All About Aging)
A glance at the Pennsylvania Support Code reveals the various enforcement mechanisms at the disposal of county Domestic Relations Offices. Rule 1910.20 offers remedies such…
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CONTEMPT COURT IS NOT A PLACE FOR CUSTODY MODIFICATION
In a recent custody case, the Court denied Father contact with his children except for supervised visits while they underwent therapy. Mother filed a contempt petition asserting that Father violated …
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Expensive Shoe Collection Brings Divorced Couple Back to Court
Jenice Armstrong of the Philadelphia Daily News wrote a column about Beth and Daniel Shak’s divorce. The Shaks divorce was finalized in 2009, but recently Mr. Shak filed a petition to enforce the parties’ settlement agreement and is seeking 65% of Mrs. Shak’s extensive (and expensive) shoe collection. Mr. Shak contends that this collection is an asset that was not disclosed as part of the parties’ property settlement agreement and that Mrs. Shak did not provide a “full and fair” disclosure of this collection nor did she list it in an inventory of her assets.Continue Reading Expensive Shoe Collection Brings Divorced Couple Back to Court
Indirect Criminal Contempts in PFA’s Net Multiple Convictions
Protection from Abuse (aka “PFA”) Orders are Pennsylvania’s version of what is colloquially known as the “restraining order.” What makes the PFA unusual is that it is a civil action, but…
Continue Reading Indirect Criminal Contempts in PFA’s Net Multiple Convictions
WE KNOW IT’S WRONG BUT IS IT CONTEMPTIBLE
One of the great frustrations to both the law practitioner and the client comes after a court order is secured directing that a thing be done or not done, only …