Understanding Flat Fee Family Law: Your Path to Simplicity and Savings

Welcome, dear readers, to our Flat Fee Family Law Blog Series. At The Skeen Firm, we are proud to offer all of our Family Law services on a flat fee, for reasons you will read in this series. Consider this your friendly guide through the often-intricate world of family law, making it as easy to understand as a conversation with a trusted friend. Whether you are facing the challenging terrain of divorce, custody battles, or any other family-related legal matter, we are here to explain one aspect that can significantly help you—the flat fee structure.

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinOctober 17, 2023Family Law, Flat Fee Family LawComment

Shared Custody and Cell Phones

Cell phones may be a point of contention between parents who share custody of their children. Which parent is going to buy the phone? Will the cost be split evenly? Prorated on the same portion as custodial time? Which parent is responsible for monitoring the child’s activity on the cell phone?

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinAugust 31, 2023Custody, Family LawComment

Navigating Divorce in Washington County, Pennsylvania: Your Comprehensive Guide

Divorce is a life-altering event that can be emotionally and financially challenging. If you find yourself going through a divorce in Washington County, PA (or anywhere, for that matter), then it is crucial for you to understand your rights and the legal process. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the key aspects of a divorce in Washington County, provide useful insights, and offer guidance to help you navigate this difficult time.

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinJune 23, 2023Divorce, Custody, Spousal Support, Child SupportComment

The Cold Hard Facts of Pennsylvania Child Support

Pennsylvania child support guidelines look at the portion of a household net income used for the benefit of the children of that household and then assigns a portion of that amount to each parent based on that parent’s contribution to the adjusted net household income. Sounds complicated, right? It really isn’t. Let’s walk through an example.

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinMarch 1, 2022Family Law, Child SupportComment

Alimony, Spousal and Child Support…Oh, My!

The end of a marriage is a difficult time for anyone, and the financial consequences of untangling two lives can make it even worse. Although each is unique, alimony, spousal support and child support are all similar in the sense that one spouse is making a payment for the benefit of someone else (the other spouse or the parties’ children).

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinFebruary 14, 2022Spousal Support, Alimony, Child Support, DivorceComment

So your marriage is coming to an end. Now what? Part II

You’ve gotten over the initial shock of realizing that your marriage is over. Now what? Well, now you have some tough decisions to make starting with what do you want out of the divorce. Some preliminary matters to work though include who stays in the house, who gets physical custody of the children, who gets possession of the family pet, and how will the assets/debts be divided.

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinJanuary 17, 2022Divorce, Custody, Family LawComment

So your marriage is coming to an end. Now what?

Although no one gets married planning for a divorce, sometimes people are better off apart. Maybe they’re better as friends or maybe they’re so toxic together that divorce is the healthiest option for everyone involved. The end of a relationship – even more so a marriage – can be a tough thing to process both mentally and emotionally.

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinJanuary 3, 2022Divorce, Family LawComment

Naughty or Nice - Custody Edition

The holiday season is upon us, and we’re just as excited about Santa’s arrival as you are! Did you know that Santa’s Naughty and Nice list isn’t only for children? That’s right. Santa’s also making a list of parents dealing with custody issues, and he’s checking it twice.

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinDecember 16, 2021Custody, Family LawComment

Types of Custody in Pennsylvania

Odds are when you think of custody, you think of physical custody — the person with whom the child resides. Did you know there are two types of custody with seven variations? At the most basic level, a Court will decide what is in the child’s best interest. This will include whether one or both parents have physical custody -- that is the time each parent should spend with the child. The Court will also decide whether it’s better for one or both parents to have legal custody.

Custody Christmas Carol

Christmas is right around the corner! Yikes! Maybe you’re in the group of folks who have already finished your shopping and have a mound of beautifully wrapped presents under your tree or maybe you’re in the “I shop on Christmas Eve” club and aren’t sweating the details just yet. Regardless of where you fall, you’ve most likely made all of your holiday arrangements and are looking forward to spending some quality time with your family. If you share custody of your children with your ex, maybe you’re counting down the hours or days until you see your children for Christmas.

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinDecember 18, 2020Custody, Family Law Comment

Spousal Support Seasons in Pennsylvania

They say to everything there is a season. The same can be said for your divorce. There are three seasons to a divorce: pre-, pending, and post-divorce. Just as each season in life has its own set of characteristics, each divorce season has its own type of support.

Family LawCrystal L. McLaughlinSeptember 17, 2020Spousal Support, Divorce, Alimony, Family Law Comment

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