Blog

As our country observes National Adoption Month in November, this year we’re also celebrating an exciting new law that allows adopted individuals to obtain information about their birth. For the first time since 1984, people born in Pennsylvania who were adopted have the right to receive their original birth certificate at age 18. Effective November […]

We’re already a few weeks into fall and Halloween is coming up fast (closely followed by, dare we say it, Thanksgiving and the start to the holiday season). But if you have kids and you’re recently divorced, you’re at the cusp of a particularly complex and often downright difficult time of year. We’re here to […]

It’s hard enough when parents end a relationship and custody matters need to be worked out. If you have concerns that your child’s other parent is abusing drugs or alcohol, or worse yet, abusing your child, you need to take action immediately. Pennsylvania family courts will take every measure necessary to protect a child if […]

The short-term and long-term consequences of domestic abuse for victims and families are enormous. It is difficult to overstate the costs of such abuse as it often tears families apart. If you or your family has been affected by such a devastating occurrence, Petrelli Previtera, LLC can help you protect yourself during such an extremely […]

Today, parents aren’t the only ones raising their children. Extended family plays a critical role. In many families, grandparents are like second parents to their grandchildren. While grandparents are playing a greater role than ever before, laws that protect grandparents’ rights are still emerging. When things change — like through divorce or the death of […]

Paternity is the legal status that establishes whether or not someone is another person’s biological father. Establishing paternity is very important in the eyes of the law when it comes to child support and child custody issues. There are court proceedings and DNA testing that are both used to establish paternity, and the better they […]

Since May 20, 2014, when Judge John Jones of the Middle District of Pennsylvania struck down the PA DOMA as unconstitutional paving the way for same-sex couples to marry in Whitewood vs. Wolf, the family law community has been waiting to see the effects of the decision. Many are resoundingly positive, but others create new […]

By the time the dust settles in a divorce case involving a family, there are often several court orders that are in place that need to be abide by. When those named in a court order refuse to comply with the terms, they can potentially face fines and jail time. The even bigger consequence for […]

One of the main benefits of a prenuptial agreement is the fact that they often allow a couple to better ensure they start their marital relationship off on the same page.

Those who go through a divorce have to split virtually everything. Some examples include marital property, time with children and financial obligations. Pets are no exception. Couples that have pets must come up with an agreement on how to address ownership after the divorce is finalized.