Allentown Family Law Attorney

When you were tying the knot, buying your first home, having children, and sharing your golden years with your spouse, divorce was the last thing in your mind. But sometimes, life takes unexpected turns, and before you know it, you’re facing separation. And when it’s your children, property, or future at stake, you’re bound to feel confused and frustrated. At Petrelli Previtera, LLC, we understand just how difficult it is to navigate legal issues among people close to your heart. You don’t have to fight this battle alone. Let an Allentown family lawyer guide you through the transition in the quickest, painless, most compassionate way possible.

“We understand the sensitivity of your legal issue, and our goal is that you leave your consultation with an understanding of the law, your best options, and your rights.”

Melinda Previtera, Partner at Petrelli Previtera, LLC.

Why Choose An Allentown Family Lawyer with Petrelli Previtera, LLC?

We take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your family law needs. Count on us to deliver fierce, practical, and top-notch legal representation.
We have a consistent track record of uncompromising ethics.
While we are known to represent high net worth persons and their clients, we also represent everyday people from all walks of life. Our experienced attorneys treat each client with the care, attentiveness, and respect they deserve
An Inc. 5000 Firm
Dedicated to providing positive experiences for everyone who walks through our doors
We handle each family law case with utmost expertise.
We value responsiveness and accessibility.

When you want to protect yourself, your family, and your future, don’t hesitate to call our office at (866) 465-5395. You can also contact one of our live agents or schedule an online consultation with one of the firm’s top family lawyers in Allentown, PA.

An Allentown Family Law Attorney that Puts Your Needs First

At the leading Allentown law firm of Petrelli Previtera, LLC, our attorneys can help you and your family make the best choices for your changing lives. Our goal is to exceed client expectations, and that starts by creating a unique and customized strategy to give you and everyone involved a fair outcome.

We understand that family law cases are not exactly a walk in the park. They can be emotionally, mentally, and financially taxing, which is why we strive to handle all the complicated legal matters so you and your loved ones can focus on what matters most—your future.

We will go out of our way to provide personalized care and support throughout your family law case. Bringing clarity out of chaos is our mission.

Within divorce and family law, we can assist you with a wide array of issues, including (but not limited to):

Divorce– Even if you and your spouse agree to go separate ways, you might have differing views about child support, child custody, division of marital property, and many other aspects of dividing a household. Our experienced family lawyers can guide you through each one of these contentious divorce aspects. We also handle a huge range of settlements and litigated divorce issues, including cases with special considerations like a divorce with active military, difficult personalities, federal employees, complex assets, among others. No divorce issue is too big or too complex for our experienced team.

Child custody– It can be very stressful to fight over who your kids will live with. If you and your spouse cannot reach an amicable agreement, our Allentown family lawyers can help you determine what’s in the best interest of your kids.
Child support– Our experienced lawyers can help the two of you determine the amount of child support you should pay based on your individual incomes. If circumstances change after divorce, and you need to increase or decrease child support, we can assist with modifying family lawyer orders.
Alimony/Spousal Support- Alimony is an area that requires skill and talent to negotiate successfully. If you qualify for spousal support, our Allentown family attorneys will aggressively pursue fair payments on your behalf. We will also help you fight an undeserving spouse if need be.
Asset division- We help clients divide marital assets fairly, including real estate property, retirement assets, stock options, and other such assets. Before your union, our lawyers can draft a prenuptial agreement that highlights your obligations and rights in the unfortunate event of divorce. And if you’ve already tied the knot, we can help you draft a property settlement or postnuptial agreement.

Our team at Petrelli Previtera, LLC can also give you and your spouse legal advice about:

Postnuptial agreements
Prenuptial agreements
Adoption
Grandparent right
Estate Planning
Establishing a Trust

Above all else, we endeavor to help our family law clients transition to a better place of clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. Get in touch with Petrelli Previtera, LLC today for high-quality, client-focused, and customized legal representation in Allentown, PA.

Allentown Family Laws- What to Expect

Family laws in Pennsylvania are created and revised by the actions of lawmakers and local courts.

1. Child Custody Laws

When it comes to child custody, Pennsylvania has laws that address the determination of custody, child support, and visitation, all of which mirror the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.

Allentown courts determine what’s in “the best interest of the child” when making a ruling in awarding child custody. If you and your spouse cannot come forth with a suitable parenting plan, the court will issue its own controlling verdict to settle the matter. The courts consider the location, child’s wishes, and mental and physical condition of every party when making the final custody ruling.

2. Child Support Laws

As for child support, the court determines amounts using a set of support guidelines created by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Factors such as the cost of medical insurance, daycare expenses, and each parent’s income come into play here. The support amount that you and your spouse remit will be automatically reviewed by a judge every four years.

3. Domestic Violence Laws

Pennsylvania family laws are also very clear about domestic abuse. If you’re a victim of physical, sexual, or financial harassment, one of our team members can talk with you about filing for protection under Code Section 23 Pa.C.S.§.6101 et. Seq. Or if accused wrongly, which is often the case, our Allentown family lawyers can defend you against any abuse orders wrongfully filled with the court.

4. Divorce Laws

If you’re seeking for marriage separation in Allentown, you can file for divorce under one of the following four grounds:

Mutual consent– The court might rule in your favor if 90 days have passed since the divorce papers were filed and both of you provide an affidavit showing that you consent to the divorce.
Fault- The court may grant you a divorce if it finds out the other spouse has cheated, been sentenced to prison for at least two years, endangered your life or general health, or otherwise deserted you for a year without reasonable cause.
Institutionalization- The court might grant you a divorce if your partner was confined in a mental institution before the commencement of divorce proceedings and with no signs of discharge within 18 months.
Irretrievable breakdown– The judge may accept your divorce claims if you (the plaintiff) allege an irretrievable breakdown and that you’ve lived apart for at least one year.

Allentown Family Law Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it Crucial for Me to Have an Allentown Family Law Attorney? My Friend Got Divorced Without an Attorney.

Though you can get a marriage separation without a lawyer, it is prudent to have someone advocate for you in tough situations, keep you aware of your rights, and review any proposals your spouse is making. This helps you receive the best possible outcome in your specific case.

How Can Grandparents Get Custody Rights in Allentown?

Grandparents have legal rights in Allentown, PA, to seek out physical and legal custody of their grandchildren under the following circumstances:

When the parents have been apart for at least six months, or they are getting separated.
When the child’s parent dies, the deceased grandparent can file an action for the surviving kid’s custody.
When the child has been living with the grandparent for at least one whole year and is then taken back by the parents

In this last instance, you must file a custody complaint against your daughter or son within six months after they remove the kids from under your watch.

Can I Move Out of State with My Child After a Divorce?

Pennsylvania does not allow you to simply relocate with your kid(s) after divorce, as this will affect your child’s upbringing and your custody agreement. To move out of state or a far distance from Allentown, you must either receive explicit permission from the court or consent from the other parent.

I’ve Had a Considerable Life Change. Can The Terms of My Family Law Order Be Modified?

Yes, but it must pass through the right legal channels. Even if you and your ex agree to a modification, it won’t be considered official until it is registered with the courts. Our Allentown family lawyers can help guide you through alterations to child support, child custody, spousal support, or other terms of your court order.

Get Support From A Prestigious Law Firm

Unlike many Allentown attorneys who may specialize in family law’s limited aspects, our lawyers have a high degree of detailed hands-on experience in all matrimonial legal issues. This means we are equipped to handle all aspects of your family law case—not just one part. We promise to do our best to achieve a favorable outcome for you and your children while avoiding the kind of lengthy, expensive, and contentious tussles that risk leaving everyone in ruin.

In addition to board certification, Thomas Petrelli, Jr, and his team have earned prestigious recognition in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers since 2015. Recently, Inc. magazine named Petrelli Previtera, LLC #2703 on its 2019 Inc. 5000 list. If anything, these accolades reflect our dedication to helping our clients solve family matters amicably and professionally. Nothing satisfies us more than seeing you reach the other side of your family disagreement.

Read reviews from some of our previous clients to learn more about our top-notch family law services.

We’re Ready To Give You Answers

Do you have burning questions and concerns regarding divorce, custody, alimony, or other family law aspects? We can help bring clarity out of your chaos. With a comprehensive and personalized “game plan,” we will strive to give you solid, reliable legal guidance in every step of your case. Our Allentown family attorneys leave nothing to chance.

Why face a family crisis alone when you can depend on the high-caliber of an Allentown Family Law Attorney at Petrelli Previtera, LLC? Contact us today or call us at (866) 465-5395 or schedule a video consultation with one of our lawyers online. Let us mold your future into the one you have in mind!

Allentown Family Lawyer