Philadelphia Divorce Attorneys

Dedicated Family Law Services in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Family law governs how people live and interact in primary relationships. As a legal practice area, family law encompasses a full range of domestic relations and related issues governing rights and responsibilities primarily involving property and children. To schedule a consultation on any aspect of family law with an experienced Philadelphia divorce lawyer, contact the Law Office of Smith & Horwitz by calling 215-545-2880.

Offering Personal Service and Solid Representation
Practical, Realistic, Long-Term Solutions in Family Law

Marriage is a serious commitment which creates certain rights and responsibilities. Through the marriage contract, spouses become each other's next of kin and take on a wide array of rights and responsibilities for each other. Divorce is the means by which two spouses terminate these rights and responsibilities. An equitable distribution of property of the marriage requires a detailed inventory of assets and debts and a settlement agreement or decree.

Child Support, Custody and Visitation

When children are present in a marriage or are born of an unmarried couple, divorce or separation means that court orders will determine which spouse or spouses must bear financial responsibility (child support ), and who the children will live with and when (child custody ). In some instances, grandparents or other third parties may assume partial or full custody of children.

Spousal Support and Alimony

When one spouse has been dependent on the other, courts sometimes order that the supporting spouse continue to provide financial support for the other by way of spousal support during the divorce and/or alimony post-divorce.

Property Rights for Unmarried Couples

In today's society, many people live together in marriage-like relationships although they have not formalized a marriage contract. Despite the omission of a wedding, unmarried heterosexual or same-sex cohabitants often seek legal advice regarding property division in the event of separation of the partners.

Adoption and Surrogacy

Adoption and surrogate parenthood facilitated by modern reproductive technology are additional areas of family law that often require consultations with an experienced attorney. Rights of birth, gestational, intended, and adoptive parents are sometimes called into question in cases where a child is conceived in a surrogate arrangement.

Contact a Bala Cynwyd Family Law Attorney

To schedule a consultation regarding any family law matter, from prenuptial agreements or domestic violence to modifications to an existing court order, contact the Law Office of Smith & Horwitz.