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Family Law Attorneys in Butler County

From our office in Wexford, we are available to help you anywhere in Allegheny County, Butler County and the surrounding communities. Whether you are facing divorce and need to protect your assets and relationships with your kids, have been named the executor of a loved one’s estate, or have other legal needs, reach out to us. We are on your side from day one.

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John Schaffranek & Tyler Foster

Family law cases can be complex, making it difficult to make sound decisions when emotions are running high. That is why it is important to have experienced representation by your side. For over a decade, the family law attorneys at Schaffranek & Foster have been helping the residents of Butler County find tailored solutions to fit their families’ needs. By providing both aggressive and compassionate counsel, we work to find solutions that meet you and your family’s needs.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are legal contracts signed by spouses or spouses-to-be that outline how assets, debts, and alimony will be handled in the event of divorce. The only real difference is timing, with a prenuptial agreement being signed before marriage and a postnuptial agreement signed afterward.  Most often, post-nuptial agreements are drawn up when marital difficulties arise and the parties are not yet ready to divorce one another.  A postnuptial agreement can be a useful off-ramp if spouses think they are on the road to divorce.

A life-altering event, the termination of a marital union requires that specific legal procedures be followed. Our legal team is here to walk you through the process and all the related issues it entails.

Property Division

Divorce involves an equitable distribution of property under Pennsylvania law. An equitable distribution involves the fairest split of assets, not necessarily a 50/50 split. This includes the fair division of your home, vehicles, investments, retirement accounts, and shared property. Factors that are examined to determine an equitable distribution include the length of your marriage, the income of both parties, the valuation of separate property, and the standard of living established during the marriage.  Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements can override these general rules, which is why so many couples prefer them: it gives them more control over what can be a chaotic and unsettling process.

Child Custody and Support

Understandably, your child is your top priority. At Schaffranek & Foster, we help create custody arrangements and support agreements that take into account your family’s circumstances. In Pennsylvania, custody arrangements are determined through the best interests of the child standard, as stipulated by 23 Pa.C.S. §5328. Our legal team will help you understand the different custody options and discern which best meet your family’s needs.

Alimony or Spousal Support

Following a divorce, the lower-earning spouse may request that their partner provide them with financial support. Pennsylvania recognizes three forms of spousal financial support: spousal support (paid during separation, before a divorce complaint is filed), alimony pendente lite (paid during the divorce proceeding itself), and alimony (paid after the divorce is finalized). Generally, courts do not award alimony unless they find it necessary, weighing the factors listed in 23 Pa.C.S. §3701.

Gray Divorce

Gray divorce refers to individuals who divorce in what might otherwise be their retirement years. Gray divorce comes with additional challenges, requiring careful consideration of retirement plans, healthcare benefits, and accumulated assets. Since this type of divorce comes later in life, individuals have less time to rebuild financially.

LGBTQIA+ Divorce

The Commonwealth applies the same divorce laws to all married couples, including same-sex couples. However, unique documentation challenges may present if the couple was married in another state or entered into a civil union before the marriage was legalized. If you need assistance handling property division, child custody, and spousal support in a LGBTQIA+ divorce, do not hesitate to contact our office.

Adoption

Our Butler family law attorneys have worked with clients dealing with adoption, from grandparents adopting their grandchildren, stepparents adopting stepchildren, and everything in between. No matter what your family makeup is, we are here to guide you through the legal process.

Family Law Arbitration

In addition to experienced litigators, our legal team is also equipped to handle arbitration for family law matters. Family law arbitration involves an arbitrator hearing both sides of a dispute and rendering a binding decision. It is often less costly, time-consuming, and stressful, although both parties agree to waive their right to appeal the arbitrator’s decision.

Contact Our Butler County Family Law Attorneys Today

Family law matters can be emotionally draining, requiring that proper procedures be followed under certain time constraints. At Schaffranek & Foster, we know that you have a financial and emotional stake in the legal matter facing your family. As always, we are here to provide realistic advice while approaching each case with compassion. To schedule a meeting with one of our Butler County family law lawyers, contact us online or by calling (412) 643-3848 today.