The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every facet of our lives. With many people still out of work, some are struggling to figure out how they are going to make rent while putting food on their tables. This became even more of a reality knowing that the Governor’s temporary ban on evictions and foreclosures ended
Senior year is a rite of passage for high school students and is typically filled with special memories like prom, celebrations with friends, and of course, that walk across the stage signifying the culmination of 12 years of hard work. For the 2020 graduates, though, this year has been anything but typical.
Front yards
As if the fears and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus aren’t enough, many parents may find themselves having to balance concern for their children’s health with their current custody agreement. How do you keep what is best for your children at heart when navigating decisions about custody during COVID-19?
Open conversation between both parents is the
If you’ve been watching the news or checking social media at all over the past few weeks, you already know that Americans will be receiving a stimulus payment (economic relief payment) to help ease the financial burden caused by COVID-19. How you filed your last tax return will determine both the payment amount and the
Every year, the stroke of midnight on December 31 brings with it a host of resolutions and the promise of changes for the new year. In light of this, NBC News ended 2018 with an article highlighting some interesting new laws taking effect across the country in 2019. One city will see a change in what to expect from take-out orders, and one state will have a much more difficult choice of what beer to buy in grocery and convenience stores. Sorry, the last one is not Pennsylvania!
One state is even taking an interesting approach in trying to increase its dwindling population. Vermont is offering $10,000 to those employed by out of state employers who are willing to make the move. If Ben and Jerry’s and maple syrup are your thing, and your job allows you the opportunity to work remotely, then pack your bags!
Continue Reading Ringing in the New Year with Alimony Tax Changes, Pet Custody, Moving to Vermont, and More!
Christmas is typically filled with tradition. Maybe you head to the Christmas Eve service followed by dinner at grandmas. Or maybe it’s Christmas Eve with the In-laws and Christmas day with your parents. But if you share custody of your kids, traditions may be difficult to maintain and could possibly even have to change.
A typical custody schedule issued by the Court includes a holiday schedule laying out with which parent the kids will spend each holiday. Most often, the holidays included are Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Some parents may rotate holidays on an every other year basis. Others split each holiday into two separate periods of custody. When it comes to Christmas, the norm is that one parent has the child Christmas Eve through Christmas morning with the other parent having the remainder of Christmas day to celebrate the holiday with their kids. This can be quite the adjustment for both the parents and kids alike. For some tips on how to make the change a little easier on all involved, check out my post from last year.
Ideally, you can create a new tradition that is flexible to your changing schedule. I was fortunate in that my family was more than happy to help create new traditions. While my aunt always cooked Christmas Eve, and my mother Christmas day, we changed it up to help make the day more enjoyable and special for the kids. Our new tradition is that whichever day the kids are at our house, we host Christmas dinner and whoever can make it is welcome. And my mom and aunt take turns cooking dinner when the kids aren’t with us.
Continue Reading Custody and The Holidays
The holidays are typically a joyous time spent with family, but following a divorce or separation, the idea of not being able to spend every minute with your children can put a damper on your holiday spirit.
Speaking from experience, Christmas with your children following a divorce doesn’t have to be that different. And more importantly, both you and your children will make it through just fine!
Here are a few tips that may help to make this an easier transition for both parents and kids.
Continue Reading Holiday Custody Issues
The Today show announced this week that Matt Lauer has been fired after nearly 24 years on the show following an allegation made by a colleague of “inappropriate sexual behavior.” I won’t bother linking to any of the news stories as you’ve probably already seen quite a few on this subject. What made this story more shocking was that Lauer’s termination came less than 48 hours after the allegation was made. This swift reaction demonstrates how attitudes in the public arena regarding workplace misconduct are beginning to shift. But power can be exploited at all levels, which is why it’s imperative that every business owner, large or small, is aware of the laws and their responsibility to maintain a workplace that is free of sexual harassment. An Associated Press article posted on Lancaster Online this morning discusses how Failing to address harassment allegations can cost employers.
This blog is the first in a series focusing on sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace. Follow up posts will look at what’s important from the employer’s view, the employee’s and that of the accused. As we become more comfortable having open discussion about workplace conduct, employers and employees need to learn more about this problem. A key starting point for this discussion is the understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment.
Continue Reading Employers and Employees: Do You Understand the Law and Sexual Harassment?
By now you should have received your final assessment for your home’s value. After opening the dreaded notice, it likely goes one of two ways – hopefully, the assessment is accurate and it’s no big deal, but if your jaw hit the floor, don’t fret, we are here to help!
Over the past few months we have posted a series of blog articles explaining the reassessments and outlining the process of an appeal. Now that the time has come, here’s what you need to know in a nutshell.
If you fail to provide the documentation you need to substantiate your appeal, your appeal will undoubtedly be denied. No harm, no foul, right? I mean you didn’t have to pay the $40 appeal fee. Well, chances are that if you had just put some time and effort into researching what you need and gathering enough evidence, you would be enjoying a lower value and tax bill.
Continue Reading Lancaster County Assessment Notices are Out…Now What?
Today is National Superhero Day. Earlier this month I had the opportunity to accompany one of the partners of the firm to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. As a young attorney who has not yet had the opportunity to argue at the Superior Court, this was an exciting day for me and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Attorney Holly Filius’ argument of an appeal of a custody order in front of a panel of three Superior Court Judges was professional but fairly uneventful. However, as we were leaving we happened upon a group of individuals dressed as superheroes on the Capitol steps. So what do you do when you run into superheroes after a Superior Court argument? Have your picture taken with them, of course!
The definition of a superhero according to Webster:
a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also: an exceptionally skillful or successful person
Based on this definition, many of you often function as superheroes in some capacity in your life. You also probably know, live or work with someone who behaves each and every day as a superhero. Although she did not have a cape, mask or colorful costume, Holly’s skillful presentation at Superior Court made her a superhero for her client that day.
Continue Reading Superheroes of the Pennsylvania Superior Court