At The Kulick Law Firm, LLC, our family law attorneys help our clients navigate the complex emotional and legal issues that arise in family law and domestic relations matters. Our lawyers are dedicated to easing your burden by providing thoughtful legal advice consistent with the highest ethical standards. Together, we have more than 20 years of experience practicing family law. We will listen carefully as you describe your situation, then formulate a plan to meet your goals.

Based in Exeter, Pennsylvania, we represent people throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. Our clients are hard-working people undergoing a significant life transition. We help by providing stability and sound legal advice during times of uncertainty.

Our domestic relations practice includes divorce and child custody, spousal support and child support issues, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and adoption.

Divorce & Child Custody

Deciding to end a marriage is difficult, and choices you make today will have lifelong consequences, but you don’t need to make these decisions alone.

Our family law attorneys will listen carefully, present your options, and make a plan to protect your interests.

Spousal Support

In Pennsylvania, there are three types of support orders the court can issue:

• Spousal Support is paid after separation but before a divorce.
• Alimony Pendente Lite is paid after the divorce is filed but before it is finalized.
• Alimony is paid once the divorce is finalized.

Typically, the higher-earning spouse will be ordered to pay support. When making a spousal support determination, the court has broad discretion and will consider the following factors:

• The parties’ present earnings and earning capacity;
• The age and physical, mental, and emotional condition of the parties;
• Sources of income of both parties, including medical, retirement, insurance, or other benefits;
• Expectancies and inheritances;
• The length of the marriage;
• Whether one spouse contributed to the other party’s education, training, or increased earning power;
• The standard of living established in the marriage;
• The education of each party;
• The assets, liabilities, and property in the marriage or owned individually;
• Contributions as a homemaker during the marriage;
• The relative needs of the parties;
• Tax ramifications of the spousal support award; and
• Marital misconduct.

Child Support

If you are seeking a divorce and have minor children, the court may also issue a child support order. Child support is a court-ordered payment from the “non-custodial parent” to the “custodial parent.” In Pennsylvania, all parents have a legal duty to financially support their minor children. Payments are made to support and provide for the needs of the child, including medical care and child care needs. These orders may be issued in addition to the spousal support or alimony pendente lite order.

Child support is calculated based on the number of children who need support and the income of the parents, and assume that the custodial parent is already spending money to support the child. The court can increase or decrease the child support award based on the following factors:

• Unusual needs and unusual fixed obligations;
• Other support obligations;
• Other household income;
• The age of the child;
• Assets and liabilities of the parents;
• Medical expenses;
• Standard of living, and
• Other factors, including the best interests of the child.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

A pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement is a contract entered into by a couple before or during their marriage. These contracts often address issues of asset distribution in the event of divorce or death. They can be used to provide greater financial awards to children from a previous marriage or to safeguard assets when one spouse brings significantly more assets to the relationship than the other.

For a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement to be enforceable, there are strict laws that apply. Our lawyers can guide you through this process and represent you if a dispute arises as to the enforcement of the agreement.

Adoption

Many different legal issues can arise if you plan to adopt a child into your home. We can help.

There are four general types of adoption:

• Private Adoption involves an arrangement between you and the birth parents. Family adoption, such as a stepparent or grandparent adoption, also falls into this category.
• Agency Adoptions involve placement through an adoption agency.
• Interstate Adoption laws apply if you wish to adopt a child who resides outside of Pennsylvania. You must comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, and you will need approval from the birth parent’s state.
• International Adoption includes any adoption in which the adoptive child was born in and/or lives in a country other than the United States. In these cases, you must meet agency and federal requirements, and secure U.S. citizenship for your child.

Different procedures apply depending on the type of adoption you are considering and the circumstances of the child and their birth parents.

Our lawyers can help you understand the laws that apply to each type of adoption and guide you through the process.

The Kulick Law Firm: Legal Help to Move You Forward

The Kulick Law Firm offers a full range of family law services to help our hard-working clients navigate family law and domestic relations issues.

Our clients come to us during difficult and stressful times. We provide peace of mind by guiding you through the legal process and protecting your future.

We invite you to meet our team of family law attorneys and read testimonials from other clients. Then contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help.