Child & Spousal Support

Philadelphia Spousal Support (Alimony) and Child Support Lawyer

Since 1982, the Law Office of Lawrence J. Avallone has been providing clients with tailored family law representation. The attorneys and staff strive to help clients understand the different types of family maintenance as listed below. Contact the office to discuss any of your family law issues further with a member of the legal team.

Child Support

Whether two parents are seeking a divorce or have never been married, child support is an issue that needs to be addressed in order to financially provide for the children in a situation. The firm is dedicated to assisting individuals understand their rights and obligations regarding the payment of child support.

Until a child turns 18 or graduates from high school, child support is ordered according to a specific chart determined by Pennsylvania statute. This incorporates factors such as the income of the parents, and also takes into account special needs like day care, school tuition, music lessons, medical needs, and summer camp. However, post-secondary support is no longer required by law, largely due to the 1997 Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision In the Matter of Curtis V. Klein.

Paternity Actions

Paternity concerns also may arise before or during the course of child support proceedings. The lawyers at the firm can help you understand your rights to establish the correct paternity of the child by having genetic DNA testing done through the courts. Once paternity is established, the proper child support and child custody orders can be created.

Spousal Support

The firm has handled numerous spousal support matters and can effectively explain the process to clients on either side of the issue. Spousal support or alimony may be ordered by the court if one party to a divorce does not have sufficient income or assets to support him or herself. Spousal support may be rehabilitative, which means it is paid for a period of time to allow the spouse to get back on his or her feet or find employment following a divorce. In cases of disability due to a serious medical condition or mental health condition, permanent spousal maintenance may be ordered.

If the court determines that spousal support is necessary, the court bases the payment amount on many factors, including the parties' income potential, the assets awarded in the divorce, and other factors.

Most spousal support cases are first heard by a non-attorney worker in an office conference. This individual then attempts to settle the case. If this is not possible, the issue gets scheduled to be discussed in front of a support master who can make determinations regarding the amount of support.

The attorneys at the firm can also discuss specific spousal support related issues, such as the specific rules that regulate how to handle mortgage payments and high income cases where the Melzer Analysis is used.

• Another form of spousal support is called alimony pendente lite (alimony pending litigation). Though similar to spousal support, alimony pendente lite is support which is paid to one spouse by the other spouse during the divorce, if there is a disparity in income. Get in touch with the firm today to learn more about this type of spousal maintenance.

Contact a spousal and child support attorney at the Law Office of Lawrence J. Avallone today to learn more about these specific legal issues. The firm can also discuss matters such as earning capacity, deviation, and health insurance payments as related to child and spousal support.