Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

Marital dissatisfaction and the decision to divorce

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in family law on Monday, April 8, 2019.

When it comes to marriages, every couple is different. Some married couples are able to happily live together for the rest of their lives, while others may find that things are not working out several months after they tied the knot. There are so many reasons why marriages fall apart, from spousal abuse and financial hardships to difficulties associated with raising children, an affair or even just incompatibility. When someone is dissatisfied in their marriage, they may try to work things out through counseling. Others may have no desire in trying to repair their marriage, or these attempts may prove unfruitful.

Whether you are dissatisfied in your current marriage or your spouse wants to split up because they are not happy, we know that this can be an incredibly overwhelming position to find yourself in. Sometimes, people feel a sense of hopelessness when these challenges arise, but it is crucial to stay focused and positive, especially since there may be a great deal at stake. For example, the way in which custody is awarded and the financial effects of the divorce process could have a huge impact on your future.

Homes stolen through deed fraud

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in Residential Real Estate on Monday, March 25, 2019.

In early February of 2019, NBC Philadelphia announced that stolen homes through deed fraud was on the rise. In fact, reports say there was a 70 percent spike in the number of people in Philadelphia who alleged that they were victims of deed fraud. While this crime is certainly not unique to Pennsylvania, the high increase prompted a crackdown.

Perhaps, one of the most disheartening findings is that low-income communities are disproportionately affected by this crime. People of color and the elderly were also identified as key targets. Additionally, homes that owners left unoccupied were particularly vulnerable.

When can quiet title actions be used?

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in quiet title on Friday, March 8, 2019.

Property owners use quiet title actions for all sorts of disputes. In many cases when ownership of a property is contested, a Pennsylvania resident may file a quiet title action in court to obtain undisputed ownership of the property. These actions are used to clear away any doubt as to who owns the property, and can involve contesting the claims of other parties or simply demonstrating that no other party has a valid claim to the property.

Per the Legal Dictionary, quiet title actions can be brought if the parties involved dispute the boundaries of the property. You might have an opposing party who claims ownership over several square feet of the property. You might even find over the course of the legal contest that the initial survey of the property was in error, or you could know there were problems with the survey to begin with and filed the action on that basis.

The basics for commercial real estate loans

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

Buying real estate for a new company? Or are you renovating a property you already have? Both options require large sums of money - most likely through a commercial real estate loan. And these loans need more attention due to their lengthy process.

Luckily, commercial real estate loans are not another hurdle in your business plan. All you need is the right information about the loans and your business, and you will find a plan that meets your interests and the bank's terms.

Prepare to buy a home with these helpful tips

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in Residential Real Estate on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

When people in Pennsylvania are preparing to purchase a home for the first time, they may be apprehensive to make any major decisions on their own. Often, these concerns stem from inexperience in transferring the title of such a significant investment or perhaps they honestly are unsure of where to begin. Being a bit familiarized with some general suggestions can be beneficial as people prepare for the exciting steps of becoming homebuyers.

One of the most important parts of buying a home for a majority of people is finding one that meets each of their requirements to support the needs of their lifestyle and home life. However, people should remember that finding the "perfect" home is a bit of an illusion. Often, people will need to narrow down their criteria and be flexible to find the property that checks the most boxes on their list.

Financial problems and family law

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in family law on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.

People experience financial hardships for a myriad of reasons, including the loss of a job and a health problem that seemingly came from nowhere. Unfortunately, these financial problems can do far more than cause daily life to become difficult from a financial point of view. Unfortunately, they can also leave a non-custodial parent unable to pay child support, prevent someone from moving forward with a divorce due to legal costs, result in missed alimony payments and cause a variety of other challenges. If you are going through a tough time financially, or anticipate these problems in the near future, it is important to focus on the potential impact with respect to family law.

Those who are struggling financially may have some options that necessitate closer review. For example, someone who cannot pay their child support could have the option to modify their child support order due to major financial challenges they are facing. A spousal support order may also be modified under certain circumstances. Moreover, those who have fallen behind may be able to set up a payment plan in order to take care of their obligations.

What to do if owners cannot agree to sell

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

People disagree all the time, whether it’s the type of soda to drink or the type of house they should buy. Everyone wants or expects something slightly different. The same is true with two owners of property – they may agree or disagree on what should be done.For example, a mother is drafting her will and decides to leave her farm to her two sons, John and Jason. When the mother passes, both Jason and John are equal owners of the family farm. Jason wants to sell the farm and split the profits while John wants to move into the farm.

What if you are struggling to pay your mortgage?

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in Residential Real Estate on Friday, January 25, 2019.

While owning a home is a sign of success, being unable to keep up with mortgage payments can feel like you are failing. If your family's financial situation is different than when you first purchased your home, you have to make tough decisions in order to stay afloat. To help struggling homeowners, there are programs in Pennsylvania that can help prevent foreclosure.

According to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, your first step if you are having difficulty paying your mortgage is to contact the company that services the loan. If you get in touch with them early on, they will often be able to work with you to restructure payments. The servicer may also issue an Act 91 Notice, which allows you to apply for a loan through the Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program. If you apply in a timely manner, your mortgage company cannot take action related to foreclosure.

Buying a home with your parents

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates on Sunday, January 20, 2019.

American society has a specific perspective on how living as an adult goes. You move out of your parents’ home, find the love of your life and start a home of your own. However, more people are deviating from the status quo.

The New York Times recently reported a growth of multigenerational households across the United States. There is a current estimation of 64 million Americans living in a multigenerational home – a house where two or more adult generations live together.

Approaching your divorce with the right attitude

On behalf of Avallone Law Associates posted in family law on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

Divorce can be very hard in a number of ways, from the financial burdens associated with ending a marriage (paying alimony or child support, distributing marital property, etc.) to those which affect a child's daily life as well as their future. Understandably, some people become overwhelmed when they even think about splitting up with their spouse, whether they were the one who chose to end the marriage, or their spouse announced that they will be filing a divorce petition. If you are struggling with any divorce-related matters, it is crucial to approach your divorce with the right attitude.

Some people can become depressed, overly stressed out or even angry when it comes to divorce. However, these negative emotions can interfere with their ability to work through the challenges they face efficiently. By managing negative emotions better, you could be able to give yourself a better chance of securing a favorable outcome. You should try to stay focused and positive, even though that can be difficult at times. Moreover, an optimistic outlook on your circumstances may be beneficial as well, even if you are facing some tough problems at the moment.