FAMILY LAW

This web site is designed for general information only.

The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

Attorneys who practice “family law” provide legal advice and assistance to individuals during some of the most difficult times of their lives. Specific areas of representation include marriage and relationship planning, divorce, child custody, and child support. When you are faced with an important life decision regarding a key family relationship, the advice and assistance of a knowledgeable family law attorney can prove crucial to your thorough understanding of the issues involved and your ultimate satisfaction with the outcome of your family law matter.

Marriage

Realistically, marriage is as much of a business relationship as it is a romantic relationship. For that reason, it is wise to consult with an attorney about the advantages of premarital or prenuptial agreements before marrying.

Divorce

Divorce is a method of terminating a marriage contract between two individuals. During the divorce process, “marital assets” as well as “marital debts” are divided. In many cases, divorcing spouses disagree as it concerns their post-marriage financial arrangements and the care and custody of their children. Property division, spousal and child support, and child custody are often hotly contested issues in divorce proceedings. Early advice from a competent family law attorney may be able to favorably impact the ultimate result in your divorce proceeding.

Child Custody and Visitation

Sometimes the parents agree on a custodial arrangement; sometimes, however, they cannot agree and what is in the “best interests of the children” must be decided by a Judge or a Custody Master. As a general rule (although it may not be appropriate in all cases) the courts favor shared child rearing responsibilities. The advice and assistance of a family law attorney can help you to establish child custody and visitation agreements that focus on the best interests of the children.

Child Support

Parents are legally obligated to financially support their children. An order for child support may be entered as soon as the parties are no longer residing together, whether or not they have ever married, or, if they have married, whether a divorce is pending or not. Either parent may be ordered to pay support depending upon how custody is arranged. As a parent you can benefit from the advice and involvement of a family law attorney when child support issues arise.

Adoption

Every adoption, whether foreign or domestic, requires the action and approval of a court to become final. Adopted children generally receive all the benefits afforded to natural children, and parents owe adopted children the same legal duties of care and support owed to a natural or birth child of the marriage. Both adoptive and birth parents can benefit from the sound legal advice throughout all phases of the adoption process.

The Law Office of Vanessa M. Nenni is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and serves clients in Northampton County, Lehigh County, Bucks County, Carbon County, Monroe County, and Berks County, including Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Jim Thorpe, Quakertown, Doylestown, Wilkes-Barre, Carbon, Reading, Lehighton, and throughout Lehigh Valley and Poconos.

Past President

Bar Association of Lehigh County