Treat Your Divorce Like a Business Transaction: Why Emotion Has No Place at the Negotiating Table in Pennsylvania
Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin

Treat Your Divorce Like a Business Transaction: Why Emotion Has No Place at the Negotiating Table in Pennsylvania

Divorce is one of the most emotionally charged events a person can experience. Anger, betrayal, grief, guilt — the emotional landscape is complex and can easily overwhelm good judgment. Yet when it comes to protecting your future, your assets, and your family’s well-being, emotion is your worst enemy.

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What Does Supervised Visitation Mean?
Family Law Brocton Skeen Family Law Brocton Skeen

What Does Supervised Visitation Mean?

Within child custody matters, sometimes a court will require visitation as a term of granting supervision to a parent or guardian. There are different types of visitation but one that is possible in Pennsylvania courts is supervised visitation.  

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What is “Child Custody?”
Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin

What is “Child Custody?”

Child custody in the state of Pennsylvania determines who has actual custodianship over a specific child. The person (or persons) with legal custody over the child has the right to make decisions in the best interest of the child pertaining to health, education, and religious decisions.

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Benefiting Your Family - Flat Fee Family Law
Family Law Brocton Skeen Family Law Brocton Skeen

Benefiting Your Family - Flat Fee Family Law

By now, you know The Skeen Firm wants to handle your Family Law matter on our Flat Fee platform. We get it; no divorce is fun. Custody battles are tough. And equitable distribution is often a complex challenge. That is why we have a flat fee approach; predictability is our first method of promoting stability.

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Shared Custody and Cell Phones
Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin

Shared Custody and Cell Phones

Cell phones may be a point of contention between parents who share custody of their children.  Which parent is going to buy the phone?  Will the cost be split evenly?  Prorated on the same portion as custodial time?  Which parent is responsible for monitoring the child’s activity on the cell phone? 

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Navigating Divorce in Washington County, Pennsylvania: Your Comprehensive Guide
Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin

Navigating Divorce in Washington County, Pennsylvania: Your Comprehensive Guide

Divorce is a life-altering event that can be emotionally and financially challenging.  If you find yourself going through a divorce in Washington County, PA (or anywhere, for that matter), then it is crucial for you to understand your rights and the legal process.  In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the key aspects of a divorce in Washington County, provide useful insights, and offer guidance to help you navigate this difficult time.

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So your marriage is coming to an end.  Now what? Part II
Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin

So your marriage is coming to an end. Now what? Part II

You’ve gotten over the initial shock of realizing that your marriage is over. Now what? Well, now you have some tough decisions to make starting with what do you want out of the divorce. Some preliminary matters to work though include who stays in the house, who gets physical custody of the children, who gets possession of the family pet, and how will the assets/debts be divided.

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Naughty or Nice - Custody Edition
Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin

Naughty or Nice - Custody Edition

The holiday season is upon us, and we’re just as excited about Santa’s arrival as you are! Did you know that Santa’s Naughty and Nice list isn’t only for children? That’s right. Santa’s also making a list of parents dealing with custody issues, and he’s checking it twice.

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Types of Custody in Pennsylvania
Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin

Types of Custody in Pennsylvania

Odds are when you think of custody, you think of physical custody — the person with whom the child resides. Did you know there are two types of custody with seven variations? At the most basic level, a Court will decide what is in the child’s best interest. This will include whether one or both parents have physical custody -- that is the time each parent should spend with the child. The Court will also decide whether it’s better for one or both parents to have legal custody.

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Custody Christmas Carol
Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin Family Law Crystal L. McLaughlin

Custody Christmas Carol

Christmas is right around the corner! Yikes! Maybe you’re in the group of folks who have already finished your shopping and have a mound of beautifully wrapped presents under your tree or maybe you’re in the “I shop on Christmas Eve” club and aren’t sweating the details just yet. Regardless of where you fall, you’ve most likely made all of your holiday arrangements and are looking forward to spending some quality time with your family. If you share custody of your children with your ex, maybe you’re counting down the hours or days until you see your children for Christmas.

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