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.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! We look forward to serving and achieving our client's goals in 2021.
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.
The Skeen Firm 2020 Holiday Primer
This holiday season is unlike any we have seen. But as we move through the various holidays recognized in December it is important to remember their purpose. Charity, humanity, and family are the reason the holidays exist in the first place.
Small Business Formation Basics - Tax Considerations
Most small business owners wonder what they can do to decrease their taxes. The best answer for all small business owners is simple: Focus on growing revenue and you will find taxes will not matter. Following this philosophy is all the more important for start-ups. In the first five years of business, growth can fix most issues. Growth, not decreased taxes, is the lifeblood of your business.
Thinking About Divorce?
Check out The Skeen Firm’s divorce guide. Contact us today at info@theskeenfirm.com or 724-550-6970 if you have questions about your unique situation.
Spousal Support Seasons in Pennsylvania
They say to everything there is a season. The same can be said for your divorce. There are three seasons to a divorce: pre-, pending, and post-divorce. Just as each season in life has its own set of characteristics, each divorce season has its own type of support.
How to Keep the 4th of July From Blowing Up in Your Face: A Holiday Primer
As we approach the Fourth of July weekend, it is important to remember that we’re celebrating the birth of American independence. The weather forecast looks great, so enjoy some time with your family outdoors!
The Skeen Firm Opens Cranberry Township Office
We are pleased to announce The Skeen Firm has expanded by opening an office in Cranberry Township on July 1, 2020. This move furthers our mission of providing everyday legal services for the everyday resident of southwestern Pennsylvania. We look forward to serving clients in Butler and Beaver Counties.
Pulled Over for Suspected DUI? The Importance of Understanding Both Miranda and O’Connell Warnings in Relation to Implied Consent
While you’ve heard of the Miranda warnings, do you know what the O’Connell warnings are? The O’Connell warnings are read when an officer arrests you for suspected DUI and requests you submit to a chemical test to determine the amount of alcohol or detect the presence of a controlled substance in your system
Crystal L. McLaughlin Joins The Skeen Firm as a Partner
Washington, Pennsylvania: The Skeen Firm PLLC today announced that Crystal Lee McLaughlin will be joining The Firm as a Partner, chairing the Family Law and Criminal Law practices, effective May 7, 2020.
The PPP Compliance Puzzle
Few things are certain in these unprecedent times. One thing is. Forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is likely subject to heightened scrutiny. What are some steps small businesses can take now to ensure proper PPP compliance?
LLC filings are easy and cheap—true protection is priceless.
You filed Articles of Organization for your own LLC, saving yourself a lot of money. Great! Now you can run the business of your dreams without the fear of impact to your personal assets. Well, not completely.
152 Reasons to Call Us if You Have an Old Oil and Gas Lease
Thank you for your attention. Note: this article does not contain 152 separate reasons to call if you have an old oil and gas lease, only one. That reason is Act 152 of 2014 (Act 152), or the Recording of Surrender Documents form Oil and Gas Lease Act. Act 152 requires Lessees to provide a surrender document to Leasors when an oil and gas lease expires. While plain in intent, Act 152 can get blurry in execution.
PPP Guidance Changes
SECURE Act - Searching for a Stretch
The SECURE Act, short for Securing Every Community Up for Retirement Act of 2019, took effect in January 2020. Congress’ intent in passing the SECURE Act was to expand retirement options, particularly 401(k)s through small businesses and for part-time employees. Further, it opens avenues to protect retirement income by offering annuities through 401(k) plans. This means….Other improvements include postponing the required minimum distribution (RMD) age to 72. It also allows traditional IRA owners to make contributions indefinitely. All of these changes are geared to help Americans grow and preserve their retirement accounts.
Essential Estate Planning - The Legal House Protecting Your Family
A house and a sound estate plan have tremendous similarities that do not immediately meet the eye. Both are comprised of a firm foundation to build on, solid walls to protect all sides, and a roof to shelter when the proverbial sky is falling. But a house is a legitimate structure and an estate plan is just a bunch of legal documents with no foundation, walls, or a roof. What gives? The analogy unfolds below.
The CARES Act and Doing Our Part
The breakdown below is provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. If you have questions regarding the eligibility of your small business or just general questions regarding your small business give us a call at 724-550-6970. We are all in this together and must do our part to help each other succeed.
Know Your Exit
Modern business conversations focus heavily on Start-Ups, thanks in large part to the success and rapid growth of many young companies. For each new successful IPO that comes to market there are a multitude of ventures that simply fall short. Often the main reason for this failure is a lack of exit strategy. All new businesses start with a big hairy audacious goal (BHAG), then funnel that into a vision, then a mission, and ultimately a business strategy against which they will execute. Few, however, contemplate how to exit and truly generate ROI for investors.
Your General Counsel - Start-Up
Start-ups and new cycle businesses face unique legal issues as they grow. Our Your General Counsel - Start-up services provide expedient answers/solutions to help new business owners focus on what they do best, grow their business. Our role is that of a strategic business partner, instead of a mere project attorney, shifting the focus for our business objectives to yours. For those businesses not ready for ongoing services ask about our flat fee pricing, so you know your upfront costs.