Sheryl R Rentz

There are four main types of alimony in Pennsylvania: permanent alimony, rehabilitative alimony, limited duration alimony and reimbursement alimony. Alimony is the amount of payment by one spouse to another following a divorce. The amount always varies depending on several types of circumstances and upon the ruling of the family court.

The two main types of child custody in Pennsylvania are legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody means that you have the right to make all decisions regarding what school your child goes to, where they obtain healthcare from and even where they live. Physical custody means where the child or children reside and when. You can file a motion for primary physical custody or shared physical custody and those options have their specific laws as well.

The most common situation involving child support is when one parent does not pay his or her required amount to the other parent. Any amount owed in back payments of child support are known as arrearages and the parent who does not pay them can face punishments that include jail time, driving license and passport suspension, bank account seizure, reporting of failure to pay to credit agencies, seizures of certain incomes and properties and many others.

Divorce carries with it serious legal ramifications that could be financially costly for many years to come. Furthermore, if children are involved then the issue becomes even more complex. While some divorces end without a trial in front of a Judge, many divorce situations involve rigorous negotiations. Preparing for a divorce is a complicated matter consisting of many separate legal elements that can either help or hurt you, depending on if or when you file the proper paperwork.