Barnard Mezzanotte & Pinnie, lawyers in Media, PA, Pennsylvania

Special Visitation Problems

In a few states, statutes allow the court to consider in the initial custody decision which parent is likely to allow frequent and continuing contact with the other parent. Where the interference has been persistent or has involved hiding the child, the court may even transfer custody from one parent to the other. As a general rule, however, the court will not settle a dispute over visitation by transferring custody because modification may end up disrupting the child's stable home environment. More...

Parental Duties and Rights

Parental Duties * Support. A parent is legally required to provide food, clothing, shelter, and medical care for his or her child. A parent's duty to support a child ends when the child is no longer a minor (at age 18 in most states), the child gets married, the child leaves the parent's home and becomes self-sufficient, or the parent's parental rights are legally terminated. More...

Adoption and Safe Families Act - Overview

In 1997, the United States Congress passed the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA). The ASFA was enacted to modify and clarify certain requirements of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act, a federal law enacted in 1980, and the Family Preservation and Support Services Act, a federal law enacted in 1984. More...

Important Documents for an Elder Person to Possess

Although no one likes to think of death or incapacitation, individuals, especially elderly individuals should be prepared. There are several important documents for an elder person to have in their possession. More...

Hiring an Elder Law Attorney

With an aging population in the United States, elder law is becoming a recognized and specialized area of law. An elder law attorney focuses his or her practice on issues that effect the elderly population. More...