Power of Attorney (POA)

Divorce and custody battles can be emotionally challenging and legally complex. At Lyons Law, we understand the difficulties you face during this sensitive time. Our mission is to provide you with personalized guidance and support, helping you navigate the legal aspects while prioritizing your well-being and the best interests of your children.

In Pennsylvania, child support may be owed from one parent (or caretaker) to the other depending on their incomes. The parent with primary custody of the child/children is entitled to child support. If parents share joint custody 50-50, the parent making less money may also be entitled to some child support as well.

As a family law attorney licensed in Pennsylvania, I often counsel clients on the benefits of a prenuptial agreement. A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract that couples can enter into before they get married, which sets out how their assets and debts will be divided in the event of a divorce or separation.

In Pennsylvania, adoptions can be completed through the state's Department of Human Services or through licensed private agencies, including attorneys. Adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old and capable of providing a safe and stable home for a child. The birth parents' rights must be terminated before the adoption can be finalized. A home study and background checks are required for all adoptive parents. Adoptive parents may also be required to complete parenting classes or other educational requirements. The adoption process can be complex, and it is recommended that prospective adoptive parents work with an attorney who specializes in adoption law.

Don't put your loved ones in an impossible position of trying to guess your health care wishes. Draft your living will and your exact and specific health care wishes will be known by your health care agents, and in turn, followed by any health care providers. In Pennsylvania, a living will can be updated by creating a new document that revokes any previous living wills. You may also destroy the previous living will if you wish.

Child custody evaluations are used in *some* custody cases, but seem to be less and less present in recent years. Child custody evaluations are done by a licensed psychologist usually in the county in which the custody hearing is being heard (or a nearby county). Most counties have a list of custody evaluators that they have commonly used. This process, although lengthy and usually costly, is usually a very good way to have a non-biased third party professional take a deep-dive into the custody matter, including interviewing both parents (or all parties involved), the children, and other professionals and important people in the children's' lives. They often get input from collateral sources, other mental health professionals, doctors, teachers, etc.

The United States, like most of the world, is in a state of flux. Courts are closed, except for emergency hearings. Attorneys are mostly working from home. Meetings are being held by phone and video conferencing. The main goal is for everyone to stay HEALTHY. However, life still goes on. What happens when the world around you is shutting down, but your family is still dealing with custody issues?