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Archives for February 2014

Feb 28, 2014

Someone Called Social Services on Me

Cooperating with Child Protection Services can be akin to cooperating with the police in a case against you. Don’t do it. That said, if Social Services comes knocking at your door, be calm, polite, respectful, and don’t offer a single piece of additional information. Remember, they are there to ferret out neglect or abuse. Don’t even let them in the door, even if you have done nothing wrong.

Before they leave, make sure to find out what allegations are outstanding against you. Write the allegations down, or better yet, record them via audio or videotape. Sometimes, a visit such as this can be so upsetting that you may not remember exactly what was said.

Remember, you are not alone. Many, many people have gotten caught in the snare of Social Services net when they have done nothing wrong or have made an honest mistake. In trying to explain a misunderstanding, they have wound up having a child taken away from them on the basis of false allegations or a misinterpretation or misunderstanding.

Social Services workers are often acting from an anonymous tip. For example, a neighbor may hear loud crying and decide something is going on and call Social Services. In the case of an anonymous tip, the Social Services or Child Protect Worker has no actual information other than that tip — unless you provide them with information that can be used against you.

Please note that even if a CPS investigator knocks at your door, you do not even have to let the investigator in your house unless they show you a search warrant. You retain all your constitutional rights – exercise them. Having an attorney who is experienced in handling situations involving social services can provide you with the protection you need to keep your family together. It can also provide badly needed reassurance during a frightening time.

Need Protection Against Social Services? Skilled Jenkintown Child Custody and Family Law Attorney

Are you concerned about how to protect yourself and your right to parent your children through a Social Services investigation? Find out more about your rights and how to safeguard your family. To schedule a completely confidential consultation with a knowledgeable and caring family law attorney at Joanne E. Kleiner & Associates, in Jenkintown, PA, please call 215-886-1266 or you can fill out our intake form and we will contact you.

Keeping you focused on the big picture and the issues that matter most. Joanne E. Kleiner & Associates. We serve clients throughout Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia counties, and the surrounding areas in matters involving Social Services, Child Protection, child custody, support, divorce, and other family law matters.

Feb 21, 2014

Should I Stay In Or Leave the Marital Home?

In the past, it was often the husband who left the marital home, handing it to his wife and kids. This is not the case anymore. There is no automatic who gets the home these days. One thing, though, is certain: if you leave the marital home, you may never get back into that house.

Don’t leave your home unless you have a clear understanding of the potential impact of such a move, both on your today and in your future. Discussing your situation with an attorney experienced in handling divorce can be quite prudent.

When people are strapped financially and the house is underwater, one or the other soon to be ex-spouse may not be able to afford to keep up with the mortgage alone and the house cannot be sold for a reasonable price. In a situation like this, the two divorcing parties may decide to try a nesting arrangement. This means that both people will still live in the house and continue to share mortgage and housing costs, because neither can afford to buy the other out or pay the mortgage on his or her own. However, if you seriously do not get along this can be an extremely difficult situation to put yourself in, especially if you want to truly start over and put the past behind you.

Out of House – Restraining Order Easier to Obtain

It will be harder for a spouse to obtain a restraining order that puts you out of the house if you are living in the house. However, if you have left the house, it can be a lot easier for your spouse to change the locks and then to slap a restraining order on you, preventing you from even approaching your home.

Issues Arising If You Leave the Home But Your Name’s on the Mortgage

If you do leave the marital home, and your home is underwater and your name is on the mortgage, you could be held accountable for the mortgage or any problems connected to a short sale gone wrong.

Situations like this have occurred: the couple is divorcing and the house is underwater. One party wants to have a short sale. The other party refuses. Let’s say Angie moves out but Darren continues to live there, without paying the mortgage. Angie, because her name is also on the mortgage, arranges a short sale, but when the sale is meant to go through, Darren refuses to leave.

Angie, then, is about to get sued. However, her ex, Darren, finally agrees to leave if she pays him several thousand dollars. Not fair, not right, but situations like these happen all the time.

Get Answers About Whether to Stay or Leave the Marital Home While Divorcing. Skilled Jenkintown Child Support and Family Law Attorney

If you going through a separation and divorce and uncertain whether to stay in your marital home or leave it, discussing your situation with an experienced divorce lawyer can help you understand your options and chart a path through divorce that will help you get started post divorce on sound footing.

Find out more about pros and cons relating to divorce and staying or leaving the marital home. To schedule a completely confidential consultation with a knowledgeable and caring family law attorney at Joanne E. Kleiner & Associates, in Jenkintown, PA, please call 215-886-1266 or you can fill out our intake form and we will contact you.

Keeping you focused on the big picture and the issues that matter most… Joanne E. Kleiner & Associates. We serve clients throughout Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia counties, and the surrounding areas in matters involving Social Services, Child Protection, child custody, support, divorce, and other family law matters.

Feb 12, 2014

She Claims I’m the Father of Her Child

Being informed that you are the father of a child or are going to be a father can be an extremely upsetting experience if you aren’t expecting it. Before you sign on as the baby’s daddy, take a few deep breaths and know that there are straightforward ways to protect your rights and determine whether you are, or are not, the biological parent of the child in question.

Taking the Paternity Test

If someone you know is claiming that you are the father of her child, even if the child is unborn, take a paternity test to determine whether this is indeed the case. The mother or mother-to-be in question can go through the court to order you to take a paternity test, so it may behoove you to take one on your own and clear the matter up as soon as possible.

It’s important that when you do take the paternity test, you purchase the legally binding paternity test, rather than a simple “informational” test. The legal one will hold up in a court of law. The paternity test will determine clearly whether you are the biological father of the baby in question.

Please note that if you are not married to the woman in question yet have been paying child support, signed an acknowledgement of paternity at the birth of the child or at some point later on, you could potentially be held accountable and responsible as the child’s father – even if the paternity is not yours.

Paternity Questions? Skilled Jenkintown Child Support and Divorce Attorney

Just because someone is claiming you are the father of her child, does not mean it is so. Before you allow yourself to sign any papers or start paying any support, discuss your situation and learn your rights with an experienced paternity and family law attorney at Joanne E. Kleiner & Associates, in Jenkintown, PA.

To schedule a confidential consultation with family law attorney Joanne Kleiner, please call 215-886-1266 or you can fill out our intake form and we will contact you.

Keeping you focused on the big picture and the issues that matter most…Joanne E. Kleiner & Associates. We serve clients throughout Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia counties, and the surrounding areas.

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