Greensburg Pennsylvania Legal Blog

When should you revise your will?

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in wills on Friday, November 16, 2018.

There are many advantages when it comes to setting up a will, such as providing yourself with peace of mind knowing that your estate will be managed properly in the future and ensuring that are distributed among your loved ones as you wish. However, it may be necessary to revise your will at certain points in your life. We discussed how divorce can necessitate the revision of an estate plan, but there are other reasons why you may need to make changes to your will. For example, you may lose a family member or experience major financial changes.

If someone you love passes away, such as a spouse, you may need to find a new executor or change the way in which your assets are split up. You may also need to revisit your will after the birth of a child, or perhaps you want to change how your estate will be distributed among beneficiaries because of one family member's problems with drugs or gambling. Furthermore, you might need to revise your will following a devastating injury that reshapes the rest of your life from a financial standpoint. Whether you cannot work anymore, have to take on massive medical debt or obtain a large sum of money due to a settlement, this could affect your state plan in numerous ways.

What is the Pennsylvania point system?

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in traffic tickets on Monday, November 12, 2018.

When you get a driver's license in Pennsylvania, you agree to abide by the laws of the road. If you break them, you face legal consequences. Besides fines and possible driver's license suspension, moving violations also may add points to your driver's license record, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The points are set for different types of violations. The idea behind them is to keep the roads safer and to encourage good driving. You can get up to six points before the state takes action. Once you reach six points, you face further punishment under the law. What may happen depends on whether this is your first time reaching six points or not.

How should I discipline my child after a divorce?

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in child custody on Sunday, November 11, 2018.

Divorced parents in Greensburg often have a hard time with discipline. You might feel like your child is acting out over the demise of your marriage, which can result in leniency when it comes to rules. You may also have issues with your former spouse when it comes to parenting style, which can make the process that much more difficult. To help you navigate disciplinary issues post-divorce, Parents offers the following advice.

Don’t skimp on the rules

3 estate planning mistakes to avoid

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in estate administration & probate on Sunday, November 4, 2018.

While the worst mistake a person can make is having no estate plan in place at all, many other mistakes will prevent your estate from being administered correctly, or they can even harm your loved ones or cause contention in your family. Along with professional legal guidance, the following tips can help you create a solid plan that your family can live with.

According to U.S. News & World Report, many people neglect to update their beneficiary designations on their financial accounts and retirement plans. Even if there is language in your will that states who you would like these proceeds to go to, if the beneficiary designations don’t match your final wishes may not be granted. Make sure you update all documents when making changes to your will or trust. Also, it’s a good idea to review your estate plan every few years to make sure it still reflects your wishes.

Finding out that your spouse wants to divorce

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in Divorce on Friday, October 19, 2018.

Divorce can be a challenging process for various reasons, from legal issues related to custody or child support to the amount of time one can spend in the courtroom. For some people, divorce can be difficult because it was completely unexpected, and their marital partner filed a divorce petition without discussing the matter beforehand. If your marital partner recently filed for a divorce and you are unsure of what to do next, it is crucial to review your circumstances immediately.

The outcome of a divorce could have an impact on your life in multiple ways. You may secure sole custody of your child or you may have to struggle for your visitation rights. You might be receiving child support payments, or you could have the responsibility of paying child support and/or alimony. Property division, parental relocation and many other divorce-related issues can also create challenges.

Estate planning from a parent’s perspective

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in estate administration & probate on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

People set up estate plans for different reasons. Some people wish to support a cause they strongly believe in by passing down assets, while others want to ensure that their marital partner will have the financial resources they need should they become widowed. However, estate planning matters can be especially important for parents. As a parent, you likely have a number of concerns when it comes to your child’s future, but there may be certain ways to find reassurance that they will have the resources they need, such as including them in your estate plan.

First of all, it is absolutely essential to make sure that you figure out which type of estate plan will be best for your child. There are many options and it can feel overwhelming, but you should be able to review your personal circumstances and identify the best option. Doing so can provide you with peace of mind and may help your child get through a very tough time in the future after they lose a parent.

How should you handle custody on Halloween?

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in child custody on Friday, October 12, 2018.

Halloween is a popular holiday among children, for obvious reasons: The candy, the costumes, the fun and the family time. For children of divorced parents, however, the Halloween season can be fraught. Their Halloween now comes with the many complications of divorce. They must spend the holiday with only one parent, with their step-siblings or with their parents’ new partner.

Parents can help their children cope by considering a few important tips regarding child custody on Halloween.

Divorce injunctions protect you from domestic violence

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. on Friday, October 12, 2018.

Divorce constitutes an emotional process for all parties involved. Especially for spouses that have experienced domestic violence throughout their marriage, they may feel concerned about the actions of their spouse when they file a divorce petition in Florida. An action of injunction can offer victims and potential victims peace of mind through protection against any altercation involving their spouse.

Injunctions ensure that retaliation does not exist between spouses during the divorce process. Even if a spouse has not experienced domestic violence during their marriage, they may have the opportunity to petition for an injunction if they feel their safety is in danger. When going through the separation process, especially when the process involves animosity and stress, you may wish to seek the expertise of a family law attorney. These attorneys are versed in injunctions, and they can help you petition for protection during your divorce.

Talking with family members about your will after a divorce

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in estate administration & probate on Friday, October 5, 2018.

The end of a marriage can have an impact on an entire family in many ways. For example, in-laws may no longer see their loved one’s former spouse and kids may spend less time with one of their parents. There are other ways in which filing for a divorce can affect loved ones, however. For example, someone who has a will may need to make a number of revisions to their estate plan after they move on from their spouse. Moreover, it may be necessary to discuss your estate plan with relatives after your divorce.

Sometimes, people need to remove their ex-spouse from their estate plan. For example, they may have given their former spouse the responsibility to manage the estate after they pass away, or they may have allocated significant assets to their ex-spouse and his or her children. In these instances, it may be necessary to find a new executor and change the way in which assets are distributed amongst beneficiaries.

The benefits of a prenup

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in Divorce on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

A prenuptial agreement is a legal document that a Pennsylvania couple can use to determine how assets should be handled if their marriage ends in a divorce. While some may be reluctant to talk with their future spouse about completing a prenup, there are many important reasons to do so.

Having a prenup in place is important if one partner has more assets than the other. Individuals who have accumulated many assets, or received assets through an inheritance, can use a prenup to protect those funds. Generally, the assets an individual owns before they get married will remain theirs if they get a divorce; however, there are exceptions. Money and time can be saved if future spouses take the time before they get married to specify how their assets will be allocated if a divorce occurs.