Greensburg Pennsylvania Legal Blog

Divorce preparation eases some stress

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in Divorce on Monday, March 18, 2019.

If your spouse informs you that he or she wants a divorce in Pennsylvania, your first instinct may be to bury your head under the sand so you don't have to deal with it. However, the best defense is offense. If you prepare for what is coming, not only should your stress levels be lower, but you may also end up getting a better deal than if you did not do any of your own research and planning.

Your first consideration may be your current living situation and whether or not you should move out. According to Live About, you should remain in the home unless you are experiencing abuse from your spouse. This will put you in a better situation if you want to stay in the house after the divorce is final.

Splitting up with a narcissistic spouse

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in Divorce on Friday, March 8, 2019.

People may think that the time has come to end their marriage because of abuse, infidelity or growing apart. However, a partner’s personality may be the reason for a divorce, and some people can be especially difficult to work with when it comes to ending a marriage. For example, those who are married to a narcissist may wish to leave the relationship and they may face a number of challenges when moving forward, both within and outside of the courtroom. If you want to split up with your spouse who is narcissistic, it is pivotal to be completely prepared.

Sometimes, narcissistic people have the ability to be very influential, and they may have a track record of making you feel as if you are always wrong or you should remain silent. However, it is crucial for you to defend your rights during divorce, especially if children are involved. For example, if you are concerned about your partner’s behavior and their ability to help raise the kids, it is crucial to bring up these concerns if a dispute over child custody surfaces.

Assessing the value of a family business

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in property division on Friday, March 8, 2019.

A Pennsylvania divorce is an emotionally charged process, even if in the best of circumstances. Despite the turmoil at home, the rest of your life must continue. If you or your spouse have a business, chances are it is the largest asset you own. As a result, it becomes part of the settlement, which means an accurate valuation is critical when dividing property. The team at Bononi & Company, P.C., understands the challenges clients face navigating a divorce while operating a business. They help prepare you for the financial decisions that occur throughout the process.

According to Ellrich, Neal, Smith & Stohlman, P.A., a closely held family business has a unique set of challenges when it comes to assessing its value. While an experienced appraiser looks at the organization impartially, they apply subjective judgments to come up with a fair market value. There are three approaches utilized in business valuations:

The asset approach looks at the value of the company based on its net assets.
The market approach uses qualitative factors when identifying recently sold comparable companies within the same or similar industry, including risk, growth, products and services and business size.
The income approach considers the current value of the future revenue stream.

Child custody factors in Pennsylvania

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in child custody on Monday, February 25, 2019.

If you are going through a divorce in Pennsylvania and you have children, a big consideration is who gets custody of them. If you and your soon-to-be ex cannot decide amicably on a custody agreement, the courts look at what is in the best interest of the children, and there are some main factors involved in the decision-making process.

According to FindLaw, the state leans towards joint custody as long as both parents are willing and able, and there is no bias based on gender of the parent. Courts also make custody determinations based on what is best for the child. Factors the judge considers include

A child's relationship with each parent as well as with extended family
Physical and mental health of parents and children
Each parent's involvement in children's activities
Stability for child
Ability of each parent to provide a safe, loving and financially-stable home
History of physical, alcohol or drug abuse
The wishes of an older child

What should you do if you are pulled over?

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in traffic tickets on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

That moment when you are driving and see flashing lights in your rearview mirror and know that you are being pulled over can always be a bit unnerving. Despite your best efforts to be a safe and mindful driver in Pennsylvania, there will undoubtedly be times when you make mistakes that could result in you being summoned to the side of the road. In these situations, your knowledge of how to behave can be helpful in diffusing tension and helping you to remain calm and confident.

First and foremost, when dealing with the authorities, always be respectful, kind and friendly. Refrain from acting defensively or getting frustrated and impatient. These kinds of behaviors, while potentially natural in your situation, can almost incriminate yourself if you begin to appear guilty and noncompliant.

How much does a Pennsylvania DUI affect auto insurance rates?

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in dui and drug violations on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

When a Pennsylvania law enforcement official pulls you over and suspects that you have been drinking, he or she will likely ask that you submit to a breath test and, depending on its results, potentially charge you with driving under the influence. If a judge or jury later convicts you of the offense, you can expect to face hefty penalties, only some of which come straight from the criminal justice system.

While you may end up paying substantial fines after a DUI conviction, you may, too, have to finance substance abuse treatment or the placement of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, among related expenditures. While such expenses can add up fast, Insure.com reports that you should also anticipate a spike in your car insurance rates after a DUI conviction.

Divorce and elderly couples

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in Divorce on Friday, February 1, 2019.

Sometimes, when people envision a couple filing for divorce, they may picture a couple that is middle-aged and does not have any grandchildren. However, it is crucial to remember that people of various age groups have to work through the divorce process, and it can be especially challenging for some. For example, elderly couples whose marriage is no longer work out may face an incredible amount of stress during divorce and the process can be difficult for a number of reasons. That said, you should not hesitate to do what is best, even if that means ending a marriage that has lasted for many years.

As an older adult, you may have a number of concerns that make life complicated every day. From health issues to financial problems brought on by your inability to work, there may be different hurdles that you have to work through. Moreover, your divorce may also affect those you love in different ways. For example, you may have children and even grandchildren who could be impacted by the divorce. As a grandparent, you may also have to deal with various family law matters, from grandparent visitation to dealing with your former spouse at family celebrations.

3 signs your divorce needs a forensic accountant

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. on Friday, February 1, 2019.

Divorce is one of those life events you would probably rather not think much about. After all, the end of a marriage often has a way of combining the worse aspects of anger, greed and sadness. How you plan for the dissolution of your marriage, though, probably makes a big difference.

Forensic accountants understand how to investigate financial matters. After you and your soon-to-be-ex make disclosures, a financial accountant researches your financial situation. He or she may also track down assets you or your spouse transferred recently. If something looks funny, you can expect a forensic accountant to bring it to your attention. Here are three signs you may want to hire a forensic accountant for your divorce proceedings:

Traffic tickets and your career

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in traffic tickets on Friday, January 25, 2019.

Being pulled over for a traffic violation can be extremely unnerving, regardless of your circumstances. Not only does such an event often bring on immediate stress, but some people may feel the effects of such a situation for months or even years to come. Aside from financial penalties and other repercussions, there may be other ways in which peoples' lives are impacted following a traffic stop. For example, someone whose job duties involve driving may face problems related to their career as a result of the ticket.

After a traffic stop, someone may eventually find themselves out of work, depending on the nature of the incident and their profession. Moreover, this could lead to problems down the road. For example, someone may be trying to apply for a position in a certain field and they may be turned down solely because of their record. This can lead to significantly greater financial repercussions that haunt someone for the duration of their career.

Looking at some of the reasons why marriages fail

On behalf of Bononi & Company, P.C. posted in Divorce on Friday, January 18, 2019.

Couples are often very excited to get married and many are deeply in love. Unfortunately, these feelings can change over the years for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, a couple grows apart and it becomes clear that a divorce is necessary. There are all sorts of reasons why marriages fail, and we will look over some of them in this blog post.

One of the most common reasons for a divorce is a partner’s infidelity. From a physical affair to emotional cheating, it can be very hard for someone to realize that their spouse has been unfaithful. Sometimes, couples are able to move beyond these challenges through counseling and communication, but there are some instances when infidelity inevitably leads to the end of marriage. Cheating certainly is not the only reason for divorce, however.