The new tax law could make a difference in the way Pennsylvania high-income couples negotiate divorce settlements. The way the tax code handled alimony payments for 75 years changed when President Trump signed the legislation in December. Instead of giving a tax deduction to divorced people who pay alimony, it will be handled like child support. Starting at the beginning of 2019, ex-spouses who pay alimony will not be able to deduct it at the end of the year and those who receive it won't have to pay taxes on the amount they get.
New tax changes could reduce alimony payments
How to spot and deal with parental alienation
If a child suddenly decides that he or she doesn't want to be around one of his or her parents anymore, it may not have anything to do with that parent. In some cases, parents in Pennsylvania may be victims of attempted parental alienation. It is important to note that while a child may not admit to being coached or coerced in any way, the adult is still responsible for turning a child against a mother or father.
Deducting alimony
People in Pennsylvania who get a divorce may be required to pay alimony to an ex-spouse. The person who receives the alimony is required to include the payments as part of his or her taxable income. The payers, or the spouses who have to pay the alimony, can usually deduct the alimony from his or her taxable income. However, it is important for the paying spouses to know that the payments may not always be deductible.
What factors does the court consider in child custody cases?
Like most Pennsylvania couples, when you married and started a family, you never envisioned that it would end in divorce. Now, you face not only ending your marital relationship, but also figuring out what custody arrangements would best serve your children.
Divorce and protecting one's credit
Getting a divorce can have a lasting effect on couples in many ways. However, Pennsylvania couples can emerge from a divorce unscathed with regard to their credit if they take certain steps to separate their finances from their spouse.
Getting divorced after age 50
Many Pennsylvania residents who are over the age of 50 decide to get divorced. While there are many different reasons that people choose to do so, people who are older have special factors that they should consider before they decide to go through with their divorce plans.
