Welcome to the Family Law Offices of Spitale, Vargo, Madsen & Blair
Our family lawyers provide services in the areas of domestic relations law including alimony, child support, custody, divorce, equitable distribution, prenuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements and grandparent’s rights. Whether your case involves a contested separation date, equitable distribution, a PFA or LGBTQ related issues, our family law attorneys can assist you.
You can count on our family law attorneys for tailored solutions and strong representation in your custody trial, divorce hearing and child or spousal support matters. Our attorneys, collectively, have over 40 years of experience in family law and will help you through these difficult times and protect your interests in and out of court.
Northampton, Lehigh & Monroe County Divorce And Child Custody Attorneys
Whether you are at the beginning of a no contest divorce, revisiting custody orders or in a battle over child support, we can effectively handle all family law issues and disputes that arise. We represent women and men across the Lehigh Valley.
In family law litigation every case is unique. Further complicating the issues, every county is unique in how it handles family law cases. An experienced family law attorney will sit down with you and discuss your case and your goals. Goals in family law cases are as varied as the individuals involved. We will empower you to make informed decisions that address your immediate concerns while safeguarding your long-term interests.
Our Lehigh Valley Family Lawyers strive to strike a deal in negotiations to achieve a fair and practical settlement, and to reduce our clients’ legal expenses. However, sometimes litigation cannot be avoided. If litigation is necessary, our attorneys are ready to fight for you.
Nothing Matters More Than Your Family
For these important and highly personal matters, you need the best family law attorney you can find. At Spitale, Vargo, Madsen & Blair you won’t be shifted to another attorney after you hire us or get the run-around when you have questions. You will work with an accessible and responsive lawyer. More importantly, we will show you how to prepare for the future.
How is family law court different than other courts?
Family law courts have a heavy emphasis on mediation and negotiation. While you are entitled to a trial or hearing on most family law issues, you very rarely entitled to a jury trial.
Do you offer a free family law consultation?
We do not offer a, 30 minute, free consultation but rather charge a small fee to provide superior advice
Can I force the other party to pay my legal fees?
In theory, yes. But in practice this rarely happens.
How do I find the top family lawyers in the Lehigh Valley?
Shopping for the best Family Law Attorney is like shopping for anything else. The best family lawyer for you may not be the best lawyer for someone else. Some clients prefer an attorney who will drag the other party through the mud even it it is not in your best interests. Other clients prefer an attorney who can also act as their personal and emotional counselor throughout the case.
More than most other fields in the legal profession, family lawyers develop a reputation amongst their peers. If you’re looking for the best family attorney for your particular goals, ask your friends in the community about a particular family lawyer’s reputation.
How do I find a free family lawyer?
North Penn Legal Services offers free family law services in unique circumstances if you qualify as a low income individual.
Our attorneys act as pro bono family law lawyers for North Penn from time to time. However, any application for pro-bono services must be made through North Penn, not through us.
Can both parties use the same lawyer in family court?
No, both parties cannot use the same lawyer under the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct. However, counseling with both parties is highly recommended by the family courts.
Do I need a lawyer for a PA divorce?
You may get divorced without an attorney but it is not smart. You will be held to the same standard as the best divorce attorneys in the Lehigh Valley and will face a serious disadvantage, especially if the other party has a top divorce attorney knowledgeable in PA divorce law.
Can either party prevent a divorce?
If the party requesting the divorce fulfills all of the legal requirements the contesting party cannot prevent a divorce but they may stall it for over two years.
What should I do if served with a PA divorce complaint?
If you do not respond to the Pennsylvania divorce complaint, a divorce decree may be entered even without your consent and your legal rights including the right to support or division of marital assets and debts may be waived. You should contact a local divorce attorney ASAP.
Can a PA family court require marriage counseling?
Yes, the court can require marraige counseling but rarely does so unless requested by a party.
What is a no fault divorce?
Virtually all Pennsylvania divorces are not fault divorces. Yes this does not mean it is a simple process. While most divorces are no fault, adultery other issues are still defenses to support and equitable distribution.
Can a party be prevented from entering the marital residence?
Yes, but this rarely happens under PA divorce law, it is much more common under the PFA laws. However, in many cases, asking to have a spouse removed from the home may be more damaging to your case than it is useful.
How do I file for custody?
Filing for child custody requires a formal complaint be filed with the family court. In addition to the legal language the complaint must now contain a criminal background check form and a parenting plan.
The initial complaint comes with a filing fee of approximately $150, depending on the county. Afterwards, additional filings are usually free of a filing fee.
Do I need the court’s permission to relocate?
If there is a current order in place you will often need the court’s permission to move. If there is no order in place the courts are currently split on what level of permission is needed.
How do family law courts determine child custody?
When determining child custody the court must address 15 specific factors. This factors are two lengthy to list here but can be found on our custody page.
Can I request that the court appoint an attorney for a child?
Yes, but… The court can appoint a guardian ad litem, GAL, for a child and it can appoint an attorney for the child. The GAL is an attorney who’s purpose is to advocate for the child’s best interest but not for the child’s wishes. An attorney for the child advocates for the child’s wishes even if they are not in the child’s best interest. It may sound odd that these could be two different things but it happens frequently.
Do I need an attorney for child custody?
Ideally, no. But one way or another things are not ideal if a party has to resort to the court system. If the other party hires a top custody attorney and you go without an attorney you may find yourself at a serious disadvantage.
What can a child custody lawyer do for me?
A top custody attorney can guide you through the legal process and let you know the custody factors that are most important in a specific county or to a specific judge. But most importantly, the best custody lawyers will let you know when you are making mistakes. Often parents are overzealous in there custody disputes and the court will look very poorly upon this.
Do I need a lawyer to file for support?
You do not need a lawyer to file for support. In fact this is one of the very few areas of family law where you may be better off without a lawyer. However, in many cases a support lawyer may be very important.
How do I appeal a support order?
The process and number of steps in appealing a support order differs from county to county but the last step in each county is always a hearing in front of a judge. If the judge rules against you, your only option will be an uphill and expensive battle in Superior Court.
How to file for child or spousal support?
The party seeking support must file with the Domestic Relations Office in the county in which they reside.
Can I get credit for purchases made?
Generally no but there exceptions if the paying party has been paying utilities, rent and mortgage that benefits the party requesting support.
Does someone have to pay child support if they do not see the children?
Yes, these are separate legal issues in Pennsylvania except for that spending extended time with the children may actually reduce the amount of support that a person is required to pay.
How is child and spousal support determined?
Once it is determined that support appropriate in a particular case, the support is calculated using a standard mathematical formula. However, many legal issues may arise such as hidden assets, hidden income, unemployment and eligibility for support in the first place.
Can I demand receipts as to how support is being spent?
Generally no but there are some very rare exceptions.