Pennsylvania couples who split following many years of marriage might be interested to know about a proposed lending product called a divorce mortgage. News sources say that these mortgages allow divorcing couples to determine who stays in the home they formerly occupied together. The lender would then grant this individual the funds to buy their ex-spouse's old share in the property. Such a system might also include special allowances for loan interest to make it easier for borrowers to repay, sell or buy their properties in full after a predetermined time period.
Can I relocate with my child after the custody order is final?
After divorce and child custody arrangements have been finalized, the custodial parent may want to move somewhere else with the child. However, before a parent is able to legally relocate with a child, there are certain procedures that must be followed to ensure that the move is within the best interest of the child.
Length of marriage and Social Security benefits
Pennsylvania residents who were married for at least 10 years and then divorced might be able to claim Social Security benefits on their former spouse's earnings. If they were married and divorced more than once for at least a decade each time, they might be able to choose which spouse's earnings they will draw upon. If the ex-spouse is deceased, this is possible as long as that spouse's benefit is more than the individual's. If the ex-spouse is still alive, the individual's must be less than 50 percent of the ex-spouse's.
Same-sex couples and divorce
The Supreme Court's 2015 ruling that made same-sex marriages legal in Pennsylvania and the rest of the United States provided same-sex couples with the same rights, benefits and protections as heterosexual couples. The ruling, in general, has provided peace of mind to many same-sex couples because they have been able to enjoy benefits such as lower living expenses and inheriting their deceased spouse's estate, pension and 401k balances as well as being able to claim Social Security benefits. However, it also brought up certain issues that same-sex couples had not encountered before.
Dividing up a house during a divorce
It's not unusual for Pennsylvania couples getting a divorce to fight over custody of their children. Many couples, however, might also fight over who gets ownership of the house. That's because for many couples, their house is their biggest financial asset.
