Blog

Very Law secured a rare Pennsylvania dog custody order through creative legal strategy, demonstrating determined advocacy despite restrictive pet custody laws.

If you’re asking this question, you’re not alone—and you’re not without options. When a former spouse stops paying court-ordered alimony, it can create immediate financial stress and uncertainty. The good news is that Pennsylvania law provides clear tools to enforce support obligations and hold non-paying spouses accountable.

If your ex or someone else is refusing to return your pet in Pennsylvania, you may have legal options. Pets are considered personal property under Pennsylvania law, meaning you can file a replevin action to recover them. Success depends on proving legal ownership through documentation like adoption records, vet bills, or microchip registration. If you're facing a pet dispute, Very Law is here to help you navigate the process and reunite you with your animal.

Act 11 of 2025 Pennsylvania updates how courts evaluate child custody cases by reducing the number of legal factors from 16 to 12 while emphasizing child safety. Signed by Josh Shapiro, the law streamlines custody evaluations and clarifies how courts consider cooperation, abuse concerns, and parental responsibilities when determining a child’s best interests.

A contested divorce in Pennsylvania happens when spouses cannot agree on major issues like property division, custody, support, or alimony. Unlike uncontested divorces, these cases require court involvement and can take many months due to negotiations, discovery, and potential trials. The process starts with filing a complaint, serving the other spouse, exchanging financial documents, attempting mediation, and possibly going to trial before a judge issues a final decree.

Pennsylvania's new Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act (UFLAA), effective July 7, 2024, creates a formal process for resolving family law disputes, such as custody, support, and property division, through private arbitration. The law offers families faster, more flexible alternatives to court while maintaining judicial oversight on sensitive matters. Arbitration must be voluntary and has specific limits, making it essential for families to weigh the pros and cons before proceeding.