Family Law

Divorce

If you have considered filing for divorce or are currently a party to divorce proceedings, it is vitally important that you engage experienced counsel to represent and protect your interests as soon as possible. At Appel, Yost & Zee LLP our experienced divorce attorneys take a holistic approach to providing clients with counsel and guidance during the emotionally and financially trying process of separation and divorce. In both contested divorces and uncontested divorces, knowing the skilled divorce attorneys at AYZ will be there for you from the initial consultation forward may provide invaluable peace of mind during these challenging life events.

Spousal Support and Alimony

Separation and divorce may place great financial strain on one or both parties, and the need for one spouse to pay alimony or support to the other spouse often arises. The family law attorneys at AYZ have extensive experience advocating on behalf of clients seeking or contesting spousal support and alimony. Spousal support and alimony cases are often quite complex, as judges are asked to balance seventeen specific factors in determining whether alimony should be awarded. Hiring counsel with a thorough understanding of the factors judges consider in making decisions with regard to alimony and spousal support is not only important but also has the potential to pay for itself several times over.

Child Support

Hiring counsel becomes particularly important where there are children of the marriage. The heightened emotions typically associated with disputes over the child’s well-being often make resolution between the parties difficult or impossible. At AYZ, our experienced child support attorneys provide clients with the information and guidance they need to make well-informed decisions and to protect their assets as well as the interests of their children. The skilled attorneys at AYZ will draw upon their extensive experience and practice before support conference officers and judges to vigorously advocate for the interests of their clients and their clients' children.

Equitable Distribution

The attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP recognize that the allocation, division and distribution of property and debt among the parties to a divorce is one of the most significant legal issues our clients will face. Failure to hire an experienced advocate with a thorough understanding of the law in this regard may result in substantial financial losses that are often difficult to bear. On the other hand, engaging the right attorney can certainly pay dividends. Our divorce attorneys welcome the opportunity to assist clients in planning and preparing for the future by setting realistic expectations based on the parties' current financial situation. With these expectations in mind, AYZ is committed to skillfully negotiating on behalf of its clients and vigorously representing its clients' financial interests in court.

Child Custody

Child custody disputes are among the most intensely emotional aspects of divorce. Pennsylvania law requires the courts resolve child custody disputes in accordance with the best interests of the children involved. The parties to a divorce action and judges themselves often hold very different views with regard to what is in fact in a child's best interest, which makes it especially important that the parties to a child custody dispute engage knowledgeable counsel with experience evaluating and applying this “best interests” legal standard. Appel, Yost & Zee LLP recognizes that every client's situation is unique, and our family law attorneys work closely with their clients to acquire a thorough understanding of the facts and circumstances of each case. Our attorneys' commitment to personalized service and extensive experience representing parties to child custody disputes enable us to tailor our legal strategy to the specific goals of our clients in resolving child custody disputes.

Grandparents’ Rights

When couples separate or obtain a divorce, for example, the close relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild is often threatened or disrupted. Pennsylvania law provides grandparents with a right to seek visitation and physical custody of minor grandchildren in certain cases. Pennsylvania courts consider the best interests of the grandchild in this context while placing particular emphasis on how the proposed visitation or physical custody would impact the relationship between the grandchild and his or her parents. At AYZ, our attorneys are committed to providing personalized service to our clients throughout this emotionally trying time.

Adoption

While the prospect of adopting a child is often an exciting family event, the adoption process itself can be quite difficult and stressful. Adopting a child involves identifying and terminating the rights of the natural parents and subsequently establishing those rights in the adoptive parents. At AYZ, our family law attorneys provide clients with practical guidance based on experience. Our attorneys are thoroughly committed to making the adoption process as smooth as possible.

Protection from Abuse

The family law attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP provide compassionate assistance to victims of domestic violence in obtaining a protection from abuse order that prohibits an abusive party from contacting the victim while also providing the victim with temporary physical custody of his or her children where applicable. At the same time, our attorneys recognize that protection from abuse cases are sometimes filed for inappropriate reasons to accomplish ulterior motives, and AYZ provides defendants in protection from abuse cases with the representation they need to protect their rights in these situations.

Family Law Attorneys