News
Potential Consequences for Cyberbullying – Pennsylvania Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights
February 19, 2024Victims of cyberbullying or those accused of cyberbullying should seek an attorney for legal advice. It’s not kid’s stuff. It’s a growing issue and the state is taking it quite seriously. And parents, be forewarned, you can also be held accountable, fined and may have to submit to community services.
Understanding Bail: A Pivotal Early Decision in Criminal Cases
January 23, 2024The Criticality of Bail in Criminal Proceedings
Bail determination stands as one of the most critical early issues in a criminal case, often surpassing the gravity of the charges or the defense strategy planned for trial. This decisive moment occurs so early that the accused may not yet have legal representation when bail is set, impacting whether they will remain incarcerated or free while awaiting trial.
Understanding Child Custody Provisions in Pennsylvania
January 3, 2024Child custody provisions in Pennsylvania act as a way to navigate the arrangements for childcare with clear boundaries and legal expectations. Whether you resolve your child custody dispute by agreement or after lengthy litigation in court, you should expect that the resulting custody Order will include many, if not all, of the following provisions:
What Happens To The Engagement Ring If There Is No Wedding?
December 1, 2023Pennsylvania law has been clear for many years. If a person proposes and gives his/her intended spouse an engagement ring (and/or another type of gift) with the promise to marry and the wedding does not occur, the engagement ring, and/or any other gift given in anticipation of the wedding must be returned to the donor. This was because the engagement ring (and/or other gift) was a gift that was conditioned on the promise that a marriage would occur. The Pennsylvania Superior Court recently handed down a case that changed the law somewhat. In Campbell v. Tang, Mr. Campbell proposed to Ms. Tang to give her a diamond engagement ring, a matching pendant necklace, and matching diamond earrings. Ms. Tang accepted his proposal, and the parties began to plan a wedding.
Can You Work While Your Social Security Claim is Pending?
November 16, 2023Working While Your Social Security Disability Claim is Pending
You may have questions as a Claimant for Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) or Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits if you are considering working part-time during the long wait for your hearing.
With a free consultation, an attorney at Pyfer, Reese, Straub, Gray & Farhat, P.C. is available to assist you with determining how your work activity will impact your Social Security Disability benefits claim.
Why Naming a Minor Child a Life Insurance Beneficiary is a Bad Idea
November 2, 2023Understanding Life Insurance Beneficiary Provisions
Life insurance companies cannot pay funds directly to a minor beneficiary. If your life insurance beneficiary is a minor when you die and you have not made any type of provisions for a custodian or guardian of the funds, the distribution of funds will be delayed because your County Court will be required to become involved in selecting and appointing a corporate or adult custodian or guardian to manage the funds on behalf of the minor.
Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Laws
October 23, 2023In the heart of Pennsylvania, our Keystone State, the laws surrounding workers’ compensation hold unique implications for both employers and employees. In these local circumstances, the legal team at Pyfer Reese stands ready to guide you through the complexities of workers’ compensation, ensuring that you receive the support and compensation you deserve.
Preliminary Hearings
October 3, 2023After police file criminal charges against someone, the first critical stage of the proceedings against them is a preliminary hearing before a magisterial district judge. In Lancaster County, there are two types of cases that have preliminary hearings in specialized central courts—domestic violence and driving under the influence—those central courts will be discussed in a separate blog. The defendant’s decisions on the day of the preliminary hearing can profoundly affect the trajectory of their case going forward, and those decisions should be guided by a skilled, diligent, and experienced lawyer.
Child Custody Decisions in Pennsylvania
September 8, 2023Understanding Your Choices for the Best Chance at Success
Child custody decisions in Pennsylvania are determined by a court’s assessment of the best interests of the child, considering all relevant factors, including those factors listed in Section 5328 of the child custody statute. Among the 16 factors considered by the court is the “well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the child’s maturity and judgment.” It is important to highlight that the well-reasoned preference of a child is simply one of 16 factors a court must weigh when deciding a physical custody schedule that is in the best interests of a child. Therefore, although a child may express a preference in residing primarily with one parent over the other, that preference is considered along with all other factors, and a court may decide that the child’s preference is outweighed by more significant factors. This means that a court may not agree that the child’s desired preference is in their best interests, regardless of the child’s age or level of maturity.