Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Divorce:
A court of law is the only way one can obtain a divorce decree, dissolution, legal separation, nullity or other form of terminating a marriage.  Other than the termination of the marital estate, the court also has jurisdiction to resolve other issues that are intertwined in the existing marriage which include, but are not limited to: custody and visitation rights, division of property of the marital estate, spousal support, child support, restraining orders, etc.

Working with clients throughout New Jersey and Philadelphia, Attorney Thomas J. Petrelli Jr. has helped hundreds of people through the complex and personal process of divorce.

Property and Debt Division:
Marital property attained during marriage, regardless of whose name it is under, can be divided.  Marital property can include real estate (including a home bought in contemplation of marriage), pension plans, vehicles, bank accounts, income tax refunds and/or household furnishings.  However, property that is inherited by one spouse is not considered marital property, i.e. a family business or estate.  If you are contractually bound with your ex-spouse on a debt, the creditor can require the entire payment of that debt from your share of the community property even though the divorce decree assigns the debt to your ex-spouse.  Depending on the terms of your divorce decree, you may be able to have certain support obligations under the divorce decree determined to be non-dischargeable by the bankruptcy court or in state court. 

Child Custody:
Custody is the charge and control of a child, including the right to make all major decisions such as education, religious upbringing, training, health and welfare.  Custody usually refers to a combination of physical custody and legal custody.  Many factors influence an award of custody and the way a case is presented in court can have a large impact on the result for you and your children.  If you are awarded the children as a primary custodial parent, it has far reaching consequences both to you and to their well-being and development.

Contact the Philadelphia Family Law Attorneys at Petrelli Law, P.C. to help you through this delicate matter. 

Child Support:
Child support is a periodic payment made to a custodial parent from a non-custodial parent to help compensate a child's living expenses, i.e. food, clothes, etc., and any other related debts.  When one parent is awarded sole custody, as in the event of a divorce, the non-custodial parent is required to fulfill his or her child support obligation by making set payments, whereas the custodial parent meets his or her support obligation through the custody itself.  When parents are awarded joint custody in a divorce, however, the support obligation is shared and is based on a ratio of each parent's income and the amount of time the child spends with each parent. 

The obligation to support minor children cannot be waived by either parent and is a right enjoyed by the child, not the parent.  Each state has guidelines that factor the amount of child support, such as the amount of time spent with the child, the income of both parents and the standard of living the child is accustomed to.  The court may allow deductions for items such as catastrophic medical expenses and travel expenses for visitation. 

Spousal Support (Alimony):
Alimony is temporary or permanent financial support paid from one separated spouse to the other, either in one lump sum or in installments.  Alimony is designed to provide the lower-income spouse with money for living expenses over and above the money provided by child support.  Alimony differs from child support because it is at the discretion of the judge.  Child support is usually determined by state-sanctioned guidelines. 

There are several factors a judge considers when deciding whether to grant alimony. These differ from state to state, of course, but they usually involve things like the parties' relative ability to earn money, both now and in the future; their respective age and health; the length of the marriage; the kind of property involved, and the conduct of the parties. In general, about the only time a judge will award alimony in most states is where one spouse has been economically dependent on the other spouse for most of a lengthy marriage.

Divorce Mediation:
The basic attitude marking divorce mediation is a focus on solving problems, not fighting the fight. Family mediation is a voluntary process which gives a divorcing or separating couple the opportunity to make their own arrangements for their financial and personal future, while protecting themselves and their children from distress and the needless expense of litigation.  The strength of a mediated agreement is that it is built by both parties together in an open process that requires all participants to recognize and make accommodation for the needs of the other participants, often without having to compromise one’s own. 

While no two situations are alike, the emphasis in a mediated approach is to achieve a satisfactory settlement in an efficient, cooperative manner.  This might include "four-way" settlement conferences where the parties meet along with their divorce mediation lawyers to work on a settlement.  The philosophy of Divorce Mediation is that as much effort should be exerted toward settlement as is traditionally spent in preparation for and conducting a trial.

If you or a loved one is involved in a divorce or child custody case and you need the help of an experienced Philadelphia Family Law Attorney, call Petrelli Law, P.C. today at 866-822-6304, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange for your free consultation.  Services are provided for Spanish speaking clientele.

Professional Profile

The Philadelphia Family Law Attorneys at Petrelli Law, P.C. are dedicated, concerned and committed to helping clients through difficult times.  Their primary goal is to focus on the needs of each client and to provide them with the finest quality legal representation available.  The attorneys Petrelli Law, P.C. provide competent legal counsel with compassion and understanding while addressing personal pressures and concerns. 

If you or someone you know in New Jersey or Pennsylvania needs the representation of an experienced Philadelphia Family Law Attorney, please call Petrelli Law, P.C. today at 866-822-6304, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange for your free consultation.  Services are provided for Spanish speaking clientele.

FIRM ADDRESS:
Petrelli Law, P.C.
1616 Walnut St. Ste. 1910
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 866-822-6304
Hours: M-F, 9:00AM-6:00PM

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:
Thomas J. Petrelli, Jr.

THOMAS J. PETRELLI JR.

EDUCATION:

• Temple University School of Law, LLM in Trial Advocacy, 2006
• Vermont Law School, Masters in Environmental Law, 2001
• Vermont Law School, Juris Doctor, 2001
• Temple University, BBA, Business, 1998

COURTS ADMITTED:

• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• District of Columbia

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Philadelphia Family Law Bar Section
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Family Law Bar Section
• American Bar Association
• Justian Society of Legal Professionals

PRACTICE AREAS:

• Divorce
• Uncontested Divorce
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Support (Child and Spousal)
• Property and Debt Division