No two families are the same. The same goes for divorce, custody agreements, and any other family law issue. If you are facing one or many of these emotionally charged and financially stressful circumstances, you need an attorney who can help you make sense of your situation.
At Standish & Conlin, we are committed to giving our clients in Pittsburgh, Wexford, and the surrounding area the respect and understanding they need during this challenging time. Our family law attorneys represent clients in a wide range of matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, adoption, and other family-related legal concerns.
Whether you are beginning the divorce process, dealing with a child custody dispute, negotiating support, or looking for an alternative to traditional family law litigation, we can help you understand the process and determine an approach that fits your circumstances.
Family Law Services in Allegheny County
Family law matters can affect nearly every part of your life, from your finances and living arrangements to your relationship with your children. Pennsylvania family law also involves specific legal requirements and procedures that can vary depending on the circumstances of your case. Having an attorney who understands Pennsylvania family law can help you make informed decisions throughout the process.
Standish & Conlin represents individuals and families throughout Allegheny County in a variety of family law matters. We provide representation and guidance for clients dealing with divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, marital property division, grandparents’ rights, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, adoption, and collaborative family law.
Our attorneys take the time to understand the circumstances surrounding your case before helping you determine how to move forward. Depending on your situation, that may involve negotiation, mediation, collaborative divorce, or litigation in court.
We have more than 20 years of experience helping a variety of Pennsylvania individuals as they work through the following family law issues:
- Divorce — If your divorce is contested or uncontested, or if you are seeking collaborative divorce solutions, we seek to obtain the best possible outcome for you.
- Child custody — We help married and unmarried parents achieve workable child custody arrangements.
- Child support — We have helped many parents obtain support arrangements and modify existing arrangements in the best interests of those involved.
- Spousal support — Whether you are seeking support or being asked for it, we can help you obtain a fair arrangement.
- Property division — We take the time to accurately value the marital estate, ensuring a fair division of assets.
- Grandparents’ rights — Including custody and visitation rights.
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements — These are not just for those with substantial assets, but can help virtually anyone protect their assets in the event of a divorce. We can draft and review the necessary documents to ensure that they are enforceable.
- Adoption — We will help you decide about the type of adoption that’s right for you and provide guidance through the entire process.
Should you seek a more mutually planned approach to your family law needs, we are an experienced collaborative family law firm. We can help you work through your divorce and property division settlements outside of the courtroom, according to the terms you and your spouse agree upon. In addition to our work as attorneys, we are also experienced mediators.
This comprehensive approach to family law allows us to give our clients the attention and respect they deserve. We will carefully listen to your needs and concerns and help you develop a plan for a positive future. We are committed to empowering our clients by educating them so they can make informed decisions about their futures.
We are both sensitive and practical in our communication with our clients. We are proud to maintain a heightened level of approachability, so our clients feel safe trusting us with such an important aspect of their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Allegheny County
What types of family law cases do you handle in Allegheny County?
Standish & Conlin handles a variety of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, grandparents’ rights, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, adoption, mediation, and collaborative family law. The appropriate legal approach depends on the facts and circumstances of each case.
How does divorce work in Pennsylvania?
A Pennsylvania divorce generally involves resolving issues such as the division of marital property, support, and, when applicable, child custody and support. Some couples are able to reach agreements regarding these issues, while others may need the assistance of an attorney or the court to resolve disputed matters. An Allegheny County divorce attorney can explain the process and help you understand your options based on your circumstances.
What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce?
In an uncontested divorce, spouses are generally able to reach an agreement on the issues that need to be resolved. A contested divorce involves one or more disputed issues that the spouses have not been able to resolve. Even when spouses disagree about certain issues, negotiation, mediation, or collaborative divorce may sometimes provide alternatives to resolving every dispute through litigation.
Can child custody be changed after an agreement or court order?
Child custody arrangements can potentially be modified when circumstances change or when a modification is otherwise appropriate under Pennsylvania law. Parents should not assume that an informal change automatically modifies a custody order. An attorney can review an existing custody arrangement and explain the available options.
What is collaborative divorce?
Collaborative divorce is an approach to resolving a divorce without relying on traditional courtroom litigation. Each spouse has their own attorney, and the parties work together to negotiate an agreement addressing the issues involved in their divorce. Collaborative divorce can be an option for couples who are willing to communicate and negotiate in good faith.
Is collaborative divorce right for everyone?
No. Collaborative divorce is not appropriate for every family or every situation. The process generally requires both spouses to be willing to participate openly and work toward negotiated solutions. If significant conflict or other circumstances make collaboration impractical, traditional litigation or another approach may be more appropriate.
Do I need an attorney for a family law matter in Allegheny County?
You are not necessarily required to have an attorney in every family law matter, but family law cases can involve significant financial, parenting, and legal consequences. An attorney can help you understand your rights and responsibilities, identify issues that need to be addressed, and make informed decisions about how to proceed.
How do I choose a family law attorney in Allegheny County?
When choosing a family law attorney, consider the attorney’s experience with cases similar to yours, familiarity with Pennsylvania family law, communication style, and approach to resolving disputes. It can also be helpful to determine whether the attorney handles negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, and litigation so you can understand the options available to you.
Family Law Representation Throughout Allegheny County
Family law issues can arise in communities throughout the Pittsburgh region, and every case requires an approach based on the family’s individual circumstances. Standish & Conlin represents clients in Pittsburgh, Wexford, and communities throughout Allegheny County who need guidance with divorce, custody, support, property division, and other family law matters.
Whether you are considering divorce, responding to a custody dispute, negotiating a support issue, or exploring collaborative divorce, our attorneys can help you understand your options and take the next step with greater confidence.
Helping You Through Difficult Family Law Issues
To schedule an initial consultation, please contact us online or call 412-281-9505. We look forward to hearing from you.