Scott J G Finger

February 10, 2020 | The Legal Intelligencer

Laura Dern may be cleaning up in awards season for her portrayal of divorce lawyer Nora Fanshaw in Netflix's "Marriage Story," but how would her character be judged as a family law attorney in Pennsylvania?

By Scott J.G. Finger

6 minute read

July 06, 2018 | The Legal Intelligencer

The Pennsylvania Support Guidelines were promulgated to ensure that “persons similarly situated shall be treated similarly” with regard to child support, spousal support and alimony pendente lite.

By Scott J. G. Finger and Justin W. Soulen

1 minute read

October 06, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

A recent article in the Legal Intelligencer referred to the ­ability of the Pennsylvania courts to ­require separated and divorced parents to pay for their children's undergraduate education pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4327. While the language of 23 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4327 does provide for such an obligation, 23 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4327 was declared unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1995 and, consequently, the courts do not have the authority to require parents to pay for their children's college education. Notwithstanding the ­statute being declared unconstitutional, the Pennsylvania legislature has not taken affirmative action to have the statute repealed.

By Charles J. Meyer and Scott J.G. Finger

11 minute read

July 12, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

Internet dating and networking programs such as Match.com, JDate, LinkedIn, and even Facebook, significantly increase the odds of a separated or divorced parent finding a new mate or a new job outside of his or her current geographical area. In order for that parent to move away to take the job, or to move forward with a new relationship, that parent must follow the procedure for a custody relocation as set forth in 23 Pa.C.S.A. Section 5337 and Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1915.17. Increased use of sophisticated technology by both parents and children has changed the way in which family law attorneys present relocation cases to the courts. Just as technology has made relocation a more likely event for a family, it may also make it easier for parents and children who live far apart to maintain their relationship and, therefore, easier for a parent seeking to relocate to present their case to the court.

By Charles J. Meyer 
and Scott J.G. Finger

13 minute read

February 09, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

Prenuptial agreements allow marrying couples to largely create their own law as to what would happen in the event of a divorce. However, equally important is the ability to craft economic provisions that govern the distribution of assets in the event of the death of a spouse during marriage.

By Jennifer Kosteva and Scott j.G. Finger

8 minute read

December 08, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

The December holidays are among the most popular time of year for parents to travel abroad with their children. Travel to a foreign country in the midst of war or conflict, including recent terrorist events such as the tragic attacks in Paris, can raise serious safety concerns, including as to whether such travel is in the best interests of the children.

By Scott J.G. Finger

7 minute read

December 08, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

The December holidays are among the most popular time of year for parents to travel abroad with their children. Travel to a foreign country in the midst of war or conflict, including recent terrorist events such as the tragic attacks in Paris, can raise serious safety concerns, including as to whether such travel is in the best interests of the children.

By Scott J.G. Finger

7 minute read

October 13, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

Pope Francis' recent visit to the United States, including the apparent meeting attended by Kim Davis, the county clerk of Rowan County, Kentucky, who chose her religious devotion over following the U.S. Supreme Court's same-sex marriage decision, together with the pope's recent reforms to the Catholic annulment process, remind us that regardless of any Supreme Court decision or constitutional amendment, religion will always play a part in the discussion of marriage.

By Scott J.G. Finger

6 minute read

July 31, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

When a married parent creates an irrevocable trust for the benefit of his or her children, the married parent, as the creator or settlor of the trust, often provides for his or her spouse to have certain rights with respect to the trust. For example, the settlor may name his or her spouse as a trustee of the trust or include the spouse as an income beneficiary of the trust during the spouse's lifetime, with the principal being held for the benefit of the children.

By Scott J.G. Finger and Jennifer A. Kosteva

7 minute read

July 30, 2015 | The Legal Intelligencer

When a married parent creates an irrevocable trust for the benefit of his or her children, the married parent, as the creator or settlor of the trust, often provides for his or her spouse to have certain rights with respect to the trust. For example, the settlor may name his or her spouse as a trustee of the trust or include the spouse as an income beneficiary of the trust during the spouse's lifetime, with the principal being held for the benefit of the children.

By Scott J.G. Finger and Jennifer A. Kosteva

7 minute read