PHILADELPHIA (August 2022) – Willig, Williams & Davidson is pleased to announce that it has been voted the best Philadelphia-area family law firm and labor and employment law firm by readers of The Legal Intelligencer in the ALM publication’s “Best of 2022” survey. The firm’s labor and ...
Addressing Emergency Custody Issues in Philadelphia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In an unprecedented move to reduce the spread of COVID-19, on March 18, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a 10-page Order declaring a statewide judicial emergency throughout Pennsylvania. This resulted in the closing of courts to the public through at least April 3, 2020. The ...
Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence During the Temporary Court Closure
By: Elizabeth Deegan, Esq. The COVID-19 outbreak is a stressful and scary time for us all, but for those living in households with an abusive family member or romantic partner the current Shelter in Place Order can add additional stress and confusion. Thankfully, on March 20, 2020, the First ...
Expungement of a Protection from Abuse (PFA) Record
The Pennsylvania Protection from Abuse Act provides a remedy for a victim of abuse to seek protection from their abuser. A protection from abuse petition and temporary order prohibiting abuse can be obtained if there is a familial or household relationship between the victim and abuser or if they ...
What is Pregnancy Discrimination?
In 1978, Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (“PDA”) as an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The PDA prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or a medical condition ...
Unmarried Men: Request Genetic Testing Before Acknowledging Paternity
On November 20, 2017, in a case that significantly affects paternity rights, Pennsylvania Superior Court reversed an order issued in a Philadelphia paternity action. The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas issued an order after the trial court received results from a court ordered genetic test. The ...
Crime and Custody: How Criminal Convictions Affect Custody in Pennsylvania
You’re fighting for custody of your children. Does the other party have a criminal record? Do you have a criminal record? Will a judge award one party sole custody because of the conviction? Will a judge require supervision or counseling? It all depends on the crime, and whether the convicted party ...
Couples in Civil Unions Can Now Divorce in Pennsylvania
Same sex couples gained the legal right to marry in the state of Pennsylvania in May 2014. And along with the right to get married came the right to dissolve that marriage through divorce. Now, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania has taken things a step further. Same sex couples joined in civil ...
Pennsylvania Unilateral No-Fault Divorce Now Requires Only a 1-Year Waiting Period
On October 4, 2016, a new bill was signed into law, which reduces the required waiting period to obtain a unilateral, no-fault divorce, based upon the separation of the parties, from two-years to one-year. The new law takes effect in early December 2016. Under the existing law, parties seeking a ...