Michael R Perna

Divorce is rarely simple, and adding domestic violence into the mix changes nearly every part of the process. Safety becomes the first priority, ahead of paperwork, timelines or even the split of assets. Pennsylvania law does account for abuse in several concrete ways, and knowing them upfront can make a genuinely frightening situation feel more manageable. Grounds for Divorce Shift Most Pennsylvania divorces proceed on no-fault grounds, where both parties simply agree the marriage is over. Abuse changes that calculus. Documented cruelty can support a fault-based filing under "cruel and barbarous treatment," and that finding can carry weight later when a judge looks at property and support. Property Division Isn't Split Down the Middle Pennsylvania uses equitable distribution, not a strict fifty-fifty rule. A spouse who controlled the finances or restricted the other's access to work or education often sees that pattern reflected in the final split. Judges have ... Continue reading →

A Pennsylvania drug charge can look simple at first glance. Someone is accused of having a controlled substance, so it may seem like the case is only about possession. But that is not always where the issue ends. The bigger question is often what prosecutors say the person intended to do with the drugs. If the allegation is personal possession, the case may be charged one way. If the Commonwealth claims the drugs were meant to be sold or delivered, the charge can become possession with intent to deliver, commonly called PWID. That difference can change the direction of the entire case. What Simple Possession Means Simple possession generally focuses on whether someone knowingly or intentionally possessed a controlled substance without legal authorization. That does not always mean police found drugs in a pocket or directly in someone's hand. Drugs may be discovered in a car, bedroom, backpack, kitchen drawer, or another shared area. That is where possession cases can get more ... Continue reading →

Are you involved in a rental car accident? Who pays for the damages and injuries caused by a rental car accident depends on who is at fault for the accident. If you are at fault, you are responsible for the damages to the rental car and the other driver’s vehicle. Most rental car companies offer supplemental insurance, but you may be able to recover compensation from your own auto insurer too. Every situation is unique, and talking to your pi attorney helps you determine who may be responsible for your medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Rental Car Insurance Coverage If you are worried about car insurance coverage, there are multiple ways to ensure you have enough coverage on a rental car. -Personal Car Insurance: If you are responsible for the rental car accident, your auto insurance company is entitled to cover the damages and injuries sustained in the accident. You can call your auto insurance company to confirm that you are covered ... Continue reading →

Child support and visitation schedule are usual for divorced couples. Sometimes these obligations become a headache, especially when a parent refuses to allow visitation, even if the other parent is paying child support. According to the child support lawyers in Delaware County PA, this is a mistake as the court views these obligations separately. According to the law, a parent’s obligation to pay child support continues, no matter what the relationship between parents or between parent and child. You are entitled to pay the child custody, even if the child is not available for your scheduled custodial time. What If Your Ex-Spouse is Not Following Court-ordered Custody Scheduled? If your ex-spouse isn’t following the custody schedule given by the court, it’s advised to take the matter directly to court. But, before that, speak to your Pennsylvania divorce lawyer to learn about your options. It’s vital to explore all the options you’ve ... Continue reading →

Were you involved in a bicycle accident? It’s imperative to hire Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers if you are injured while riding a bicycle or as a pedestrian. Here are some reasons why one must act quickly to hire a personal injury lawyer in these cases. Injuries If you are involved in a bicycle accident, you are totally exposed to the vehicle that hit you as well as to the ground, road surface, or sidewalk as a cyclist. This can potentially cause great trauma and severe injuries. This can affect your quality of life in the long term, and you may be eligible to get compensation for these injuries. At first, you may not even be aware of how badly you are hurt. Experienced accident lawyers in Delaware County PA can guide you on the long-term ramifications of these injuries that you may not be thinking of at the moment. You May Not Think Clearly Due to the trauma of the unexpected impact, you may be traumatized and may not be able to recall or process the ... Continue reading →

Did you know injured people who have an attorney working on their behalf receive settlements 3.5 times larger than those who settle on their own with insurance companies? When you are injured in an accident or injured due to a malfunctioning product, you must talk to your personal injury lawyers in Chester County to get expert advice. They help you avoid some common mistakes that can affect your settlement process. But, a personal injury lawyer does not take every case that he or she comes across. They have specific considerations to decide on whether to take a case or not. This is because personal injury lawyers in West Chester PA charge a contingency fee, which means that they only get paid if you win a settlement. If any factors don’t justify the attorney’s involvement, they will just decline your personal injury case. Here is a detailed view of what a personal injury lawyer will look for before accepting a case. Time When the Injury Occurred ... Continue reading →

According to a study published by Johns Hopkins University, about 250,000 medical errors result in deaths every year. The reports published by the National Practitioner database reveal that only 3,046 wrongful death insurance claims were made in a single year. Compared to the number of deaths due to medical negligence, the number of claims made is very low. Deaths caused by medical negligence are claimable, and the best malpractice attorney will help you understand what happened, guide you to get the help you need, and more. Medical Negligence & Medical Malpractice Medical negligence occurs when a medical professional performs their job to break their duty of care by deviating from the accepted medical standard of care. It qualifies as medical malpractice when the negligence of the healthcare professional results in injury to the patient. Medical Malpractice Claim One could apply for a medical malpractice claim only if the hospital breached its duty to you. The claim is ... Continue reading →

The birth of a child is an exciting time for many families, and it’s the duty of the doctors and nurses to ensure the health and safety of both the mother and child. When the health care professionals act negligently or fail to use reasonable care, the mother and child can be harmed. If you are a victim of serious medical malpractice, it’s critical to understand your legal options. A personal injury lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice can help you in this. Can a Birth Injury be Prevented? With proper medical attention and care, some birth injuries can be prevented. Most healthcare professionals have years of experience in delivering babies, and they should know how to safely deliver a baby without any birth injuries or dangerous conditions. Talk to medical malpractice lawyers to find out whether you can file a legal claim for your medical injury. Types of Birth Injuries Some of the common types of birth injuries for the child are, - ... Continue reading →

A child custody arrangement allows children to benefit from substantial and frequent contact with both parents. As long as there is no threat of harm to children by their parents, such as domestic violence, child custody, substance abuse, and more, the court favors joint custody. According to child custody lawyers, joint custody refers to both parents sharing the physical care of the child, and he or she will travel from one household to the other in a schedule the parents have agreed upon. When living with joint custody, it’s crucial to abide by the agreement, even if you are not interacting with your ex, or you are not entirely happy with every detail of the agreement. If you refuse to be in terms of the agreement, it leads to a modification to the agreement that curtails or even removes joint custody. Divorce lawyers say, joint custody works when both parents, - Ensures the best interest of the child - Co-operate with each other and make decisions together - Live ... Continue reading →