Pennsylvania Family Law Firm

Representing Chester County families

Any change in your family can be stressful and emotional. When you face a divorce, separation, custody change or adoption, my West Chester family law firm, Marta S. Laynas, Attorney at Law, can help. I represent both men and women in family law issues and present effective solutions designed to protect your best interests.

Divorce

Marital dissolution is rarely easy. Sometimes, however, divorcing couples can agree on the specifics of their separation and create a Marital Separation Agreement that addresses all terms of the divorce. This document is then filed with the court as part of the official divorce decree.

While I strive to assist clients through divorce and help them resolve their issues outside of court rather than litigate in order to save anxiety, time and cost, I understand it is not possible in every case. I am prepared to fight aggressively for my clients in cases where settlement or resolution outside the courtroom is impossible. I also mediate cases in which I act as a neutral party to help separating couples and families in conflict to reach an agreement informally and confidentially. In my more than 20 years' experience as a divorce lawyer in West Chester, I know how to argue for my clients' rights to what is theirs.

Child custody and support

Typically the most volatile aspect of a divorce, the terms of child custody and child support should be handled by an experienced family law lawyer, familiar with Pennsylvania and local laws. Since 1987, I have helped parents and grandparents resolve this stressful issue with compassionate guidance and innovative solutions to determine primary, partial and shared custody as well as child support arrangements and enforcement.

The court's top priority in child custody cases is to direct children to safe, stable and healthy home environments. This does not necessarily favor one parent over the other, but instead reflects which parent is most capable of providing for the child's best interests as well as which parent is most likely to permit an open and continual relationship with the non-custodial parent. Therefore, child custody and visitation agreements are not always simple. I can guide custody agreements to what works best with your schedules, your children's needs, and the best interests of the children involved.

Child support is much more straightforward. Support payments are calculated by an established formula assessing both parents' income and assets. Child support is payable until the child is 18 years old or graduates high school, whichever event occurs later. Modifications are possible after a substantial change in circumstance, such as a job loss or promotion, but the change must be significant to effect a revision of terms.

I too, am a parent. I understand how important your children are to you, and I fight to ensure you retain your rights to see your children and have an influence over their lives.

Mediation

When facing a divorce, many people can't imagine sitting down with their spouse to make compromises and reach agreements on domestic matters. But sometimes it truly is the best way to resolve your problems — mediation can create a foundation for a healthy, stable relationship in the future, which is critical when children are involved. In all, mediation has the potential to save you the time of going through a trial, the expense of separate attorney fees and the stress of facing your spouse in contentious litigation.

Divorce mediation is flexible, voluntary and guided by a trained mediator. As your mediator, I merely guide the discussion between you and your spouse so that the two of you can create an agreement that works for both of you. In mediation you take ownership of the process and your decisions, rather than have them handed to you by a judge. The results are therefore more predictable and there is a higher chance that the solutions will be tailored to your specific relationship and needs. The mediation process allows you to maintain the control. I am there to keep your discussion on track and to ensure you address all terms of the divorce. When we are finished, I will present you with your separation agreement to be finalized in court. It is a good idea to have your own attorney review your agreement to be certain your rights are upheld.

As a trained mediator, I conduct mediation by guiding the conversation between spouses to address every aspect of your separation, including property division, alimony, child support, custody and visitation, and any other family law issue. I can assist clients by offering mediation services or comprehensive legal counsel — it is unethical to provide legal representation to a mediation client. If I have served as your mediator and an agreement cannot be reached, I can refer you to a skilled family law attorney who can take your case.

General family law matters

At the law firm of Marta S. Laynas, Attorney at Law, I have handled a variety of family law matters for clients, including:

I look forward to helping you resolve your family issue and continue on to a happier future.

Contact West Chester divorce attorney Marta Laynas

Located just two miles outside of downtown West Chester, you will find the law office of Marta S. Laynas, Attorney at Law easily accessible and with free parking available. My office serves men and women from:

Call West Chester divorce lawyer Marta Laynas at (610) 692-3460 or contact the firm online to find a resolution to your family law issue today.