Practice Areas
Protection from Abuse [PFA]
When it is safe to do so, you should speak with an attorney before you file a Petition for Protection.
Knowing your legal position, options, risks and recommendations can make all the difference in moving towards safety, financial and housing stability and getting the support that you deserve. The laws are intricate, and you should be able to ask questions and to receive legal advice from an experienced attorney in order to make an informed decision about whether and how to move forward with your case. There could be serious risks to your safety and to child custody.
An experienced attorney can help you to understand not only the court process, but also the intersection of family law with the Protection from Abuse Act, so that you can ask the judge for all of the relief that is available to you. In some cases, a judge might even order the abusive party to pay your reasonable attorney fees.
In most cases, once you engage representation, you will only need to meet with the attorney one time in our office; and, typically, you will go to court the same day to testify about your experience and your need for protection.
No one can predict the outcome of your Protection from Abuse case. Engaging experienced legal counsel, dedicated to your safety, stability and support, is a good first step.
Custody
Whether child custody is included as a provision within a Protection from Abuse Order or filed separately, every child deserves healthy and safe relationships with people who care about them.
Securing formal custody rights is an important step.
Kayden's Law enhances the custody factors that judges must consider. This law, coupled with the best interests of the child standard, and the unique facts surrounding your case make it one of the most intricate areas of Family Law. If you are considering filing for custody or have been sued for custody, consulting with an experienced attorney will help you to know whether you have standing to sue for custody, if the timing is right for filing, all of the risks you could be exposed to and/or recommendations to strengthen your legal position.
Understanding your options to secure your custody rights, the process that best fits your situation and the support you gain by engaging legal counsel, can make all the difference in moving forward.
Find out where you stand...
... and where you're headed.
Child and Spousal Support
Securing a sense of financial stability for you and your children is essential to safe separation.
The right of a child and/or a spouse to financial support is secured by law through the Domestic Relations Section of the Pennsylvania Courts. However, attending a support conference without representation can be confusing. What about Paternity issues? Are you even entitled to spousal support? On what grounds? What happens if the other party quits working to get out of paying? What if one party is unable to work or hasn't worked in a very long time? What if there are overtime payments or the other party is paid under the table? Who should be responsible for medical insurance and daycare expenses?
Contact an attorney experienced in attending support conferences, identifying income sources, determining entitlement and applicable expenses, and representing clients in hearings de novo.
Let us help you in seeking financial stability with the legal support you need.
Termination of Parental Rights/Adoption
Involuntary terminations sometimes involve several days in court, post-hearing briefs and appeals. Adoption proceedings are often filed contemporaneously and involve many intricate steps. Whether your parental rights are on the line, or you are considering petitioning the court to terminate someone else's parental rights, we are here to help you navigate this difficult issue.
Family Law Lawyer
About Law Office of Deborah Dresser Neiderer, LLC
We are a small, local, solo law practice that offers consultation and representation in Family Law matters - especially those that arise out of domestic violence and sexual assault. We understand the unique obstacles facing litigants who have suffered physical, sexual and emotional abuse as well as financial and housing instability. Our approach for every client, regardless of abuse background, is trauma informed; and your safe, stable, successful separation is what matters most to us. At the Law Office of Deborah Dresser Neiderer, LLC, you can expect the focus to be on your access to justice, preservation of autonomy to choose what options are right for you, restoration of your rights and attention to safety.
Family Law Legal Team
Meet the team
Our team has 3 decades of combined experience in Family Law matters.