Family Law & Estate Planning
At the law office of Mogel, Speidel, Bobb & Kershner, we care about the protection of families. Whether that protection involves negotiating divorce agreements that take into consideration the best interests of parents and children, or it involves helping a client create a will so their assets can be distributed to their family in the event of their passing, we are here to help. Our firm has been providing trustworthy legal services with integrity for over 150 years. We serve clients throughout Berks County and the surrounding areas.
Here For You During Your Family’s Most Trying Times
Divorce
Undergoing a divorce is emotionally, mentally, and financially taxing. That’s why you deserve to have an experienced divorce attorney on your side, who can make the situation easier for you by fighting for your best interests. We are here for you before, during, and post-divorce, striving to help you maintain your quality of life. We understand that every relationship is different, so we take the time to understand your unique situation and properly defend your rights. With years of experience handling divorce-related issues such as child support, alimony, child custody, and division of property, our attorneys will help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Child Custody, Guardianship, & Visitation
Divorce becomes even more difficult when minor children are involved. Each parent wants to maintain an important influence in the child’s life, and it can be difficult to determine a custody plan that is in the best interests of everyone involved. However, our attorneys are highly experienced in child custody negotiations. Whether you need to determine child custody and visitation rights or want to modify previous court-ordered arrangements, our attorneys will work to reach a solution that is beneficial for you and your child or children.
Child Support
Many factors determine the amount of child support the noncustodial parent must provide. Our attorneys take into consideration the income and expenses of both parents. However, it can be difficult to determine the exact income and expenses of each parent, which is why we may enlist the help of a forensic expert. The goal is to maintain the quality of life for the child as well as the parents. We can also help our clients modify child support orders as their needs change.
Other Family Legal Issues:
Alimony/Spousal Support
Division of Property & Complex Division of Assets
Common Law Marriage Divorce
Adoptions
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders
Domestic Violence and Protection from Abuse (PFA) or Restraining Order
Post-Judgment Modifications and Complaint for Contempt
Paternity
Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Protecting Your Final Wishes
Estate planning is about much more than creating a will. It involves laying out all of your wishes for your property and assets, protecting your family from unneeded financial and emotional stress in the event of your passing. Our attorneys are highly experienced in helping our clients create innovative estate plans that can adapt as their needs and situations change during their lifetime. It’s never too early to begin the estate planning process.
Let us help you with:
Powers of attorney
Estate taxation
Succession planning
Probate
Estate administration
And much more
Wills
Ensure that your property is distributed exactly as you wish by properly drafting a comprehensive will. With a will, you can ensure the financial security of your family and save your loved ones from unnecessary stress. Without a will, the court will distribute your assets how it sees fit, not according to your wishes. Our attorneys can help you correctly prepare a will that will be upheld in probate. We will guide you in selecting guardians for minor children; distributing financial assets, property and special items or heirlooms; and choosing charities to support.
Trusts
If you would like to begin distributing your assets during your lifetime, a trust is the right choice for you. A living trust, like a will, designates who you want to receive your assets and property. However, a trust becomes effective immediately. Plus, a trust does not need to go through the probate process as a will does. Our attorneys will work with you to properly set up your trust and ensure that you are making the right decisions for yourself and your loved ones.
Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
An important aspect of estate planning is designating a power of attorney. This person will have the legal ability to make decisions regarding your finances, health care, business, end-of-life care, and more in the event that you become incapable of making these decisions. You can designate powers of attorney for different purposes. For example, you can choose a health care power of attorney, a financial power of attorney, or a durable power of attorney, who will have the ability to make all financial, medical, and legal decisions for you.
A guardian is a person to whom you grant legal authority to care for you in the case that you become incapable of caring for yourself. This person can also make healthcare, financial, and legal decisions on your behalf. Our attorneys can help you determine powers of attorneys and guardianships that are in your best interests.
