A Punxsutawney man is facing assault and child endangerment charges following a domestic dispute incident. The man, 30-year-old Brett Michael Neal, was involved in an argument with the plaintiff, a woman. During the altercation, he was alleged to have pushed, tackled, and jumped on the woman in h...

It's both devastating and infuriating to realize that a beloved elder has been taken advantage of or abused by someone they are supposed to trust. Unfortunately, elder abuse is an all too common occurrence these days in Pennsylvania and across the nation. Recently, Tina Bell, owner of the home h...

If a friend, family member, or loved one has designated someone to take on the responsibilities outlined in their power of attorney (POA) document, it means they trust them. A power of attorney is a legal document prepared by someone – the principal – to allow someone else – the agent or attorney...

When going through a divorce in Pennsylvania, alimony or spousal support can be a major point of contention. While some spouses may assume they are entitled to financial support, Pennsylvania courts do not automatically grant alimony. If you're dealing with a difficult divorce or struggling to g...

As a victim of domestic violence, making the decision to divorce can be challenging. It can come after years of abuse and denial. The process can be overwhelming, and separating from an abusive spouse doesn't end the risk of harm. If you're in an abusive marriage, the LLF Law Firm Family Law Tea...

Americans now live longer than ever before. As people age, they may need assistance with daily routines, including bathing and preparing meals for themselves. This kind of dependency can make them vulnerable to elder abuse -- whether they live in nursing homes, retirement communities, or in their...

In Pennsylvania, anyone looking to file a divorce must do so on no-fault or fault grounds. Unfortunately, for people who are in domestic abuse situations or pregnant, this may prove difficult. It is against this backdrop that Senator Collett wants to introduce legislation that allows victims of d...

Elder Abuse Is a Nationwide Problem Elder abuse is a serious problem nationwide, affecting 1 in 10 seniors. Abuse can manifest in many forms, including financial, physical, emotional, as well as neglect issues. What makes the problem especially difficult for seniors is that in over 60 % of cases...

It can be heartbreaking to watch a loved one grow older and more frail. But it's devastating to see them fall prey to elder abuse, particularly by those close to them or in a position of trust. Elder abuse can take a variety of forms: physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and neglect. The Natio...

Speaking up about domestic violence and seeking protection from abuse are never easy undertakings, no matter who a victim of mistreatment may be. Yet, specific circumstances can make the act of pursuing safety tougher for some victims than others. For example, a recent report released by the Cent...

Dating abuse and intimate partner violence are serious issues in Pennsylvania. The state has taken several measures to protect victims of abuse, but it can be hard to know which type of protection order you should get—especially for young people and college students, who make up a large number of...

A recent report from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts highlights a concerning trend for those accused of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. The study shows that there has been a substantial increase in the number of Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders issued statewide--a 3 percent ...

Recent changes in Pennsylvania law highlight a critical shift in how the justice system views minors involved in prostitution. Historically, minors caught in these circumstances could face criminal charges despite being victims of exploitation. However, growing awareness of the need to protect vu...

As Pennsylvania's elderly population grows, so does the threat of financial exploitation. With nearly 2 million residents over 65 and the fastest-growing group being those 85 and older, Pennsylvania has the third-highest percentage of seniors in the nation. With seniors increasingly in the crossh...

Pennsylvania lawmakers recently convened at the state Capitol to advocate for House Bill 1210, a bipartisan initiative designed to amend Pennsylvania's Protection from Abuse Act that would further protect victims of domestic violence by safeguarding victims' pets. The bill seeks to grant judges ...

The published advisory of US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and a 9-11-24 news release online in The Hill have raised the alarm that parental stress is now an urgent public health issue. Parental stress levels are currently so high that 48% of the 63 million parents of children under age 18 feel th...

What Is a Safe Exchange Zone? WPSU (Public Media for Central Pennsylvania) published a news article on October 8, 2024, highlighting the recent Pennsylvania Senate bill that approved Safe Exchange Zones for custody exchanges. The Senate bill would provide funds so that safe custody exchanges can...

On November 14, 2021, Marisa Vicosa approached police in East York after escaping a horrific situation involving her estranged husband, former Baltimore County officer Robert Vicosa. Robert had lured her to their old family home under the pretense of celebrating her birthday with their daughters,...

In Pennsylvania, the danger of domestic violence is well understood. The legal system prioritizes the protection of victims through initiatives such as the Protection from Abuse Order (PFA). A PFA is a restraining order granted to a person who alleges they are a victim of domestic violence perpet...

A June 11, 2024, news article in the Philadelphia Tribune, written by staff writer Sherry Stone, spotlighted the issue of increasing elder abuse in the form of financial fraud in Pennsylvania based on reports from the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). There were several forms of financial...

Not everyone is fortunate enough to feel safe with their family. Jillian Howard of Noble, OK, is one such person. She estimates that she was about seven or eight years old the first time her father beat her. Now, she is 30 years old and has a son of her own, but she still lives in fear of her fa...

If you are newly divorced, in the middle of a divorce, or separated from your spouse, the holidays during November and December can feel like a stressful marathon. Your life has changed dramatically, and it is important to acknowledge that your previous holiday routines and traditions may not be ...

Sexual abuse victims considering filing a civil lawsuit in Pennsylvania against those responsible for the abuse now have more time to bring a claim than victims in previous decades. In 2019, Pennsylvania amended its statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases. Under the new law, victims of chil...

Abuse survivors in Montgomery County, PA, just got an extra helping hand: the Hope Card. This card condenses vital information from a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order into a small, credit card-sized format, making it easier for domestic violence survivors to carry and present to law enforcement....

In 2018, 7-year-old Kayden Mancuso was murdered by her biological father, Jeffrey Mancuso, during a court-ordered visit despite his known mental health issues and history of violence. The court granted Mancuso unsupervised visits contingent on him seeking mental health treatment, disregarding his...