Carla Donnelly 
As the first day of school approaches, it is a good time to start planning for the new school year, especially when the parents are living separately for the first time. Here are some things to consider: The first day of school sets the tone for the school year. Figure out which parent has custody … Read more
Pittsburgh – Carla Schiff Donnelly, a Principal in the Pittsburgh-based family law firm of Gentile, Horoho & Avalli, P.C. (GHA) has been named to the 10 Best Family Law Attorneys in Pennsylvania by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. The American Institute’s Family Law Division recognizes excellence of practitioners in the field. The “10 … Read more
The stress of divorce can cause you to make some big financial mistakes. Face it, it is hard to think clearly when you are scared, angry, frustrated and/or worn down. You are getting unsolicited advice from those around you or you are isolated and do not know where to turn for advice. Here are five mistakes … Read more
Coparenting is the act of parenting children together. Good coparents make decisions together with any eye toward what is best for their children rather than what is best for one parent or the other. Good coparents respect the other parent’s role in the lives of their children. I love hearing good coparenting stories from my … Read more
I am discussing custody transitions for children because, as hard as divorce can be on the parents, it can be even harder on the children. Only the parents can control how much their children will be impacted by the divorce. Over the years, it has been clear that the one of the hardest aspects of … Read more
Stay at home parents and homemakers often ask whether they will have to get a job after they divorce. While the short answer is technically “no,” it is not that simple. The court will not order you to get a job. That said, you may need to get a job depending on the support you … Read more
One of the most confusing aspects of divorce and separation is the timing of your support case. Whether it is for child support or interim support of a spouse, knowing the timing can save you from headaches and financial distress. Here is what you need to know if you are a support recipient: When you … Read more
On February 20, 2018, I appeared on the KDKA Radio Show Divorce Total Talk hosted by Nan Cohen answering listeners’ questions about divorce. Listen in! Listen to a prior show.
Whether it is your job, a new relationship or for any other reason, relocation is a tricky issue. Pennsylvania has a stringent relocation statute, 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5337, which creates a protocol to follow in order to accomplish a relocation. The first step is to determine whether the move constitutes a relocation. A relocation is … Read more
Your divorce still is not over but you do not want to rent. Can you purchase a house instead? Can you get a mortgage during your divorce? The law does not necessarily prevent a party from buying a home while the divorce is pending. The bigger questions are the source of the funds for the down … Read more