Pittsburgh Legal Blog

What are child custody decisions based on?

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in Family Law on Friday, April 19, 2019.

Child custody is the most important part of many divorces. There are different types of child custody and standards for how child custody determinations are made and divorcing parents should ensure all of their important child custody questions are answered and concerns addressed.

The family law process provides important resources for divorcing couples to help them with all of their divorce-related concerns. Child custody arrangements can be joint custody or sole custody arrangements and both physical and legal custody of the child must be determined. Physical custody of the child refers to where the child lives and legal custody of the child refers to who has the right and responsibility for making important decisions for the child related to their education, health care and upbringing.

How to select the best business form

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in Business Law on Friday, April 5, 2019.

When selecting a business form, there are many considerations to consider. Selecting the best business form for their venture is one of the most important decisions a business owner or entrepreneur will make so they should have all the information before making the selection and be aware that business law resources can help.

In general, it is important to consider start-up costs, ongoing costs and the business owner's future goals for the business and plans for its growth. Cost is one of the most significant initial considerations a business owner will want to evaluate, as the cost to run a sole proprietorship is less than a corporation but there may be other advantages to selecting a corporate structure such as those related to personal liability.

How legal resources can help medical malpractice victims

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in personal injury on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

Medical malpractice can harm victims and their families. Because of this reality, it is essential for victims of medical malpractice and their families to know how to protect themselves and the legal resources available to help them do that.

A claim for medical malpractice, brought as a personal injury or wrongful death claim for damages, can help victims of medical malpractice recover compensation for the physical, financial and emotional damages that result from medical malpractice. When a patient, and the patient's family, entrusts their medical care to a medical care professional, it can be devastating to learn that the medical care professional has been negligent.

Estate planning tools for an effective estate plan

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in estate planning on Friday, March 8, 2019.

Estate planning is important for everyone which is why estate planners should carefully consider their estate planning options. Estate planning includes a set of legal tools that help estate planners develop a comprehensive estate plan that reflects their wishes and works for them.

There are a variety of estate planning documents to help estate planners develop a personalized estate plan that is effective, knowing that it is not a one-size-fits all process. Because the legal system realizes that, it provides a variety of different estate planning tools to help estate planners. Estate planning provides peace of mind to both the estate planner and the estate planner's family and loved ones which is one of the many benefits of having a comprehensive estate plan.

What to know before selling a business

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. on Monday, February 18, 2019.

The idea of selling your business can be a freeing one. You may imagine retiring, spending more time with family or even beginning a new business endeavor.

However, it’s necessary to understand what’s involved in a sale before you start the process. Here are a few important factors:

Driving hungover is almost as dangerous as driving drunk

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

Imagine a scenario where you attend a dinner party with close friends. You enjoy reconnecting with your peers over a few glasses of wine and decide to stay the night – because you want to be a safe driver.

The next morning, you realize you had a few too many drinks and woke up to a massive migraine. You want to leave as soon as possible to sleep off the hangover in your bed. But is that the right decision?

The basics of a severance agreement

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in Business Law on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Pennsylvania recognizes at-will employment. This means that an employee can be fired at any time with or without cause. On the flip side, an employee can quit a job at any time. Of course, there may be consequences for prematurely terminating employment, especially when that employment is dictated by an employment contract or discrimination has occurred. However, there may come a time when negotiating a severance package is in both parties' best interests.

Oftentimes, a severance agreement is used to prevent a former employee from taking legal action against the employer, such as for wrongful termination. In exchange, a former employee typically receives compensation and some sort of benefits package. The basis of severance pay can rest on many factors, including: the length of the employee's service to the employer; the reason for the employee leaving the employer; and even the financial health of the employer.

Am I too young to draft a will?

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in Wills & Estates on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

Generally, it is a good idea for every adult to have a will. None of us will live forever, and unexpected accidents happen all the time. Although you may think you have nothing to pass on, the amount of money you have now may not be as relevant as it seems. Depending on how you die, your estate could be awarded money in a lawsuit over the cause of your death. If you have no will, you have no say where any of your assets go.

However, a will can do more than determine who gets what, and many of the general reasons for having a will are just as valid for young people as they are for older ones, including:

Minimizing estate taxes
Shortening the probate process
Naming someone you trust to manage your final affairs

Pittsburgh-area man arrested on aggravated battery charges

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

Oftentimes when individuals are accused of committing a crime, their defense is to show that they were not involved in the alleged criminal wrongdoing in any way. An individual accused of robbery or murder, for example, may present an alibi to demonstrate that he or she was somewhere else when the crime occurred. However, sometimes this simply isn't possible as it is clear from the facts and witness accounts that an accused individual was involved in the events in some fashion.

This is the case for two Pittsburgh-area men who are facing criminal charges after an altercation on a city bus. According to reports, the men started to argue at a bus stop when they exchanged disconcerting looks. One man said that the other followed him onto the bus after he told him to relax because he, meaning the second man, didn't know what he was capable of.

The right approach to family law issues

On behalf of Gusty A.E. Sunseri & Associates, P.C. posted in family law on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

A recent post here discussed how "bird nesting" can play into child custody and visitation issues. While this is just one way to deal with this prevalent family law issue, it does show just how creative the resolution process can be. When parties to a child custody or visitation issue are able to amicably work through these matters, they may be resolved quickly and fairly. Those who can't may find themselves embroiled in litigation.

Either way, these individuals need to ensure that they are aggressively presenting their position and diligently protecting their rights. Failing to do so could lead to an unfavorable result, even if the matter is negotiated, because one parent may be unknowingly taken advantage of by the other. There's a lot at stake in these matters, too, as the result can have a dramatic impact on a parent's relationship with a child.

Experienced, Personalized And
Effective Legal Solutions