Recent Publications
Dorothy K. Phillips is a frequent contributor to PENNSYLVANIA LAW WEEKLY. All articles are available in pdf format. Click the related links for more information about our practice areas.
A list of articles by topic can be found by clicking here.
Articles by date (most recent on top)
Baby
Steps for the Justice System
State and federal law evolving to protect the parental rights of same-sex
couples
32 PLW 1250;
November 2, 2009
Same Sex Unions and Gay Rights, Surrogacy
and ART (Assisted Reproduction Technologies)
KEEPING THE GOLDEN YEARS GOLDEN
Divorce over 50 calls for special consideration of government retirement benefits
32 PLW 1014; September 7, 2009
Alimony; Divorce; Equitable
Distribution
DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL
On the 40th anniversary of the gay rights movement, Pennsylvania has far to go
32 PLW 738; July 6, 2009
Same Sex Unions and Gay
Rights
THROUGH A LENS DARKLY
The pervasive effects of the economy on divorce are yet to be revealed
32 PLW 483; May 4, 2009
Equitable Distribution, Support
WALKING THE TIGHTROPE
Negotiating Pennsylvania's psychiatrist-patient privilege
32 PLW 240; March 2, 2009
Custody
HELPING THE HELPERS
Recent legislation provides new tools to aid resource families
31 PLW 1185; November 3, 2008
Custody
WHEN WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET
Well-drafted agreements can save clients from heartache and litigation
31 PLW 938; September 1, 2008
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
SUFFER THE
LITTLE CHILDREN
The decision banning the death penalty for those who rape children
is a capital affront
31 PLW 697; July 7, 2008
Domestic Violence
LIFE IMITATES ART
High court has breathed life into ART – Assisted Reproductive Technologies — agreement
31 PLW 489; May 5, 2008
Surrogacy and ART (Assisted Reproduction
Technologies)
CUSTODY ON THE MOVE
The three-factor Gruber test isn't always required, an appeals
panel has said
29 PLW 244; March 3, 2008
Custody
ABUSING THE ABUSE ACT
Superior Court has expanded the application of PFA beyond
all discernable boundaries
30 PLW 756; November 5, 2007
Domestic Violence
A SLIPPERY SLOPE
Lawyers must tread carefully if they accept referral fees from investment
advisors
30 PLW 550; September 3, 2007
Estate Planning; Equitable
Distribution
HAS STARE DECISIS BEEN ABORTED?
In abortion case, U.S. Supreme Court has ignored long-standing protections
of women's health
30 PLW 388, 389; July 23, 2007
Reproductive Rights
WHEN IS TESTIMONY NON-TESTIMONIAL?
A balancing act between sixth amendment protection and child abuse victim
protection
30 PLW 406; April 16, 2007
Domestic Violence
pensions REVISITED
The making of a remedy: the Social Security offset
30 PLW 248; February 26, 2007
Pensions; Divorce
SEPARATE, BUT STILL NOT EQUAL
Legislation is a big step forward for same-sex couples, but there is
still a long way to go
30 PLW 96; January 15, 2007
Same Sex Unions; Divorce
MAKING 'CENTS' OF EARNING CAPACITY
Contradiction is the only constant in child support obligation calculations
29 PLW 1378; December 18, 2006
Support; Alimony
SEPARATE, BUT NOT EQUAL
Voters reject same-sex marriage, partnerships as NJ moves toward recognizing
unions
29 PLW 1310; November 20, 2006
Same Sex Unions; Divorce
EQUITABLE REIMBURSEMENT
A Remedy for Unjust Enrichment
29 PLW 1160; October 16, 2006
Equitable Distribution; Alimony; Divorce
GRANDPARENTHOOD -- A GIANT STEP FORWARD
29 PLW 1048; September 18, 2006
Grandparent Rights
FAMILY BUSINESS - DATE AND METHOD OF VALUATION
Court Mandates Tax Effects of Alimony Award Be Considered
29 PLW 944; August 21, 2006
Equitable Distribution; Alimony; Divorce
SPLITTING SIBLINGS
When does the child's preference tip the scales in determining custody?
29 PLW 804; July 17, 2006
Custody
THE RULE AGAINST DOUBLE DIPPING
Sums for support purposes cannot be considered for equitable distribution
29 PLW 668; June 19, 2006
Equitable Distribution; Support; Divorce
FROM ‘PLAYMATE’ TO PAY-MATE
The Playboy centerfold, the oil magnate, and – oh yes – exceptions
to federal jurisdiction
29 PLW 530; May 15, 2006
Estate Planning
ONLY INCIDENTAL
Children are not intended beneficiaries of parents' property settlement
agreement
29 PLW 420; April 17, 2006
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements, Divorce
COMPLIANCE v. PUNISHMENT
The differences between civil and criminal contempt
29 PLW 310; March 20, 2006
Support; Alimony; Equitable
Distribution, Divorce
SURROGACY: CHOICE, NOT CHANCE
Since Pennsylvania has no surrogacy laws, lawyers must protect parties
29 PLW 8; February 20, 2006
Surrogacy and ART (Assisted Reproduction
Technologies)
TO TEST OR NOT TO TEST
Advances in science are making the courts walk a fine line with genetic
testing
29 PLW 66; January 16, 2006
Surrogacy and ART (Assisted Reproduction
Technologies); Paternity
A STOPGAP NO LONGER
New law gives foster families standing to adopt
28 PLW 1330; December 12, 2005
Adoption and Foster Care
INTERNATIONAL
INTRIGUE
A treaty creates remedies for child abduction
28 PLW 1212; November 14, 2005
Custody; Hague
Convention
NATURE vs
NURTURE
In lesbian family breakup, Superior Court affirms custody award for non-biological
parent
28 PLW 1068; October 10, 2005
Same Sex Unions; Custody
A COMMON
DENOMINATOR
A new amendment to the Divorce Code codifies distribution of defined
benefit pension plans
28 PLW 968; September 12, 2005
Pensions; Divorce
THE ROLE OF
THIRD PARTIES IN CUSTODY DISPUTES
28 PLW 830; August 8, 2005
Custody
TAP INTO SAVINGS
Tuition Account Plan (TAP 529) Gives Parents Control Over Savings for
Minors
28 PLW 679; July 11, 2005
Support; Estate
Planning
YOU’VE
GOT A FRIEND IN PENNSYLVANIA - UNLESS YOU OWE CHILD SUPPORT
28 PLW 584; June 13, 2005
Support
IS THERE DIVORCE AFTER DEATH?
Many questions answered by new amendments to Divorce Code
28 PLW 436; May 9, 2005
Estate Planning; Pensions; Prenuptial
and Postnuptial Agreements;
Equitable Distribution; Divorce
Adoption and Foster Care
A STOPGAP NO LONGER
New law gives foster families standing to adopt
28 PLW 1330; December 12, 2005
More information about Adoption
and Foster Care
Adoption and Foster Care FAQs
Alimony
KEEPING THE GOLDEN YEARS GOLDEN
Divorce over 50 calls for special consideration of government retirement benefits
32 PLW 1014; September 7, 2009
FAMILY BUSINESS - DATE AND METHOD OF VALUATION
Court Mandates Tax Effects of Alimony Award Be Considered
29 PLW 944; August 21, 2006
COMPLIANCE v. PUNISHMENT
The differences between civil and criminal contempt
29 PLW 310; March 20, 2006
EQUITABLE REIMBURSEMENT
A Remedy for Unjust Enrichment
29 PLW 1160; October 16, 2006
MAKING 'CENTS' OF EARNING CAPACITY
Contradiction is the only constant in child support obligation calculations
29 PLW 1378; December 18, 2006
More information about Alimony
Alimony FAQs
Appellate Representation
Articles on this topic coming soon
More information about Appellate
Representation
Appellate Representation FAQs
Custody
and Partial Custody
WALKING THE TIGHTROPE
Negotiating Pennsylvania's psychiatrist-patient privilege
32 PLW 240; March 2, 2009
HELPING THE HELPERS
Recent legislation provides new tools to aid resource families
31 PLW 1185; November 3, 2008
CUSTODY ON THE MOVE
The three-factor Gruber test isn't always required, an appeals
panel has said
29 PLW 244; March 3, 2008
SPLITTING SIBLINGS
When does the child's preference tip the scales in determining custody?
29 PLW 804; July 17, 2006
INTERNATIONAL
INTRIGUE
A treaty creates remedies for child abduction
28 PLW 1212; November 14, 2005
NATURE vs
NURTURE
In lesbian family breakup, Superior Court affirms custody award for non-biological
parent
28 PLW 1068; October 10, 2005
THE ROLE OF
THIRD PARTIES IN CUSTODY DISPUTES
28 PLW 830; August 8, 2005
More information about Custody
and Partial Custody
Custody and Partial Custody FAQs
Divorce
KEEPING THE GOLDEN YEARS GOLDEN
Divorce over 50 calls for special consideration of government retirement benefits
32 PLW 1014; September 7, 2009
pensions REVISITED
The making of a remedy: the Social Security offset
30 PLW 248; February 26, 2007
SEPARATE, BUT STILL NOT EQUAL
Legislation is a big step forward for same-sex couples, but there is
still a long way to go
30 PLW 96; January 15, 2007
SEPARATE, BUT NOT EQUAL
Voters reject same-sex marriage, partnerships as NJ moves toward recognizing
unions
29 PLW 1310; November 20, 2006
EQUITABLE REIMBURSEMENT
A Remedy for Unjust Enrichment
29 PLW 1160; October 16, 2006
FAMILY BUSINESS - DATE AND METHOD OF VALUATION
Court Mandates Tax Effects of Alimony Award Be Considered
29 PLW 944; August 21, 2006
THE RULE AGAINST DOUBLE DIPPING
Sums for support purposes cannot be considered for equitable distribution
29 PLW 668; June 19, 2006
ONLY INCIDENTAL
Children are not intended beneficiaries of parents' property settlement
agreement
29 PLW 420; April 17, 2006
COMPLIANCE v. PUNISHMENT
The differences between civil and criminal contempt
29 PLW 310; March 20, 2006
A COMMON
DENOMINATOR
A new amendment to the Divorce Code codifies distribution of defined
benefit pension plans
28 PLW 968; September 12, 2005
IS THERE DIVORCE AFTER DEATH?
Many questions answered by new amendments to Divorce Code
28 PLW 436; May 9, 2005
More information
about Divorce
Divorce FAQs
Domestic Violence (Protection from Abuse, Child Abuse, Spousal Abuse)
SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN
The decision banning the death penalty for those who rape children is
a capital affront
31 PLW 697; July 7, 2008
ABUSING THE ABUSE ACT
Superior Court has expanded the application of PFA beyond all
discernable boundaries
30 PLW 756; November 5, 2007
WHEN IS TESTIMONY NON-TESTIMONIAL?
A balancing act between sixth amendment protection and child abuse victim
protection
30 PLW 406; April 16, 2007
More information about Domestic
Violence
Domestic Violence FAQs
Equitable Distribution (Property) and Buy-Sell Agreements
KEEPING THE GOLDEN YEARS GOLDEN
Divorce over 50 calls for special consideration of government retirement benefits
32 PLW 1014; September 7, 2009
THROUGH A LENS DARKLY
The pervasive effects of the economy on divorce are yet to be revealed
32 PLW 483; May 4, 2009
A SLIPPERY SLOPE
Lawyers must tread carefully if they accept referral fees from investment
advisors
30 PLW 550; September 3, 2007
EQUITABLE REIMBURSEMENT
A Remedy for Unjust Enrichment
29 PLW 1160; October 16, 2006
FAMILY BUSINESS - DATE AND METHOD OF VALUATION
Court Mandates Tax Effects of Alimony Award Be Considered
29 PLW 944; August 21, 2006
THE RULE AGAINST DOUBLE DIPPING
Sums for support purposes cannot be considered for equitable distribution
29 PLW 668; June 19, 2006
COMPLIANCE v. PUNISHMENT
The differences between civil and criminal contempt
29 PLW 310; March 20, 2006
IS THERE DIVORCE AFTER DEATH?
Many questions answered by new amendments to Divorce Code
28 PLW 436; May 9, 2005
More information about Equitable
Distribution
Equitable Distribution FAQs
Estate Planning
A SLIPPERY SLOPE
Lawyers must tread carefully if they accept referral fees from investment
advisors
30 PLW 550;September 3, 2007
FROM ‘PLAYMATE’ TO PAY-MATE
The Playboy centerfold, the oil magnate, and – oh yes – exceptions
to federal jurisdiction
29 PLW 530; May 15, 2006
IS THERE DIVORCE AFTER DEATH?
Many questions answered by new amendments to Divorce Code
28 PLW 436; May 9, 2005
TAP INTO SAVINGS
Tuition Account Plan (TAP 529) Gives Parents Control Over Savings for
Minors
28 PLW 679; July 11, 2005
More information about Estate
Planning
Estate Planning FAQs
Grandparent Rights
GRANDPARENTHOOD -- A GIANT STEP FORWARD
29 PLW 1048; September 18, 2006
More information about
Grandparent Rights
Grandparent Rights FAQs
The Hague Convention
INTERNATIONAL
INTRIGUE
A treaty creates remedies for child abduction
28 PLW 1212; November 14, 2005
More information about The Hague
Convention
The Hague Convention FAQs
Paternity
TO TEST OR NOT TO TEST
Advances in science are making the courts walk a fine line with genetic
testing
29 PLW 66; January 16, 2006
More information about Paternity
Paternity FAQs
Pensions
pensions REVISITED
The making of a remedy: the Social Security offset
30 PLW 248; February 26, 2007
A COMMON
DENOMINATOR
A new amendment to the Divorce Code codifies distribution of defined
benefit pension plans
28 PLW 968; September 12, 2005
More information about Pensions
Pensions FAQs
Prenuptial
and Postnuptial Agreements
WHEN WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU
GET
Well-drafted agreements can save clients from heartache and litigation
31 PLW 938; September 1, 2008
ONLY INCIDENTAL
Children are not intended beneficiaries of parents' property settlement
agreement
29 PLW 420; April 17, 2006
IS THERE DIVORCE AFTER DEATH?
Many questions answered by new amendments to Divorce Code
28 PLW 436; May 9, 2005
More information about Prenuptial
and Postnuptial Agreements
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements FAQs
Reproductive Rights
Has Stare Decisis Been Aborted?
In abortion case, U.S. Supreme Court has ignored long-standing protections
of women's health
30 PLW 388, 389; July 23, 2007
More information about
Reproductive Rights
Reproductive Rights FAQs
Same Sex Unions and Gay Rights
Baby
Steps for the Justice System
State and federal law evolving to protect the parental rights of same-sex
couples
32 PLW 1250;
November 2, 2009
DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL
On the 40th anniversary of the gay rights movement, Pennsylvania has far to go
32 PLW 738; July 6, 2009
SEPARATE, BUT STILL NOT EQUAL
Legislation is a big step forward for same-sex couples, but there is
still a long way to go
30 PLW 96; January 15, 2007
SEPARATE, BUT NOT EQUAL
Voters reject same-sex marriage, partnerships as NJ moves toward recognizing
unions
29 PLW 1310; November 20, 2006
NATURE vs
NURTURE
In lesbian family breakup, Superior Court affirms custody award for non-biological
parent
28 PLW 1068; October 10, 2005
More information about Same
Sex Unions and Gay Rights
Same Sex Unions and Gay Rights FAQs
Support (Child Support, Spousal Support and Alimony Pendente Lite / Separate Maintenance)
THROUGH A LENS DARKLY
The pervasive effects of the economy on divorce are yet to be revealed
32 PLW 483; May 4, 2009
MAKING 'CENTS' OF EARNING CAPACITY
Contradiction is the only constant in child support obligation calculations
29 PLW 1378; December 18, 2006
THE RULE AGAINST DOUBLE DIPPING
Sums for support purposes cannot be considered for equitable distribution
29 PLW 668; June 19, 2006
COMPLIANCE v. PUNISHMENT
The differences between civil and criminal contempt
29 PLW 310; March 20, 2006
TAP INTO SAVINGS
Tuition Account Plan (TAP 529) Gives Parents Control Over Savings for
Minors
28 PLW 679; July 11, 2005
YOU’VE
GOT A FRIEND IN PENNSYLVANIA - UNLESS YOU OWE CHILD SUPPORT
28 PLW 584; June 13, 2005
More information about Support
Support FAQs
Surrogacy and ART (Assisted Reproduction Technologies) and ART (Assisted Reproduction Technologies)
Baby Steps for
the Justice System
State and federal law evolving to protect the parental rights of same-sex couples
32 PLW 1250; November 2, 2009
LIFE IMITATES ART
High court has breathed life into ART – Assisted Reproductive Technologies — agreement
31 PLW 489; May 5, 2008
SURROGACY: CHOICE, NOT CHANCE
Since Pennsylvania has no surrogacy laws, lawyers must protect parties
29 PLW 8; February 20, 2006
TO TEST OR NOT TO TEST
Advances in science are making the courts walk a fine line with genetic
testing
29 PLW 66; January 16, 2006
More information about Surrogacy
and ART (Assisted Reproductive Technologies)
Surrogacy and ART
(Assisted Reproduction Technologies) FAQs
Visitation
Articles on this topic coming soon.