Celebrating Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

The first organized Independence Day celebration was held in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777. It is here where the tradition of setting off fireworks began when a 13-gun salute was fired from a ship’s cannon to honor the 13 colonies.

John Adams envisioned fireworks to be part of the Independence Day festivities before the Declaration of Independence was actually signed. The Continental Congress had voted in favor of independence on July 2, 1776, two days before the signing. That day an excited Adams wrote to his wife Abigail:

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

Since then, it has become a tradition where Americans celebrate the Fourth of July (and summer) with massive fireworks shows.

And although it might not have been what the original patriots had in mind, today 4th of July fireworks continues to symbolize the many freedoms Americans enjoy as well as Independence Day's celebration of American history.

On Independence Day we remember the many who have sacrificed to protect our freedom and let us continue to remember it each year so that we may keep the celebration of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Summer Custody

Attorney Kara W. Haggerty

Summer vacation. The term evokes many thoughts – long days, warm nights, sunshine, and flowers blooming, lounging by the pool or a trip down the shore. For kids it means no school, sleeping in, hanging out with friends, or going to summer camp.

For separated families, the term means something very different. It means a change in the custody schedule, needing childcare, arranging transportation to camp, and deciding who is taking summer vacation first. There are also financial considerations. Does child support change? Who is paying for the extracurricular activities, camp or even the pool membership?

Custody in Pennsylvania involves both legal custody (decisions about the child's education, medical care, religion, and overall upbringing), and physical custody (where the child is physically present). In determining both legal and physical custody, a court must determine what is in the best interest of the child. An experienced lawyer can provide the guidance necessary to address these issues in a custody dispute.

For separated families with school-age children, summer vacation usually means a change in the custody schedule. During the school year, one parent may have primary physical custody to establish consistency for the child during the week. The non-custodial parent may have weekends or varying nights throughout the week. Shared custody schedules are designed with the school schedule in mind. Summer vacation is the time a non-custodial parent may exercise an opportunity to spend more time with the children. The custody schedule may reverse completely – with primary custody changing from one parent to the other – or parties may decide to share physical custody equally.

Whatever schedule works for your family, it is important to remember to plan ahead. Should you want to change a summer schedule and will need court intervention to make it happen, a parent must take action months in advance. Furthermore, most custody agreements or orders require a parent to choose when they are taking their “official” summer vacation at least thirty days in advance, and the parent who picks first gets preference. Most importantly, if there is any dispute about where a child may attend school the following school year, the months prior and during your summer vacation are the times to decide. A custody trial regarding school must be completed by the middle of August to allow for a child’s smooth transition into the next school year. Identifying any potential issues early to allow for changes that need to be made.

Each custody matter is entirely unique and requires the attention of a sensitive and qualified attorney. Our significant experience in this area can allow for a practical and customized custody agreement to fit your needs. We can help address the issues of work, travel, childcare, extracurricular activities, holidays, vacations, and special events to devise a plan that works best for both the children and parents.

So, remember to make your summer vacation breeze by like a trip down a lazy river, open the lines of communication early. Begin to discuss any possible changes well in advance. Contact your attorney months before should you feel you need court intervention to make a decision regarding vacation or the following school year. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Peter J. Russo, P.C. can help you plan ahead and relax for the summer!

Contact Kara W. Haggerty, Esquire at 717-591-1755 or khaggerty@pjrlaw.com for guidance.

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Co-parenting after a separation or divorce is rarely easy. Unless your family has faced serious issues such as domestic violence or substance abuse, both parents playing an active role in their children’s daily lives is truly the best way to ensure that all their needs are met and enable them to retain close relationships with both parents.

To help guide you in the right direction, here are four co-parenting tips that will help you understand how to co-parent in a way that will provide your children with a balanced and happy upbringing.

Tip 1: Love Your Child More Than You Hate the Other Parent

Successful co-parenting means that any anger, resentment, or hurt that you may be feeling must take a back seat to the needs of your children. This may be the hardest part of learning to work cooperatively with your ex, but it’s also perhaps the most vital.

Co-parenting is not about your feelings, or those of your ex-spouse, but rather about your child’s happiness, stability, and future well-being.

Tip 2: Improve Communication with Your Co-Parent

Communicating with an ex isn't always easy, but it is necessary when you share children. Being able to do this in a mature and respectful manner is imperative in child custody situations. It will help you come up with solutions to issues that put the child's needs first and sets a great example for the children.

Communication takes many forms, and the communication style that works for you and your ex will depend on your lifestyle. Regardless how you choose to communicate, keep communication positive. Make sure that your conversations focus only on the children and their needs. Be sure that you listen to what your ex has to say and keep your communication civil. Think about communication with your ex as having the highest purpose: your child’s well-being.

Tip 3: Co-Parent as a Team

Parenting is full of decisions you’ll have to make with your ex, whether you like each other or not. Cooperating and communicating without blow-ups or bickering makes decision-making far easier on everybody. If you shoot for consistency and teamwork with your co-parent, the details of child-rearing decisions tend to fall into place.

Tip 4: Make Transitions and Visitation Easier

The actual move from one household to another, whether it happens every few days or just certain weekends, can be a very hard time for children. No matter where or when you exchange the kids, keep these moments short and sweet. Do your best not to cry or hang on to the children when they go off with the other parent. Especially don't drag it on giving your ex endless instructions. Say your goodbyes with a smile, so the children won't feel guilty about leaving you by yourself.

In the end, remember, co-parenting is a long-term commitment. Even after the children graduate from high school and college, there will be holidays, birthdays, weddings, grandchildren and other milestones of which both parents will likely play a role. These occasions are much easier for the children when parents remain cordial. Taking steps to solidify the co-parenting relationship during the divorce will pay off in the long run.

Contact Ann Arena, Paralegal at 717-591-1755 or aarena@pjrlaw.com for guidance.

1. Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living – Mahatama Gandhi.

2. Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. – Martin Luther King Jr.

3. Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement. – Nelson Mandela

4. They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. – Benjamin Franklin

5. The preservation of freedom is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be strong. – Lal Bahadur Shastri

6. You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. – Malcolm X

7. Freedom lies in being bold. – Robert Frost

8. Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it. – Pericles

9. The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion. – Albert Camus

10.Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. – Abraham Lincoln

11.So long as you do not achieve social liberty, whatever freedom is provided by the law is of no avail to you. – Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

12.We gain freedom when we have paid the full price. – Rabindranath Tagore

13.Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. – George Bernard Shaw

14.Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. – Albert Camus

15.We want deeper sincerity of motive, a greater courage in speech, and earnestness in action. – Sarojini Naidu

Tips for Surviving Any Holiday Weekend

It is estimated that Americans eat 155 million hot dogs on Independence Day. You’re also likely to see plenty of corn on the cob, smores, strawberry shortcake, apple pie, ice cream, lemonade, and beer. Lots of beer! Holidays such as the 4^th of July bring lots of yummy temptations so it can be hard to eat cleanly and come out feeling good. Here are a few tips for surviving any holiday weekend:

1. Don’t ever feel bad for enjoying yourself – The best thing for your mental health is to have fun, laugh and fill your soul with love so you can reduce stress and relax.

2. Offer to bring a dish – This way you know there will be something healthy you can eat that you know you will like.

3. Exercise – Go for a swim, a family bike ride, or a casual walk. Play a fun game so you’re not eating or thinking about eating all day long.

4. Rotate alcohol and water – This keeps you hydrated and slows down the alcohol.

5. Focus on family and friends not food – Sit and talk away from where the food is so you’re not snacking for hours and hours.