CGA Law Firm recognizes Paralegal Christy LaMotte for her incredible 30 years of service. She began her career at CGA working with founding partner Gary Gilbert and then shortly moved to working alongside Family Law chair Thomas O’Shea for 29 of her 30 years at the firm. “She is an excellent paralegal, and I would be lost without her,” stated O’Shea. Christy assists with all divorce, custody, and support cases. She is often the first point of contact with court personnel. Her favorite part of working in family law is handling adoption cases. “Over the last 30 years, Christy’s dedication,… read more »
Attorney Tom O’Shea Awarded the MidPenn Legal Services Donald F. Smith, Jr., Pro Bono Award
CGA Law Firm is pleased to announce that Attorney Thomas O’Shea received the MidPenn Donald F. Smith, Jr., Pro Bono Award during the MidPenn Legal Services Access to Justice Reception. “Tom was chosen for this award, given his many years of support for MidPenn by serving on the Board in various positions and accepting cases as a pro bono volunteer, primarily in the Family law area, which are often some of the most difficult cases to place with volunteer attorneys,” Rhodia D. Thomas, executive director of MidPenn Legal Services, said. O’Shea has written and directed Bar Stools, a local comedic production with… read more »
Pet Custody: Who Gets the Dog In the Divorce?
Dogs are one of the most common and beloved pets across the United States and the entire world. Many couples decide to purchase a furry friend together while their relationship progresses. Though it may seem that nothing could go wrong, that isn’t always the case. If the couple splits up, where does the dog go? Though many people view their dog as their child, the courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania do not. In Pennsylvania, dogs are regarded as personal property[1], not something that a couple has a right to share equally. Though we sometimes believe our pets to be… read more »
CGA Law Firm Hiring Associate Attorneys
CGA Law Firm, one of the most highly rated and civic-minded law firms in South Central PA, is hiring two full-time associate attorneys. CGA seeks a Litigation attorney with one to three years of experience to work in commercial and other civil litigation, and a Family Law attorney with a minimum of two to seven years of experience to handle family law matters, including divorce, support, custody, adoptions, prenuptial agreements, guardianships, and PFAs. Candidates must be comfortable in a moderately large private practice and be able to work in a team environment. Submissions from interested parties will be strictly confidential…. read more »
Family Law Seminar: Divorce, Child Custody, and Support
Join us in-person for this Leadership Luncheon presented at the York County Economic Alliance. This seminar will provide a basic overview of Family Law topics, including divorce, child custody, and support. There will also be a review of different court procedures that parties go through when the parties cannot reach an agreement on these issues. Family Law Attorneys Richard Konkel and Tom O’Shea will be presenting this seminar. Richard has 25 years of Family Law experience and Tom has 30 years and is the Chair of the Family Law Department.Registration & Lunch at 11:45 a.m.Program begins at 12:00 p.m.Register now to… read more »
COVID and Child Custody
COVID-19 is not considered a reason to ignore the terms of the Pennsylvania child custody order. As a general rule, the Pennsylvania courts are requiring parents with a child custody order to follow the schedule set forth in the order despite concerns that a parent might have to the child traveling back and forth between two households. This is true even when the governor enters a stay-at-home order for non-essential activities. Governor Wolf’s first stay at home order went into effect on April 1, 2020. At that time, all Pennsylvanians were only allowed to leave their residences for essential activities. In addition to buying food… read more »
Contemplating Divorce during the Pandemic
Contemplating Divorce: The Initial Consultation Many people predict that the aftereffect of the pandemic will be a baby boom, an increase in divorces, or a combination of the two. Typically there is an increase in the number of divorces after summer break or the holidays because these are periods of time when people spend much time together, which causes them to critically reevaluate their relationships. As people are sheltering at home during COVID-19, many couples are similarly reflecting on their relationships and deciding to make changes. If contemplating the life-changing events of a divorce, it is wise to seek legal… read more »
Voted “BEST LAW FIRM” in York County 2020!
CGA Law Firm voted Best Law Firm in York County 2020 All of us at CGA Law Firm sincerely appreciate the residents of York County voting us “Best Law Firm” for 2020. The confidence you demonstrate each year with your overwhelming votes continues to warm our hearts and inspire us to do our very best. Our team of approximately 70 professionals offers depth of experience, passion and skill. Although CGA is based in York, the Firm serves clients throughout South Central PA, often as a more convenient and cost effectivealternative to “big city” firms. When you hire a CGA attorney, you… read more »
The Stress of Divorcing
Article by: Richard K. Konkel, Esquire Potential clients usually contemplate on whether to move forward with a divorce for an extended period time. They think long and hard about this very difficult decision. Along the way, they may be offered information or advice from friends and family which may or may not be accurate or useful. Beware of free information! You usually get what you pay for, and free advice is often not worth much. If contemplating the life-changing events of a divorce, it is wise to seek legal counsel. Your first interaction when calling an attorney’s office will be… read more »
Is Attendance in Existing Kindergarten Programs Compulsory?
Article by: Leanne M. Miller Article V of the School Code (addressing “Duties and Powers of Boards of School Directors”) requires every school district to “establish, equip, furnish, and maintain a sufficient number of elementary public schools, in compliance with the provisions of this act, to educate every person, residing in such district, between the ages of six and twenty-one years, who may attend.” 24 P.S. § 5–501(a). The same article makes clear that school districts are not required to establish kindergarten programs, although they may do so as a matter of discretion, and if a district establishes such a… read more »