Family Law · Western Pennsylvania
Ruppert Law Firm represents Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania families in divorce, custody, and support matters.
Our Attorneys
Divorce is a complicated process, even at its most amicable. In a moment of extreme transition, you need a pragmatic and experienced person to guide you when considering:
Can my marriage be saved?
What custody arrangement is best for my kids?
How do we divide our assets/debts?
When should I fight?
When should I compromise?
At Ruppert Law Firm LLC, we know that no two divorces are the same. We’ll fight when we need to, and compromise when the time is right.
Most importantly, we have the wisdom to know the difference.
Ruppert Law Firm handles divorce, custody, support, property division, and more across Western Pennsylvania.
Facing divorce in Pittsburgh or Western PA? Ruppert Law Firm handles contested and no-fault divorce with a steady, assertive approach.
Facing divorce in Pittsburgh or Western PA? Ruppert Law Firm handles contested and no-fault divorce with a steady, assertive approach.
Protect your role in your children’s lives. Ruppert Law Firm represents Pittsburgh parents in custody and shared-parenting cases.
Having a child is usually the most magical time in a person’s life. Good parents will do absolutely anything for their children, and watching your children grow into the adults they will one day become is heartwarming. But that joy can quickly turn sour if your child’s other biological parent doesn’t agree with you about how to parent them.
Whether you may pay or receive alimony, Ruppert Law Firm pursues a fair spousal support outcome for Western PA clients.
One of the more stressful parts of divorce is splitting your mutual finances. It can feel even more daunting when one spouse has more financial resources to get the outcome they want during or after the divorce.
Ruppert Law Firm helps Western Pennsylvania parents understand and navigate child support matters.
It’s unfortunate, but it happens every day – sometimes the person you had a child with doesn’t turn out to be who you thought they would, and the relationship ends. But a parent and child relationship should be lifelong, and children are entitled to receive financial support from both of their parents.
Ruppert Law Firm guides Western Pennsylvania couples through collaborative divorce, resolving matters respectfully and out of court where possible.
If you’ve grown apart, but aren’t expecting any drama, an uncontested divorce through Ruppert Law Firm might be your best option.
Ruppert Law Firm drafts and reviews prenuptial agreements for couples across Western Pennsylvania.
Prenuptial agreements, or “prenups”, have changed with the times. Prenups are a legally binding document laying out the finances of the engaged couple to protect the assets of one or the other. What used to be used mainly by extremely wealthy couples to guard their wealth has become a more common practice among couples of all socioeconomic backgrounds as the divorce rate increases.
Ruppert Law Firm helps Western Pennsylvania clients seek or respond to Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders.
It’s terrifying when an intimate partner goes from being a safe haven in the storm to the storm itself.
Ruppert Law Firm guides Western Pennsylvania families through stepparent and other adoptions with clear direction.
Adopting a child is one of the most fulfilling experiences a person can have. There is no larger impact that you can have in the life of another than by providing them a safe, loving, and supportive environment to grow up in.
Ruppert Law Firm helps Pennsylvania grandparents pursue custody and visitation rights.
There are few bonds as strong as grandparent and grandchild. The love you feel for the next generation of your family is hard to put into words. So it is especially scary when someone or something threatens your access to your grandchild.
Ruppert Law Firm represents Western Pennsylvania clients in establishing and disputing paternity.
A paternity dispute occurs when the identity of a biological father is uncertain.
Wondering if you qualify for an annulment in Pennsylvania? Ruppert Law Firm explains your options and represents you.
Similar to a divorce, having a marriage “annulled” ends the legal union between the spouses. However, unlike a divorce, an annulment deems the marriage void from the very beginning. From a legal standpoint, it is as though the wedding never even happened.
Ruppert Law Firm supports LGBTQ+ families across Western Pennsylvania with divorce, custody, adoption, and more.
Ruppert Law Firm LLC respects all families, and the rights of all individuals to change their family situation. Whether you need help with a joyous occasion, like the adoption of a child, or a more difficult one, like ending a marriage, we will be by your side when you need it most.
Divorce
Facing divorce in Pittsburgh or Western PA? Ruppert Law Firm handles contested and no-fault divorce with a steady, assertive approach.
Representing clients throughout Western Pennsylvania
By your side when you need it most
Managing Partner
Sean Ruppert is the founder and managing attorney of Ruppert Law Firm LLC. He represents the firm’s clients in Divorce, Custody, Child Support, and Protection from Abuse (“PFA”) actions in courtrooms throughout Western Pennsylvania. He uses his personal and professional experience with divorce, custody, and adoption issues to make complicated processes as simple and stress-free as possible.
A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Sean earned his Bachelor’s in Journalism at West Virginia University. He worked for several years as a newspaper reporter prior to attending law school. He is licensed to practice in all of Pennsylvania’s state and federal courts.
Having been through a divorce and adoption himself, Sean personally understands the feelings and worries you are going through.
Partner
Elizabeth A. Avon, Esquire is an attorney with over a decade of experience in litigation. Well-versed in all aspects of Family Law, her primary focus is on divorce, custody, and fertility law.
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Partner
Attorney Flinchum’s practice primarily consists of domestic matters, including divorce, support, PFA, and custody cases, as well as name changes, termination, and adoption cases.
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Partner
Richard is dedicated to simplifying the complexities of family law matters and providing straightforward representation to his clients.
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Senior Associate
Curtis has devoted his practice solely to family law since becoming a member of the Pennsylvania Bar in 2016, even serving on the Allegheny County Bar Association Family Law Section Council.
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Associate Attorney
Ailis S. Nerad, Esquire, is an Associate Attorney focusing on Family Law, where she helps clients through all stages of divorce, custody, support, and PFA matters.
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Attorney-at-Law
Josh Allenberg is an associate attorney with Ruppert Law Firm LLC. He represents people in divorce and custody cases across Western Pennsylvania.
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While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer.
In Pennsylvania divorces, the principle of equitable distribution governs property division and is guided by a judge’s assessment of fairness. This diverges from community property states, where a 50-50 split is standard. In Pennsylvania, distribution can be more flexible because fairness is the priority.
Neither spouse has an automatic claim to the house in a Pennsylvania divorce. Ideally, the couple will decide how to handle the home together during the asset division process. Typically, that means selling the home and dividing the proceeds.
In a divorce, retirement accounts are subject to equitable distribution, meaning that they may be divided between spouses during the process of asset division. The specific process can vary by jurisdiction. In many cases, retirement accounts accumulated during the marriage are considered marital property, and the court may order a fair and just division.
In Pennsylvania, the division of marital debt is part of the broader property division process. The state follows equitable distribution laws, meaning that debts and assets are divided fairly, though not necessarily equally.
Child support modifications are legal adjustments to existing child support orders. They often reflect changes in financial circumstances or the needs of the child. These modifications help ensure the support amount remains fair and relevant, considering factors like income changes, job loss or increased expenses for the child’s care.
Whether you are about to file for divorce or have one parent move out of your shared home, the changes during the transition to shared custody will be difficult for your children. If possible, the best approach often involves having the parents talk together ahead of time and then discussing the issue with the whole family present.
Locally owned, serving the entire region
Proudly serving Allegheny, Westmoreland, and their surrounding counties.
20 Cedar Boulevard, Suite 203
Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
Ruppert Law Firm’s Mt. Lebanon office serves South Hills families with divorce, custody, and support.
101 N. Main Street, Suite 201
Greensburg, PA 15601
Ruppert Law Firm’s Greensburg office serves Westmoreland County with divorce, custody, and family law representation.
We are near the Westmoreland County Courthouse in downtown Greensburg, which helps us handle your court matters promptly.
