Chase Norma

Information may not be reliable

For information about simple divorce, call (412) 471-7151 to hear a ten-minute tape -- or read the transcript here. I can also send you (by snail mail or e-mail) an information packet that includes the transcript and more detailed information. If you request that the packet be e-mailed, please specify whether you want it in WordPerfect 5.1 or plain text format.
Common law marriage update: On November 23, 2004, Governor Rendell signed a bill abolishing common law marriage. The last day on which it was possible to enter into a common law marriage in Pennsylvania was January 1, 2005. The validity of any common law marriage entered into on or before that date is not affected by the statute.
There was a Commonwealth Court decision on September 17, 2003 purporting to abolish common law marriage. Neither party appealed, so the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania did not review the decision.
It is my opinion that an intermediate appellate court does not have the power to abolish common law marriage. However, courts have been known to issue opinions that differ from mine, and it may be a long time before any court hears a case involving a common law marriage entered into after September 17, 2003 but before January 2, 2005.

Paupers: An issue that surfaces in the criminal courts now and then: the right of a poor person to proceed in forma pauperis even when represented by paid private counsel (typically, an attorney paid by a friend or relative). The significance of this status at the trial stage is that it may entitle the defendant to have investigators and experts provided at public expense, and its significance at the appeal stage is that it may entitle the defendant to transcripts at public expense. If you need case law on this question, you can find it here. Also, there is an excellent article on this issue on another web site. Note that all the cases cited are from other states. No appellate court in Pennsylvania has published an opinion on the issue.
First Amendment: I filed a federal declaratory judgment action against the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission based on its refusal to provide me with a transcript of a public meeting at the cost of copying. You can read about it here. Please note that I am not admitted to practice in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and accordingly cannot represent anyone other than myself in that forum.

Some documents filed with the court can be retrieved online. You will need Adobe Reader, which is free. You can get it here.