Family Law

PA Specific

Pennsylvania Family Law From A to Z

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 6 Total
OnDemand
5 hours 50 minutes
Kristopher Smull
Cassandra Colombo
Marisa McClellan
Ashley Valdes
Ryan Sayler
With Kristopher T. Smull from Colgan & Associates, LLC + 4 others
Recorded August 18, 2025.
Product ID 100522

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Overview

Successfully Resolve Your Clients' Family Law Issues

When families run into difficulties, they are dealing with highly emotional situations that may cloud their judgment and prevent them from making rational long-term decisions. As a family law attorney, it's your job to help clients through family law issues with knowledge, insight, and compassion. Developing these skills and sensitivity can take years to perfect, but you can get the essential knowledge and techniques you need in just one day. Join us as we explore legal updates, procedural tips, and problem-solving strategies critical to family law success. Register today!

  • Simplify the process and avoid missing steps with our sample forms and checklists.
  • Achieve the best custody arrangement for children and parents.
  • Get the best financial settlement for your client: understand how to value and divide.
  • Avoid novice mistakes: know relevant court procedures.
  • Advise clients of their options by understanding the different ways to dissolve a marriage.
  • Protect the rights of non-traditional relationships: grandparents, unmarried couples, and other parties.
  • Prepare clients for immediate and future financial ramifications: retirement funds, taxes, insurance, child support, and bankruptcy.
  • Apply recent legislative updates and laws to your cases.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Legal Update - A Year in Review
  2. Marriage Dissolution - Process and Procedure
  3. Discovery in Divorce
  4. Child Custody and Visitation Rights
  5. Finance 101 for Family Law Practitioners
  6. Drafting Enforceable Terms in Consent Orders and Agreements
  7. Ethics
  8. Common and Not So Common Family Law Issues and Answers
Product ID 100522

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
New York CLE Approved 7 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 6 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in
  1. Legal Update - A Year in Review

    1. Procedural Rules for Family Law Cases
    2. Case Law Update: Family Law
    3. Application of Recent Cases and Amended Statutes to Your Cases
  2. Marriage Dissolution - Process and Procedure

    1. Prenuptial Agreements
    2. Annulment
    3. Legal Separation
    4. Divorce
    5. Checklist of Necessary Documents
    6. Typical Case Timeline and Basic Steps to Follow
    7. Sample Pleadings and Motions: What to Use and When
  3. Discovery in Divorce

    1. Social Media Tips and Tricks
    2. Discovery of Electronic Communications
    3. Locating Hidden Assets
    4. Model Letters and Motions (with Sample Forms)
    5. Discovery Abuses and Remedies
  4. Child Custody and Visitation Rights

    1. Petition for Visitation
    2. Petition for Custody
    3. Motion for a Change of Custody or Visitation
    4. Questions of Paternity
    5. Termination of Parental Rights
    6. The Rights of Grandparents and Other Relatives
    7. UCCJEA: Uniform Child Custody and Enforcement Act
    8. Checklist of Necessary Documents and Sample Forms
  5. Finance 101 for Family Law Practitioners

    1. Valuation and Division of Assets (Real Estate, Insurance, Stock Options, Retirement Plans)
    2. Tax Ramifications of Divorce
    3. Petition for Child Support
    4. Child Support Enforcement Options
    5. Drafting Clear QDROs - Do's and Don'ts
    6. Equitable Distribution when Debts Equal or Exceed Assets
    7. Bankruptcy
    8. Checklist of Necessary Documents and Sample Forms
  6. Drafting Enforceable Terms in Consent Orders and Agreements

  7. Ethics

    1. Client/Lawyer Relationship
    2. Attendance at Client Conferences by Friends or Family of Client
    3. Attorneys' Fees
    4. Communication With Adverse Party
    5. Malpractice Concerns
  8. Common and Not So Common Family Law Issues and Answers

    1. The Emotional Side of Family Law - Strategies for Working With Families and Children
    2. Domestic Violence and How to Handle it When it's Part of Your Case
    3. Rights of Unmarried Parties - Cohabitation Agreements
    4. Representing Gay and Lesbian Parents
    5. Immigration Issues in Divorce
    6. Juvenile Court
    7. Collaborative Law
    8. Emancipation of Minors
    9. Adoptions
    10. Relocation

Who Should Attend

This basic-to-intermediate level online seminar will provide topical insights, sample forms, and important legal updates. This is a must attend for professionals who are new to the field or who need a timely refresher, including:

  • Attorneys
  • Paralegals

Speakers

Kristopher T Smull
Kristopher T.
Smull
Colgan & Associates, LLC
Cassandra A Colombo
Cassandra A.
Colombo
Cordell & Cordell
Marisa K McClellan
Marisa K.
McClellan
Tucker Arensberg, P.C.
Ashley J Valdes
Ashley J.
Valdes
Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C.
Ryan P Sayler
Ryan P.
Sayler
Colgan & Associates, LLC
Speaker bio
Kristopher T Smull

Kristopher T. Smull

Colgan & Associates, LLC
Kristopher Smull

is a partner with the law firm Colgan & Associates, LLC. He has practiced in all areas of family law for 25 years and serves clients in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lebanon, Lancaster, Perry, York, Adams and Franklin counties. Mr. Smull is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section, Dauphin County Bar Association Family Law Section, and Cumberland County Bar Association Family Law Section. He earned his undergraduate degree from Temple University and his law degree from Widener University School of Law.

Speaker bio
Cassandra A Colombo

Cassandra A. Colombo

Cordell & Cordell
Cassandra Colombo

is a divorce attorney with Cordell & Cordell. Her practice centers around family law. Ms. Colombo earned her B.A. degree from Ursinus College and her J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Lackawanna County Bar Association and Philadelphia Bar Association. Ms. Colombo is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania.

Speaker bio
Marisa K McClellan

Marisa K. McClellan

Tucker Arensberg, P.C.
Marisa McClellan

is a seasoned legal professional and accomplished administrator with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. She represents clients in custody, divorce, and adoption matters and serves as court-appointed counsel and guardian ad litem in parental rights cases. Before joining Tucker Arensberg, P.C., Ms. McClellan served as the administrator at Dauphin County Children and Youth. In this role, she oversaw a staff of approximately 200 employees across multiple departments, including child welfare case management, fiscal operations, legal operations, and program management. Ms. McClellan managed an annual $55 million budget and ensured compliance with Pennsylvania child welfare regulations, fostering a safe and supportive environment for children and families in the Capital Region. Her dedication to public service is evident through her extensive leadership roles and collaborative efforts, including the establishment of innovative programs such as specialized housing for youth with special needs and multi-agency task force teams addressing mental health and substance use issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. McClellan spearheaded policy adaptations that ensured the safety of children, families, and staff. Previously, she served as senior staff attorney for Dauphin County Children and Youth, where she led litigation efforts in dependency court, orphans' court, and administrative law hearings. Ms. McClellan's experience spans juvenile law, child abuse and neglect, family law, and compliance with state and federal regulations. She also supervised legal teams, conducted extensive training, and contributed to statewide child welfare initiatives. Ms. McClellan's commitment to the legal and child welfare communities is reflected in her affiliations with several boards and organizations, including the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators Association, National Association of County Human Services Administrators and Pennsylvania Bar Association, where she co-chairs the Children's Rights Committee. She has also been recognized with awards such as the 2017 Pennsylvania Child Advocate of the Year.

Speaker bio
Ashley J Valdes

Ashley J. Valdes

Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C.
Ashley Valdes

is an attorney with Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C., where she exclusively practices family law. She has extensive experience in both negotiation and litigation, and is a zealous advocate for her clients, while also recognizing the value in avoiding unnecessary litigation. After graduating from Florida Coastal School of Law, Ms. Valdes returned to the greater Philadelphia area where she serves the community that she was raised in. She is an active member of the Delaware County Family Law Chapter and the Doris Jonas Freed Inn of Court, where she serves as a designated county contact for Delaware County.

Speaker bio
Ryan P Sayler

Ryan P. Sayler

Colgan & Associates, LLC
Ryan Sayler

has built his career upon advocating for children and helping families safely manage challenging situations. He began his work counseling and caring for youth to help them work through mental and behavioral issues, so that they could heal and move beyond past issues. Through this experience, Mr. Sayler saw first-hand how important support and security is for our youth, which made him passionate about advocating for children and helping families better communicate and function together. After spending six years in the social work field as a counselor and mental health worker, he found himself wanting to make a bigger impact. Now in the family law field, Mr. Sayler is able to apply his knowledge and commitment toward helping families navigate through difficult circumstances so they can move forward with their lives. He is skilled at identifying areas of leverage in negotiation, and encourages clients toward a favorable outcome prior to litigation. Mr. Sayler's efficient and adaptable approach serves his clients well when it is necessary to take their case to the courtroom. He practices family law throughout central Pennsylvania, including Dauphin, Cumberland, Lebanon, Lancaster, Perry, York, Adams and Franklin counties. Mr. Sayler earned his bachelor's degree in youth development psychology from North Central University. He went on to earn his law degree from The Penn State Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he still remains involved consulting the Community Law Clinic. Additionally, Mr. Sayler's experience with public speaking, legal drafting and creative research serve as a tremendous benefit to his clients and their cases.

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