For many families, pets are more than animals—they're beloved members of the family. Yet one of the most overlooked aspects of estate planning is ensuring that a cherished pet will be cared for if its owner passes away or becomes incapacitated.

Many people assume that simply leaving money to a friend or family member with instructions to care for a pet is enough. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.

Fortunately, both Delaware and Pennsylvania recognize pet trusts, allowing pet owners to set aside funds specifically for the care of their animals after their death.

The Social Security Disability Disabled Adult Child (DAC) program provides monthly benefits to adults with disabilities based on a parent's work record instead of their own. This program helps people whose disabilities began before they turned 22 years old and who are unable to work because of a serious medical condition. Even though the name says "child," the person applying is usually an adult. The word "child" simply means they qualify through a parent's Social Security earnings.

A post-separation payment does not automatically create a dollar-for-dollar credit. Delaware Family Court looks at the source, purpose, benefit, documentation, and overall equities.

Delaware follows equitable distribution. Family Court first decides what property and debt are marital, values the marital estate, and then divides it in proportions the Court considers just under 13 Del. C. § 1513. An equal division is possible, but Delaware law does not require a 50/50 result in every case.

Delaware Family Court makes all custody decisions based on the best interests of the child—not what’s most convenient for parents. The court considers two types of custody:

Legal Custody (Decision-making): The right to make major decisions about education, healthcare, religion, and activities. Delaware courts prefer joint legal custody where both parents share decision-making.

Residency (Physical Custody): Where the child lives day-to-day. This can be primary (mostly with one parent) or shared (substantial time with both parents).

When facing divorce in Delaware, many people ask: “Do I really need a lawyer?” While you’re not required to have an attorney, representing yourself can have serious, long-lasting consequences. At Maven Law, we’ve seen countless cases where people who tried to handle their own divorce later needed legal help to fix problems that could have been avoided.

Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of hiring a divorce attorney.

Whether Delaware will recognize a common law marriage depends on the laws of the state where the marriage was formed and the evidence available to prove it. These cases are often fact-intensive and require careful review of the parties' history and documentation.

If you believe you may have entered into a common law marriage outside Delaware and are considering divorce, speaking with an experienced Delaware family law attorney can help you understand your rights, evaluate your evidence, and determine the best path forward.

But there comes a time when accepting reality is part of being responsible. If health problems prevent someone from working, applying for disability benefits is not a sign of weakness. It is a way to protect both the worker and the worker's family.

Many people miss working. They miss the routine, the coworkers, and the feeling of finishing a tough job.

When a couple gets divorced, they often divide their property and assets. This can include things like money in bank accounts, retirement funds, real estate, or other valuable property. If you receive disability benefits, you may wonder whether getting property in a divorce could affect those benefits.

The answer depends on which disability program you receive.

At Maven Law, LLC, we are proud to continue growing our team with talented, compassionate, and driven individuals who share our commitment to exceptional client service and thoughtful legal advocacy. This summer, we are excited to welcome two summer associates and a new paralegal who each bring unique experiences, perspectives, and enthusiasm to our practice.

We are proud to invest in the next generation of legal professionals and grateful to welcome individuals who bring intelligence, compassion, and a strong commitment to service. Please join us in welcoming Maria, Tia, and Ellie to Maven Law, LLC this summer.