WHAT IS AN "MSA"?
MSA stands for Marriage Settlement Agreement, which is a contract that settles a divorce and contractually obligates a divorcing couple to such things as dividing property, custody, paying child support or alimony, or any other issue that may be addressed in a divorce contract. Contrary to popular belief, this information is usually NOT outlined in the divorce decree itself in PA - it is outlined in a separate document and may or may not be mentioned in the decree itself.
To get a divorce in PA, you need a few main things: The FIRST is to file a Complaint in Divorce and to follow through the process to eventually obtain a decree in divorce. The SECOND is an Order of Court or a Contract that dictates how you are going to handle all of the issues that came up with your divorce, such as dividing property, alimony, etc. This goes along with the decree in divorce.
Divorcing couples can decide what to put in an MSA (the contract) or an Order of Court either on their own, through a process such as mediation or collaborative law, through attorneys' negotiation, or by a Court through litigation and hearings or trial.
With our various bundled options, you will see that some include an MSA and some do not. It stands to reason that if a divorcing couple DOES NOT have joint property, separate property, or alimony issues, or any other issues to address in a contract, and if they agree to a divorce, that they might want to forego an MSA. You can get a divorce without an MSA. This is not the norm, and we find in most cases that an MSA is advisable.
The options that include an MSA are for clients who already know and who have figured out with their spouse what they want to put in an MSA. If the divorcing couple can't figure out what needs to go in the MSA, then they might want to consider mediation, or if that won't work, then these bundled options are not appropriate for the client.
However, you don't have to figure this out on your own. When you purchase a service and schedule an appointment with our staff, we will help you decide if the service will be appropriate for you, and we will make sure that whatever you choose fits your needs as you explain them to us.
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Bethany L. Notaro, Esq.Bethany L. Notaro, Esq. has her legal roots in Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate student, she attended the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia where she received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. After her undergraduate work, Bethany attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. While in law school, Ms. Notaro received numerous scholarships and honors for her academic achievement and focused her studies on income taxation, trusts and estate, divorce, ADR, and wealth planning. Specifically, she received training in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and family law and professional divorce mediation.View Profile
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Margo R. Epstein, Esq.Margo R. Epstein, Esq. is an attorney at Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C. offering to her clients over a decade of experience in the legal profession. As a family law attorney, Margo places a high importance on listening to her clients and their unique circumstances so that she can help create solutions that make sense to their specific situations as there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to families going through divorce or custody matters.View Profile
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Danielle N. Santoro, Esq.Danielle N. Santoro, Esq. is an associate attorney who has successfully assisted clients with a variety of family law matters including divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, marital property distribution, and prenuptial agreements. Prior to joining Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C., Danielle was an associate at KPMG, a “Big 4” accounting firm, where she focused her practice in tax law consulting and tax aspects surrounding merger and acquisition deals.View Profile
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Amanda S. McGeary, Esq.Amanda S. McGeary is an associate attorney who has successfully assisted clients with a variety of family law matters. Amanda joined Notaro Epstein Family Law Group as a recent law school graduate in 2022, exuding a passion for helping clients navigate their family law matters.View Profile
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Christy R. Martin, MCCChristy is a former professional ballet dancer with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Point Park University. She is Notaro Epstein's Director of Client Development and is a Master Certified Life Coach (MCLC). She enjoys encouraging and guiding others by providing techniques and tools catered to their ambitions and goals.View Profile
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Chrystal C. Tinstman, Esq.Chrystal C. Tinstman is an attorney with more than 24 years of legal practice experience in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland Counties. She is focused on making sure her clients’ emotional and financial needs are addressed during this most stressful time in their lives. Sometimes clients’ motivations and emotional needs do not coincide with the best legal strategy so Chrystal helps clients reconcile this contradiction with zealous efforts to resolve situations amicably or by passionately and effectively advocating through litigation when the need arises.View Profile
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Erika M. Reichert, Esq.Erika graduated from Duquesne University School of Law, where she participated in the Juvenile Defender Clinic. Prior to law school, Erika graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, Erika was also a member of the Women's Gymnastics Team where she was a four-year letter recipient and was placed on the ACC Academic Honor Roll.View Profile
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Amanda M. Kerestes, Esq.Amanda L. Kerestes, Esquire is an experienced associate attorney who has successfully assisted clients regarding family law matters, including but not limited to divorce, child custody, support, protection from abuse, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Amanda also has experience with Juvenile and Orphans Court matters as well as estate planning and administration.View Profile
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Marissa R. Koshar, Esq.Marissa earned her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where she graduated Cum Laude, received the Blue & Gold Dean's Scholarship, and was awarded the Taintor Memorial Award for receiving the highest grade in the Conflict of Laws Course. During law school, Marissa was a Senior Research Editor for the University of Pittsburgh Law Review and participated in the Elder Law Clinic where she assisted low-income clients with their estate planning matters. Marissa also holds a Certificate in Mediation Training.View Profile
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Bethany L. Notaro, Esq.Bethany L. Notaro, Esq. has her legal roots in Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate student, she attended the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia where she received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. After her undergraduate work, Bethany attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. While in law school, Ms. Notaro received numerous scholarships and honors for her academic achievement and focused her studies on income taxation, trusts and estate, divorce, ADR, and wealth planning. Specifically, she received training in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and family law and professional divorce mediation.View Profile
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Margo R. Epstein, Esq.Margo R. Epstein, Esq. is an attorney at Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C. offering to her clients over a decade of experience in the legal profession. As a family law attorney, Margo places a high importance on listening to her clients and their unique circumstances so that she can help create solutions that make sense to their specific situations as there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to families going through divorce or custody matters.View Profile
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Danielle N. Santoro, Esq.Danielle N. Santoro, Esq. is an associate attorney who has successfully assisted clients with a variety of family law matters including divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, marital property distribution, and prenuptial agreements. Prior to joining Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C., Danielle was an associate at KPMG, a “Big 4” accounting firm, where she focused her practice in tax law consulting and tax aspects surrounding merger and acquisition deals.View Profile
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Amanda S. McGeary, Esq.Amanda S. McGeary is an associate attorney who has successfully assisted clients with a variety of family law matters. Amanda joined Notaro Epstein Family Law Group as a recent law school graduate in 2022, exuding a passion for helping clients navigate their family law matters.View Profile
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Christy R. Martin, MCCChristy is a former professional ballet dancer with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Point Park University. She is Notaro Epstein's Director of Client Development and is a Master Certified Life Coach (MCLC). She enjoys encouraging and guiding others by providing techniques and tools catered to their ambitions and goals.View Profile
-
Chrystal C. Tinstman, Esq.Chrystal C. Tinstman is an attorney with more than 24 years of legal practice experience in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland Counties. She is focused on making sure her clients’ emotional and financial needs are addressed during this most stressful time in their lives. Sometimes clients’ motivations and emotional needs do not coincide with the best legal strategy so Chrystal helps clients reconcile this contradiction with zealous efforts to resolve situations amicably or by passionately and effectively advocating through litigation when the need arises.View Profile
-
Erika M. Reichert, Esq.Erika graduated from Duquesne University School of Law, where she participated in the Juvenile Defender Clinic. Prior to law school, Erika graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, Erika was also a member of the Women's Gymnastics Team where she was a four-year letter recipient and was placed on the ACC Academic Honor Roll.View Profile
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Amanda M. Kerestes, Esq.Amanda L. Kerestes, Esquire is an experienced associate attorney who has successfully assisted clients regarding family law matters, including but not limited to divorce, child custody, support, protection from abuse, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Amanda also has experience with Juvenile and Orphans Court matters as well as estate planning and administration.View Profile
-
Marissa R. Koshar, Esq.Marissa earned her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where she graduated Cum Laude, received the Blue & Gold Dean's Scholarship, and was awarded the Taintor Memorial Award for receiving the highest grade in the Conflict of Laws Course. During law school, Marissa was a Senior Research Editor for the University of Pittsburgh Law Review and participated in the Elder Law Clinic where she assisted low-income clients with their estate planning matters. Marissa also holds a Certificate in Mediation Training.View Profile
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