Cognetti Law Group

05/26/2026

05/20/2026

Preparing for Your First Meeting with a Family Law Attorney

Walking into your first consultation can feel overwhelming—but a little preparation goes a long way. Here are a few things to bring (or at least be ready to discuss):

• Basic financial information – income, expenses, assets, and debts
• Recent tax returns and pay stubs
• Bank, retirement, and credit card statements
• A timeline of key events (date of marriage, separation, major changes)
• Any existing agreements (prenup, postnup, prior court orders)
• Information about your children – schedules, schooling, and any concerns

You don’t need to have everything perfectly organized—just come prepared to have an honest conversation. The more information you can provide upfront, the better your attorney can guide you from the start.

At Cognetti Law Group, we work with you to make this process clear, manageable, and focused on what matters most.

05/13/2026

A prenuptial agreement isn’t about expecting the worst—it’s about planning wisely for the future.

By setting clear expectations in advance, couples can protect assets they bring into the marriage, clarify financial rights and responsibilities, and reduce conflict and uncertainty if circumstances change in the future.

For those entering a second marriage or with children from a prior relationship, a prenup can also play an important role in protecting a first family and preserving intended inheritances.

The process encourages open, honest conversations about finances—something every strong marriage benefits from.

At Cognetti Law Group, we help clients approach these conversations thoughtfully and create agreements that are clear, fair, and built to last.

05/06/2026

One of the biggest risks we’re seeing right now? Clients treating AI output like it’s fact.

AI can sound confident—even authoritative—but it doesn’t know your case, your jurisdiction, or the full context. It pulls from patterns, not proof. When that information gets repeated as “fact,” it can quickly turn into something closer to gossip than reliable guidance.

And in a divorce case, that matters.

Relying on inaccurate or generalized AI information can lead to bad decisions, unrealistic expectations, and positions that ultimately hurt your credibility. We’ve seen it create unnecessary conflict, delay resolution, and complicate negotiations.

If something matters to your case, verify it with your attorney. Because in this process, accuracy isn’t optional—it’s critical.

At Cognetti Law Group, we help clients cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters—reliable guidance, sound strategy, and informed decisions every step of the way.

04/02/2026

Maria Cognetti Plays Integral Role in New Pennsylvania Child Custody Law

On March 23, 2026, Maria P. Cognetti, founder and managing partner of Cognetti Law Group, joined Governor Josh Shapiro at the State Capitol for a ceremonial signing of Act 11 of 2025. Cognetti was instrumental in the development of this landmark law, contributing directly to the bill's specific statutory language and testifying before the House Judiciary Committee in support of its passage.

The legislation, which received near-unanimous bipartisan support — passing 202–1 in the Pennsylvania House and 50–0 in the Senate — fundamentally updates how Pennsylvania's courts evaluate child custody cases. By reducing the custody determination factors from 16 to 12, the law makes the process more efficient, less expensive, and less burdensome for the families who must navigate it. Originally signed by Governor Shapiro on June 30, 2025, the law became effective on August 29, 2025. The ceremonial signing on March 23, 2026 underscores the significance of this update to the Pennsylvania Domestic Relations Code and recognizes those, like Maria Cognetti, who made it possible.

Maria's involvement in shaping Pennsylvania's family law landscape spans decades. As Chair of the Custody Subcommittee of the Joint State Government Commission Advisory Committee on Domestic Relations Law — a role she has held since 1996 — she has guided the drafting and revision of the state's most consequential custody statutes. The recommendations of that Task Force are directly reflected in Act 11 of 2025. Maria also serves on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee, ensuring that the protections written into law are also applied correctly in courtrooms across the Commonwealth.

In 2011, the Pennsylvania Bar Association honored Maria with its Special Achievement Award for her foundational work on Pennsylvania's Child Custody Act — the very statute that Act 11 of 2025 now modernizes and strengthens. A past national president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Maria has spent her career ensuring that Pennsylvania's laws reflect one core principle: the best interest of the child is always the measure that matters most.

https://www.cognettilaw.com/

03/24/2026

Big News from Cognetti Law Group!

We are honored to announce that Maria P. Cognetti, Esq. has been recognized as a Top-Rated Lawyer with a Superb Attorney Rating by Avvo.com and Martindale-Avvo in 2026!

This recognition is a testament to the trust our clients place in us and our team's relentless dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes in family law matters across Central Pennsylvania.

Whether you're facing a complex divorce, custody dispute, or property division issue — you deserve top-rated legal representation. Call us today: (717) 909-4060

12/22/2025

This experience meant so much to us ❤️

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is changing lives every day—providing world-class care to children battling cancer and other serious illnesses, without ever sending families a bill.

It was a true privilege and honor to tour the St. Jude campus. Seeing the impact of their work up close reinforced why this mission is so important to us.

At Cognetti Law, family is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we proudly support St. Jude and their commitment to giving children hope, strength, and a future.
If you’re able, we invite you to stand with us and support this life-changing cause.

👉 Donate or learn more here:
https://www.stjude.org/donate

Together, we can make a difference.

11/07/2025

We’re proud to announce that Maria Cognetti and the team at Cognetti Law Group have been recognized in the Best Law Firms — 2026 Edition. This honor reflects Maria's and our team’s long-standing commitment to excellence, client-focused advocacy, and the sophisticated family law and divorce work we do for families across Central Pennsylvania.
For more than four decades Maria has built her practice on thoughtful strategy, candid counsel, and relentless preparation. Being named to Best Law Firms reaffirms what she sets out to do every day: deliver compassionate guidance and courtroom-tested representation when it matters most.
This recognition is possible because of:
• The trust clients place in us during life’s most difficult moments.
• Our collaborative, client-first approach that combines deep experience with practical solutions.
• The dedication and skill of every attorney, paralegal, and staff member who supports our clients behind the scenes.
A huge thank-you to our clients, referring attorneys, and community partners — and to the team at Cognetti Law Group for making this possible. We’re honored, humbled, and more determined than ever to keep raising the standard for family law throughout Central PA.
If you’d like to learn more about what this recognition means or how we can help with divorce, custody, prenuptials, and high net-worth family law matters, contact us for a consultation.

https://www.cognettilaw.com/

08/27/2025

We’re proud to announce that Maria Cognetti and the team at Cognetti Law Group have once again earned national recognition on the Best Law Firms list for 2025, as ranked by Best Lawyers®! This prestigious honor reflects our firm’s unwavering commitment to excellence in family law and highlights the exceptional leadership that Maria brings to every case. Being named among the best is not only about legal skill—it’s about trust, integrity, and a proven record of success, all of which Maria exemplifies every day.

Maria Cognetti is widely regarded as one of the premier family law attorneys in the nation. With decades of experience, she has built a reputation for handling the most complex and high-stakes cases, including high-asset divorces, intricate custody disputes, and prenuptial agreements. Maria’s strategic approach, combined with her deep understanding of Pennsylvania family law, makes her a formidable advocate in and out of the courtroom. Her selection by Best Lawyers® year after year underscores her commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.

Beyond her work with clients, Maria is a recognized leader in the legal community. She has served in key positions within national and state-level family law organizations, sharing her knowledge and helping shape the future of family law practice. Her peers frequently turn to her for insight on challenging legal issues, and her contributions to education and policy continue to influence the field. These leadership roles are a testament to the respect she commands among fellow attorneys and judges across the country.

At Cognetti Law Group, we know that family law matters involve more than legal complexities—they involve people, families, and futures. Maria and our entire team approach each case with the compassion, discretion, and strategic skill it deserves. We understand the stakes, and we fight tirelessly to protect what matters most to our clients. This recognition from Best Lawyers® reaffirms our mission: to deliver unparalleled representation and guidance when it matters most.
Thank you to our clients, colleagues, and peers for your trust and confidence. Your support makes achievements like this possible, and we are honored to continue setting the standard for family law representation in Pennsylvania and beyond.

https://www.cognettilaw.com/

08/12/2025

🌟 Recognition of Excellence 🌟
We’re proud to share that Cognetti Law Group, with listing attorney Maria P. Cognetti, has once again been included in the 2025 Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™ by Martindale-Hubbell® — now in its 109th edition.
This honor is reserved exclusively for law firms with AV Preeminent® attorneys — those who have earned the highest possible peer review rating for both legal ability and ethical standards.
It’s a testament to Maria’s unwavering dedication to excellence in family law and her continued leadership within the legal community.
Please join us in congratulating Maria on this distinguished recognition!

Learn more about our firm: https://www.cognettilaw.com/