It is possible to complete a Pennsylvania divorce without hiring a family law attorney to guide you through the process. For some spouses, this makes financial sense; if you are able to amicably work together you may end up saving on unnecessary legal fees. Unfortunately, however, this is not usually the case.
Can you file for divorce online in Pennsylvania?
Yes, you can apply for an online divorce in Pennsylvania. With most online divorce cases, you will not need to use an attorney. If your divorce is uncomplicated and you and your spouse agree to an uncontested divorce, then you won’t need an attorney.
Can you get a divorce in Pennsylvania without the other person signing?
You must be separated for more than 2 years in order to do a Pennsylvania Divorce without your spouse’s signature. If your spouse can be served and he/she does not respond, you may be able to get your divorce without signature. Even after 2 years, your spouse could contest the case.
What is the filing fee for divorce in Pennsylvania?
You can expect approximately a $300 fee to file your divorce papers. There can be an additional cost between $150 and $1,500 in case you use the support of an online service.
How long do you have to be separated to file for divorce in PA?
There is a One-Year Waiting Period For Filing for a No-Fault Divorce. If a couple is seeking a divorce without establishing grounds for fault (discussed further below), then Pennsylvania law imposes a one-year waiting period from the time of separation before either spouse can file for divorce.
Is PA a 50/50 divorce state?
False. While some states (most famously, California) mandate a 50/50 distribution of marital property, Pennsylvania does not. Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state.
What is the fastest way to get a divorce in PA?
In PA, uncontested divorce process is easier and quicker than the alternatives. It can be finalized in record time – about 3-3,5 months, and there is no need to go to a hearing.
How do I start a divorce in PA?
TO START a divorce in Pennsylvania, one or both of the spouses must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least the past six months. The person who is asking for the divorce (the plaintiff) files a complaint that tells the court why he or she should get a divorce from his or her spouse (the defendant).
Can you get a quick divorce in Pennsylvania?
PRO: Uncontested Divorce Can Be Cheaper and Faster Procedurally, this allows the parties to request a divorce decree as soon as 90 days after the divorce complaint is filed and served on the other spouse.
What can be used against you in a divorce?
Spending marital money on extramarital affairs. Transferring marital funds to another person before a separation. Spending unreasonable amounts on business expenditures. Selling marital assets below the market value.
Does a husband have to support his wife during separation?
…a person has a responsibility to financially assist their spouse or former de-facto partner, if that person cannot meet their own reasonable expenses from their personal income or assets. Where the need exists, both parties have an equal duty to support and maintain each other as far as they can.
Does adultery Affect divorce in PA?
Pennsylvania law recognizes adultery as a fault ground for divorce. The cheating spouse is at fault, due to his or her adulterous behavior, for the decision to divorce. When a divorce involves adultery, it can affect spousal support and alimony.
Who pays divorce fees in PA?
Generally speaking, you’re on your own for your legal fees. In certain cases wherein one party has a very good income and the other party is low or no income, it is possible to ask the Court to have the well-to-do party pay the other’s legal fees.
Who pays the fees in a divorce?
There appears to be a myth that the person being divorced (known as the Respondent) always pays the fees for a divorce, when in reality this is not the case in the majority of divorce cases. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Applicant) will always pay the divorce filing fee.
Do you need a reason to divorce in PA?
When you file for divorce in Pennsylvania, you must state the legal reason (or “ground”) for your request to end the marriage. Pennsylvania recognizes both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. Your choice between a fault and no-fault divorce can make a big difference in how your case plays out.
What are grounds for divorce in PA?
There are 6 fault grounds for divorce in PA: adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, bigamy, imprisonment of more than 2 years, and indignities. The no-fault grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania are irretrievable breakdown and mutual consent. A person who initiates the divorce is called a Plaintiff.
What makes you legally separated in PA?
In Pennsylvania, there is no legal “separation”. In other words, there is no formal process or court order required to be considered “separated” in Pennsylvania.
Does it matter who files for divorce first in PA?
It matters who files for divorce first in Pennsylvania The first party to initiate the divorce will presumably have time beforehand to obtain the proper legal representation, as well as the necessary documents. It can also stop your spouse from hiding money or assets before the break-up.
How many years do you have to be married to get alimony in Pennsylvania?
There’s no minimum length of time that a spouse has to be married in order for alimony to apply. While the length of the marriage is an important factor in the alimony statute, it’s one of 17 factors that the court will consider.
What is wife entitled to in divorce in PA?
What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in PA? The wife is not automatically entitled to anything that is not her direct property or assets in a divorce in PA. Alimony payments may be required based on the wife’s situation and any division of property will also be determined based on other factors.
Is PA an alimony state?
Pennsylvania Alimony Law Summary In the state of Pennsylvania, when a divorce has been decreed, or the process of divorce begins, the court may allow alimony payments to be made. Alimony is only ordered when the court finds it necessary.
Can I get divorced without going to court?
It is possible to get divorced without going to court, as long as your partner agrees to the divorce and the reasons why. However, it is still possible that you will need to go to court to decide what happens to money, property and children.
How long can you be legally separated in PA?
Divorce Requirements in Pennsylvania Second, you must be “separated” for one yearbefore you can file for divorce. If you are still living together, this can get a bit tricky, especially if you’re still having marital relations and sleeping in the same bed.
Can text messages be used against you in a divorce?
Can My Texts Be Used Against Me in a Divorce? The short answer is “Yes.” The court usually allows the person receiving the text to testify that he or she recognizes the phone number the text was sent from. The court might also ask about the sender’s identity and the context of the message.
What should you not forget in a divorce agreement?
- A detailed parenting-time schedule—including holidays!
- Specifics about support.
- Life insurance.
- Retirement accounts and how they will be divided.
- A plan for the sale of the house.