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Divorce and Family Law Office of Joanne Kleiner

Amicable Divorce Attorney

no - fault divorce Pennsylvania

Apr 05, 2012

Filing for Divorce in Pennsylvania

Divorce is a difficult and emotionally trying process to go through, even under the best of circumstances. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania you may file for a no -fault or fault divorce. To file for a divorce in Pennsylvania, at least one of the spouses must have been a resident of the state for six months. An experienced Pennsylvania family law attorney can help you through each step of the process, including:

  • Filing your divorce complaint
  • Settlement negotiations
  • Providing mediator services
  • Representing you in court

To obtain a no – fault divorce in Pennsylvania, you must meet one of two conditions:

  1. Both spouses agree to the divorce
  2. The spouses have been separated for two years or longer

A divorce in Pennsylvania that holds one of the spouses accountable for the divorce, also known as a fault divorce, may cite the following grounds if appropriate:

  • Desertion of spouse
  • Adultery
  • Bigamy
  • Cruelty (abuse)
  • Imprisonment
  • Personal indignities
  • Mental institution commitment

Matters that typically arise during a Pennsylvania divorce include:

  • Mediation/counseling. For couples with children, the court may require participation in counseling and may consider the recommendations of counselors relative to custody issues.
  • Property/debt division. Pennsylvania divorce law provides for equitable property division, which is based upon fair rather than equal standards.
  • Spousal support. The court may award spousal support to either party at its discretion.
  • Child custody. In determining custody your child’s best interests are the guiding principle, and the court considers many factors when deciding child custody awards.
  • Child support. Pennsylvania uses the income shares model to determine child support. Either or both parents may be ordered to provide equally for educational costs.

Finding the right Pennsylvania family law attorney

Finding and retaining the right family law attorney can make a big difference in getting through the divorce process smoothly. Contact us online or call (215) 886-1266 to schedule a consultation today.