Pennsylvania Divorce Laws and Resources
The following information is a resource on Pennsylvania divorce law and related divorce services. You can find divorce professionals, forms, support, and more. In addition to the resources listed below, you can find more help and information in our divorce article section.
ProfessionalsDivorce LawyersMediators Private Investigators Background Checks Divorce SupportSupport GroupsDomestic ViolenceShelters and Hotlines |
Divorce PapersSeparation and Divorce FormsOnline Divorce Divorce Form Preparation Family Law ResourcesDivorce LawsPA Child Support Guidelines Child Support Calculator PA Child Support Enforcement |
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FIND A PENNSYLVANIA DIVORCE LAWYER
Law Offices of Kate Lynn, PC
609 Hamilton Mall, Suite #15
Allentown, PA 18101-2111
Phone: 610-435-7770
Fax: 610-419-4699
Counties served: Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Carbon, Schuykill, Bucks
and Berks
Website: http://www.katelynnlaw.com/
E-mail:
Kate Lynn has 20 years of experience and handles all family law matters,
including separation agreements, domestic violence/PFA, divorce, prenuptial
agreements, adoptions, same sex couples issues, post-divorce enforcement,
post-divorce decree modifications, and post-divorce contempt proceedings. Ms.
Lynn and her legal assistant, Lori, provide personalized service and attention
to every client.
Even if
she is unable to take your case, she may be able to provide you with useful
information, or even refer you to an experienced specialist attorney who can
give you additional help.
Law Offices of Bethany L. Notaro
310 Grant Street ,Suite 1220
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-281-1988
Fax: 412-431-1043
Website: http://www.PaLegalServices.com
E-mail:
PA Legal Services.com brought to you by Bethany L. Notaro, Esq.. Pittsburgh law firm offering fast affordable legal help. Divorces, support, custody, alimony & more. Ms. Notaro provides affordable hourly rates and some flat rate legal services for matters such as one count, no fault divorces for all Pennsylvania counties, support hearings, PFA hearings, Pennsylvania Wills, and Pennsylvania Mediation services. Please call for details regarding flat rate services. Free initial legal consultation.
Law Offices of Paul J. Stacom
526 Philadelphia Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone: 267-496-0358
Fax: 610-277-2512
Counties served: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia
Website: www.DivorceinPennsylvania.com
Email:
Free Consultation. Over 17 years of experience in Divorce, child support, child custody, alimony, property distribution, and adoption cases. Experienced, responsive and affordable family law attorney, practicing in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, with office locations in: Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Bala Cynwyd, Plymouth Meeting, Exton, and Radnor.
Sweeney Law Offices
Mildred Sweeney
8001 Rowan Road, Suite 212
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: 724-742-2590
Counties served: Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Westmoreland, Lawrence, Armstrong
Website: www.sweeneyfamilylaw.com
E-mail:
At Sweeney Law Offices, we serve clients throughout western Pennsylvania who are seeking effective solutions to complex family matters. Mildred B. Sweeney is an attorney, mediator and licensed social worker. She can help resolve legal issues related to the dissolution of a marriage, legal separation, visitation issues, support arrangements, adoption, juvenile law, education law, and wills and estate administration. We care about your family law matters. You will always deal directly with the attorney. To schedule a consultation please visit our website at www.sweeneyfamilylaw.com or call our office at 724-742-2590.
Need a Divorce Lawyer?
DIVORCE FORM PREPARATION
Have All of Your Documents Completed For You! This easy to use, accurate, and up-to-date on-line divorce service is a perfect "do it yourself (without a lawyer)" solution for any uncontested divorce (with or without children) that will be filed in the state of Pennsylvania. You can get "Real Person" customer support by phone & e-mail, plus access to 40 downloadable books (valued at over $750). Start your Pennsylvania divorce form preparation today.
MEDIATORS
Mildred SweeneyPRIVATE INVESTIGATORS
There are currently no private investigators for this state
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Conduct Background Checks and Investigations - Obtain vital statistics, marriage and divorce records, credit record checks, criminal and court records, sex offender searches, driving and vehicle records, property records, general public records, business registration and property resources. Find out the truth about anyone!
DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUPS
Divorce Care can help you locate a divorce support group in your area. There are thousands of DivorceCare support groups throughout the USA and Canada, and many groups meeting internationally as well.
Partners in Prevention provides consulting and psychological services to
domestic abuse survivors before, during and post divorce. Additionally, we serve
as consulting experts in both civil and criminal domestic violence cases. We
also offer continuing medical and nursing education in domestic abuse assessment
and clinical management to healthcare professionals. You can contact us at:
13918 E. Mississippi Ave
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 720-222-1058
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES
Domestic Violence Crisis and Support ServicesShelters and Hotlines
Coalition Against Domestic Violence - Pennsylvania Chapter
PENNSYLVANIA DIVORCE LAW
General Divorce Information (PDF)Divorce Statutes
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AND WHERE TO FILE: To file for a divorce or annulment, at least one of the parties must be a bona fide resident in this Commonwealth for at least six months prior to the commencement of the action. A proceeding for divorce or annulment may be brought in the county where the defendant resides, or if the defendant resides outside of this Commonwealth, where the plaintiff resides. [Based on Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes - Title 23 - Section: 3104]
LEGAL GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE:
- Mutual consent.--The court may grant a divorce where it is alleged that the marriage is irretrievably broken and 90 days have elapsed from the date of commencement of an action under this part and an affidavit has been filed by each of the parties evidencing that each of the parties consents to the divorce.
- Irretrievable breakdown.--The court may grant a divorce where a complaint has been filed alleging that the marriage is irretrievably broken and an affidavit has been filed alleging that the parties have lived separate and apart for a period of at least two years and that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
- Fault.--The court may grant a divorce to the innocent and injured spouse whenever it is judged that the other spouse has: (1) Committed willful and malicious desertion, and absence from the habitation of the injured and innocent spouse, without a reasonable cause, for the period of one or more years. (2) Committed adultery. (3) By cruel and barbarous treatment, endangered the life or health of the injured and innocent spouse. (4) Knowingly entered into a bigamous marriage while a former marriage is still subsisting. (5) Been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of two or more years upon conviction of having committed a crime. (6) Offered such indignities to the innocent and injured spouse as to render that spouse's condition intolerable and life burdensome.
- Institutionalization.--The court may grant a divorce from a spouse upon the ground that insanity or serious mental disorder has resulted in confinement in a mental institution for at least 18 months immediately before the commencement of an action under this part and where there is no reasonable prospect that the spouse will be discharged from inpatient care during the 18 months subsequent to the commencement of the action. [Based on Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes - Title 23 - Section: 3301]
MEDIATION OR COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS: The court may notify both parties of the availability of counseling and, upon request, provide a list of qualified professionals who provide such services. The court may require parents to attend counseling sessions and may consider the recommendations of the counselors prior to awarding sole or shared custody. [Based on Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes - Title 23 - Sections: 3302 and 5305]
PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION: In an action for divorce or annulment, the court shall, upon request of either party, equitably divide, distribute or assign the marital property between the parties without regard to marital misconduct in such proportions and in such manner as the court deems just after considering all relevant factors, including:
- The length of the marriage.
- Any prior marriage of either party
- The age, health, station, amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities and needs of each of the parties.
- The contribution by one party to the education, training or increased earning power of the other party.
- The opportunity of each party for future acquisitions of capital assets and income.
- The sources of income of both parties, including, but not limited to, medical, retirement, insurance or other benefits.
- The contribution or dissipation of each party in the acquisition, preservation, depreciation or appreciation of the marital property, including the contribution of a party as homemaker.
- The value of the property set apart to each party.
- The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage.
- The economic circumstances of each party, including Federal, State and local tax ramifications, at the time the division of property is to become effective.
- Whether the party will be serving as the custodian of any dependent minor children.
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ALIMONY/MAINTENANCE/SPOUSAL SUPPORT: Alimony may be awarded to
either spouse, as deemed reasonable and necessary. In determining whether alimony
is necessary and in determining the nature, amount, duration and manner of
payment of alimony, the court shall consider all relevant factors,
including: (1) The relative earnings and earning capacities of the
parties. (2) The ages and the physical, mental and emotional conditions of the
parties. (3) The sources of income of both parties, including, but not limited
to, medical, retirement, insurance or other benefits. (4) The expectancies and
inheritances of the parties. (5) The duration of the marriage. (6) The
contribution by one party to the education, training or increased earning power
of the other party. (7) The extent to which the earning power, expenses or
financial obligations of a party will be affected by reason of serving as the
custodian of a minor child. (8) The standard of living of the parties
established during the marriage. (9) The relative education of the parties and
the time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the
party seeking alimony to find appropriate employment. (10) The relative assets
and liabilities of the parties. (11) The property brought to the marriage by
either party. (12) The contribution of a spouse as homemaker. (13) The relative
needs of the parties. (14) The marital misconduct of either of the parties
during the marriage. (15) The Federal, State and local tax ramifications
of the alimony award. (16) Whether the party seeking alimony lacks sufficient
property to provide for the party's reasonable needs. (17) Whether the party
seeking alimony is incapable of self-support through appropriate employment. [Based on Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes -
Title 23 - Section: 3701]
SPOUSE'S NAME: Any person who is divorced from the bonds of matrimony may resume any prior surname used by him or her by filing a written notice to such effect in the office of the clerk of the court in which the decree of divorce was entered, showing the caption and docket number of the proceeding in divorce. [Based on Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes - Title 23 - Section: 704]
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CHILD CUSTODY: In making an order for custody, partial custody or
visitation to either parent, the court shall consider, among other factors,
which parent is more likely to encourage, permit and allow frequent and
continuing contact and physical access between the non-custodial parent and the
child. In addition, the court shall consider each parent and adult household
member's present and past violent or abusive conduct which may include, but is
not limited to, abusive conduct as defined under the act of October 7, 1976
(P.L.1090, No.218), known as the Protection From Abuse Act. The court shall
award sole custody when it is in the best interest of the child. Also, an order
for shared custody may be awarded by the court when it is in the best interest
of the child: (1) upon application of one or both parents; (2) when the
parties have agreed to an award of shared custody; (3) or in the discretion of
the court. [Based on Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes -
Title 23 - Section: 5303]
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CHILD SUPPORT: Pennsylvania uses the "Income Shares" model
to determine child support. Child and spousal support shall be awarded
pursuant to the Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines, so that persons similarly situated shall be treated similarly. The
guideline shall be based upon the reasonable needs of the child or spouse
seeking support and the ability of the obligor to provide support. The guideline shall place primary
emphasis on the net incomes and earning capacities of the parties, with
allowable deviations for unusual needs, extraordinary expenses and other
factors, such as the parties' assets, as warrant special attention. The court shall ascertain the ability of each parent to provide health
care coverage for the children of the parties, and the order shall provide
health care coverage for each child as appropriate.
Where applicable under this section, a court may order either or both parents who are separated, divorced, unmarried or otherwise subject to an existing support obligation to provide equitably for educational costs of their child whether an application for this support is made before or after the child has reached 18 years of age. The responsibility to provide for postsecondary educational expenses is a shared responsibility between both parents. [Based on Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes - Title 23 - Sections: 4322, 4326, and 4327] » Return to top
