Pennsylvania spouses looking to dissolve their marriages face a number of stressful and challenging circumstances and decisions, and it’s natural to wonder how long they can expect to wait before they can move forward with a clean slate. How long does it take to get a divorce in Pennsylvania? That depends on whether both spouses agree to the divorce and all the issues raised by the divorce. If both spouses agree, the process can be very quick, often less than a year. If there are many issues to resolve, the process could take longer than a year.
No-Fault Divorce in Pennsylvania
The simplest type of divorce in Pennsylvania is a no-fault consent divorce, where neither spouse alleges any fault on the other spouse’s part and both spouses consent to the divorce. You can also file for a no-fault divorce without your spouse’s consent if you have been separated for at least one year.
To file for a no-fault divorce in Pennsylvania, you must file a complaint form, pay a filing fee at the courthouse, and serve a copy of the complaint on your spouse. Ninety days later, both spouses must file additional forms to complete the divorce. However, there are often other issues to resolve first.
Issues to Resolve in a Divorce
If a divorcing couple has no children and doesn’t own any property together, then the process is relatively straightforward. However, many divorces are more complex. There are several issues you may need to resolve to complete your divorce. A divorce court has jurisdiction over:
- Division of property
- Spousal support or alimony
- Custody and care of children
- Child support
Both spouses may agree on all these issues, but often, they do not. If the spouses don’t agree about custody, property, or any other issue involved in the divorce, an experienced divorce lawyer can help negotiate a settlement and resolve the matter.
Fault-Based Divorce in Pennsylvania
In some divorce cases, one partner alleges the other is responsible for the marriage breakdown. The grounds for a fault-based divorce include:
- Desertion for at least a year
- Bigamy
- Adultery
- Imprisonment of one spouse for at least two years
- Indignities
- Endangering the spouse filing for divorce
Why You Need a Philadelphia Divorce Lawyer
If you need to get a divorce, the quickest way to resolve your case is with a divorce attorney’s help. Getting a no-fault divorce without a lawyer is possible, but it will probably take longer and prove more challenging than it would if you had professional help.
If you have any issues that you need to resolve, a divorce lawyer can help you resolve them as quickly as possible while protecting your rights and looking out for your interests. Divorce law can be complicated, and you should not attempt to resolve complex divorce matters without legal advice.
BKW Family Law is a women-owned-and-operated law firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that values all types of families. Whatever your situation, we want you to feel comfortable reaching out to us. Contact us today to get started with your initial consultation.