how to get a divorce in pa without a lawyer

To file for divorce in Pennsylvania without a lawyer, you need to agree on the following:

• Distribution of property and assets.
• Division of jointly owned businesses and shares.
• Repayments of debts and loans.
• Alimony and how long it is going to be paid for.
• Custody, visitations, and child support if you have kids.

Full Answer

How do I file for divorce in Pennsylvania without a lawyer?

If you are considering a divorce in Pennsylvania, you can do it with or without a lawyer. However, you will be held to the same standard as attorneys. You must follow both statewide and local rules. There are two types of divorce in Pennsylvania: no fault/ mutual consent 3301(c) and no fault/ applicable time of separation 3301(d). The 3301(c) Process

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Pennsylvania?

Feb 25, 2022 · Yes, absolutely. In Pennsylvania, filing divorce as a DIY process (called “pro se”) is a 3-step process with strict deadlines and forms that must be completed 100% accurately, or they are returned. If you are considering a divorce in Pennsylvania, you can do so with or without a lawyer. However, they are bound to the same standard as lawyers.

What are the requirements for an uncontested divorce in PA?

Dec 06, 2021 · To get a divorce without a lawyer, you must fill out and file an application for divorce form. The average hourly fee for divorce lawyers in pennsylvania is $250 per hour, but that amount can be higher or lower depending on how much experience the lawyer has and what city they are located in.

What are Pennsylvania’s divorce laws?

Mar 10, 2022 · Here are the steps to file for divorce without a lawyer in Pennsylvania. Match with the search results: 1. Complete and file the following forms. · Self-Represented Party Entry of Appearance · Notice to Defend and Divorce Complaint (Form 1) · …

Can you get divorced without a lawyer in PA?

You don't need to hire a lawyer to get a mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania and you can represent yourself during the process. Spouses can try to handle everything themselves or use an online service that eases the process.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce in PA?

two yearsTo obtain a no-fault divorce, you and your spouse must have been separated for two years before filing or you both must consent to the divorce. Additionally, a judge won't grant your no-fault divorce right away. Once you've filed your case, there is a 90-day waiting period before your divorce can be finalized.

Can I file for divorce myself in PA?

File your do it yourself divorce petition with the court Pennsylvania requires that papers be filed in person. The court requires two copies of your divorce papers, each with original signatures. Once the papers are filed a judge will review the papers to make sure they are complete.

How much does it cost to file for a divorce in PA?

Pursuing an uncontested or mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania without hiring an attorney is the cheapest route. 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.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in PA?

A spouse is entitled to alimony only if the court decides that alimony is “necessary.” To decide whether alimony is necessary, how much should be paid, and how long it should be paid, the court must consider many factors – including but not limited to the relative income and earning capacities of the parties, the ages ...

Is PA a 50/50 divorce state?

Pennsylvania divides marital property under the theory of "equitable distribution". (Pa. C.S.A. - Title 23 - Chapter 35 § 3502.) Community property states attempt a 50-50 distribution, as best as possible.

How do I start the divorce process?

To start the divorce you will need to the following: File a document, called a Petition, to the Court to initiate the divorce process. Only one spouse can file for a divorce (the Petitioner). The other party is known as the Respondent. ... Apply for a Decree Nisi. Apply for a Decree Absolute.

Who pays for divorce 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.Sep 3, 2019

What is abandonment in PA?

In the state of Pennsylvania spousal abandonment is recognized when: abandonment is deliberate and final, continued for an uninterrupted time of twelve months and the relationship has moved beyond any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.Sep 18, 2012

Who pays for the divorce?

the petitionerThe simple fact is that the petitioner always pays the divorce fees. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Petitioner) will always pay the divorce filing fee.

How much is a no-fault divorce in PA?

The cost of no-fault divorce in PA will be around $12,000 if the case is contested, $4,000 with a lawyer in an uncontested case, or under $500 if spouses prepare their paperwork themselves or get it online.

What are the grounds for divorce in PA?

The fault grounds in Pennsylvania include:adultery.abandonment without cause for at least one year.cruelty, including domestic violence, which endangered the life or health of the injured and innocent spouse.bigamy.conviction of a crime and imprisonment for two or more years, and.More items...

What happens if you divorce your spouse in Pennsylvania?

In the case of a Pennsylvania contested divorce, if your spouse and you are unable to come to an agreement on issues such as division of marital property, child custody and support, alimony, etc., then both your spouse and you will have to hire attorneys who will present your case before the county court.

What is the divorce process in Pennsylvania?

Requirements for Divorce in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, the divorce process is usually started by a “complaint” document. The spouse that begins the divorce process by completing the complaint is referred to as the plaintiff and the other is referred to as the defendant. For a divorce in Pennsylvania, your spouse or you must have resided in ...

How much does it cost to get divorced in Pennsylvania?

While the court charges a fee of $328.98 to file your papers in Pennsylvania, hiring a lawyer to handle your divorce can cost anywhere between $4,500 – $31,000 with an attorney fees of around $11,300.

What is an uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania?

An uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania means that there’s no dispute between your spouse and you regarding the various issues pertaining to the divorce i .e. property division, child custody and support, spousal support, alimony, etc.

What is marital property?

Typically, marital property is all the property which is acquired by both spouses while they are married and prior to their divorce. Any property, inheritances and gifts that either of the spouses has acquired or received before marriage and after the divorce are not included as marital property.

How long do you have to be separated to file for divorce?

In the case that your spouse or you want a divorce and the other does not, then the plaintiff can go ahead with the divorce process even without the consent of the other person, if both of you have been separated for a period of at least 2 years before you can file for divorce.

When does spousal support stop?

The spousal payment responsibility starts out of marriage and stops when the marriage finishes. Typically, spousal support is applicable before filing the divorce complaint, although it may continue while the divorce is pending in court.