how to get a divorce in pennsylvania 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

Do I need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania?

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

Can I do a do it yourself divorce in PA?

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.

How do I get a divorce in Pennsylvania?

Apr 02, 2018 · Call us today at (412) 281-9906 to set up a FREE 15 minute screening appointment with an experienced Pennsylvania divorce attorney, or you can contact us here for more information. Recent Posts Applying Pennsylvania’s Presumption of Paternity to …

Is the divorce process difficult in Pennsylvania?

Nov 01, 2018 · Can I get divorced without a lawyer in Pennsylvania? It is not advisable for any person to complete paperwork to file a PA Divorce Complaint without having a detailed consultation beforehand with an attorney to discuss the ramifications of such action.

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 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.

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.

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.

How long do you have to be separated to be automatically divorced?

There is no such thing as an “automatic” divorce. You can apply for divorce on a number of grounds, two of those are based on separation of two years or more.May 19, 2020

Can you get divorced without going to court?

An uncontested divorce is one in which you and your spouse work together to agree on the terms of your divorce. You will both consult with the same attorney, who will be unbiased and impartial. There is no formal trial, and only the plaintiff appears in court.

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

How do I get a divorce with no money?

How Do I Get a Divorce With No Money?Remain Civil With Your Spouse. ... Use Attorneys Wisely. ... Contact Legal Aid and Non-Profit Services. ... Hire a Mediator. ... Do the Paperwork Yourself. ... Hire an Online Divorce Provider. ... Work With a Paralegal or Legal Document Preparer. ... Use Credit to Pay for the Divorce.More items...

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 ...

Who pays for the divorce?

The spouse who applies for the divorce is known as the Petitioner and the other person is the Respondent. As they are the person applying for the divorce, the Petitioner will from the outset be responsible for the cost of the divorce. So, on average the Petitioner's costs will be higher than the Respondent's.May 8, 2019

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.

How long does it take to get divorce papers in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania does not require you to appear in court for a divorce by mutual consent. You’ll receive your signed decrees in the mail, usually about two weeks after you file your last paperwork.

What to do if you can't reach an agreement?

If you and your spouse can't reach an agreement, you will probably need a lawyer to help you navigate through a contested divorce. You’ll have to file inventories of your assets with the court along with appraisals of their value, and attend a pre-trial conference.

Who is Beverly Bird?

Beverly Bird has been writing professionally since 1983. She is the author of several novels including the bestselling "Comes the Rain" and "With Every Breath.". Bird also has extensive experience as a paralegal, primarily in the areas of divorce and family law, bankruptcy and estate law. She covers many legal topics in her articles.

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.