how to get a pa divorce without a lawyer

by Dayton Howell 7 min read

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.

If you cannot afford legal fees, then contact your PA county courthouse and they can refer you to legal aid. After the filing has occurred, you then have a choice to complete your divorce either through each of you hiring opposing lawyers or through divorce mediation - that is, if your spouse also agrees to mediate.

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

You can file for divorce under the no-fault “mutual consent” grounds, which essentially means that both of you agree to the divorce on basis of the fact that your marriage is irretrievably broken. DO IT YOURSELF OR HIRE AN ATTORNEY? The do-it-yourself solution is ideal for an uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania, where you do not require a lawyer.

Can I get a divorce without a lawyer?

Yes, you can get a divorce without using an attorney but you’ll need to stay on top of filling out the relevant forms correctly and filing them as required. This approach to getting a divorce is known as "pro se," a Latin term for "on your own behalf."

What are the requirements for an uncontested divorce in PA?

For an uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania, all you require is that you or your spouse should have been a resident of Pennsylvania for a period of 6 months or more. You can file for divorce under the no-fault “mutual consent” grounds, which essentially means that both of you agree to the divorce on basis...

How does divorce work in the state of Pennsylvania?

For any married couple in Pennsylvania, divorce will sever the marital relationship, and divide assets and debts. If one party will be unable to be self-supporting after the divorce, the issue of alimony may arise. If there are minor children, the issues of child custody and support must be resolved. Same Sex Divorce.

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Can I file for divorce myself in PA?

Do it yourself divorce is a viable option for married couples in the state of Pennsylvania. This is a state that allows either no-fault divorce or fault-grounds divorce.

How long does a uncontested divorce take in PA?

The typical time for a 3301(c) Pennsylvania uncontested divorce, from the date of filing to the court granting a divorce decree is 3.5-4 months for PREMIUM service, 4-5 months for FAST service, and 5-6 months for NORMAL service.

How long does it take to get a divorce if both parties agree in PA?

90 daysHow Long Does a Mutual Consent Divorce Take in Pennsylvania? Mutual consent divorce takes at least 90 days and is usually finalized within 4-6 months in total. The lower the caseload in your county court, the sooner you will be able to receive a decree.

How much does it cost to file divorce papers 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.

Is 1 year separation mandatory for divorce?

For filing divorce case one separation period is not mandatory but one year is mandatory if both you want to file mutual divorce petition. If you alone want to file divorce petition 1 year separation is not mandatory, you can claim permanent alimony and maintenance for you and your child.

Does Pa require separation before divorce?

There is a One-Year Waiting Period For Filing for a No-Fault Divorce. If a couple is seeking a divorce without establishing grounds for fault (discussed further below), then Pennsylvania law imposes a one-year waiting period from the time of separation before either spouse can file for divorce.

What is the quickest way to get a divorce in Pennsylvania?

A mutual consent divorce is a faster divorce process than traditional divorce—you can get divorced in three to four months, rather than the standard two or more years. However, to take advantage of a mutual consent divorce, both spouses must agree to the divorce and sign papers stating that each is in agreement.

Is dating during separation adultery in PA?

Is it okay to date when you're separated? It is okay, providing you do it right. If you start seeing someone else before you and your spouse decide to divorce or before you physically separate, it is considered adultery.

How much does a mutual consent divorce cost in PA?

How Much Does a Mutual Consent Divorce Cost in Pennsylvania? Divorce by mutual consent will cost spouses around $300-400 in court fees and either $3,000-$6,000 in lawyer's fees or $139 with an online service.

Can you get free divorce?

With your court fees covered, DIY is the only method of obtaining a free divorce, but it's only viable if you and your spouse agree to the divorce and the reasons why you're getting one.

Who pays for a 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.

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

Contributions of one spouse to the other's education. Future earning capability of each spouse. Income of both parties, including medical insurance and retirement benefits. Contribution of each spouse to the marriage, including income and homemaking.

How to get divorce in Pennsylvania?

The third way to get a divorce in Pennsylvania is when the plaintiff states that the defendant is the cause for the failure of their marriage in the divorce complaint. The law of Pennsylvania State recognizes that certain grounds or marital problems validate a divorce. However, using grounds makes it necessary that you hire a lawyer to handle the divorce proceedings.

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 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 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 long do you have to be a resident of Pennsylvania to get an uncontested divorce?

For an uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania, all you require is that you or your spouse should have been a resident of Pennsylvania for a period of 6 months or more.

How many types of spousal support are there in Pennsylvania?

There are essentially 3 types of spousal support in Pennsylvania:

How long do you have to live in Pennsylvania to get divorced?

For a divorce in Pennsylvania, your spouse or you must have resided in the state at least 6 months before applying for a divorce.

How to Complete a Do It Yourself Divorce in Pennsylvania?

In this case, they have to search for the necessary forms, as well as fill them out and file them on their own. In PA, DIY divorce can be initiated if spouses:

Why Get Uncontested Divorce in Pennsylvania Online?

Spouses who want to end their marriage legally can request it to be done on either a fault or a no-fault basis:

What Pennsylvania Divorce Forms Will You Get?

In Pennsylvania, divorce forms that you will have to file depend on your individual case. Some of the basic ones required are:

Why do people file for uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania?

Most couples prefer filing for uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania mainly because: When there is a clear agreement, spouses know the outcome of the marriage dissolution – no one is making decisions for them . In PA, uncontested divorce process is easier and quicker than the alternatives.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost?

The average cost of uncontested divorce when both parties agree with all the aspects of the marriage dissolution is around $11,000 if spouses hire attorneys. In case you are planning to have a contested divorce, the costs can easily exceed $20,000.

How long does it take to get divorced in Pennsylvania?

In PA, uncontested divorce process is easier and quicker than the alternatives. It can be finalized in record time – about 3-3,5 months, and there is no need to go to a hearing. Hiring a lawyer is optional as there are other ways to deal with the paperwork and the filing process.

How long do you have to live in Pennsylvania to file for divorce?

Either one or both spouses must have resided in Pennsylvania for at least 6 months before they can file for divorce there.

How to get divorce without a lawyer?

Make sure you and your spouse have a discussion about how both of you see the divorce going. If you and your spouse both think the divorce can be completed amicably, consider getting a divorce without a lawyer. However, if you and your spouse are having trouble agreeing on the terms of your divorce, you will need the assistance of an attorney in order to protect your best interests. Have this discussion at the beginning of the divorce process so that you can make the best decision possible.

How to get divorce papers?

Gather all the required court forms. To start the divorce process, you will first have to obtain all of the required divorce forms. Check with your state's website, or go to your court's office of the clerk, and download or ask for all the documents you will need to complete a divorce.

How long do you have to be a resident to file for divorce in South Dakota?

Decide where you need to file for divorce. You will need to file for divorce in the state and county where you meet certain residency requirements. Often, in order to file for divorce, you will need to have been a resident of the state and county where you plan on filing for between six months to one year. Only Alaska, South Dakota, and Washington have no extended residency requirements, which means you can file for a divorce there so long as you are a resident at the time of filing.

How to split property in divorce?

1. Consider how assets are going to be distributed. If you have chosen to file for a divorce on your own, you and your spouse are going to have to agree on how your marital assets are going to be distributed. Depending on what state you live in, there are going to be different rules on how the property will be split.

What to do if you can't agree on alimony?

Discuss the need for any alimony payments with your spouse and agree on an amount, if any, before filing for divorce. If you cannot agree on alimony, consider hiring an attorney so he or she can help you protect your financial assets or get the spousal support you deserve.

What to do if you have trouble agreeing to divorce?

However, if you and your spouse are having trouble agreeing on the terms of your divorce, you will need the assistance of an attorney in order to protect your best interests. Have this discussion at the beginning of the divorce process so that you can make the best decision possible. ...

What is divorce in marriage?

A divorce is the ending of a valid marriage. The rest of this article will focus on this proceeding.

How to file for divorce in Pennsylvania without an attorney?

Start by preparing your uncontested divorce forms online using Pennsylvania Online Divorce and get a ready-to-file document package in 2 business days.

How long does it take to get divorce in Pennsylvania?

After the mandatory waiting period (the time within which the defendant must file a response), which is 90 days in Pennsylvania, the parties shall submit the consent forms. If the judge approves the couple's arrangements, the divorce is granted.

Does Pennsylvania accept divorce forms?

The Judicial System of Pennsylvania recognizes the divorce forms provided by PennsylvaniaOnlineDivorce.com. Therefore, we can guarantee that the court will accept the forms. This makes do-it-yourself divorce combined with online divorce the most efficient and safe way to prepare for the divorce procedure.

How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in Pennsylvania?

If both parties file a Mutual Consent case, there is a 90-day waiting period.

How long do you have to wait to file a divorce in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s Mandatory Waiting Period. The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure require both parties to wait 90 days from the service of the Complaint before filing the uncontested divorce consent forms. After 90 days, both parites can file an Affidavit of Consent, stating that they consent to the divorce.

How Much Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost?

One of the biggest benefits of an uncontested divorce is that it is much cheaper to go this route.

What is an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce is exactly what it sounds like. You and your spouse agree to work together and cooperate to resolve your differences so that you can get divorced as quickly and cheaply as possible.

How to build trust in an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce involves a certain degree of trust, and the best way to build trust is to keep the lines of communication open. Every divorce is different, so when you engage in a dialog will be up to you and your spouse. The important thing to understand is that this is a critical part of the process.

How long does it take to file an affidavit of consent?

The Affidavit of Consent must be filed within 30 days after it is signed and dated.

What does compromise do in a divorce?

In an uncontested divorce, compromise makes it easier to move forward, many times without an attorney, so that you can focus on the next chapter of your life. Courts expect you to meet ...

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