Pennsylvania has its own legal requirements for divorce, some of which may vary from those in other states. Pennsylvania does recognize both at-fault and no-fault divorces, so you can decide which way you want to handle your divorce. Was abuse, infidelity, harassment, abandonment or other issues the cause of your marriage failing? Consider an at-fault divorce. If you simply no longer get along and don’t want to be married, irreconcilable differences can be claimed and a no-fault divorce can be filed.
When you want to get divorced, you need to meet these requirements. You’ll need to have a marriage that has irretrievably broken down, lived apart for at least two years, been a victim of cruelty or violence or be a victim of adultery.
Once you’ve decided on the kind of divorce you want to get, you can take your case to an attorney. There are some things you’ll need to do to file your divorce. You’ll want to collect all information on your personal assets and marital assets, gather bank statements and other financial documents and work with your attorney to put together your separation agreement or other requests moving forward. If you can work with your spouse in an agreeable manner, you two may be able to create a settlement out of court. If not, then you may have to go to mediation or court to have your divorce finalized; the judge will be the person to make the decision on the division of your assets, custody arrangements and other important arrangements if you don’t do so outside court.
Our website has more information on divorce in Pennsylvania and what to do when you’re ready to move forward.