Last updated 11 months ago
In Pennsylvania, divorce can take up to two years, depending on the grounds and the level of spousal consent involved. Read on to find out about the timeline of both no-fault and fault divorces. Keep in mind that any divorce requires that one or both spouses be a resident of Pennsylvania for six months before beginning divorce proceedings.
- No-Fault Divorce
Pennsylvania recognizes two kinds of no-fault divorce: mutual consent and irretrievable breakdown. The two types feature very different timelines. If both husband and wife agree to divorce, it is considered a mutual consent divorce. They must wait 90 days after filing the initial divorce complaint before they can sign consent papers. All in all, this means that the divorce will take about four months, assuming that everything goes as quickly as possible and there are no major assets to divide or complex child custody arrangements to establish.
However, if one spouse files for divorce but the other does not consent, it is considered an irretrievable breakdown, and the divorce process will take significantly longer. The two spouses must be separated for two years before the courts will allow one spouse to receive a divorce without the other’s consent.
- Fault Divorce
Several grounds exist for fault divorces, like adultery, cruelty, incarceration of more than two years, and desertion. Fault divorces are rare, because one party must prove that he or she is completely innocent and the other is at fault. This is difficult, and the allegedly at-fault party can usually find a defense against the allegations. However, if the party asking for the divorce can successfully prove any of these grounds, divorce will be granted without a waiting period.
Divorce in Pennsylvania can be confusing, especially if you and your spouse are trying to work out issues relating to property division or child custody. For assistance, call Larry Lefkowitz Esq. Our office has been practicing family and divorce law since 1991 and can help you through this difficult time. Call (215) 750-9202 to schedule a consultation.
Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.
Last updated 11 months ago
What is the average cost of a divorce? The question is simple but the answer can be complicated: It depends on numerous circumstances, including filing fees and attorney fees.
If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse can agree on property distribution, asset division, and child custody arrangements, your divorce should be fairly affordable. If you have to work to reach an agreement about these factors, expect to pay more.
Larry Lefkowitz Esq. can help you reach a divorce settlement as quickly and easily as possible, so you can move on with your life. Our fees are reasonable, and we offer installment payment plans for your convenience. To schedule an appointment in our office for a free consultation, call (215) 750-9202.
Last updated 12 months ago
When establishing child custody and visitation agreements, a divorce court is concerned with creating an arrangement that is in the best interest of the child. Within these stipulations, parents have certain rights that must be respected. Read on to learn more about parental rights after a divorce in Pennsylvania:
- Right to Seek Custody
Both parents have the right to seek sole or joint custody of their child. The judge will consider a parent’s stability and the healthiness of the domestic environment when making this decision. If the child is old enough, he can voice his opinion about where he would like to live.
- Right to Visitation
In almost all cases, noncustodial parents have the right to spend time with their child, even if only through supervised visitation. Barring any conclusive evidence that visitation is harmful to the child, the custodial parent cannot petition for denial of parental visitation rights.
- Right to Input in Major Decisions in Cases of Joint Custody
Parents who share legal custody must work together to make major decisions about the child’s upbringing. This includes where the child will go to school, what healthcare treatments he will receive, and what religious tradition he will be raised in. Even if a parent has sole physical custody, he or she must consult with the other parent when making major decisions if they share legal custody.
- Right to Request Modification of Child Custody Agreement
Either parent can request a modification of the child custody agreement. For example, if a noncustodial parent gets a new job with a schedule that would make joint custody feasible, he can request that the court consider modifying the agreement to allow such an arrangement. A modification may also be possible if it is simply in the best interest of the child, regardless of whether circumstances have changes.
During a custody dispute, you need an experienced attorney to advocate for your rights. Choose Larry Lefkowitz Esq. as your divorce lawyer to get the best results possible—and at a reasonable cost. To schedule a consultation, call (215) 750-9202 today.
Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.
Last updated 1 year ago
The divorce process is hardly easy and almost never painless. However, there are some useful tips that can help ensure the process goes more smoothly for both you and your divorce lawyer. Below are 3 things you can do to help your divorce lawyer, which in turn will be of benefit to you.
Be Truthful: Tell your attorney all the facts surrounding your marriage. Remember not to leave out the negative facts as your attorney needs to know these as well. Remember that under attorney/client privilege your attorney will not disclose any facts that you do not wish to make public. By disclosing all the details, your attorney will not be blindsided or surprised in the courtroom which should always be avoided. A good tip is to consider writing down a brief outline of the details of your case you to give to your attorney.
Help Yourself: Divorces can wreak havoc on one’s emotional state. If you feel like you may be depressed or severely stressed, consider seeing a counselor or therapist who specializes in divorce. The divorce process can be lengthy. If you take care of your emotional well-being you will be able to remain focused on your case and aid your attorney to the best of your ability.
Provide Necessary Documents: Gather and sort the necessary documents your attorney will need for your case such as an inventory of your assets. Providing these documents in an organized way will help ease your attorney’s workload and provide the attorney more time to focus on the case itself, thus making the process smoother.
If you're looking for a skilled and professional divorce attorney to handle your divorce case, call Larry Lefkowitz Esq. Our office has been practicing law since 1991, and we will bring extensive experience in divorce law (including no-fault divorce) and family law to your case. We don't bill by the hour, and we believe in charging reasonable fees for all of our services. For more information visit our website or give us a call at (215) 750-9202.
In an effort to raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Larry Lefkowitz is offering to donate $1 for every person who “Likes” the official Larry Lefkowitz Facebook page!
Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.
Last updated 1 year ago
If you found our recent blog posts interesting, explore the information provided below. These links include useful information about divorce law in Pennsylvania.
- Learn how no-fault divorce became legal in all 50 states in this article from Consumer Reports.
- Take a look at this helpful resource to learn about alimony.
- Do you want to know about the laws regarding divorce in Pennsylvania? If so, take a look at this resource.
If you're looking for a skilled and professional divorce attorney to handle your divorce case, call Larry Lefkowitz Esq. Our office has been practicing law since 1991, and we will bring extensive experience in divorce law (including no-fault divorce) and family law to your case. We don't bill by the hour, and we believe in charging reasonable fees for all of our services. For more information visit our website or give us a call at (215) 750-9202.
In an effort to raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Larry Lefkowitz is offering to donate $1 for every person who “Likes” the official Larry Lefkowitz Facebook page!
Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.
