How Do You File An Uncontested Divorce In Pennsylvania?
If you plan to work without a lawyer, you should at least talk to one to confirm that it is a good idea for you to proceed with divorce at this time. Filing and completing a divorce process affects rights that you and your spouse have toward and against each other (for example, property distribution and alimony rights). Forwarned is forarmed; make very, very sure that pursuing the divorce now, without addressing other matters arising from your marriage, will actually get you the closure you desire rather than more headaches down the road. There is a *lot* that can go wrong if you act in undue haste.
In Pennsylvania, there are two "no fault" grounds for divorce: mutual consent (Section 3301(c) of the divorce code) and irretrievable breakdown (Section 3301(d)). The Pa. court rules for preparing and processing the paperwork that goes with either of those two divorce grounds may be found here. At last check, Inkwell Stationers in Pittsburgh sells a fair set of preprinted divorce forms. Where the forms must be filed once prepared (probably, the Office of the Prothonotary), what the filing fee will be, and what other rules may apply, will vary from county to county; you are best advised to review your own county’s local rules of civil procedure as well, if you don’t want to talk to a lawyer; your local rules are probably available via the Web, and will probably be numbered to correspond with the statewide rules (i.e., 1920.x).
Michael B. Greenstein
http://www.spousealouse.com
If you live in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and are looking to dissolve your marriage, you might be able to circumvent the lengthy and costly trial process altogether. If both you and your spouse agree to end your marriage, share no custody of minor children and have no disputes regarding the allocation of assets or debt, then you can file an uncontested divorce, also known as a no-fault divorce. Ensure that you qualify to file for divorce in Pennsylvania. To qualify, you or your spouse must have been living in the commonwealth for at least six months. Obtain a copy of a complaint for divorce. These are available for a minimal fee through many legal-related websites. You can also hire an attorney to draft one for you. Fill out the form with all the necessary information including you and your spouse’s names, your addresses and the lengths of time you all have lived within Pennsylvania. Specify the grounds for your no-fault divorce. For such a divorce, the reason cited is usually th
