How long does a No-Fault Pennsylvania Divorce take?
If you and your spouse have been separated for less than two years, you will use the “mutual consent” no-fault divorce ground. It will take about four months from start to finish, including a mandatory 90-day waiting period. After the two of you have been separated for two years, you may use the “irretrievable breakdown” ground. If your spouse cooperates, that can reduce the time between the beginning and end of your divorce process to perhaps a month-and-a-half. If your spouse will not cooperate to obtain a decree or decides to raise economic claims such as distribution of property and alimony, that can increase the time substantially. For more information, I refer you to two articles: the first for when your spouse will agree to a divorce, and the second for when he or she will not cooperate with the divorce process.
Attorney Michael B. Greenstein, Pittsburgh, PA
Your separation length will help determine the divorce length. Pennsylvania No-Fault Divorces are filed as more than 2 year separation or less than 2 year separation cases. For greater than 2 year separation cases, the Pennsylvania Divorce generally takes between 2.5-3 months. If you do not have at least 2 years of separation, the case generally takes around 5 months.
