Before you jump the gun and file for divorce, you should be sure to do your research about the divorce process so you are prepared for what’s to come.
There is much that goes into ending a marriage, including the distribution of your marital assets and debts, figuring out whether one spouse will help to financially support the other in the divorce, and more. Read on to learn about what you should expect when you file for divorce in PA.
Before you even begin the divorce process, you will need to know what your grounds for divorce are. PA divorces can be fault-based or no-fault based. In a fault-based divorce, you are blaming your spouse for the demise of your marriage. Perhaps your spouse committed adultery or commited a crime and was sentenced to a lengthy prison term, for example.
Though it can be tempting to want to hold your spouse accountable for their actions, seeking a fault-based divorce is often far more expensive and may take much longer to finalize. Apart from potentially impacting your alimony, there are few substantial benefits to seeking a fault divorce.
In a no-fault divorce, the filing spouse is simply stating that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. This can save you money and allow you to finalize your marriage much sooner in most cases.
Once you have determined what your grounds for divorce are, you can file your PA divorce petition. This can actually be done through your attorney and involves filing a motion to end your marriage in the PA family court system. However, the filing of your petition is just the beginning of the divorce process.
Once your divorce petition has been filed, you will need to go over how your marital property, debts, and assets will be divided in your divorce. Hopefully, you will be able to work with your spouse to determine who comes away with what, but if you are unable to do so, the decision will fall on the judge presiding over your Pennsylvania case.
Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state, which means that all of your marital property will be divided fairly, but that doesn’t mean assets will be divided equally. For this reason, it is in your best interests to attempt to come to an agreement with your soon-to-be ex.
It is also possible that you will need to figure out whether spousal support is going to be paid. This is generally done when one spouse earns significantly less than the other or if one spouse has relied on the other financially for a period of time.
To learn more about how your divorce may unfold, you will need to meet with a highly qualified Pittsburgh divorce lawyer. At Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C. we are dedicated to helping individuals who are ready to move on do so without being taken advantage of by an unhappy spouse. You can schedule your consultation by giving our office a call at 1-844-VARI-LAW (827-4529) or visiting our website.
Facing divorce or another family law issue is tough. At the Pennsylvania family law offices of Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C., our practice is dedicated solely to assisting clients with the needs of today's modern families. Our Pittsburgh family lawyers are devoted to helping our clients avoid prolonged conflict to arrive at solutions that are in the best interests of their families and themselves.Divorce and AnnulmentAlimony Child CustodyChild SupportFathers RightsMothers Rights... View full business profile here: Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C.
