Pennsylvania Divorce Laws

A divorce can be an emotionally difficult experience for all parties involved.  It is important to have clear guidance during every step of the legal proceedings.  With extensive knowledge of the divorce laws in Delaware County, the attorneys at DiOrio & Sereni, LLP can provide the skilled counsel you need.

Filing Divorce Complaints in Pennsylvania

Each state has specific laws that address the various aspects of a divorce.  In Pennsylvania, you or your spouse must be a resident of Pennsylvania for at least six months prior to filing for divorce. With the help of an attorney from DiOrio & Sereni, LLP, you or your spouse may file an official Complaint for Divorce.

Grounds for Divorcing in Pennsylvania

When you file a Complaint for Divorce in Pennsylvania, you must declare the grounds on which you seek to dissolve your marriage.  Pennsylvania allows for both no-fault and fault divorces.

• No-fault divorce: In order to obtain a no-fault divorce, you and your spouse must agree to divorce or you and your spouse must have lived separately for at least two years.  Either spouse can then file for divorce solely on the grounds that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

• Fault divorce: In a fault divorce, a spouse files a complaint for divorce against the other, specifying the wrongful actions that prompted the dissolution of the marriage.  There are seven grounds for fault divorce:
  • Desertion
  • Adultery
  • Cruelty
  • Bigamy
  • Imprisonment or confinement to a mental institution
  • Confinement to mental institution for eighteen months
  • Indignities

Divorce Mediation in Pennsylvania

With the help of attorneys at DiOrio & Sereni, LLP, you and your spouse may reach a marital settlement outside of Court.  You will have to reach an agreement on such issues as property and debt division, alimony, child support, custody, and visitation rights.  If you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement, then your case will be heard by a Master or a Judge. 

Contact us for skilled divorce representation

When you file a divorce in Delaware County, the experienced attorneys at DiOrio & Sereni, LLP can provide valuable legal insight to help you through the process.  Contact us online or call our Media, Pennsylvania offices at 484-842-0531 for a consultation.