When you got married, you planned to be together forever. Unfortunately, your “happily ever after” was not meant to be and you and your spouse have decided to file for divorce. Neither one of you is completely to blame. Things just didn’t work out. You’d like to keep things as civil as possible between the two of you, so you’ve decided to file for a no-fault divorce.
The state of Pennsylvania recognizes both at fault and no-fault divorces. Filing a no-fault divorce is usually a quick process that lasts only 4 months or so. It can help to take the sting out of the process and help you put this matter behind you so you can both move on with your lives.
Grounds for a no-fault divorce
These are the steps that you’ll need to take to file for a no-fault divorce:
- You or your spouse must have been a resident of Pennsylvania for a period of at least six months and you must file in the county where you currently reside.
- You need to decide on the division of property and finances.
- You must work out the details of child custody and support, as well as spousal support.
- Once these things have been decided and put in writing, you can file the papers to finalize the divorce.
Any funds or property that you owned before the marriage are not considered marital property. For example, if you own a motorcycle that you bought when you were single, that is not considered a marital asset. In other words, you don’t have to sell it and split the proceeds.
It’s always a good idea to contact an experienced legal guide. They can help you through the process from start to finish.