Knowledgeable Pennsylvania Lawyer Assists Divorcing Spouses
Plymouth Meeting attorney provides experienced and effective advocacy
Though the end of any marriage is painful, the divorce process does not have to be unduly stressful. At the Law Offices of Steven H. Rubin, I help people in Pennsylvania dissolve their marriages in the most efficient and anxiety-free way possible. Since 1991, I’ve compassionately guided residents of Chester and Montgomery counties through divorces and related family law matters. I will provide you with effective legal representation aimed at achieving a fast and positive outcome in your case.
The difference between no-fault and fault divorce
In Pennsylvania, a divorce can be sought on no-fault or fault grounds. In a no-fault divorce, the marriage is alleged to have suffered an “irretrievable breakdown.” A no-fault divorce can be based on mutual consent or, if one spouse does not provide consent, the couple must have been living separately for at least one year. A no-fault divorce can be finalized in as little as three months.
In a divorce based on fault, it is alleged that one spouse has committed adultery, bigamy, cruelty including domestic violence or humiliating conduct that made the marriage intolerable. Fault grounds also include abandonment of one spouse for at least one year or a spouse’s imprisonment for at least two years. A divorce based on fault is more complex and expensive and can take much longer.
How the divorce process works
To file for divorce in Pennsylvania, you or your spouse must have resided in the state for the previous six months. One spouse initiates the divorce by filing a complaint with the court and paying the requisite filing fee. The complaint is served on the other spouse, who is given time to file an answer. The divorce then proceeds on a contested or uncontested track, depending on the spouses’ willingness or reluctance to agree on essential terms.
A divorce, even if based on no-fault grounds, is considered contested when the spouses have disputes over such issues as property division, child custody, child support and alimony. If agreements can’t be reached through negotiation or mediation, the case may need go to trial for a judge to decide those matters. I will answer all your questions about the divorce process and guide you from filing to finalization. No matter what legal support is needed, whether in or out of the courtroom, you can trust me to staunchly advocate for your rights and interests.
Contact a trustworthy Pennsylvania law firm for help with your divorce
At the Law Offices of Steven H. Rubin in Plymouth Meeting, I bring three decades of legal experience to helping Pennsylvania clients dissolve their marriages expeditiously and with the least stress possible. To schedule a free consultation, call my firm at 484-999-0895 or contact me online.
