Pennsylvania recognizes several fault-based grounds for divorce, each requiring specific proof:
- Adultery
Occurs when a spouse engages in consensual sexual activity with someone other than their partner. Clear and convincing evidence is required, and circumstantial proof may be used. - Cruelty
Involves either physical harm or significant mental abuse by one spouse toward the other. - Voluntary Desertion
Arises if a spouse willingly leaves the marital residence for a continuous period of at least one year without reasonable cause. - Involuntary Desertion
Applies when one spouse is effectively forced out of the marital home under circumstances that create a genuine fear of returning. - Bigamy
Refers to knowingly entering a second marriage while still legally married to someone else. - Imprisonment
Becomes relevant when a spouse is incarcerated for two or more years. - Indignities
Consists of ongoing negative behavior that renders the marital relationship intolerable. A single incident usually isn’t enough; there must be a pattern of actions. - Institutionalization
Requires a spouse to have been hospitalized for mental health issues for at least 18 months prior to filing for divorce, with no realistic likelihood of discharge in the following 18 months.
Outcomes in Court
Even in fault-based divorces, both spouses may agree to proceed with the divorce by stipulation, or a court may need to hold a contested trial. If a trial is necessary, the judge can:
- Grant the divorce to the spouse who is less at fault,
- Grant the divorce to both parties, or
- Issue a decree simply declaring the parties divorced.
If multiple grounds are claimed, the court may decide which basis to rely upon.
Divorce Lawyer R. Badet
Divorce Lawyer R. Badet provides thorough representation from filing to final judgment. His practice encompasses straightforward and more complex cases, as well as spousal support, child support, and custody matters. With a strong background in both Family Law and Criminal Law, he endeavors to secure the best possible result for each client. For more details, visit www.lawyersfordivorces.net or call for a free consultation.
Relevant Search Terms
- “divorce lawyers nearby”
- “divorce and family law attorney”
- “low income divorce lawyers near me”
- “international divorce lawyer near me”
- “reasonable divorce lawyers”
- “best rated divorce lawyers near me”
- “finding a good divorce lawyer”
- “find divorce attorney”
- “divorce and family lawyer near me”
- “divorce lawyers for men near me”
- “black divorce lawyers near me”
- “male divorce lawyers”
- “black divorce lawyers”
- “family law divorce lawyers”
- “contested divorce lawyer”
- “best divorce lawyers”
- “best divorce lawyers near me”
- “child support attorney near me”
- “cheap divorce lawyers near me”
- “family court lawyers near me”
- “best divorce attorney”
- “family court attorney”
- “top divorce attorneys”
- “low income divorce attorney”
- “find a divorce lawyer”
- “divorce lawyer near me cheap”
- “divorce lawyers for military spouses”
- “the best divorce lawyers”
- “divorce and child custody lawyers”
- “cheap custody lawyers”
- “divorce without attorney”
- “divorce mediation lawyer”
- “family divorce attorney”
- “collaborative divorce attorney”