Articles

If you want to end your marriage in Philadelphia, you can file a divorce petition in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. Located at 1501 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, the court operates on regular business days from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm. Uncontested and Contested Divorces Uncontested DivorceIn an uncontested divorce, both spouses […]

Before initiating a divorce action in Philadelphia or elsewhere in Pennsylvania, two primary jurisdictional requirements must be met: subject matter jurisdiction over the case and personal jurisdiction over the spouses. Once a party meets these conditions, Pennsylvania’s matrimonial courts possess full authority (equity powers) to address every aspect of the divorce, including: After fulfilling the […]

A divorce action in Pennsylvania begins by submitting a Complaint. Two items must be attached to the Complaint: After preparing these documents, file them in the appropriate office that handles legal pleadings. There is typically a filing fee, unless you qualify to proceed in forma pauperis (in which case you must file a request alongside […]

Courts in Pennsylvania recognize that, in some cases, grandparents can serve as stable and loving caretakers for their grandchildren. A judge may grant grandparents custody if this arrangement serves the child’s best interests and the following conditions apply: Presumptions in Custody Disputes Visitation Rights Third-Party Visitation (Including Grandparents) Grandparents’ Specific Visitation Rights Enforcing Visitation Orders […]

Pennsylvania recognizes several fault-based grounds for divorce, each requiring specific proof: Outcomes in CourtEven 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: If multiple grounds are claimed, the court may decide […]

When finalizing a divorce, Pennsylvania courts follow a process called “equitable distribution,” which involves dividing marital assets in a way that is fair—even if not always 50/50. Once the court has classified and appraised all marital property, it allocates the assets based on various legal principles and specific circumstances of the spouses. Significantly, an equitable […]

Understanding the Flat Fee DivorceOpting for a flat fee divorce allows individuals to plan divorce expenses in advance. Rather than charging by the hour or requiring separate payments at different stages of the case, the law firm sets one total price covering costs such as attorney fees and filing fees. This arrangement continues through the […]

In Pennsylvania, resolving property issues during a divorce involves two core steps: Identifying Marital Property Identifying Separate (Non-Marital) Property Equitable Distribution Once the court or the spouses (through negotiation) categorize which items are marital and which are separate, the marital assets are divided in an equitable manner. “Equitable” does not necessarily mean splitting the property […]

Pennsylvania recognizes several defenses in fault-based divorce actions. These defenses can prevent a divorce from being granted on the grounds of misconduct if successfully proven by the defending spouse. Divorce Lawyer R. Badet Divorce Lawyer R. Badet offers extensive experience and guidance at all stages of the divorce process, including matters of spousal support, child […]

How Child Support Is Determined Pennsylvania employs standardized guidelines and relies on an “income shares” model, which factors in the net incomes of both parents to approximate what the child would have received if the parents were still living together. Courts also look at the child’s reasonable needs alongside the obligor’s ability to pay. Common […]