what does it cost for a divorce in pa without an attorney

by Thelma Haley 9 min read

Pursuing an uncontested or mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania without hiring an attorney is the cheapest route. You can expect approximately a $300 fee to file your divorce papers. There can be an additional cost between $150 and $1,500 in case you use the support of an online service.

Pursuing an uncontested or mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania without hiring an attorney is the cheapest route. You can expect approximately a $300 fee to file your divorce papers. There can be an additional cost between $150 and $1,500 in case you use the support of an online service.

Full Answer

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Pennsylvania?

Pursuing an uncontested or mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania without hiring an attorney is the cheapest route. You can expect approximately a $300 fee to file your divorce papers. There can be an additional cost between $150 and $1,500 …

How do I file for divorce in Pennsylvania without a lawyer?

Jul 07, 2020 · Pursuing an uncontested or mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania without hiring an attorney is the cheapest route. You can expect approximately a $300 fee to file your divorce papers. There can be an additional cost between $150 and $1,500 in case you use the support of an online service.

What are the requirements for an uncontested divorce in PA?

Apr 28, 2020 · The results showed that the average total cost of a Pennsylvania divorce with no contested issues is $3,500-$4,000 (based on minimum and maximum hourly fees). The average costs are $5,000-$6,000 for cases with one dispute, if it’s resolved through a settlement, and $8,500-$10,500 for cases with two or more disputes but no trial.

How much does it cost to get divorced without an attorney?

How Much Does a No-Fault Divorce Cost in Pennsylvania? The cost of no-fault divorce in PA will be around $12,000 if the case is contested, $4,000 with a lawyer in an uncontested case, or under $500 if spouses prepare their paperwork themselves or get it online.

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How do I get a divorce in PA without a lawyer?

You don't need to hire a lawyer to get a mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania and you can represent yourself during the process. Spouses can try to handle everything themselves or use an online service that eases the process.

How much does a divorce cost if both parties agree?

If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500. Of course, there are filing fees in all states, which increase the cost.

How much does a mutual consent divorce cost in PA?

How Much Does a Mutual Consent Divorce Cost in Pennsylvania? Divorce by mutual consent will cost spouses around $300-400 in court fees and either $3,000-$6,000 in lawyer's fees or $139 with an online service.

How much does the average divorce cost in Pennsylvania?

The average cost for a divorce in Pennsylvania is about $14,300 if no kids are involved and about $21,500 if kids are involved.Jul 24, 2020

How do I get a quick divorce?

Here's how to get an uncontested, quick divorce; Communicate with your spouse throughout the process. Find your marriage certificate before starting divorce proceedings. Find valid grounds for divorce and agree with your spouse. Ask your spouse to promptly complete and return paperwork.

Can you get a divorce without a lawyer?

Yes, you can get a divorce without a lawyer. Most people do not use a lawyer when they are getting a divorce. This is especially the case when the divorce is reasonably straightforward. ... However, a divorce order only ends your marriage. It does not include arrangements for your children or your finances.

Who pays for a divorce in PA?

Who pays for a divorce in PA? In Pennsylvania the court has the power to order one spouse to pay for the other's attorney fees. The judge will consider factors such as the income gap between the parties and whether both are acting in good faith.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in PA?

Income of both parties, including medical insurance and retirement benefits. Contribution of each spouse to the marriage, including income and homemaking. Standard of living established during the marriage.Oct 18, 2021

Does it matter who files for divorce first in PA?

Does it matter who files a Pennsylvania uncontested divorce first? ... Accordingly, the person who files the divorce first controls the divorce process because if the other spouse files later, the spouse who filed first can have the second divorce dismissed (knocked out of court).Feb 4, 2020

How long do divorces take in PA?

Divorce in Pennsylvania can take between 90 days and 12 months on average, depending on whether it is a fault or a no-fault one. The mandatory waiting period for a no-fault marriage dissolution is 90 days. The average contested divorce takes 5-12 months, and an uncontested one – around 4-6 months.

Can you date while separated in PA?

You are free to date during separation without having to worry that your social life will be used as grounds for divorce. ... Adultery is grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania, and if your spouse can prove you committed adultery, they can seek a divorce with fault.May 21, 2018

How long can a divorce settlement take?

Typically, a divorce settlement will take 9–12 months.Oct 8, 2021

Can You Do Your Own divorce in Pennsylvania?

In PA, DIY divorce can be initiated if spouses: Are in full agreement. If divorcees are on the same page when it comes to the division of their property and debts, and have decided who will have custody of children and pay child support, they can try a do it yourself divorce in PA.

How long does it take to get a divorce if both parties agree in PA?

How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Pennsylvania? If you file for a no-fault divorce, and both spouses consent to the divorce and submit affidavits (written declarations) showing their consent, it will take 90 days before the divorce can be granted.

Who pays for divorce in Pennsylvania?

Generally speaking, you're on your own for your legal fees. In certain cases wherein one party has a very good income and the other party is low or no income, it is possible to ask the Court to have the well-to-do party pay the other's legal fees.Sep 3, 2019

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in PA?

Income of both parties, including medical insurance and retirement benefits. Contribution of each spouse to the marriage, including income and homemaking. Standard of living established during the marriage.Oct 18, 2021

How do I get a divorce in PA without a lawyer?

You don't need to hire a lawyer to get a mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania and you can represent yourself during the process. Spouses can try to handle everything themselves or use an online service that eases the process.

Is dating during separation adultery in PA?

You are free to date during separation without having to worry that your social life will be used as grounds for divorce. ... Adultery is grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania, and if your spouse can prove you committed adultery, they can seek a divorce with fault.May 21, 2018

What is abandonment in PA?

In order to qualify as abandonment, the abandoning spouse must leave for a minimum of one year, under circumstances that the other spouse did not agree to. If the two agreed to separate, if one spouse takes a job elsewhere and the spouse left behind chooses not to go, it does not qualify as abandonment.

How much does a mutual consent divorce cost in PA?

How Much Does a Mutual Consent Divorce Cost in Pennsylvania? Divorce by mutual consent will cost spouses around $300-400 in court fees and either $3,000-$6,000 in lawyer's fees or $139 with an online service.

How do you calculate spousal support in Pennsylvania?

The formula used in the state of Pennsylvania states that the receiving spouse must receive 40 percent of the difference between the spouses' net incomes on a monthly basis. If the couple has children, the formula is altered to 30 percent of the net income difference.

What qualifies you for alimony in PA?

one or both spouse's contribution as a homemaker during the marriage. the needs of both spouses. marital misconduct (during the marriage and before separation) the tax ramifications of the alimony award.

How does a wife get alimony?

The alimony can be provided as a periodical or monthly payment, or as a one-time payment in the form of a lump-sum amount. If the alimony is being paid on a monthly basis, the Supreme Court of India has set 25% of the husband's net monthly salary as the benchmark amount that should be granted to the wife.Jan 27, 2020

Who pays for a divorce in PA?

In Pennsylvania the court has the power to order one spouse to pay for the other’s attorney fees. The judge will consider factors such as the incom...

Is collaborative divorce cheaper than traditional divorce?

The Pennsylvania Collaborative Law Act has made collaborative divorces legitimate. Couples are free to agree on any type of financial and custody s...

What are the values of a good divorce lawyer?

You want to be sure that your lawyer has experience handling divorce cases in Pennsylvania -- specifically in the jurisdiction where your case will...

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in PA?

Pursuing an uncontested divorce without hiring an attorney is the cheapest route. You can expect approximately a $300 fee to file your divorce pape...

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Pennsylvania?

Average total costs for Pennsylvania divorce lawyers are $9,500 to $11,500 but are typically lower in cases without contested issues. If you’re facing a divorce in Pennsylvania, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that the process can be expensive. But you probably want more details than that. Just how expensive can it be where you live?

What are the issues in divorce?

Divorces often involve one or more contested issues, such as: 1 child custody and support 2 alimony, and 3 the division of marital property and debts.

How long can you live apart from your spouse?

you’ve lived apart from your spouse for at least a year, and you claim the marriage is irretrievably broken (even if your spouse doesn’t agree). Alternatively, you may file a petition for a fault divorce by claiming that your spouse: was sentenced to at least two years in prison for a crime.

Can you file for no fault divorce in Pennsylvania?

The Impact of a “Fault” Divorce on Costs. Pennsylvania allows “fault” or “no-fault” divorces. You may file a no-fault divorce if either: you and your spouse agree that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” (known as a “mutual consent divorce”), or. you’ve lived apart from your spouse for at least a year, and you claim the marriage is irretrievably ...

How Much Does a No-Fault Divorce Cost in Pennsylvania?

The cost of no-fault divorce in PA will be around $12,000 if the case is contested, $4,000 with a lawyer in an uncontested case, or under $500 if spouses prepare their paperwork themselves or get it online.

Contested Divorce in Pennsylvania: Costs

What makes a divorce so expensive? The answer is simple – disputes. The more you have – the more you are going to spend, and you may expect to pay anywhere from $13,000 to $30,000 or more.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Pennsylvania?

On average, divorce lawyers charge $250-350 an hour. The more disputes are left unresolved between you and your spouse, the longer you will require legal services, which means that you may end up with a hefty check.

Filing Fee for Divorce in Pennsylvania

The average cost to file for divorce in Pennsylvania is $300-400. No matter if you are going to hire a lawyer or not, you will have to cover this filing fee. The amount you have to pay will depend on the county where you plan to file in.

What are the rules for divorce in Pennsylvania?

You must follow both statewide and local rules. There are two types of divorce in Pennsylvania: no fault/ mutual consent 3301 (c) and no fault/ applicable time of separation 3301 (d).

What happens if you don't agree to divorce?

If both parties do not agree to the divorce, there is a waiting period imposed by law. During the waiting period, the couple must be physically separated. This means they must live separate and apart from their spouse during this time. A single night together restarts the clock for the waiting period.

Can you serve divorce papers in person?

For divorces proceeding under the "no fault and applicable time of separation," the other party must be legally served with the divorce papers. This can be done by mail or in person; however, in both cases, there are rules governing who can serve papers and under what circumstances service occurs.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Pennsylvania?

While the court charges a fee of $328.98 to file your papers in Pennsylvania, hiring a lawyer to handle your divorce can cost anywhere between $4,500 – $31,000 with an attorney fees of around $11,300.

What is an uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania?

An uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania means that there’s no dispute between your spouse and you regarding the various issues pertaining to the divorce i .e. property division, child custody and support, spousal support, alimony, etc.

What is the divorce process in Pennsylvania?

Requirements for Divorce in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, the divorce process is usually started by a “complaint” document. The spouse that begins the divorce process by completing the complaint is referred to as the plaintiff and the other is referred to as the defendant. For a divorce in Pennsylvania, your spouse or you must have resided in ...

What happens if you divorce your spouse in Pennsylvania?

In the case of a Pennsylvania contested divorce, if your spouse and you are unable to come to an agreement on issues such as division of marital property, child custody and support, alimony, etc., then both your spouse and you will have to hire attorneys who will present your case before the county court.

What is marital property?

Typically, marital property is all the property which is acquired by both spouses while they are married and prior to their divorce. Any property, inheritances and gifts that either of the spouses has acquired or received before marriage and after the divorce are not included as marital property.

How long do you have to be separated to file for divorce?

In the case that your spouse or you want a divorce and the other does not, then the plaintiff can go ahead with the divorce process even without the consent of the other person, if both of you have been separated for a period of at least 2 years before you can file for divorce.

When does spousal support stop?

The spousal payment responsibility starts out of marriage and stops when the marriage finishes. Typically, spousal support is applicable before filing the divorce complaint, although it may continue while the divorce is pending in court.

How to file for divorce in Pennsylvania without an attorney?

Start by preparing your uncontested divorce forms online using Pennsylvania Online Divorce and get a ready-to-file document package in 2 business days.

How long does it take to get divorce in Pennsylvania?

After the mandatory waiting period (the time within which the defendant must file a response), which is 90 days in Pennsylvania, the parties shall submit the consent forms. If the judge approves the couple's arrangements, the divorce is granted.

How much does a divorce attorney charge per hour?

20% paid $400 or more per hour. The more complicated the divorce, the higher attorneys' fees -- especially if the proceedings take a long time or if going to trial to resolve contested issues is necessary. Some attorneys offer a flat fee, which can help you budget for your divorce case.

How much does a divorce cost?

The median cost of a divorce is $7,500. An uncontested divorce or one with no major contested issues costs, on average, $4,100. Disputes over child support, child custody, and alimony raise the average cost of a divorce significantly. Divorces that go to trial on two or more issues cost, on average, $23,300.

How long does it take to get divorced in NC?

Divorces take, on average, between 12 and 18 months to finalize. Filing fees range from $75 in North Carolina to $435 in California. Divorced men and women have less money in independently owned defined-contribution retirement accounts than married men and women.

How much does a family therapy session cost?

Family therapy for yourself or your child: Rates are typically $75 to $200 per session, according to the National Directory of Marriage and Family Counseling.

Do you have to pay a fee to dissolve a marriage?

The court must legally dissolve your marriage. You have to pay a filing fee in court for this. Filing fees vary a lot by state, with some states showing significantly higher divorce costs than others.

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