Divorce in Pennsylvania
State-specific overview · Family Law
Pennsylvania allows no-fault divorce after a 6-month separation period or mutual consent.
How Pennsylvania treats Divorce
Pennsylvania permits no-fault divorce on grounds of irretrievable breakdown, requiring either a 6-month separation period or mutual written consent to proceed faster. The state also recognizes traditional fault grounds including adultery, cruelty, and abandonment if spouses prefer that route. Pennsylvania uses equitable distribution for marital property and requires courts to consider numerous factors including length of marriage, each party's income and earning capacity, and contributions to the acquisition of marital property.
The general definition of Divorce
The legal dissolution of a marriage, ending the spouses' rights and responsibilities to each other.
Divorce is the legal process by which a married couple ends their marriage. It involves a court officially terminating the marriage and typically requires decisions about property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support. The process can be contested, where the spouses disagree on terms, or uncontested, where they agree on the major issues. Once a divorce is finalized, both parties are free to remarry and are no longer legally responsible for each other.
Read the full Divorce entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania.