Sometimes, marriages just don’t work out. It’s not necessarily one person or the other’s fault, sometimes people just grow apart. Pennsylvania law provides a remedy for those in that situation, it’s called divorce. If you’re looking to move on with your life here in Cranberry Township, then you’ll want to apprise yourself of the requirements that you must meet to do so.
To file for divorce in Pennsylvania, either you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months before your filing. You must submit your divorce petition in the county where either you or your spouse lives. You must demonstrate that you have the intention of staying in Pennsylvania for an indefinite period to be considered as a resident of the state.
Pennsylvania allows for both at-fault and no-fault divorces
There are several types of no-fault divorces including insanity or mental illness. A spouse can request to end their marriage if their spouse has been housed in a mental institution for at least 18 months and has no reasonable possibility of being released.
Both spouses may also mutually agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken. A husband or wife may also unilaterally claim that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Spouses may initiate divorce proceedings if they’ve lived apart for at least two years as well.
Pittsburgh spouses can also file for divorce on many at-fault grounds. They can do so in instances of desertion or absence from the home for no apparent reason for at least a year or if abuse is happening in the home that may endanger the life or health of the spouse. Other at-fault grounds include adultery, bigamy or any other circumstances that a spouse may find intolerant or undignified.
A divorce can be a very painful and difficult process to go through. In such trying times, it may be reasonable for you to seek out the guidance of an experienced divorce attorney to help guide you through the troubled waters that divorce may bring.