Does it matter who files for divorce first in pa

Everything from property distribution, child custody, child support, and even alimony would be included in the document. In addition, the Petitioner must also have all the information on subjects in question: like the child ren , the other spouse, their names, their addresses, social security numbers, everything. The Petitioner is also responsible for making sure the Respondent the other spouse receives a copy of the petition to either sign or not sign.

Because both the Petitioner and Respondent both want the divorce to occur. If a Respondent knows that a divorce petition may be coming, he or she can try to get an upper hand and file first and set the provisions and stipulations, leaving the other facing the responsibility to respond and contest the divorce. The divorce process goes on normally, no matter who files first. Between forty and fifty percent of US residents file for divorce at some time during their lives.

In , Pennsylvania statistics showed 32, divorces and annulments, along with 73, marriages for a divorce rate of almost 45 percent. Divorce Proceedings in the 21st Century We asked our participants to share what legal processes they were familiar with for divorce. Divorce Finances When it came to the big issues, the majority of women felt sufficiently informed to make decisions.

However, when it came to issues outside of the immediate household, such as taxes, the participants felt less informed. Reusable Block. Our platform takes the user through the entire dissolution process. We provide information and support along the way through our content on our Insights Blog, the Divorce Sucks! Podcast and The Index, our curated professional and lifestyle resource guide. Although you may opt to represent yourself for a simple mutual divorce, Pennsylvania lawyers offer insight and expertise in dealing with complicated matters and ensuring that each party receives his or her fair share of property.

Divorce in Pennsylvania is often complicated, meaning that it is best to obtain legal counsel or mediation services to ensure that every detail is properly attended to. Mistakes are common when people represent themselves during divorce. Parties who present filings that contain errors are required to re-file under Pennsylvania divorce law, so the process takes far longer than necessary and costs far more in legal fees.

Here is a list of divorce lawyers in Pennsylvania. Because divorces are challenging under the best of circumstances, trained professionals dedicate their careers to guiding their clients efficiently through procedures, particularly in complicated cases.

You may choose to build your Pennsylvania divorce team using the following individuals or websites:. Financing divorce is an expensive proposition. So, too, is rebuilding your life post-divorce. The Disadvantages of Filing First Like many things, there are also negatives to filing for divorce first.

You Alert Your Spouse to Your Demands — When you petition for a divorce, you usually have to list your desires or demands. The other party sees this at the time they are served. This allows them to know exactly what you want and come up with a counterattack. Sometimes Pay More Fees — The individual who petitions for divorce first might have to pay the filing fees.

Because you go first, you may also have to pay more in attorney fees if your lawyer is busy gathering information. Set Forth the Dissolution of Marriage — If you and your spouse are discussing divorce, you make it solid by filing for it. Usually in these cases, there is little chance of reconciling, since one party has already made the move.

Who Decides My Child Support? Whether either party experienced an interruption of career or education during or as a result of the marriage. Whether one spouse helped advance the career or education of the other spouse. The desirability of obtaining a specific asset, including for business reasons. How each spouse contributed to obtaining certain marital assets. Whether it would benefit the custodial spouse to stay in the family home for the children.

Whether one spouse intentionally wasted assets in the two years before filing for divorce. Examples include excessive shopping or spending large sums of money on a person with whom one spouse is having an affair.