Pittsburgh Divorce Lawyers

If you are considering filing for divorce in Pennsylvania, it is important to understand the various options available. At Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C., we can help you understand what your legal options are and what routes will best serve your individual needs. 

In order to file for a divorce in Pennsylvania, one of the parties must have been a resident of Pennsylvania for at least six months prior to filing. You must also file in the county where your spouse resides. If your spouse lives in a different county than you, you have the following options:

• You may file in the county where you both lived during your marriage and where you currently reside
• You may file in the county where you reside if your spouse agrees
• You may file in the county in the county where you live if your spouse lives out of state

When you file for divorce, you may choose to file for either a “no-fault” or “fault-based” divorce. In a no-fault divorce, neither spouse must prove fault or blame in order to obtain a dissolution of marriage. A no-fault divorce can be granted if both parties consent or if the couple has been separated for at least a year. 

Under certain circumstances, one spouse may be able to file for a fault-based divorce instead. A fault-based action requires evidence that demonstrates that one party was responsible for causing irreparable harm within the marriage. Fault-based grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania include:

• Willful and malicious desertion
• Adultery
• Cruel and barbarous treatment
• Bigamy
• Imprisonment for 2 or more years

At Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C., our Pittsburgh divorce lawyers have extensive experience helping clients throughout Pennsylvania understand and comply with each step in the divorce process. We will work tirelessly to ensure that all documents are prepared properly so you can move forward with confidence.