Pennsylvania Ranked 12th in Worst States to Obtain a Divorce

Posted by Pamela A. Crowther, Esquire on 3 July 2012

Forget Pennsylvania, according to Bloomberg Ranking’s analysis. For a quick divorce, New Hampshire is the place to go. Bloomberg rated the Keystone State the 12th worst state in the country as far as obstacles one might face in obtaining a divorce. As reported by msn.com on February 2, 2012, the rankings took into account obstacles to obtaining a divorce, such as filing fees, minimum separation period, minimum length of residency, minimum waiting period after filing for the divorce, and minimum number of days for the entire process (start to finish). Bloomberg’s reasoning for Pennsylvania’s low ranking was the minimum processing time of 270 days, the $270 filing fee, and the grounds for a fault divorce which include “such indignities to the innocent and injured spouse as to render that spouse’s condition intolerable and life burdensome.” The slow processing time is yet another reason to prepare for your first meeting with your divorce lawyer to address the following four topics: (1) child custody and visitation; (2) the marital home post-separation; (3) child support; and (4) marital assets and debt.

We represent clients throughout eastern Pennsylvania, including the Philadelphia Main Line (Merion, Narberth, Gladwyne, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Villanova, St. David's, Radnor, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, and Paoli) and the communities of Newtown Square, Malvern, Valley Forge, Philadelphia, Phoenixville, Reading, Doylestown, West Chester, Media, Lancaster, Allentown, Stroudsburg, Norristown, and Easton.

Our lawyers regularly appear in the courts of Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster County, Lehigh County, Monroe County, Montgomery County, Northampton County and Philadelphia County, as well as Federal Court.

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