Philadelphia Divorce Lawyer

You knew this day was coming. Now that you have decided to start the divorce process, there are many short- and long-term issues to work out. Who will get custody of the kids? Should you move out of your house? Will you owe spousal support or child support? Having worked with many clients in your position, our Philadelphia attorneys sympathize with the uncertainty this challenging time of life brings. Hiring a divorce lawyer early in the process can help ease some of these pains and help you get your life back on track quicker.

Even if you and your spouse have agreed to end the marriage, you may have different ideas about who the children should live with, who gets the car, or who should live in the family home, and many other details of dividing a household and assets. Your assets could make the marriage dissolution process even more complex.

At Petrelli Previtera, our family law practice supports clients to end their marriages as efficiently and successfully as possible. Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, our law firm can identify the right strategy for a great outcome. We will work with you to resolve related family law issues regarding custody, child support, alimony and asset distribution.

Your Property and Assets

One initial step in a divorce is to identify and locate all assets and property that belong to the spouses. Anything purchased during the marriage will be marital property, even if only one spouse acquired it. Marital assets include the primary marital residence, rental units, or even vacation homes. For many couples, it involves at least some bank accounts and vehicles. However, additional assets that will need to be divided during divorce can include:

A family business
Business executive benefits
Stock options and restricted stock
401k accounts

Pensions
Military retirement accounts
Other retirement accounts
Motor vehicles

Real estate
Intellectual property rights
Paintings or other expensive collectibles
Jewelry

Separate Property

Pennsylvania law allows some assets to be omitted from the equitable distribution process. These are “non-marital” or separate assets. For example, gifts or inheritances received before or during the marriage that are kept separate might be excluded.

Getting the Right Help with Equitable Distribution

Finding and determining a value for all of these assets can be quite overwhelming. Depending on the types of assets you have, we may recommend using various financial experts. It is vital to your divorce proceeding that all assets are found and correctly valued before the division of assets begins. Once the order for asset division is finalized, no amendments can be made. Using financial experts can be especially helpful if you believe your spouse could be hiding assets or devaluing a business or other property.

Questions Frequently Asked about Philadelphia Divorce Law

What are the common approaches to divorce in PA?

In Pennsylvania, divorcing spouses can generally take one of four approaches:

Mutual consent divorce
No-fault divorce after one year of separation
Fault divorce
Divorce following one spouse’s institutionalization

Each of these types of divorce has different requirements and a timeline.

Some divorcing spouses can reach an agreement outside of court. Others need the help of a judge to resolve their divorce. Some may rely on or need help enforcing a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement.

Can I meet with a Divorce Lawyer near me?

If you’re going through a divorce, you likely have many questions, such as can I meet with a divorce lawyer near me? It is in your best interests to meet with a divorce lawyer who is knowledgeable in your particular legal matter. Petrelli Previtera offers several consultation options, such as virtual appointments through zoom. If you’re ready to discuss your legal options, use our online scheduler to view appointment times and choose one that works best for you. Or feel free to call our office to talk with an intake specialist to schedule an appointment.

How do I find the best divorce attorney for me?

Ending a marriage can be overwhelming. There are many decisions to be made. Their job is to reduce your stress as you take steps towards a better future. But, first you have to hire an attorney. Here are six tips that can help you find the best lawyer for your divorce:

Choose a family law attorney. A family law attorney will have the knowledge needed to efficiently represent you.
Get referrals. You may be able to get referrals from attorneys, clergy, accountants, and counselors, as well as divorced friends and family members.
Do your research. One you have referrals, check the Divorce Lawyer’s credentials. Make sure the lawyers you are considering are members of the American Bar Association or the PA Bar Association. Check the divorce attorney’s website and LinkedIn profile. You may also want to check the attorney’s AVVO rating. AVVO has ratings, reviews, and disciplinary records for lawyers in every state.
Choose an attorney with experience handling divorces like yours. If you are going through a contentious divorce, you will want an attorney with courtroom experience. If you and your spouse have considerable assets, you may want to work with an attorney who has access to a forensic CPA or appraiser.
Interview your top choices. The interview gives you a chance to meet the attorney and get their legal opinion. This is an opportunity for you to see how you will get along with the attorney. You should choose a lawyer who speaks to you English, not legalese. If you don’t feel comfortable, choose another lawyer.
Choose an attorney you can trust. Since you will share personal information, the divorce attorney should be someone you trust and feel comfortable with. If you don’t like an attorney, choose someone else.

Do I need a Philadelphia Divorce Lawyer?

Many types of legal cases are important to your future. However, there are few that are as important as divorce actions. In a divorce case, the judge will make decisions that will affect your financial future and family relationships. Everything from how much support you need to pay your ex-spouse to how much time you get to spend with your kids will be part of your divorce case. The process by which these decisions can be complex and errors can inadvertently compromise your rights. When your children, property, and future income are at stake, it is important to protect your rights by hiring an attorney.

If I’m not ready to file for divorce, can I seek a legal separation?

No. Pennsylvania law does not recognize legal separation. You can still live in a separate residence from your spouse. In fact, living “separate and apart” from your spouse for two years is one way to establish grounds for divorce in PA.

Where do I file for divorce?

If you and your spouse live in the same county, such as Philadelphia County, you can file in that county. If you live in separate counties, you can file in either county. Talk with your divorce attorney if you are also pursuing child custody, as there are additional rules on where to file.

How long do divorce cases take to complete?

The length of time a divorce takes in Pennsylvania takes depends on whether you and your spouse consent to divorce. If you both consent to resolving the financial issues, you can be divorced in about a year. On the flip side, if you and your spouse do not agree, the divorce can go on longer, sometimes for years. Read More >

How much will my divorce cost?

The cost of divorce depends on several factors including whether both spouses consent to the divorce. The more arguments between the spouse, the more attorney involvement there will be, and thus higher attorney fees. As a general rule, fewer court appearances means lower costs of divorce. Settling as much of the financial issues out of court is the ideal way to keep costs low.

Get Prestigious Philadelphia Divorce Lawyers on Your Side

To get the legal assistance you need, you can reach a Philadelphia Divorce attorney with Petrelli Previtera at (215) 399-2355.

At Petrelli Previtera, our lawyers have shown skill and success as both negotiators and litigators through the years—and we have awards to prove it. Our firm has consistently won top-notch recognition including:

Super Lawyers Honoree since 2015
The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
Martindale-Hubbell’s Gold Client Champion 2017 Award
Kev’s Best list of the ‘5 Best Divorce Attorneys in Philadelphia’
ThreeBestRated’s list of the 3 Best Divorce Lawyers in Philadelphia, PA
Inc. 5000 2019 & 2020 Mentionee
And many more!

During our first meeting, we will define your goals and any issues you may face, such as parental rights and division of property. We will answer your questions and give you the best advice on how to protect your assets. If you have decided to divorce, we’re here for you. Contact the family law team at Petrelli Previtera, LLC. We’ll answer questions about your situation and schedule a consultation to discuss your options.

Contact A Philadelphia Divorce Attorney for Assistance

Our Philadelphia Divorce Lawyers have years of experience representing clients and can provide legal advice to help you move on to the next phase of your life. If you’re ready to discuss your legal options, let’s get started by scheduling an initial consultation.

Our law office delivers legal services for families throughout PA. Including residents of Philadelphia County, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware Counties and other nearby cities. The Philly law office is located in Center City at:

1845 Walnut Street 19th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Direct Phone: (215) 399-2355

Philadelphia Area Offices: Abington, West Chester, Doylestown, Norristown

View Directions to our Philadelphia Office »

Philadelphia Divorce Representation