Philadelphia Divorce Lawyer Near Me
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 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?
- 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?

How do I find the best divorce attorney for me?
- 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?
If I’m not ready to file for divorce, can I seek a legal separation?
Where do I file for divorce?
How long do divorce cases take to complete?
How much will my divorce cost?
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 protecting 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
Additional Offices In Your Area: Abington, West Chester, Doylestown, Norristown