We get you. Divorce was the last thing on your mind when you committed to ‘forever’. Now, all you feel is pain, frustration, and in-between emotions you can’t figure out. The only way out is divorce. But before you get a divorce decree, you must secure your future. Finding an experienced Kennett Square family lawyer is the best way to do it.
Petrelli Previtera, LLC lawyers guard your well-being throughout the divorce process, ensuring you get what serves you best in all aspects of the divorce –child custody, alimony, asset division, and more.
About Kennett Square
Kennett Square is a one square mile town in Brandywine Valley, 40 miles from the Philadelphia City Center. It was originally occupied by the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans before being incorporated in 1855. In 1885, a florist named William Swayne began planting mushrooms under benches and it wasn’t long before the idea caught on, turning the area into the “mushroom capital of the world” that it is today.
More than that, it treats locals to fun-filled festivals, such as the Kennett Brewfest where revelers enjoy wine, food and artisan vendors. The streets are lined with shops and restaurants to wine, dine, and shop throughout the year. When family issues that require legal help arise, Petrelli Previtera, LLC provides the best legal guidance in town.
Why You Need Petrelli Previtera, LLC Divorce Lawyers
You can’t fix the past, but you can give yourself the best chance to have a fulfilling future. This is how we ensure you don’t get the short end of the stick:
- Decades of experience. We’ve carried hundreds of clients through the chaos of a divorce process, applying the law and applicable changes to help them win.
- We put you first. Our initial consultations with you involve gauging where you are, what you need, and how to help you.
- Compassion. Divorce is challenging and emotionally draining. We know how to be tough in court yet caring and supportive as you go through it.
- Petrelli Law is an Inc 5000 firm. We’re part of the 5000 fastest-growing companies in the country. You can trust that you’re getting tested and proven legal solutions.
- We’re an award-winning firm. We never do a half-hearted job, and the legal world recognizes it. You can rest easy knowing you put your hopes in the right place.
- We’re reliable. Our customer support line is always open. You can reach out at any time for support and guidance.
You Are Our No. 1 Priority
Speaking of being reliable, our next step after studying your case is putting up a plan for navigating the divorce process to bring you the best possible outcome. We provide legal representation for the following aspects:
Divorce
So the marriage didn’t work out as you’d hoped. You can end it the smart way by getting the right legal support for the often tenuous legal process. If your partner has refused to sign the divorce papers, we’ll help you file for a contested divorce and walk with you, making the necessary sacrifices to see you safely on the other side.
Child Custody
We understand how sensitive custodial rights can be. Beyond agreeing on who gets custody, you may need to change a term in the custody rights for the child’s good. Maybe the biggest issue in your case is visitation rights, or there’s a case of previous abuse that makes things very complicated. We’re competent enough to handle each case and its complexities.
Alimony
Alimony is much more difficult to pursue in Pennsylvania because you have to demonstrate need, and the court has to find your need viable enough to award it. There’s also the issue of determining how much alimony is legally available and for how long. If you want to terminate alimony or change the terms, we’re up to the task.
Property Division
How do you quantify how much property a stay-at-home parent is worth after a divorce? What about fairly dividing property acquired during the marriage? We explain the legal threshold for these and more concerns and handle the property division headache so you can move on faster.
Types of Divorce in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
A Kennett Square divorce has to abide by Pennsylvania laws. Here are the most important laws to understand:
Mutual No-Fault Divorce
A no-fault divorce is also called an uncontested divorce. There are two types under the no-fault divorce category. The first one is the 90-day consent category. Here, the person filing for a divorce files a divorce complaint, and the law gives the couple 90 days to be sure they want a divorce. If the couple agrees, they sign a consent form after 90 days and file it with the court.
Unilateral-No-Fault Divorce
In case your partner doesn’t want to sign the consent form and there is no fault, you can get a one-year separation and then get a divorce without their consent after the period elapses.
Fault Divorce
Fault divorce is a contested divorce. A contested divorce requires a hearing before a Special Master to determine if fault exists.
In a contested divorce, your spouse files a response to your divorce complaint and disagrees with some parts of what you’ve stated. This option is procedurally longer and presents more difficulty with custody, alimony, and other issues. More than that, the couple has to complete and file an income statement. This document provides detailed information about your income and assets.
The most common reasons for fault divorce are indignities –verbal abuse, physical abuse, adultery, etc.
Kennett Square Pennsylvania Divorce FAQs
What is Condonation?
Condonation means forgiving the fault ground for divorce. For example, a court can deny a divorce request filed on the fault grounds of adultery if the complainant sleeps with their partner. The court assumes you forgave your partner’s adultery.
What are the Grounds for a Fault Divorce in Kennett Square, PA?
- Willful desertion –your partner leaves the home without reasonable cause for at least 12 months
- Bigamy
- Conviction for a crime and imprisonment for two years
- Adultery
- Indignities –such as physical and or verbal abuse or public humiliation
What are the Grounds for a No-Fault Divorce in Kennett Square, PA?
- If your partner is institutionalized for at least 18 months due to a severe mental illness or insanity
- Mutual consent where both of you agree the marriage is irretrievably broken and at least 90 days have passed since filing for divorce
- Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage if you have lived separately for at least a year
What is the Service of Process?
Pennsylvania law requires that the spouse of the party filing for divorce be notified about the court proceedings. The process of delivering the legal paperwork is called service of process.
How is Marital Property Divided in Kennett Square, PA?
In Pennsylvania, the court fairly divides marital property, but it doesn’t always mean a 50-50 split of the property.
How long does a divorce take in Kennett Square, PA?
There is no defined period for finalizing a divorce process in Pennsylvania. However, uncontested divorces take the shortest time, especially when both parties agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken, and it’s been 90 days since the parties filed for a divorce.
Also, in Chester County, you must resolve the financial issues between you before getting a divorce decree –that is, a formal document declaring you legally divorced.
How About Alimony and Spousal Support? How Much Can I Get?
The law provides that spouses support each other according to their abilities. You can get pre-divorce spousal support if you make less than them.
Additionally, alimony is not automatic but is only awarded when the court finds it is necessary and the spouse seeking alimony proves they have financial need.
Get the Legal Help you Need ASAP!
You shouldn’t go through a divorce alone when you can find top-of-the-line legal help from the Petrelli Previtera, LLC team. We give you what you need to put up a winning fight in the courtroom. Even when all you need is help responding to a divorce notice or changing a term, we’re here to make it as smooth as possible. Give us a call today at (866) 465-5395.
