Law Offices of Larry H. Lefkowitz

Call Or Text Now For A Case Evaluation

(215) 750-9202

Offering Video And Phone Consultations!

Law Offices of Larry H. Lefkowitz

Call Or Text Now For A Case Evaluation

(215) 750-9202

Offering Video And Phone Consultations!

Weddings Are Expensive; But Divorce In PA Doesn’t Have To Be

Divorce

If you find yourself in need of a divorce attorney in Philadelphia, look no further than Larry Lefkowitz for a flat rate, affordable divorce. Most divorce lawyers in Philly charge clients large sums of money. Larry knows that getting a divorce can be a painful time both personally and financially.

Whether you have a complicated or friendly divorce, our PA divorce lawyer will act swiftly and firmly to get your family issues resolved. Our goal is to set you on a brighter path for the future, no matter how difficult your life seems at the time. We can also help you with child custody matters, alimony support, domestic abuse cases, name changes and other personal legal matters. Visit our other pages to learn more about the services we offer.

Getting Divorced In Pennsylvania? You Need A Divorce Attorney

Divorce, also known as dissolution of marriage, is the legal termination of a marital relationship. The divorce process is handled in Philadelphia family courts by divorce attorneys for each of the parties, and involves a number of personal and distressing issues, from the division of property to the custody of children. While it is certainly important to hire a Bucks County, PA divorce lawyer who is skilled and experienced when it comes to representing your economic and other interests in a divorce, it is even more crucial to find one you feel comfortable with on a personal level. Divorce is a very emotional process that requires divulging information that you will consider to be incredibly private.

It may be acceptable to complete a divorce in Philadelphia without hiring a divorce lawyer in some very limited cases in which neither party has representation and there are no minor children involved. It is easy to find do it yourself divorce papers online and even in stores. However, most divorces, especially those involving minor children and/or property division issues very much require the assistance of a Philadelphia divorce attorney. At the very least, if your estranged spouse has an attorney, it is very important to hire one for yourself.

Frequently Asked Divorce Questions

Divorce is an incredibly distressing experience, full of stress and confusion for both parties. Relieving some of the fear by educating yourself on the process is one way that you can reduce your anxiety level as you transition into the next stage of your life, along with consulting a Philadelphia divorce attorney.

How Do I Protect My Finances While My Divorce Is Pending? Is Temporary Spousal Support Available?

In Pennsylvania, the term spousal support actually refers specifically to financial support temporarily paid to a spouse before a divorce is filed but after a separation has taken place. Guidelines are available  for the court to calculate an appropriate award, but these are not mandatory. The court can consider all factors, according any history of abuse or adultery when deciding whether or not to award spousal support.

When a divorce has already been filed, alimony pendente lite is the temporary form of support that can be awarded in Pennsylvania while the divorce is pending. The purpose of this is to support a spouse maintaining their lifestyle during the divorce proceedings and to support the cost the divorce. Alimony pendente lite is not automatic support. It must be applied for with help from your Bucks County divorce lawyer and need must be demonstrated to the court. The judge will consider all factors before making a decision.

How Long Will My Divorce Take And How Much Will It Cost?

Pennsylvania requires a minimum 90-day waiting period before any divorce is able to be finalized. However, it is very unlikely that your divorce will be handled that quickly. If issues like custody are contested, even with a child custody lawyer, alternative dispute resolution or trial may be required. Then, the process could easily take an entire year or more in Philadelphia.

When it comes to the cost of your divorce, it will very much depend upon whether or not you and your spouse can agree on the issues at hand, including property, finances, and child custody. The average total cost of a divorce in Pennsylvania is about $14,000, including fees paid to your Philadelphia divorce attorney.

How Will Our Property Be Divided?

Pennsylvania is not a community property state. This means assets will not likely be split in a 50/50 fashion. Instead, the court will aim to make things fair using an equitable distribution of property. All marital property, including all pensions, retirement accounts, and employment benefits that were not maintained separately, will be divided in any way that the court sees fit.

If both spouses have very similar retirement accounts or other employment benefits, it is a very real possibility that the judge will decide to simply award each spouse their own accounts. On the other hand, if there is a disparity in income or employment benefits, the judge may award property in a way that is intended to ease or remedy that inequality. It is important to speak with a trusted Bucks County divorce attorney when contemplating property division in Pennsylvania.

Divorce Vocabulary

Custody: Custody describes your rights to your child. Legal custody is the right to make important decisions about your child’s life. Physical custody is the right to live with and raise the child. If there is any type of disagreement on the issue of custody, you should immediately contact a Philadelphia child custody lawyer to represent your interests.

Prenuptial Agreement: An agreement that is made between two potential spouses before marrying, in which they give up any future rights to each other’s property, in the event of a divorce.

Stipulation: An agreement signed by the two divorcing spouses that settles the disputed issues between them.

Common Divorce Issues Requiring An Experienced Divorce Attorney In Pennsylvania

While every divorce case is unique, most divorces involve disputes over common issues, like child custody and division of property. The following issues should be tackled with the assistance of qualified Bensalem, PA divorce lawyers representing both parties:

Division of Property: All property that has been acquired by either of the spouses after the marriage took place is considered marital property and is subject to equitable division. Pennsylvania is not a community property state.

Alimony: Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a monthly payment made by one spouse to the other spouse, in accordance with a court order. Alimony is used to compensate for any unfair economic effects of a divorce and is often ordered on a temporary basis to allow the disadvantaged spouse to recover.

Child Support: Child support is a monthly payment, usually made by the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent. It is to be spent on the child’s needs, such as housing, utilities, food, clothing, and school supplies.

Get Divorced On A Budget

Our fixed-rate divorce services in PA offers a unique solution to your financial dilemma. Larry does not believe in charging his clients like other lawyers, so he offers them an opportunity to pick and choose only the divorce-related assistance they need. He understands that your situation is unique to you, and you may want to do some things on your own, to save money.

Some clients can work out all or most of the details on their own, with minimal assistance, if any, while others need help every step of the way. Depending on your situation, you can choose which things you wish to do on your own, and which you want Larry to help you with. Larry gives you the opportunity to decide what representation you want to pay for.

Call or text the Law Offices of Larry Lefkowitz for a case evaluation today.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Larry H. Lefkowitz

Call Or Text Now For A Case Evaluation
In person and ONLINE consults Available
(215) 750-9202