Guidance You Can Count On Through Your Divorce

Preparation is the key to defending your interests throughout the divorce process. You need to have a divorce strategy that protects both the interests of yourself and your children, and guidance from an experienced divorce law attorney is essential. Whether you have just been served divorce papers or you are considering filing for divorce, now is the best time to reach out to a Pennsylvania divorce attorney.

At Bench Law, Limited, our attorneys have more than 25 years of combined experience leading spouses through a divorce to a positive outcome, and a future that they can look forward to. Our goal as their legal representation is to pursue the results they deserve in their divorce and secure those results with as little confusion or difficulty as possible throughout Beaver, Butler, and Allegheny counties.

What Types Of Divorce Are There In Pennsylvania?

Divorce actions fall into two primary categories: fault and no-fault divorces. There are two types of no-fault divorces: one where both spouses agree to divorce through mutual consent, and one where only one spouse agrees to divorce.

When both parties agree to divorce, the process can be much simpler because the parties only need to file the complaint and participate in a 90-day waiting period. During that 90-day waiting period, it is imperative that the parties work to resolve the distribution of their marital assets. Once they reach a final agreement resolving distribution of the marital assets, both spouses sign a statement agreeing that the marriage is irretrievably broken and asking the court to grant their divorce.

When only one spouse agrees to a divorce, a court will grant the divorce if the couple has been living separately for at least one year and a spouse can prove that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

There is no minimum waiting period in a fault divorce, but fault-based grounds must exist. Common examples of grounds for a fault divorce include spousal abuse or child abuse, cruelty, mental instability, or a felony conviction. We can review your situation and help you pursue the type of divorce that best reflects your unique situation.

What To Expect From Your Divorce

Once we have determined the best type of divorce for you to pursue, we can help you overcome the family law challenges that will follow, such as:

• Child support and spousal support – We ensure you receive or pay a fair amount of financial support during the pendency of a divorce and after the divorce.
• Asset division – Pennsylvania courts use “equitable distribution” to divide assets and use multiple factors to determine the fair and equitable distribution of the marital assets.
• Child custody and visitation – We help you reach an agreement on a custody and visitation schedule that ensures your children have the appropriate amount of time with each parent.

When we represent our clients, we take the time to learn about the unique details of their cases to ensure that we develop a personalized strategy that we can rely on through all areas of their divorce.

Reasons To Consider Divorce

It can be hard to know when the right time is to hire a divorce attorney, but there are some signs that you can look out for to make that decision for you and your children, such as:

• Lack of commitment from one or both parties – Sometimes, a marriage reaches its end when either or both spouses are not putting in the effort to keep things together.
• Prolonged unhappiness – If you or your children have been unhappy in your home for a long time, it may be time for a change.
• Unsafe environments – If your spouse is regularly engaging in threatening or violent behavior, divorce may be the best option to protect yourself and your children.
• If you have been served papers – If your spouse has already filed for divorce, now is the time to speak to an attorney about protecting your interests.

Even if you are on the fence about what the future will bring, consulting with a skilled divorce attorney will help you make the right decision for you and your children.

When Should You Hire A Divorce Attorney?

While every divorce will benefit from the guidance of an attorney, some situations call for legal representation more than others. For example, you should reach out to us right away if your unique case involves complex matters such as:

• Complex asset division– Dividing major assets like real estate and businesses can be difficult when you don’t have the guidance an experienced attorney offers.
• A divorce involving children – We can help you protect your interests and your children’s best interests in your divorce.
• Joint bank accounts or shared retirement accounts – When finances are a factor in asset division, we can help ensure that you keep your fair share.
• If your spouse already has an attorney – When your spouse has legal representation helping them, it is only right that you have the same.

Even if you are unsure whether you need an attorney, contact us. We will review your case and explain how we can help you through such a difficult time.

Let Us Help You And Your Family

If you are considering filing for divorce or have already received divorce papers, meet with a law firm that can guide you to the next chapter in your life. We serve all of Southwestern Pennsylvania from our office in Cranberry Township, and we are only a phone call away. Call us at 724-320-0708 or email us here to schedule your initial consultation today for help with any of your family law needs.