How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce in Pennsylvania Take?

Last Updated on November 22, 2024

While some couples can finalize their divorce process within a few months, others can be involved in a more complicated case that may go on for many years. Therefore, no one can tell you for sure how long your proceeding is going to last, mainly because it depends on two factors: your and your partner’s willingness to settle your issues amicably and the number of divorce-related questions, such as asset division, visitation, etc. which must be resolved in court.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in Pennsylvania?

Since there are a few factors that determine the duration of a divorce in the state, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to months or even years to untie the knot. Trying to understand how long does it take for a divorce to be finalized, you need to review the answers to the following questions first:

Is there a waiting period for divorce in Pennsylvania?

Under the PA divorce laws, there are no waiting periods for fault-based cases, a 90-day one in mutual consent cases, and a 1-year waiting period in an “irretrievable breakdown” case.

How long does it take to get divorced when separated?

Separation divorces require that spouses live apart for a 1-year period before they can file for a marriage dissolution.

Is there any cooling-off period for a mutual consent divorce?

Yes, there is. A marriage dissolution can only be finalized after a 90-day waiting period is over.

What about other cases?

If one of the spouses is in the mental institution, it will take 1,5 years to file based on this reason. Non-consent and military marriage dissolutions usually take longer to finish.

Overall, no-fault cases can be completed within a few weeks while contested ones usually take longer mainly because they are associated with many more court appearances and long-lasting court battles. A couple involved in a highly contested case may need years to get it finalized.

No Fault Divorce in Pennsylvania: How Long Does It Take?

All divorcing couples strive to have an easy, yet fast divorce. However, the number months or even years it will take depends on what kind of case they are involved in. When it comes to a no-fault divorce, one can initiate either a separation or a mutual consent marriage dissolution. Let’s review how long does it take to get a divorce once papers are filed in each of these.

Separation divorce

A separation divorce can be initiated only if parties have not lived with each other for at least a year. You might be sharing the living quarters in this case, but maintaining separate households is a must. After you file, the wait time will depend on how fast you serve your spouse and how long it will take for a court to review the paperwork. However, you will have to wait for at least 20 days according to state law.

Mutual consent divorce

To end their marriage on the basis of mutual consent, spouses must admit that their relationship is irretrievably broken and wait for at least ninety days after their divorce packet is filed and served to get their marriage dissolution finalized.

How long does it take to get a divorce decree in general?

If you and your husband or wife have been separated for more than one year, then your divorce can last from 4 to 16 weeks. However, if your couple qualifies for a mutual consent case, then be ready that it will take you from 3.5 months to 25 weeks to untie the knot on paper.

What Happens After You File for Divorce in Pennsylvania?

Once you file your paperwork:

• If your spouse agrees to sign an Affidavit of Acceptance of Service, you may give them the copies of the paperwork you filed yourself. Otherwise, another adult will have to serve your spouse, or you will have to do it by mail.
• Depending on the type of service, your spouse will have to sign a respective Affidavit and you will have to file it with the court. It is crucial that you serve your spouse and file the Affidavit within a 30-day period after the initial papers were submitted to court.
• After the 90-day waiting period is over, you will have to file the rest of the paperwork with the court to be granted a marriage dissolution.

How Long Do Judgments Last in Pennsylvania?

On average, a no-fault divorce lasts for half a year. In a mutual consent case, once a 90-day period comes to an end, both spouses can file an Affidavit of Consent along with a Waiver or a Notice. After that, the time it will take for a judge to sign a Divorce Decree will depend mainly on how fast divorcees file all the other paperwork requested by a court.

How Can I Get a Quick Divorce in Pennsylvania?

To get a fast divorce in PA, you need to make sure it is uncontested. You will not only need to file on a no-fault basis, but also reach an agreement with your spouse regarding your real property, assets, and debts. If you have children, you will also need to make arrangements regarding child support payments and custody, and outline everything in a Child Custody Agreement in detail.

If you want to get your paperwork completed ASAP, PAOnlineDivorce is here to help you out. We provide divorce paper prep services to save our customers the trouble of searching for the required forms and filling them out themselves, taking the risk of getting a court rejection. On our website, you can get all the documents required for your specific case filled out and delivered to you within just a few days. As we guarantee court approval, you may not worry about the filing process being unsuccessful. Besides, you will know exactly what to do and what to expect from each stage of your marriage dissolution as we will send you comprehensive filing instructions.