How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in Pennsylvania?
One of the most common questions people ask when considering divorce is: “How long will this take?” It’s a natural concern, as you might simply want to move forward with your life, establish new routines, and find closure. Unfortunately, there’s no universal answer. Every divorce case is unique, and the timeline depends on numerous factors specific to your situation.
If you want specific advice regarding how long your divorce might take, given your circumstances, or you want trusted guidance through divorce, consult with our Harrisburg divorce attorney at McDonald Myers Law today.
Pennsylvania’s Waiting Periods
Pennsylvania law does impose certain mandatory waiting periods that affect how quickly you can finalize a divorce. Even if both spouses agree to the divorce, have resolved all economic issues and agree to pursue a mutual consent divorce, there is still a mandatory 90-day waiting period from the date the divorce complaint is served before the parties can request that the divorce can be finalized.
For contested divorces where spouses cannot reach an agreement, the process takes much longer. If there is no mutual consent to the divorce, filing for a no-fault divorce requires a separation period of one year. After living separately for at least one year, either spouse can proceed with a no-fault divorce based on the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, even if the other spouse objects.
Fault-based divorces, which cite specific grounds like adultery or abuse, don’t have mandatory waiting periods, but typically take longer due to the need to prove fault-based grounds in court.
Factors That Can Extend the Divorce Process
While Pennsylvania’s statutory requirements set minimum timeframes, numerous factors can extend your divorce considerably beyond these baseline periods.
Complex asset division significantly increases the duration of a divorce. If you and your spouse own businesses, have extensive investment portfolios, hold multiple properties, or possess retirement accounts requiring valuation, the process of identifying, valuing, and dividing these assets takes substantial time.
Discovery disputes can arise when one party believes the other is hiding assets or information. These disputes require additional court intervention and investigation, adding months to the process.
Although child custody disputes are litigated separately from the divorce action, navigating the initial child custody arrangement post-separation often becomes a time-consuming aspect of divorce. When parents cannot agree on custody arrangements, parenting time, or decision-making authority, the court may order custody evaluations, require mediation, or schedule multiple hearings to resolve these matters. Many parents prefer to resolve these issues before focusing on the distribution of marital property.
Spousal support (alimony) negotiations can stall proceedings when spouses have vastly different expectations about financial support. Determining appropriate support amounts requires thorough financial disclosure and sometimes expert testimony.
Lack of cooperation from one spouse creates delays at every turn. If one party refuses to provide financial documents, misses court dates, or deliberately obstructs the process, your divorce timeline extends substantially.
High conflict between spouses inevitably prolongs divorce. When communication breaks down completely and every issue becomes a battle, resolution takes much longer than when couples can negotiate reasonably.
How the Right Harrisburg Divorce Attorney Makes a Difference
While some delays are unavoidable, working with an experienced divorce lawyer in Harrisburg can significantly affect your timeline. We try to keep cases moving efficiently by anticipating potential issues, preparing thorough documentation from the start, and maintaining organized case files that prevent administrative delays.
At McDonald Myers Law, we understand that you want your divorce finalized on your preferred timeline without sacrificing favorable outcomes. While we can’t control every variable, we work diligently to keep your case progressing toward resolution. If you’re considering divorce in Harrisburg, contact us to discuss your situation and develop a realistic timeline for your specific circumstances.
