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How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in Harrisburg, PA?

Nobody goes into a marriage anticipating that the union will fail. Oftentimes, the unexpected may occur, resulting in a couple choosing to part ways. Depending on the circumstances behind your divorce, you can expect your divorce to take between 9 months to one year to be finalized.

Outliers depend on the complexities of your situation. However, a couple must be living “separate and apart” for at least one year before filing for divorce. Given the complexities of the law, do not attempt to navigate the divorce process without first speaking to the divorce attorneys at Purdy Law Office.

Contested Divorce: An Overview

Finalizing a divorce involves a lot of issues, such as alimony, child support, child custody/visitation, and property distribution. If you and your spouse cannot agree on one or more issues, you will file for a contested divorce. In a contested divorce, there is a 90-day waiting period. If you and your spouse are not communicating, or there is any history of verbal or physical abuse, then you may need to resolve your issues in court. However, a litigated divorce is more anxiety-provoking and stressful, costing you more time and money than a mutual consent divorce.

The Role of Mediation

Filing for a contested divorce does not necessarily mean the only way to finalize your divorce is in court. If both couples are willing, reaching a resolution through mediation is still possible. In some cases, mediation may be court-ordered. In mediation, a mediator will hear each spouce’s perspectives and seek to facilitate communication between the two persons. If there is any disagreement, a mediator will point out any aspects of an unfair issue to get the couple to agree.

The state of Pennsylvania grants a mutual consent divorce, or uncontested divorce, in cases where the couple states that there are irreconcilable differences or an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. This means that the spouses are unable to work through their issues and are unable to get along. A mutual consent divorce is a no-fault divorce that allows a couple to divorce without listing specific divorce grounds or reasons for the separation. A mutual consent divorce requires that a couple agree on most marital matters. This eliminates the need to reach a court-ordered resolution. An uncontested divorce is less time-intensive, saving couples thousands of dollars.

Resolute and Compassionate Counsel in a Time of Uncertainty

The Commonwealth is no stranger to divorce, with Pennsylvania being home to over 28,000 divorces in 2023, compared to just 68,000 marriages. There is no saying why divorces happen at such a frequent rate, but most of us refuse to think about it until it directly impacts our lives. During this time, you need compassionate counsel to address your concerns.

It is almost impossible to say how long a divorce will take. Our Harrisburg divorce lawyers will take every measure to streamline the process, working to resolve your divorce promptly. When you work with our legal team, you can rest assured that your financial and personal needs are being addressed.

Consult Our Harrisburg Divorce Lawyers Today

If you are looking for dedicated counsel to fight for your financial security and anticipate your future needs, look no further than Purdy Law Office. Since 2006, our firm has been helping clients in central Pennsylvania come out of divorce with a renewed sense of purpose. To learn more or schedule your consultation, contact our Harrisburg divorce lawyers online or by phone.

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