Beroes Law Center

Pittsburgh Divorce Attorney

If you’re facing a divorce, there are many issues you will need to resolve, including child custody, division of property, alimony, and child support. Figuring out all these issues on your own can be overwhelming and stressful. You need compassionate and knowledgeable support from an experienced Pennsylvania divorce lawyer.

A family law attorney from Beroes Law Center can help. We’re not just a law firm, but a family as well. Our attorneys are Elizabeth A. Beroes, her son Stephen Beroes-Timmis, and her daughter Julie Elizabeth Beroes. We will listen sympathetically and give you the support you need to get through this process. Let us help you resolve your divorce and move on to the next stage of your life. Contact us today to share your story in an initial consultation.

Types of Divorce in Pennsylvania

Before you can file for divorce in Pennsylvania, you must decide which type of divorce to file for. Pennsylvania allows you to file for a no-fault divorce or a divorce alleging fault. The types of divorce in Pennsylvania include:

No-Fault Consent Divorce – File for this type of divorce if both parties have agreed to get divorced and neither of you wants to accuse the other of anything.
Consent Presumed Divorce – You can file for this type of divorce if your spouse has been convicted of a crime in which you were injured.
Irretrievable Breakdown Divorce – File for this type of divorce if your spouse will not consent to a divorce, but you have been separated for at least a year, and you don’t want to allege fault.
Fault-Based Divorce – You can use this type of divorce if your spouse destroyed your marriage by doing something wrong, such as committing adultery. This is called having grounds for the divorce.
Divorce Due to Institutionalization – This is a divorce based on mental illness. You can file for this type of divorce if your spouse has been in a mental hospital for at least 18 months and is likely to remain there for at least another 18 months.

You may want to file for a no-fault divorce even if you believe your spouse was at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. If you file for a fault-based divorce, you must prove that your spouse committed whatever fault you allege. Depending on the circumstances, this may be worth it to you, but it’s not ideal in every case. The attorneys at Beroes Law Center can help you decide which type of divorce is best for you.

No-Fault Consent Divorce

If you and your spouse agree that there’s no way to save the marriage, you can get divorced by consent after a 90-day waiting period. You don’t need to prove fault for this type of divorce, but both spouses must file an affidavit indicating their consent.

Consent Presumed Divorce

If your spouse physically injured you and was convicted of a crime as a result, their consent is presumed, and you can file for divorce without needing to prove any additional fault. This makes it easier to get a divorce if your partner has abused you.

Irretrievable Breakdown Divorce

If you don’t want to accuse your spouse of doing anything wrong, but your spouse will not consent to a divorce, you can file for divorce after being separated for a year. This type of no-fault divorce is for use in situations where one spouse will not agree to the divorce. Although you must wait a year before filing for a divorce, it might be easier than proving that you have grounds for the divorce.

Grounds for Divorce in Pennsylvania

If you file for a fault-based divorce, you must prove that you have grounds for the divorce. In Pennsylvania, you can divorce based on any of the following grounds:

Your spouse committed adultery
Your spouse has deserted you for at least one year
Your spouse committed bigamy by being married to two people at the same time
Your spouse has made your life unbearable by subjecting you to indignities
Your spouse did something that endangered your life or health
Your spouse was convicted of a crime and sent to prison for two years or more

Filing for a fault-based divorce can benefit you if you prove that your spouse did whatever you’re accusing them of doing. Talk to Beroes Law Center about the evidence needed to prove fault in a divorce case.

Issues in a Divorce

There are several issues to resolve in a divorce case, although not every divorce will involve all these issues. These issues include:

Division of Property – A divorce court will seek to divide all marital property equitably, including real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and investments. Equitably means fairly, but doesn’t always mean equally. The court may order an unequal property division if that seems more equitable.
Child Custody – Courts in Pennsylvania will decide child custody based on the child’s best interest. Your decisions during the divorce can affect the court’s perception of the child’s best interest.
Child Support – In Pennsylvania, child support is determined according to a formula based on both parents’ incomes. The parent who doesn’t have primary custody usually pays child support to the parent who does, although this can change based on income.
Alimony and Spousal Support – If your ex’s income is much higher than yours, you may be entitled to alimony payments to maintain your standard of living after a divorce. Courts don’t order alimony in every case, so you may have to show the court why you are entitled to receive payments from your ex. In Pennsylvania, spousal support differs from alimony and refers to payments your spouse sends you during a separation.

Resolving Issues to Move Your Divorce Forward

The simpler a divorce case is, the less time it usually takes to resolve the divorce. When there are multiple disagreements and unresolved issues in a divorce, it will likely take much longer and require more extensive legal help. An experienced lawyer can take on the stressful task of negotiating with your ex, allowing you to take a step back.

Your divorce attorney can help you resolve outstanding issues and move your divorce toward resolution by:

Finding hidden assets such as property, investments, or bank accounts you don’t know about
Advocating for the custody and visitation arrangement you want
Advocating for reasonable child support and alimony orders
Gathering evidence to prove your spouse’s fault for the divorce, if necessary
Negotiating with your ex’s lawyers to resolve any outstanding issues
Going through mediation to find a solution acceptable to both parties without court intervention
Taking your divorce case to court if necessary and standing up for your rights and interests

Contact Beroes Law Center Today for Help with Your Divorce

Divorce is one of the most challenging experiences you can have in life, but if you need one, a skilled divorce lawyer can make the experience less stressful. Your attorney can fight for your rights in court if necessary while striving to negotiate a solution outside of court if possible.

Beroes Law Center helps families facing divorce in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and all over Allegheny County. We are an inclusive and compassionate law firm, serving families of all kinds. Contact Beroes Law Center today for help with divorce or any other family law issue.