Get a professionally drafted, state-specific document in minutes. You can divorce papers with a state-specific template here.
Get your divorce papers✓ Pennsylvania-specific✓ Instant download✓ Secure checkout✓ DIY-friendly
What Divorce Papers needs to be valid in Pennsylvania
- Meets your state's basic validity rules
- Signed correctly
- Properly witnessed or notarized as required
How to set up a Divorce Papers in Pennsylvania
- Review your state's requirements
- Gather the needed details
- Draft the document carefully
- Sign and witness/notarize
How much it costs
Costs vary; a lawyer can be expensive, while a good template is far more affordable.
Before You Start PA Divorce Papers
Filing for divorce in Pennsylvania requires careful preparation. Use this checklist to gather documents and understand key rules before you begin.
- Meet the residency requirement: you or your spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least 6 months before filing.
- Decide on grounds: Pennsylvania allows no-fault (mutual consent or irretrievable breakdown) and fault grounds, which affect the forms you need.
- Gather financial documents: income, assets, debts, and expenses are needed for financial affidavits and equitable distribution.
- If you have children, have their information ready: names, dates of birth, and proposed custody/parenting plan details.
- Collect marriage information: date and place of marriage, and if separation occurred, the date you believe it started.
- Check local court rules: each county has a specific court where you file, and some may have additional local forms or procedures.
DIY vs. hiring a lawyer for your Divorce Papers
| Option | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY with a template | ~$40 | Minutes | Standard situations |
| State-specific template (recommended) | Low, one-time | ~15 min | Most people |
| Hire an attorney | $200–$1,500+ | Days–weeks | Complex cases |
Most people complete their divorce papers online in about 15 minutes with a state-specific template — the same structure attorneys use, without the hourly bill.
Questions people ask
Is a lawyer required?
No, but state rules must be followed.