Pennsylvania divorce at a glance
Residency requirement
6 months in Pennsylvania
No-fault ground
§3301(c) mutual consent: both sign Affidavits of Consent after 90-day waiting period from service; §3301(d) irretrievable breakdown: 1-year separation, can proceed without defendant's consent. Two-step process: file complaint → wait → file affidavits +…
Filing fee
Varies widely by county: roughly $170-$350+ (e.g., Franklin $167.50, Allegheny $190.75; Philadelphia higher). Fee waiver: In Forma Pauperis petition (Pa.R.C.P. 240).
Child support
Income shares — Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16 series (basic support schedule at 1910.16-3, formula 1910.16-4). In practice support runs through the county Domestic Relations Section / PACSES as a separate action, not inside the…
E-filing (self-represented)
County-by-county, no unified trial-court system for family: PACFile covers appellate + only certain Common Pleas courts; Philadelphia has its own FJD e-filing (fjdefile.phila.gov, open to SRLs)…
County differences
HIGH — 67 counties, each prothonotary has its own fees, cover sheets, local rules, self-help packets, and e-filing (or none). Philadelphia procedure differs substantially from rest of state.
Official statewide forms
PARTIAL YES — AOPC publishes a statewide no-fault form set under Pa.R.Civ.P. 1920 for §3301(c) mutual-consent and §3301(d) one-year-separation divorces (Form 1 Notice to Defend + Divorce Complaint, Affidavits of…
Official source: Pennsylvania court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
Coming soon
Pennsylvania document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Pennsylvania. In the meantime, the official Pennsylvania court forms are linked below.
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Why LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.
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Pennsylvania divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Pennsylvania divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.
How long do I have to live in Pennsylvania to file for divorce?
6 months in Pennsylvania
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Pennsylvania?
Varies widely by county: roughly $170-$350+ (e.g., Franklin $167.50, Allegheny $190.75; Philadelphia higher). Fee waiver: In Forma Pauperis petition (Pa.R.C.P. 240). With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.
This page is general information about Pennsylvania’s court process, not legal advice for your situation, and LawCat is not a law firm. Forms and fees change — verify with the official court source above. Reviewed 2026.