Pennsylvania divorce at a glance
Official source: Pennsylvania court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in Pennsylvania: step by step
Pennsylvania’s simplest no-fault path is a mutual-consent divorce: file, wait 90 days, then both sign consent affidavits. Here is what to expect.
- Confirm you can file in Pennsylvania
One spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for 6 months. The easiest no-fault path is mutual consent (§ 3301(c)); the alternative is a one-year separation (§ 3301(d)).Source: 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301 - File the Divorce Complaint
Prepare and file the Divorce Complaint (the statewide Rule 1920 no-fault form set) with the Court of Common Pleas, and pay the fee (roughly $170–$350) or file an In Forma Pauperis petition.Source: Pa.R.C.P. 1920; Pa.R.C.P. 240 (IFP) - Serve your spouse
Serve the complaint on your spouse (Pennsylvania has specific service rules — often by mail with an acceptance).Source: Pa.R.C.P. 1930.4 - Wait 90 days, then sign the consent affidavits
For a mutual-consent divorce, wait 90 days from service, then both spouses sign Affidavits of Consent.Source: 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301(c) - Handle support (usually separate)
Child and spousal support in Pennsylvania usually run as a separate action through the county Domestic Relations Section, not inside the divorce decree.Source: Pa.R.C.P. 1910 - Submit the praecipe and get your decree
File the praecipe to transmit the record with a proposed decree; the court enters your Divorce Decree.Source: Divorce Decree
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in Pennsylvania?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. In Pennsylvania you have the right to file your own divorce, and the court publishes the official forms for you to use. The large majority of uncontested divorces, where both spouses agree the marriage is over and can agree on the terms, are handled pro se every day.
Filing pro se is usually a good fit when: you both agree on the divorce, you can agree on splitting property and debts, and any parenting time and support are worked out. It’s worth talking to a lawyer when: you disagree about custody or money, one spouse hides assets or won’t cooperate, there’s a business or significant property to divide, or there has been any abuse.
LawCat prepares your Pennsylvania pro-se divorce documents for free and walks you through every filing step — so doing it yourself never means doing it alone.
How child support is calculated in Pennsylvania
Income-shares model; support is usually handled as a separate action through the county Domestic Relations Section. (Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16)
Because Pennsylvania uses an income-shares approach, the exact number comes from an official table based on both parents’ combined income. Use your court’s official child-support calculator for a precise figure.
How long does a Pennsylvania divorce take?
For a mutual-consent divorce, a 90-day waiting period runs from when the complaint is served before both spouses sign their consent affidavits. After that, the timeline depends on the court’s calendar and how quickly each step is completed. An uncontested, pro-se divorce is typically the fastest path — most of the wait is the statutory period, not paperwork.
Common reasons Pennsylvania divorce filings get rejected
- Missing signatures, or forms that aren’t notarized where the court requires it.
- Skipping the financial disclosure both spouses are required to exchange.
- Filing before meeting the residency requirement.
- Mistakes serving the other spouse, or forgetting to file the proof of service.
- Not following local county rules. High. Each of 67 counties has its own fees, cover sheets, and local rules; Philadelphia’s procedure differs substantially from the rest of the state.
LawCat’s guided questions and filing checklist are built to prevent exactly these — the errors that send self-represented filers back to the clerk’s window.
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.
Official Pennsylvania forms → See how it worksWhy 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.
Compare divorce filing fees in every state →
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.