What are the Grounds for Filing for Divorce in Lebanon, PA?

If you’re approaching divorce for the first time, you might have a perfectly valid reason for doing so. Perhaps your ex cheated on you. Maybe they are a violent criminal. Perhaps your ex has gambled away the family savings or developed a substance abuse problem. Maybe it’s just not working out. Whatever the case may be, you have the right to consider divorce in Lebanon, PA. What are the grounds for divorce? This is something you might want to discuss with a lawyer.

You Do Not Need a Reason to File for Divorce in Pennsylvania

Before you consider the various grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania, you should know that you do not need a specific reason to end your marriage. Like most states, Pennsylvania allows you to pursue a no-fault divorce. This is a popular route because there is no need to present any evidence of misconduct.

However, no-fault divorce requires a one-year separation period (assuming your ex doesn’t want a divorce). If both spouses want a divorce, the waiting period drops to just 90 days.

The Full List of Grounds for Divorce in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law recognizes seven potential grounds for divorce under its fault-based system. The first is willful and malicious desertion, which is rather self-explanatory. You can pursue a divorce if your spouse has abandoned you (left the family home) without a valid reason, and for more than one year.

Another potential pathway is to prove that your ex was unfaithful during the marriage. You can also establish that they treated you in a cruel or “barbarous” manner while endangering your life or health. Another potential way to end a marriage is by proving that your ex committed bigamy (being married to two people at the same time).

If your ex was sentenced to prison for at least two years, this may also allow you to end your marriage. In addition, you could potentially file for an at-fault divorce if you can prove your ex made your life “intolerable and burdensome.” This might include humiliation, verbal abuse, and similar treatment. Finally, you may be able to end your marriage if your ex has been “institutionalized” due to some kind of mental or psychological issue.

Why File for an At-Fault Divorce?

If at-fault divorces require you to prove misconduct, then why go through the trouble when you could simply file for a no-fault divorce instead? For many spouses, fault-based divorces are attractive because there is no waiting period involved. For some spouses in the Keystone State, this waiting period could be as long as 12 months. That being said, you also need to consider the time-consuming process of proving misconduct during litigation.

Can a Divorce Lawyer in Lebanon, PA, Help Me?

A divorce lawyer in Lebanon, PA, may be able to help you assess the various grounds for divorce in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania gives you the option of either pursuing a no-fault divorce or a fault-based divorce. If you choose the latter, you can select the grounds for divorce that match your unique situation. Contact Feeman Law Offices at (717) 273-1763 or find us online to learn more.