Merion Station Divorce Attorneys
How Common Is Divorce in Merion?
Frankly, Merion is not known for its divorces. This beautiful community on the Pennsylvania Main Line is known for its Welsh heritage, high-quality schools, and of course, as the rightful home of the Barnes Art Collection.
Divorce is rare, and the people who do divorce don’t stay that way. Out of the 5,864 people living in Merion in 2010, less than an estimated seven percent were divorced. How many are currently married? Let’s just say that in 2015, three-fourths of all households in Merion Station had a married couple heading the family. If you live in Merion, chances are 60 percent that you have a "better half."
Of course, these statistics do not count previous divorces or separations - sometimes, choosing divorce is the only way to end up with a happy, fulfilling marriage in the long run.
How Do You File for Divorce in Merion?
If you live in Merion and want to file for divorce, your application will be handled by Montgomery County and the State of Pennsylvania. Montgomery County’s Court of Common Pleas hears divorce cases in its Family division. Here are first steps in filing a Merion divorce:
- File a Complaint (and Pay the Filing Fee). Pennsylvania requires Form 1: a complaint, a notice to defend and claim rights, and a verification in the initial filing. In addition, Montgomery County has a Motion for Appointment of a Master in Divorce form to fill out. At this time, divorce complaints cannot be e-filed, so you’ll have to drop off your application and filing fee of $280 at the Montgomery County Courthouse in person.
- Serve the Complaint on Your Spouse. One copy of your court-stamped complaint goes to your spouse. It must be served within 30 days of the court’s filing. Proof that your spouse got the form - an affidavit - must be signed and filed at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
Pennsylvania No-Fault Divorce vs. Fault-Based Divorce
If your spouse agrees to divorce, it’s a relatively simple process. Both of you sign an affidavit of consent and file it. A few more forms are required, but soon after, your final Divorce Decree will be mailed out, and legally, you’re done.
Keep in mind - the court holds all legal paperwork to the same standard. If you want to represent yourself, you have to know (and comply with) every rule that an attorney admitted to the Pennsylvania bar would. That includes statewide and local rules and up-to-date requirements.
When your spouse does not agree to a divorce, things get much more complicated. There are six "at-fault" divorce grounds in Pennsylvania: adultery, abandonment, cruelty, bigamy, conviction of a crime and imprisonment, and humiliation of the innocent spouse until the marriage is intolerable. Each one has its own specifics and legal precedents - you’ll want a Merion divorce attorney to guide you through the process.
Divorce Resources for Merion
Court Information
Montgomery County Courthouse - Court of Common Pleas
Family Division
2 E. Airy St,
Norristown, PA 19404
(610) 278-3224
Pennsylvania State divorce forms
Montgomery County Court’s family matters overview
Montgomery County Court’s mediators
Support Groups and Divorce Therapists
Merion-area Divorce Psychiatrists compiled by Psychology Today
School and Day Care
Lower Merion School District clinical services
Merion Divorce Attorney Sheryl R. Rentz
Merion may have been where the famous von Trapp family first settled when they came to America, but not every Merion couple has a relationship straight out of The Sound of Music.
Divorce is hard. Living in a broken relationship is even harder. The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., focuses on the needs of families. We handle high-profile divorce cases involving all types of domestic issues, including alimony, annulment, bankruptcy, child custody and support, mediation, asset division, and more. Call (610) 645-0100 to speak with our experienced Montgomery County divorce attorneys about your situation.
We know your problems are unique & special.
Call us, we will listen.
(610) 645-0100
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