Questions about Pennsylvania (or any other states) that both no-fault vs fault divorce.

dday_throwaway3 · 2019-11-14T19:12:01+00:00

Every divorce is different. Just because your neighbor "got everything" doesn't mean you will.

95% of divorces get finalized before a trial. I didn't even see the judge or a courtroom in my contested divorce.

It's fine to self educate about divorce, and read up on your state's divorce laws. But you need to realize this is not something you DIY. You don't take your appendix out even though there's a YouTube video for that. You go to the hospital and get it done through a professional. Divorce is the same way -- it's not the time to DIY. You need to consult with an attorney.

Adultery typically only comes into play -- in some states -- by denying spousal support for the cheating spouse. No fault is simple to complete, since the reason for divorce is "irreconcilable differences". With fault divorce, you've got to first amass evidence.

poorlyplanned · 2019-11-14T18:56:00+00:00

Unless you have a reason to go at-fault, you generally will want to go no-fault in PA.

Are the majority of divorces in PA no-fault or fault? And why?

Most are no fault. It's much easier as you aren't trying to prove wrongdoing to the extent that the divorce is justified. It's also much cheaper as a result.

I have heard that "fault" divorces take a very long time to get a court date, making PA mostly no-fault, but I'm not sure.

It may take longer to get a court date, but there is also a lot more involved, making them much more expensive.

Do things get split fairly 50-50 in a PA no-fault divorce, or is there much of a Judge making decisions on things?

In a no-fault divorce, if both spouses can agree on how to split the stuff, the judge rarely intervenes.

My possible stbxw is very vindictive and maybe even BPD or close to it. I could see a likelihood where she wouldn't agree to a quick no-fault divorce just to be as spiteful as possible.

Simply explain that you can divorce no fault in a friendly way and split what you have or you can divorce like bitter enemies and give all that either of you have to the lawyers so that you both end up penniless.

I have a nearby neighbor who's in his 60's and divorced about a decade ago. He said his ex left him for another guy, but the judge gave him the house and nearly everything else. He proudly says that this left his ex in shock. He acts like he knows the judge (he's somewhat well connected) I'm guessing he went for a "fault" divorce?

Probably, and probbaly a lot of mitigating circumstances.

And any advice from anyone in any similar states is appreciated (no-fault vs fault).

Do everything the judge tells you that you have to do (any required classes or whatever)
The more you can agree on without needing the lawyers to bargain or mediate, the cheaper the divorce

internetTroll151 · 2019-11-14T18:54:24+00:00

Mass is the same, and my understanding, is that you'll end up with the same result but it's a different way to get there. At least here, there is nothing to gain by going for a fault divorce, you just get your divorce done under a different section of law. I guess it could help with dividing resources, but at least here it seems pretty formulaic. I'm still going to pay child support - even if I catch her cheating.

However, every state is different. So you really focus on PA examples.

Title	Questions about Pennsylvania (or any other states) that both no-fault vs fault divorce.
Author	microfishe
Upvotes	3
Comments	6
Date	November 14, 2019 4:36 PM UTC (6 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/dwbyfe/questions_about_pennsylvania_or_any_other_states/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/questions-about-pennsylvania-or-any-other-states.819035 https://theredarchive.com/post/819035

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