Do I Need a Lawyer to Handle My Divorce or Can I Represent Myself?
Pennsylvania doesn’t require you to hire a lawyer to get divorced. You can represent yourself, but doing so means taking responsibility for the legal process while also dealing with the end of your marriage. Even if the divorce is mutual, the choices you make can have lasting financial consequences.
Having represented clients through divorces in Lehigh County, our attorneys at Crouthamel Law Offices know how overwhelming that process can feel when you’re trying to manage it yourself. Below, we’ll walk through what handling your own divorce involves and what changes when you have an attorney handling the legal side.
What Does the Pennsylvania Divorce Process Actually Involve?
In Lehigh County, a divorce moves through several stages before the court issues a final decree:
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File a divorce complaint. The case begins with a complaint filed with the Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records. The current filing fee for a no-fault divorce is $275.75.
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Serve the divorce papers. The other spouse must receive the complaint according to Pennsylvania’s service rules, and proof of service is filed with the court.
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Proceed under the appropriate divorce grounds. The case follows the process that applies to the type of divorce being sought, such as mutual consent or irretrievable breakdown.
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Address unresolved issues. Marital property and alimony may need to be resolved as part of the divorce. Custody and child support are handled separately.
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Obtain the final decree. Once the required steps and waiting periods are complete, the remaining documents are submitted for the court to enter the divorce decree.
What Does Representing Yourself in a Divorce Mean?
Representing yourself in a divorce is known as proceeding pro se. Pennsylvania provides divorce forms for people who choose to handle their case without an attorney.
Without an attorney, you’ll need to handle things like:
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Figuring out which divorce process applies to you
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Preparing and filing the right paperwork
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Making sure your spouse is properly served
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Keeping track of court deadlines
You’ll also need to follow Pennsylvania and Lehigh County court rules. The courts hold people who represent themselves to the same standards as attorneys, even if they don’t have legal training.
What Does a Divorce Lawyer Take Off Your Plate?
Divorce is already a major life change. Having a lawyer handle the legal side takes some of that weight off you and gives you someone to guide you through decisions that can affect your finances and life after divorce.
That can be especially helpful when you and your spouse aren’t reaching an agreement. Your lawyer brings an outside perspective to the conflict, helps you understand what you’re agreeing to, and can spot issues you may not have considered.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Divorce Alone
Choosing whether to handle your divorce yourself comes down to how much of the legal process you want to take on during an already difficult time. At Crouthamel Law Offices, we take the time to explain where your case stands and help you feel supported as it moves forward.
If having an experienced team in your corner would make this process easier to manage, call 610-428-3386 or reach out to us to discuss your divorce.