Experienced Divorce Lawyers in Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania is one of the most popular places to live in Pennsylvania due to its beautiful, temperate weather and abundance of things to see and do. Many people enjoy visiting Pagoda, a well-known mountaintop landmark. Others enjoy visiting the museum or the planetarium.
While many people enjoy Reading, it can be a difficult place to be if you are going through a divorce.
The divorce process is stressful and can be complicated. A qualified divorce attorney can make all the difference.
Bentley, Kopecki, Smith, PC., provide professional legal services and advice to people going through divorce. We work on all matters related to family law issues and work with our represented clients to make the process stress-free.
If you are thinking about divorce, you’ll likely have a lot of questions.
Our Berks County divorce attorneys, on the other hand, are court-experienced and can help you understand all of your options as well as what to expect during the process.
Pennsylvania Law
At least one person in the marriage must have resided in the state for the past six months to request a divorce. There are three types of divorce: mutual consent, non-consent, and fault divorce.
Mutual Consent Divorce
In this case, both spouses agree that the marriage is irreparably broken and wish to divorce. These cases are usually approved fairly quickly. Divorce attorneys will concentrate on marital property and any other family law issues, such as those involving children.
Non-Consent Divorce
n this type, one party wants a divorce while the other does not. In these situations, it can take longer to be granted. The divorce-seeking spouse may want to speak with a divorce mediator or family law attorney to see if the other spouse can be persuaded to consent.
If the spouse is unwilling to consent, the court may still grant a divorce, but only if:
- The marriage is irretrievably broken and
- The couple has been living separately, or with little to no communication, for at least a year.
In these situations, the divorce may take up to a year to be granted. Divorce lawyers can help determine the exact timeline you are on.
Fault Divorce
This happens when one partner breaks up the marriage in a way that can’t be fixed, but the other partner doesn’t want to get a divorce. According to Pennsylvania law, the legal grounds for requesting a fault divorce include desertion, adultery, bigamy, domestic violence, or a jail sentence lasting 2 or more years.
When it comes to a fault divorce in Berks County, it is critical to consult with experienced lawyers who can advise you on whether you qualify for a fault divorce.
Uncontested Versus Contested Divorces
Some cases do not disagree, particularly when there are few shared assets involved. These divorces are regarded as uncontested. Other divorce cases, on the other hand, may involve spouses who disagree about assets.
Uncontested Divorce
In an uncontested divorce, both people in the marriage consent to the divorce and may have a general idea of how marital assets will be divided. In this situation, it is considered a collaborative divorce that does not require a trial.
If the divorce isn’t fought over, the lawyers will use collaborative law to make sure that everyone’s needs are met and that they can work together on important issues. Your attorney will help you prioritize which assets or legal issues are most important to you.
Contested Divorce
In a contested case, many issues must be resolved, such as property division, spousal support, and problems with children, child support, or custody.
In these cases, it is critical to have an experienced attorney who will carefully listen to your objectives. You will almost certainly have to go to court in this case. This can increase the overall cost of the divorce, so meeting with a experienced lawyer to discuss the retainer fee and how the lawyer works is even more important.
Divorce and Military Personnel
In most cases, the person seeking a divorce must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least six months. However, military personnel can file for divorce regardless of where they are stationed. This is usually discussed during your initial consultation with your lawyer.
Child Custody and Divorce
You will also want to settle custody during the process. If there is a dispute over custody, the court may order custody evaluations. When looking for a law firm, look for one that has experience dealing with cases involving children.
If children are involved, other professionals, such as psychologists, may be called in. All of the law firms should be able to assist you in finding the right people.
Alimony
Alimony is money paid to one party so that they can continue to live their life. It is also referred to as spousal support or divorce settlement.
Alimony is one of the more contentious legal issues that attorneys are experienced with. To demonstrate that you require alimony, your lawyer may require tax returns and information about the children in each party’s care.
Equitable Distribution Laws
In family law, equitable distribution means that the court will decide how assets should be distributed. Each attorney will have to make a case for which assets and debts should be assigned to which party.
Finding the Right Divorce Lawyer in Reading, PA
In law school, family law is a broad topic, and not all practice areas are the same. It is critical to work with an attorney who specializes in divorce law. Bentley, Kopecki, Smith, PC., specializes in assisting Reading, PA, residents with their family law needs. We provide free consultations so that you can understand and feel confident about the process.
Divorce Doesn’t Need to be Stressful. Let Bentley, Kopecki, Smith, PC., Help You
At Bentley, Kopecki, Smith, PC., we’ll put you and your family first. You can count on us to fight for you, your rights, and your assets.
Call our Reading, PA office today or visit us online to schedule your divorce appointment.
