When you decide to divorce your spouse in Pennsylvania, you need to file a complaint with the court. Along with your complaint, you have to attach a Verification and a Notice to Defend and Claim Rights. This alerts the court to your intent to file for a divorce and gets the process started.
However, the court will not set up initial hearings or take other official steps to help you end your marriage until you have served the divorce petition on your spouse. They will then respond to that petition, and the clerk can begin the process. So how long do you have to serve the divorce petition on your spouse?
It depends where they are located
If you and your spouse are both in Pennsylvania, then you have just 30 days to serve the paperwork on your spouse. Once you have filed the complaint with the court, it is important to move relatively quickly to notify your spouse of your intent to file and give them their copy of the paperwork.
However, there are cases where a spouse is out of the state at the time of service. Maybe they spend extended periods of time in another state for work, for example, or even in another country.
If they are not in Pennsylvania, then you have 90 days to serve them with the divorce petition. The court gives you extra time, which helps with the complexities of contacting your spouse and communicating your intent to end the marriage.
These steps can help you get a divorce underway in Pennsylvania. Be sure you know exactly what legal options you have as the process moves forward.
