Divorce can be a painful and difficult decision, and adding the ensuing legal process on top of it can complicate matters even further. Although you are within your rights to represent yourself in divorce proceedings, it is much more prudent to seek the advice of a lawyer who is skilled in this area. Why? You only have one shot at determining where your property and assets go, who will take care of your children, and what support is available. An experienced divorce attorney can not only represent you in court on these matters, but can also provide guidance to you.

If your spouse makes more money, you may be hesitant to leave an unhappy marriage. An attorney can help you determine if you are entitled to alimony. Alimony, also referred to as spousal support, is not an automatic right. In fact, the courts use several factors in determining your eligibility for alimony, how much you will receive, and for how long. For example, if your primary job during the marriage was to be a homemaker while your spouse worked outside of the home, an attorney will advise you on the best way to establish your rights to spousal support.

Another serious matter brought before the court during divorce proceedings is child custody. The Pennsylvania courts determine custody based on what is in the best interest of the child. Once a custody order is in place, it can be changed based on various circumstances. A child also has some input in custody arrangements as he gets older. Pennsylvania recognizes two types of custody: Physical and Legal. Physical custody refers to the actual physical possession of a child, and can take the form of full, partial, or shared physical custody. Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions about the child, including education and medical care.

Divorce mediation is an alternative to the often adversarial court system and is a recognized practice in Pennsylvania. A trained and licensed professional facilitates the mediation, while the spouses attempt to cooperate and resolve the separation of assets and support matters under his guidance. During the mediation, the parties will attempt to resolve issues regarding spousal and child support, division of assets, child support, and other issues agreed upon by the parties. Once a settlement has been reached and signed by the parties, they may take it to their respective attorneys for review. It will then be filed with the court as part of their divorce decree.

The dissolution of a marriage can be a time of extreme emotions and difficult decisions. The legal part of the divorce can also weigh heavy on the parties as they seek to rebuild their lives. Issues, such as alimony, child support, and child custody can become complicated and costly. To relieve some of this burden, seek the advice of an experienced divorce attorney. There are many Pennsylvania divorce lawyers who possess just the right skills to advocate on your behalf.

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