Pennsylvania Divorce Decree
A divorce decree is an official court order that signifies the legal end of a marriage and divorce proceedings in particular. This document contains the main information about the divorce case, based on the issues the spouses had to solve during the divorce.
Being the evidence that the marriage has ended, the decree sets out the terms of the divorce for both parties. It includes information regarding child and spousal support, child custody, and division of marital property and debts.
How to Obtain a Divorce Decree in Pennsylvania
The court is the only institution empowered to issue the divorce decree. In most cases, the spouses receive the original copy of this document immediately after the divorce has become official. To obtain certified copies of a divorce decree in Pennsylvania, a person must go to the clerk’s office of the county where the divorce proceedings took place.
The issuance of the divorce decree may also occur at the request of one of the spouses. It is possible after the stages of the initial filing and service of process are over, and the defendant is aware of the divorce and can participate in the proceedings. The plaintiff submits a notice of intention to enter a divorce decree in Pennsylvania, and the defendant has 20 days to respond. If the defendant does not answer the Complaint or file a Counter-Affidavit to the § 3301(d) Affidavit within 20 days, the other party has the right to request the court to enter the final divorce decree.
The filing of a motion by the former spouses precedes overturning a divorce decree in Pennsylvania (its opening or annulment). The motion may be based on the allegation that the decree was obtained through internal fraud or that new evidence has emerged in the case that undermines the lawfulness of the decree. This kind of petition must be filed within 5 years from the moment the divorce was finalized; the law prohibits filing the motion after the expiration of the specified period.
PA Divorce Decree Sample
Divorce decree in Pennsylvania (also known as Form 13) is a mandatory document for the completion of the divorce proceedings. You are welcome to check the form below.
This document has a clear and simple structure. The required items to fill out are:
– the name of the county where you are applying;
– the names of Plaintiff and Defendant;
– case number;
– your name and the name of your spouse;
– date at the top and signature at the bottom (to be filled out in the court after you send the form to the Prothonotary).
On our website, you can request Pennsylvania divorce decree and other forms necessary in the divorce process. With our service, you will significantly save time and avoid possible mistakes when filling out the documents, which could lead to delays in the court proceedings.
Getting forms online is much more affordable than hiring a lawyer since the flat fee we charge is less than the 1-hour rate of any family law attorney. We have no hidden fees and do not charge for extra paperwork.