Divorce Lawyer Philadelphia: Protect Your Assets
Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC – Philadelphia Divorce Lawyers
Protect Your Family & Future – Contact a Family Law & Divorce Lawyer Today!
If You Are Filing for Divorce
Your choice in divorce lawyer is perhaps one of the most important decisions you will make. This choice influences much of your future, including:
- Whether you are entitled to or have to pay alimony, and how much
- The child custody arrangement established with your former spouse
- How much child support you receive or pay
- The division of your assets with your former spouse
The Philadelphia divorce lawyers at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC see our role as helping people through a very difficult time of their lives. People are often bitter and angry during and after their divorce proceedings. Our goal is to help you get through the divorce process successfully, and as quickly and easily as the law allows.
We have a combined 50+ years of experience providing legal assistance to Philadelphia residents going through divorce. Contact our law office to speak with one of our experienced divorce lawyers about your pending divorce in Philadelphia, PA.
Pennsylvania is a No-fault Divorce State
Pennsylvania is a no-fault divorce state. As such, the reasons for the divorce are not relevant, except in calculating alimony to a limited degree.
There are two ways to get divorced under Pennsylvania’s no-fault system.
Consensual No-Fault Divorce
In a consensual no-fault or uncontested divorce, one party files a divorce complaint and serves it upon the non-filing party. Then there is a 90-day waiting period, during which time nothing can be filed with the court. This is called the “cooling off period.” Once 90 days have passed, so long as the parties have agreed upon all other financial and legal issues such as division of property, child support, and alimony, if applicable, the court will grant the parties a divorce after they each sign an affidavit agreeing to be divorced.
Non-Consensual Divorce
When one party does not agree to be divorced, this is called a non-consensual divorce. The party who wants the divorce must then wait one year from the date the parties separate before that party can ask the court for a divorce. After this one year period, the court will divorce the parties, even if one party does not consent.
Whatever your situation, the family law attorneys at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC have the experience to provide the advice and legal representation you need to protect and assert your interests.
Divorce Lawyers for Men
Schwartz, Fox and Saltzman, LLC also works to help men with divorce in the Philadelphia area. We can assist with property settlement agreements, child custody, and child support issues for men going through divorce.
Uncontested Divorce vs Contested Divorce
An uncontested divorce proceeds rather quickly because the parties agree on resolutions to the issues arising from their divorce. A contested divorce, where one party does not want to get divorced or the parties do not agree on child custody, support, or property distribution, can take months or years to resolve.
When we can, we help parties find resolutions to their disagreements through alternative dispute methods. When we must, we advocate fiercely for our client’s interests in court. Every divorce is different and requires the experience and knowledge of a long-time divorce lawyer in their jurisdiction. Call the divorce lawyers at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC for help with your divorce in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.
Do You Need a Divorce Lawyer?
If you and your spouse disagree on how to resolve any of the issues arising from your divorce, you each may need a divorce lawyer to advise you and advocate for your interests in court. The divorce lawyers at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC have over fifty years of experience helping families in the Philadelphia area get through divorce.
If you and your spouse agree on resolutions to the family law issues arising from your divorce, such as the child custody schedule, what happens to the marital home, who pays support and how much, and how your marital assets and debts will be divided, you should still consider hiring a divorce lawyer. In this case, you may file an uncontested divorce and submit your documents to the clerk of court, but an experienced divorce attorney helps ensure you don’t unintentionally compromise your rights.
You may also seek out alternative divorce resolution services such as mediation or collaborative family law.
Alternatives to a Philadelphia Divorce Lawyer
As part of our legal counsel, we help you decide whether using alternative dispute resolution, such as divorce mediation, or litigation will reach a more favorable outcome than going to court. Our divorce attorneys have experience in collaborative family law and mediation to help you understand which method is in your and your family’s best interests.
We often encourage our family law clients to try collaborative methods because they are less adversarial than going to court and can save time and money. They also give you and your spouse the opportunity to craft solutions to the issues arising from your divorce, such as setting temporary support, parenting time, and bill sharing in a separation agreement in PA, rather than letting a judge decide for you. However, as experienced trial lawyers, we are ready and willing to fight on your behalf in front of a judge if it is necessary to obtain a fair divorce agreement.
If your divorce can not be finalized through an alternative method, SFS Attorneys may still serve you in a litigious divorce.
Child Custody
The child custody lawyers at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC help you find the right custody arrangements for your family that protect your parental rights and relationships with your children and serve the children’s best interests. We have over fifty years of experience crafting child custody arrangements for our divorce clients, and helping our clients modify child custody arrangements when necessary.
Child Support
The child custody lawyers at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC help clients determine child support under the Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines, which takes into consideration the parents’ incomes and the number of children. Some “extraordinary” expenses, such as some medical expenses or summer camp, will be shared by the parents outside child support.
Alimony or Spousal Support
The spousal support lawyers at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC represent both support obligors and support obligees in determining the fair amount of support paid while the divorce is pending, and the amount paid in alimony once the divorce is final.
Marital Property, Assets, & Debt
Pennsylvania requires marital property to be distributed equitably, not necessarily equally. Equitable distribution is intended to be fair to both parties, and does depend on a number of factors under the law. The divorce lawyers at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC have the experience, knowledge, and team of experts needed to craft an equitable distribution plan in even the most complex financial situations.
How Long a Divorce in Philadelphia Takes
A divorce can be completed in as little as four months if consensual, or can take over a year if the parties cannot agree on any of the issues arising from their divorce and must litigate.
The Costs of a Divorce in Philadelphia
Between legal fees and court costs, the amount you pay for a divorce can be substantial. If you use a divorce mediator, the cost may be per hour, per session, or a flat fee, and the cost will be divided between you. If you retain a divorce attorney, they will charge by the hour.
Filing for Divorce in Philadelphia
Filing for divorce in Philadelphia requires a divorce complaint, service upon the non-filing spouse, and determination of the issues arising from the divorce such as child custody, child support, spousal support and alimony, and distribution of marital property. These issues can be resolved among the parties, with the help of a mediator, or through litigation with the help of a divorce lawyer, when a judge decides.
Talk With a Philadelphia Divorce Attorney at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC
You have decided to divorce. The decisions you make regarding child custody, child support, alimony, and property distribution can affect your family’s finances and well-being far into the future. Speak with an experienced Philadelphia divorce attorney about your rights and options to ensure you are getting the right results for your family.
Contact the Philadelphia divorce attorneys at Schwartz, Fox, & Satlzman, LLC today!