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Same-Sex Divorce in Pennsylvania
Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, LLC. – Philadelphia Divorce Lawyers
If You Are Filing for Divorce
Effective May 20, 2014, with the legalization of same-sex marriage in Philadelphia, the Prothonotaries and Clerks of the Family Courts in Pennsylvania will begin accepting Divorce Complaints from married same-sex couples. Until that date, same-sex couples who were married outside of Pennsylvania, but resided in Pennsylvania, could not obtain a Divorce Decree since the Family Courts in Pennsylvania would not accept Divorce Complaints from same-sex couples.
Effectively, those people were trapped in a marriage they could not end.
The Governor of Pennsylvania announced on May 21, 2014 that Pennsylvania will not appeal this decision. Therefore, the court decision from May 20, which served to make Same-Sex Marriage legal, is now the law of Pennsylvania.
Same-Sex partners are now free to marry and divorce. Same-Sex partners have the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexual couples with regard to these issues.
If you have any further questions on Same-Sex marriage, feel free to contact me (215) 967-9070.