How Divorce Cases Are Handled in Monroe County Courts and Why Local Legal Experience Matters

With this in mind, it is important to have an experienced local divorce attorney on your side.

When you are going through a divorce in Monroe County, there are several important ways an experienced attorney will be able to help you. This starts with preparing for your divorce, and it ends with finalizing your divorce in court.

What to Expect During the Divorce Process in Monroe County

While every divorce is unique, all divorcing couples must go through the same basic steps to bring their marriage to an end. In Monroe County, these steps are:

• Gathering All Necessary Records – When going through a divorce, you will need copies of your (and your spouse’s) property deeds and titles, employment records, bank statements, and various other forms of documentation. Both spouses must also prepare a financial affidavit at the beginning of the process, and it is important to make sure you complete the document accurately.
• Initiating the Divorce Process – Under Pennsylvania law, there is a 90-day waiting period for getting divorced once you formally initiate the process. With this in mind, most couples will want to initiate the process promptly so that they will not have to wait any longer than necessary.
• Negotiating the Terms of Your Divorce – These days, most couples negotiate the terms of their divorce out of court. This is generally quicker, cheaper, and less contentious than litigating your divorce. When you hire an experienced divorce attorney to represent you, your attorney will help you make informed decisions with a long-term perspective during the negotiation process.
• Drafting a Divorce Settlement Agreement – If you and your spouse are able to agree on the terms of your divorce, your attorney will then draft a divorce settlement agreement. It is imperative that this agreement both: (i) fully addresses all aspects of your divorce; and, (ii) is enforceable under Pennsylvania law.
• Going to Court to Finalize Your Divorce – Once you and your spouse have signed your divorce settlement agreement, your attorney will take the agreement to court in order to finalize your divorce. Your attorney will need to submit your agreement in compliance with the relevant court rules and be able to show the judge that you and your spouse have done everything required to bring your marriage to an end.

This is a very brief overview. From identifying marital and separate assets to applying Pennsylvania’s “best interests” factors for determining child custody, there are several complex aspects to the divorce process in Monroe County. With an experienced divorce attorney on your side, you can feel confident that you are making all of the decisions you need to make in order to protect your interests long-term.

How an Experienced Local Divorce Attorney Can Help

When you are going through a divorce in Monroe County, you are not required to hire an attorney to represent you. But, just because you can represent yourself in your divorce, this doesn’t mean you should. Here are just a handful of ways an experienced local divorce attorney will be able to help you:

• Making Sure You Comply with Pennsylvania Law – When going through a divorce, you must strictly comply with Pennsylvania law. If you don’t, this could have significant and long-term consequences.
• Helping You Consider All of Your Options – From dividing your marital assets to dividing parenting time, you have numerous options with respect to all aspects of your divorce. It is important to ensure you are considering all of the options you have available.
• Helping You Make Informed Decisions – Ensuring that you are making informed decisions is extremely important as well. Your divorce lawyer can explain everything you need to know.
• Keeping Disagreements from Getting Out of Hand – While there are no guarantees, an experienced divorce attorney will be able to use various strategies to help keep disagreements from leading to contentious disputes in court.
• Giving You Confidence in the Outcome of the Process – Finally, and perhaps most importantly, your attorney can give you confidence that you have made the right decisions for you and your children.

Again, these are just examples. If you would like to know more about how an experienced divorce attorney can help you, we invite you to schedule a confidential consultation.

FAQs: Getting Divorced in Monroe County, PA

How are divorce cases handled in Monroe County courts?

The Monroe County courts handle all divorce cases in strict compliance with Pennsylvania law. As a result, when going through a divorce, it is critical to ensure that you strictly comply with all pertinent legal requirements.

Why does local legal experience matter in Monroe County divorce cases?

Local legal experience matters in Monroe County divorce cases because finalizing your divorce involves seeking approval in the local courts. An attorney who has experience handling divorces in Monroe County will be intimately familiar with the procedures for bringing your marriage to an end.

Is hiring a Monroe County divorce attorney better than an out-of-county lawyer?

While we can’t definitively say that it is “better” to hire a Monroe County divorce attorney, it is important to have an attorney who is familiar with Pennsylvania’s divorce laws and Monroe County’s court rules on your side.

What issues are commonly decided in Monroe County divorce cases?

When getting divorced in Monroe County, you and your spouse must address all of the various issues involved. While individual circumstances vary, these issues generally include: (i) property division; (ii) debt division; (iii) spousal support (alimony); (iv) child support; and, (v) parenting time (child custody).

Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Monroe County Divorce Lawyer Gary J. Saylor, II

Are you preparing to get divorced in Monroe County? If so, experienced divorce lawyer Gary J. Saylor, II can help. Call 570-421-5568 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation.