Women’s Rights in Divorce
Depending on the circumstances, filing for divorce can be drastically different for men and women. Many women have specific concerns regarding their children, child support, the division of property, alimony, and the family home. An experienced divorce attorney can help women deal with these concerns at every stage of the process.
By consulting a divorce lawyer, you can discuss the circumstances surrounding your divorce including your current financial situation, time sharing with the children and your preferences regarding who will remain in the family home while the divorce is pending. Maintaining some sense of normalcy during the divorce process is difficult, but possible with the right legal counsel in your corner.
During the initial consultation, you can learn more about what you need to do right now to protect your rights. We can help you figure out the best ways to resolve both temporary issues while the divorce is pending and the permanent issues that will be settled in the court’s final judgment.
Lawyer for Women’s Rights in Divorce for West Chester, Pennsylvania
If you have made the difficult decision to end your marriage, the Chester County family law attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices are here to help. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our divorce attorneys have decades of experience representing clients in divorce proceedings, and sorting out the most complicated situations.
Call (610) 692-8700 or send an online message for a free consultation so we can act as soon as possible. We are based in West Chester PA and serve clients throughout Chester County, Lancaster County and suburban Philadelphia including West Chester, Kennett Square, Oxford, Avondale, Landenberg, West Grove, Paoli, Malvern, Downingtown, Coatesville, Exton, Parkesburg, Berwyn and Devon. We have convenient meeting locations in Lancaster, Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, Kennett Square, Malvern, Springfield, King of Prussia, and Radnor. Our family lawyers serve those with immediate legal needs in Chester County, Montgomery County, Delaware County and Lancaster County.
Alimony
Specifically for stay-at-home wives and women earning significantly less than their husbands, one major concern during the divorce process is alimony. Alimony is a form of support granted to a spouse with less financial power than his or her partner.
When alimony is granted, the more financially stable partner is required to provide monthly payments to the other spouse to ensure the recipient spouse can provide a decent living for him or herself.
Pursuant to Title 23 Section §3701 of Pennsylvania Code, courts determine a need for alimony through a list of several factors including:
- The requesting spouse’s ability to support herself or himself
- Liabilities and assets of both parties
- Tax consequences
- Contributions of both parties
- Education of each party
- Which parent will get primary custody of the child or children
- The marital standard of living for the couple
- Whether the requesting spouse has sufficient property to provide for herself or himself
- Duration of the marriage
- Any property obtained prior to marriage
- Sources of income
- Any inheritances of either party
- Earning capacity
- Overall physical and emotional health of the parties
Depending on any of the aforementioned factors, the court may order the more financially fit spouse to pay the other spouse for a finite amount of time. Alimony will end upon remarriage of the dependent spouse or once it is determined that said spouse is able to provide for him or herself.
Marital Property
As an equitable distribution state, Pennsylvania divides marital property in a manner most fair to both parties. To determine the fairest distribution of property, the court will examine the circumstances surrounding the divorce.
Some factors the court takes into account when dividing marital property include the value of the property, the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, sources of income for both parties, and several additional factors.
Once the property is divided, the court must compile an explanation for how the property was divided in the best manner for both parties.
Additional Resource
Chester County Family Court – Visit the Family Court page of the Chester County Government site for more information on family courts in your area. This website lists the various legal topics addressed by the family court and contact information for the court. Also, find contact information for the domestic relations office for information on child and spousal support.
Find an Attorney for Women in Chester County, PA
Going through a divorce is a stressful time for the parties involved as well as for any children resulting from the marriage. Let the attorneys here at Ciccarelli Law Offices help you make this transition as smooth as possible.
If you are seeking a divorce in West Chester, Landenberg, Paoli, Malvern, Exton, Oxford, Kennett Square, or Coatesville, call Ciccarelli Law Offices at (610) 692-8700 to schedule a consultation with one of our family law attorneys.
This firm also provides services to individuals throughout Chester County, and surrounding counties including Lancaster County, Delaware County, Philadelphia County, and Chester County.
This article was last updated on January 5, 2017.