The Safe Harbor

For Your Legal Needs

Helping Central Pennsylvania Families With Divorce

The divorce lawyers at Hoffmeyer & Semmelman are here to make certain your rights are protected during this frequently emotional and combative process. Don’t let your spouse’s counsel take advantage of you. Make certain you have our experienced and aggressive attorneys in your corner. Contact our divorce attorneys today at 717-846-8846.

What Is Divorce?

A divorce is a legal dissolution of a marriage. Completing the process means your marriage is over and you can move on with your life.

Divorce In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a no-fault jurisdiction. This means you do not need to prove that your spouse did something wrong. Fault grounds still exist, but generally are avoided. This is because no-fault divorces can be less combative and do not require proof of bad behavior on the part of either spouse.

How To Get A Divorce In Pennsylvania

There are two types of no-fault divorce in Pennsylvania. They are:

Mutual Consent with Irretrievable Breakdown: In mutual consent, both spouses desire and consent to the end of their marriage.

  • Both spouses agree that the marriage is irreparably broken.
  • 90 days have passed since the plaintiff filed.

Irretrievable Breakdown – No Mutual Consent: In cases when one spouse desires the end of the marriage, but the other does not, it is appropriate to allege irretrievable breakdown.

  • The spouse seeking the divorce files a complaint, alleging that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
  • The plaintiff spouse swears that the parties have lived apart for at least two years.
  • The defendant spouse fails to deny the statement of the plaintiff spouse, i.e., that the spouses have been living apart and the marriage is unfixable.

There are a number of acceptable grounds for a fault divorce. They include:

  • Adultery
  • Abandonment for at least one year
  • Cruelty
  • Defendant spouse is convicted of a crime and imprisoned for at least two years
  • Defendant spouse engages in conduct that creates an intolerable situation. For example, constant humiliation of plaintiff spouse
  • Bigamy, in other words, defendant spouse marries someone else while still married to plaintiff

Why Aggressive Representation Matters

The divorce system is complicated. It is very easy, with the wrong representation, to find yourself responsible for paying more or receiving less than you otherwise would. Spousal support, asset and debt distribution, child custody and support : all of these issues will be addressed during the process. Your financial well-being is at stake, and you will be well-protected by our divorce lawyers. Your children’s future is at stake too. Our custody lawyers will fight for their best interests.

When you retain Hoffmeyer & Semmelman, L.L.C., you can be assured that we will go after the right results for you and your children.

Contact Us For Help With Divorce

At Hoffmeyer & Semmelman, L.L.C., we represent divorce clients in complex cases throughout central Pennsylvania, including in York, Shrewsbury and Mount Wolf. Contact us today to learn how we will fight to protect you.