Pennsylvania divorces can be a very expensive and stressful affair. To guard against undesired results, it is important to understand how lawyers bill their clients and how litigation works. When selecting a PA divorce lawyer, a litigant should have good communication skills for negotiating with the attorney. Individuals should learn how to hire only a Pennsylvania divorce attorney who is going to give them the desired amount and type of legal representation.
The reason some people do not get a lawyer for their PA divorce is simply because the money or thing to be gained is not worth the legal cost. In fact, Pennsylvania divorce attorneys are not required to take any case. If a lawyer feels you do not have the money to pay, that lawyer or law firm has the right to refuse service.
So when you are in the process of or thinking of filing for divorce, think about what it is you are trying to gain from the divorce. This will help you decide whether you need a Pennsylvania divorce lawyer.
As an example, let’s say you live in Pittsburgh, PA with two kids and a family home worth $100,000. Your husband has a decent job but only pulls in about $40,000 per year. You work part time and make about $15,000 per year. In this case, there really are not that much in terms of assets to go around. You could conceivably get the house and a very limited amount of spousal support for a short time. You would have to discuss with a PA family attorney or law firm in your area whether you should even hire a lawyer in this case.
But if you do hire a lawyer in such a case, you want to make it clear that you have little to no money to actually pay an attorney for your divorce. In fact, some lawyers charge $200 or more per hour.
In the end, you may end up not getting a lawyer for your divorce as far as the marital property and support issues go. On the other hand, if there is a serious problem with the children, that may call for the services of a licensed PA divorce lawyer. Keep in mind that family attorneys deal with many issues related with divorce. Pennsylvania divorce laws encompass child custody, child support, spousal support, marital property and other factors.
In the end, you need an attorney that understands your needs and is willing to represent you within a legal budget that you can afford.
To find Pennsylvania divorce attorneys, use the links in the Resources below. FindLaw has a database of lawyers. Select your local area to access the list. the Pennsylvania Bar Association also can help through a lawyer referral service. This service may have a small charge. Local bar associations are another possible source of PA divorce attorneys. Find the local bar association in your local Pennsylvania city or county and ask for a list of local family attorneys or law firms. From the link below, you can find the phone numbers of several local bar associations in Pennsylvania.
Resources:
FindLaw PA Divorce Lawyer Search Directory
Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (With Additional County Phone Numbers)
