← All Legal Packets
PennsylvaniaFamily LawLSC-Grade

Pennsylvania Divorce Packet

Free legal self-help guide for Pennsylvania residents. This packet provides LSC-grade legal information to help you understand your rights and navigate the court system.


title: "Pennsylvania Divorce - LSC-Grade Legal Packet"

state: "PA"

date: "2026-03-20"

price: "$97"


Pennsylvania Divorce Packet

Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.


ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST

  • [ ] You or your spouse has lived in Pennsylvania for at least 6 months before filing
  • [ ] You are filing in the county where you or your spouse currently lives
  • [ ] Mutual Consent (§ 3301(c)): both spouses agree to divorce AND 90-day waiting period has passed
  • [ ] OR 2-Year Separation (§ 3301(d)): parties have lived separately for at least 2 years
  • [ ] OR fault-based grounds apply (adultery, abandonment 1+ yr, cruel treatment, bigamy, imprisonment 2+ yrs)
  • [ ] Children's custody, support, and property division addressed or in progress

File at: Pennsylvania court finder: https://www.pacourts.us/find-a-court


FILING STEPS

  1. Confirm residency: you or your spouse must have lived in PA for at least 6 months.
  2. Determine your pathway: Mutual Consent (§ 3301(c)) requires both spouses to agree; 2-Year Separation (§ 3301(d)) requires 2 years of separate living.
  3. Gather your information: full names and addresses, marriage date and location, children's names and birth dates, and a list of marital property and debts.
  4. Complete the Complaint in Divorce and attach the Civil Cover Sheet, Notice to Defend and Claim Rights, and Verification.
  5. File at the Prothonotary's Office in the county where you or your spouse resides; pay filing fee ($200–$400, varies by county).
  6. Serve your spouse by sheriff, private process server, certified mail, or Acceptance of Service (Waiver of Notice).
  7. File Affidavit of Service with the court after service is complete.
  8. Wait the applicable period: 90 days for Mutual Consent; no waiting period for 2-Year Separation.
  9. Complete a Marital Settlement Agreement if you have property or children to address.
  10. File the Praecipe to Transmit Record with all required affidavits attached.

  • Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN): palawhelp.org · 1-800-322-9933
  • Philadelphia Legal Assistance: phillylegal.org · (215) 981-3800
  • Southwestern PA Legal Services: swpls.org · 1-800-243-2020
  • PA Courts Self-Help: pacourts.us/self-help · (717) 705-1138

FORM 1: COMPLAINT IN DIVORCE — BLANK TEMPLATE

`

___________________________________________

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

[COUNTY] COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

CIVIL DIVISION - FAMILY COURT

___________________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], )

Plaintiff, ) Case No.: _______________

)

vs. ) COMPLAINT IN DIVORCE

) 23 Pa.C.S. Section 3301

[SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], )

Defendant. )

___________________________________________

COMPLAINT IN DIVORCE

  1. Plaintiff, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], resides at [ADDRESS], [CITY], PA [ZIP].
  1. Defendant, [SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], resides at [ADDRESS], [CITY], PA [ZIP].
  1. Plaintiff has been a bona fide resident of Pennsylvania for at least six months.
  1. The parties were married on [DATE] in [CITY, STATE/COUNTRY].
  1. The parties separated on [DATE].
  1. GROUNDS: Plaintiff seeks divorce on the grounds of:

[ ] Section 3301(c) - Mutual consent (both parties consent, 90-day waiting period)

[ ] Section 3301(d) - Irretrievable breakdown (2-year separation)

The parties have lived separate and apart for two years

[ ] Section 3301(a) - Fault-based grounds: [SPECIFY]

  1. CHILDREN:

[ ] No minor children

[ ] Minor children: [NAME(S) AND DOB(S)]

  1. PRIOR ACTIONS:

[ ] No prior divorce actions filed

[ ] Prior action: [DETAILS]

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court grant a divorce, equitably distribute marital property

(23 Pa.C.S. Section 3502), and provide such other relief as is appropriate.

_________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], Plaintiff

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, PA ZIP]

[PHONE]

[EMAIL]

Date: _________________

VERIFICATION

I, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], verify that the statements made in this Complaint are true and correct

to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

_________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME]

Date: _________________

ATTACHMENTS:

[ ] Civil Cover Sheet

[ ] Notice to Defend and Claim Rights

[ ] Verification (above)

[ ] Marriage Certificate (if available)

`

`

___________________________________________

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA )

) ss.

COUNTY OF [COUNTY] )

___________________________________________

): Case No.: _______________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], )

[SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], )

___________________________________________

AFFIDAVIT OF CONSENT

(23 Pa.C.S. Section 3301(c))

___________________________________________

We, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME] and [SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], being duly sworn, depose and say:

  1. We are the parties in the above-captioned divorce action.
  1. We voluntarily consent to the entry of a divorce decree on the grounds of mutual consent,

pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. Section 3301(c).

  1. We understand that:

a. We may not revoke this consent without leave of court;

b. The divorce will be final 90 days after service of the Complaint;

c. We must resolve all issues regarding property, custody, and support; and

d. The Court may not grant a divorce if we have not resolved these issues.

  1. We certify that we have executed a written agreement addressing:

[ ] Division of marital property

[ ] Alimony, if applicable

[ ] Custody of minor children

[ ] Child support

[ ] Parenting time

  1. We request this Court enter a decree of divorce.

FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT.

_________________________________ _______________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], Plaintiff Date: _________________

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, PA ZIP]

[PHONE]

_________________________________ _______________________________

[SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], Defendant Date: _________________

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, PA ZIP]

[PHONE]

___________________________________________

Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of _______________, 202_.

_________________________________

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: ___________

[SEAL]

`

FORM 3: AFFIDAVIT UNDER § 3301(d) — BLANK TEMPLATE

`

___________________________________________

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA )

) ss.

COUNTY OF [COUNTY] )

___________________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], )

Affiant, ) Case No.: _______________

___________________________________________

AFFIDAVIT

UNDER 23 Pa.C.S. Section 3301(d)

___________________________________________

I, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], being duly sworn, depose and say:

  1. I am the [Plaintiff/Defendant] in the above-captioned divorce action.
  1. I reside at [ADDRESS], [CITY], PA [ZIP].
  1. The parties to this action were married on [DATE] in [CITY, STATE].
  1. The parties have lived separate and apart without cohabitation for a period of MORE THAN

TWO YEARS as follows:

From [DATE] to the present (OVER TWO YEARS).

  1. During this period of separation:

a. We have lived at separate addresses;

b. We have not presented ourselves to others as husband and wife; and

c. We have not had sexual relations with each other.

  1. I request this Court grant a decree of divorce.

FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT.

_________________________________ _______________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], Affiant

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, PA ZIP]

[PHONE]

Date: _________________

___________________________________________

Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of _______________, 202_.

_________________________________

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: ___________

[SEAL]

`

FORM 4: PRAECIPE TO TRANSMIT RECORD — BLANK TEMPLATE

`

___________________________________________

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

[COUNTY] COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

CIVIL DIVISION - FAMILY COURT

___________________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], )

Plaintiff, ) Case No.: _______________

)

vs. ) PRAECIPE TO TRANSMIT RECORD

[SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], )

Defendant. )

___________________________________________

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THIS COURT:

Please take notice that the parties in this action have met all requirements for entry of a

divorce decree, as follows:

  1. [ ] 90-day waiting period has expired (Section 3301(c))

[ ] Two-year separation requirement has been met (Section 3301(d))

  1. The following affidavits are attached:

[ ] Affidavit of Consent (both parties)

[ ] Affidavit under Section 3301(d)

  1. The parties have resolved all issues regarding:

[ ] Property division (Marital Settlement Agreement attached)

[ ] Alimony/spousal support

[ ] Child custody (Custody Agreement attached)

[ ] Child support (Child Support Guidelines attached)

[ ] Parenting plan (Parenting Plan attached)

WHEREFORE, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME] requests this Court to transmit the record to the

assigned judge for the purpose of entering a decree of divorce.

Respectfully submitted,

Date: _________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

[YOUR PRINTED NAME]

[YOUR STREET ADDRESS]

[YOUR CITY, PA ZIP CODE]

[YOUR PHONE NUMBER]

[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]

`

FORM 5: WAIVER OF NOTICE — BLANK TEMPLATE

`

___________________________________________

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

[COUNTY] COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

CIVIL DIVISION - FAMILY COURT

___________________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], )

Plaintiff, ) Case No.: _______________

)

vs. ) WAIVER OF NOTICE

[SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], )

Defendant. )

___________________________________________

I, [SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], Defendant in the above-captioned action, hereby waive service of the

Complaint in this action.

I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Complaint and understand that divorce proceedings

have been commenced. I hereby accept service of the Complaint and waive all formal notice required

by law.

I understand that:

  • I have 30 days to file an Answer after receiving this Complaint
  • Failure to file an Answer may result in default judgment against me
  • I should consult an attorney if I have questions

_________________________________ _______________________________

[SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], Defendant

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, PA ZIP]

[PHONE]

Date: _________________

`



*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.

Verify current law before filing. For legal advice contact a licensed Pennsylvania attorney or legal aid. jurist-diction.com*

Need Court-Ready Documents?

Get jurisdiction-correct documents for your case

Our document packets include everything you need to file with the court. Save 80-95% versus traditional legal fees.

Browse Document Packages →