{"id":376089,"date":"2017-06-14T15:14:37","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T20:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/your-philadelphia-divorce-the-basics.html"},"modified":"2017-06-16T23:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-06-17T04:00:00","slug":"your-philadelphia-divorce-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/your-philadelphia-divorce-the-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Your Philadelphia Divorce: The Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Your Philadelphia Divorce: The Basics<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

One minute you\u2019re strolling hand in hand with your spouse through Love Park and the next you\u2019re arguing more than lawyers do in court. Your marriage has reached a breaking point and you\u2019re considering a divorce. What are your rights? Where you do start?<\/p>\r\n

This article contains basic information about filing for divorce in Philadelphia.<\/p>\r\n

What Is a Divorce?<\/h2>\r\n

Divorce is the formal and legal end of a marriage by a court. To get a divorce in Philadelphia you must be in a valid marriage. Pennsylvania does not recognize same-sex marriages<\/a> or common law marriages<\/a> created after January 1, 2005.<\/p>\r\n

Is It the Same as a Legal Separation?<\/h2>\r\n

A legal separation<\/a> is different than divorce. Unlike other states, Pennsylvania does not have \u201clegal separations.\u201d The only way to legally end your marriage is through divorce. As discussed below, simply living apart from your spouse is often only one of the questions and steps involved in getting a divorce in Philly. Here are a few others:<\/p>\r\n

Residency: Where Do You Live?<\/h2>\r\n

To file for divorce in Philadelphia you must meet three requirements:<\/p>\r\n