Learn about making a support claim in West Chester PA and beyond. In Pennsylvania, support may be awarded to the spouse who earns less money or has a lower earning capacity than the other spouse. The three different types of support that may be awarded are called spousal support, alimony pendente lite (APL) and alimony.
Spousal Support in Chester County & Philadelphia
Prior to the filing of a divorce complaint support payable to a Pennsylvania spouse is called “spousal support.” PA spousal support is generally not available if the parties live in same residence unless it can be established that one spouse fails to contribute to household expenses. In Pennsylvania, the amount payable for spousal support is based upon a percentage of the difference of after tax monthly incomes or earning capacities of the parties after consideration of other support obligations. Pennsylvania law provides that if the spouse receiving spousal support (also known as the payee) has committed one of the fault based grounds for divorce the court has the right to refuse to award spousal support. The payer’s (person paying support) right to raise the fault grounds is called an entitlement defense to the payment of the spousal support.
In Pennsylvania, there is no fixed length of time that spousal support is payable. However, if the parties have been married for only a short period of time prior to their separation, the Pennsylvania family court can limit the duration of any spousal support (or alimony pendente lite) payments as well as the monthly amount payable. PA spousal support will generally be automatically converted into alimony pendente lite (APL) payments upon the filing of a divorce complaint by either party. Learn more about Alimony.
At Ciccarelli Lawyers, our Pennsylvania Spousal Support Lawyers are both passionate in what they do and compassionate in their treatment of their clients. Learn more Spousal Support Issues from experienced family law attorney Joshua Janis. We make your choice all the clearer with locations throughout the metropolitan Philadelphia Pennsylvania, including Center City Philadelphia, West Chester PA, Downingtown/Exton PA, Kennett Square PA, Lancaster PA, King of Prussia PA, Plymouth Meeting PA, Radnor and Springfield PA.
Contact us when you need legal advice on seeking financial support in a family law or divorce matter. We serve the greater Philadelphia area including Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Berks County, Downingtown, Paoli, Media, Norristown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading and Allentown. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Pennsylvania Spousal Support Attorney at Ciccarelli Lawyers, by contacting us at (610) 925-2500 or toll free at (877) 529-2422.
