Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

I am in a "default" divorce with a no fault irreconsible differences my husband filed on me. How can I get PERMANENT alimony from him without an attorney? I can't afford one, and Legal Aid won't help me. I was on SSI before I got the spousal support, would that be automatically reinstated if I have no income? I am in public housing now living, and he is with relatives, we had NO property to divide or pensions, nothing...I just want my alimony I think I am entitled to after 27 years of marriage! How can I go to ask for alimony without PAYING someone to fight for me....can't I go Pro Bono? (defend myself without an attorney?) Would I be able to get welfare then if I don't have any money to live off of? I don't want to work, I ain't got a car, I am overweight, I have diabetes, I am bi-polar...so no one will hire me anyhow. What are my chances of getting any alimony off him? I get spousal support now and have been getting it for 2 years since he left me. I won't sign the divorce to get as much money from him as I can now to live. I am 50...I know later I will get half his social security when I am 62...but that is 12 years from now! HELP ME!


Asked on 10/12/11, 5:48 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

Representing yourself is Pro Se. The theory behind alimony in PA is to allow the poorer party to go on with their lives when there isn't enough of a marital estate to provide adequate funds via equitable distribution. To get alimony you need to file a claim for it as part of the divorce.

Now would you like him to get off the dime with the divorce you can file at the Domestic Relations Office for Alimony Pendente Lite. That is alimony before there's a divorce. You get 40% of the difference in incomes and you can get him to pay your legal fees.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me. The initial consultation is free.

{John}

Read more
Answered on 10/12/11, 6:15 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Pennsylvania