Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

You must serve the complaint on the defendant. You say petition I assume you mean complaint. Petitions can be filed once a divorce is filed for other things ie. Petition to freeze bank accounts; petition for exclusive possession of marital home etc. You must serve the defendant as provided in the rules of procedure for Divorce. generally certified mail return receipt addressee only. You may also have an acceptance of service signed or you can have a process server serve the defendant. the defendant must be served within 30 days of filing an affidavit of service must be filed. There are other papers that may need to be filed in the future. i suggest you consult with an attorney to make sure you are on the right track.