Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania
My husband and I were together 20 years and married 14. He decided it was okay to have a wife and girlfriend. What are my rights? We also have a 13 yr. old disabled daughter. He has moved out.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Why would your rights be any different from any other wife who is getting a divorce? PA has no "Heart Balm" actions for alienation of affection or criminal conversation. You can seek a fault based divorce due to adultery or a no-fault divorce based on "irreconciliable differences." You have the same rights to equitable distribution of your marital property as your husband. Whether you would be entitled to alimony or spousal support would depend on a whole of factors other than the marital misconduct and age of your daughter. Since no attorney knows your situation, the way to educate yourself is to go and get a consult with a divorce attorney who practices in the county in which you reside.
Being together for 6 years before marriage does not count in terms of benefits or anything else. Only time while actually married up to the date of separation is important generally.