Can the Pennsylvania family court require marriage or other counseling?

Yes. The Pennsylvania family court judge may require up to three marriage counseling sessions with a qualified marriage counselor within a three to four month period in the following cases:

1. the Pennsylvania fault-based ground of indignities is used as grounds for the divorce and marriage counseling is requested by either spouse;
2. the Pennsylvania no-fault ground for divorce is used and marriage counseling is requested by either spouse; and
3. in certain cases where there are children of the marriage under sixteen years old.

In cases involving child custody, the court has the power to require both parents and any children over a certain age to attend counseling, educational seminars, or other sessions dealing with child custody issues.

Our Pennsylvania family law attorneys conduct appointments in our Allegheny County offices located in downtown Pittsburgh and in Whitehall Borough and in our Butler County office located in Cranberry Township.  In some circumstances, telephone appointments are available.  Our attorneys accept family law cases in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Armstrong County (Kittanning), Beaver County, Butler County, Somerset County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County (Greensburg).  Our lawyers accept Pennsylvania family law cases from other Western Pennsylvania counties including Clarion County, Fayette County, Greene County, Indiana County, Lawrence County (New Castle), Mercer County, and Venango County on a case-by-case basis.  To schedule a consultation, click here . 

Disclaimer

The statements in this section are based on Pennsylvania law and have been issued to inform and not advise. The statements are general in nature and individual facts in a given case may alter their application or involve other laws not referred to here.

Back to FAQs