PAVictimsHelp.org
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Common Law Marriage
Information on common law marriage from the Erie County Bar Association. As of January 2, 2005, individuals were no longer able to enter into common law marriages in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, those common law marriages properly entered into before this date remain valid. A common law marriage, although not formalized through a structured ceremony and marriage license, is considered a valid marriage provided it met the requirements set forth by Pennsylvania law, and provided that the requirements were met prior to January 2, 2005. (2023)
Divorce Law in Pennsylvania
Information providing an overview of Divorce Law in Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network.
Family Law Handbook
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions. (2026)
Carbon Court Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Crawford County - Court Forms and Information
Forms and explanatory information from the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas.
Dauphin County Self Help Center
Information on the Dauphin County Pro Se Litigant Self Help Center. The Self-Help Center provides forms and instructions for various types of proceedings. The Self-Help Center was established in 2005 and is a collaborate effort between the Dauphin County Court and the Dauphin County Bar Association so that citizens of Dauphin County had access to certain forms and instructions.
Divorce Proceedings - Representing Yourself: Forms and Information from the Pennsylvania Courts
Free online information is available from the Pennsylvania Courts website to assist the growing number of Pennsylvanians who want to file their own family law cases in courts across the state. Standardized court forms for divorce proceedings may be obtained on this page of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania’s website.
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees. (2020) Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Huntingdon County: Forms
Forms for use in the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas.
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
Lehigh County: Divorce - Self Help Center of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
This informational section is for reference and research purposes only. This section explains the basic forms needed for a plaintiff to file a simple Mutual Consent No Fault Divorce or a simple No Fault Divorce when parties have been separated for two years.
Mifflin County: Prothonotary Forms
Custody, Divorce and Expungement forms from the Prothonotary and MidPenn Legal Services for use in Mifflin County may be viewed and downloaded.
Northumberland County Court Forms - Family, PFA, Custody
Court forms published on Northumberland County website.
Philadelphia County: Court Forms
Forms from the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. Forms are available for the various divisions of the Court by clicking through the listings on the page.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Motion Cover Sheet
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in family law proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts. This is a cover sheet required by the Court when filing motions in court.
Potter County: Court Related Information and Forms
Court-related information and forms from the Judges Chamber of the Potter County Court of Common Pleas. Click on "Filings" drop-down to see available forms.
Snyder County: Court Forms
The Courts page from Snyder County contains a listing of forms for use in the Court of Common Pleas in 17th Judicial District - Snyder County.
Union County: Court Forms Listing
Forms for use in the Court of Common Pleas in Union County.
York County: Court Forms
The Court Forms section of the York County Court of Common Pleas offers popular forms provided by various Court and Court-related departments.
Divorce Proceedings - Representing Yourself: Forms and Information from the Pennsylvania Courts
Free online information is available from the Pennsylvania Courts website to assist the growing number of Pennsylvanians who want to file their own family law cases in courts across the state. Standardized court forms for divorce proceedings may be obtained on this page of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania’s website.
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees. (2020) Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Allegheny County: Outline of Basic PA Family Law Procedure in Allegheny County
Outline of family law procedure in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Topics include Mutual Consent Divorce, Custody, Partial Custody and Visitation, and Support.
Divorce Law in Pennsylvania
Information providing an overview of Divorce Law in Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network.
Family Law Handbook
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions. (2026)
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees. (2020) Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Common Law Marriage
Information on common law marriage from the Erie County Bar Association. As of January 2, 2005, individuals were no longer able to enter into common law marriages in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. However, those common law marriages properly entered into before this date remain valid. A common law marriage, although not formalized through a structured ceremony and marriage license, is considered a valid marriage provided it met the requirements set forth by Pennsylvania law, and provided that the requirements were met prior to January 2, 2005. (2023)
Divorce
Information on divorce law in Pennsylvania from the Erie County Bar Association. (06/2023)
Divorce Proceedings - Representing Yourself: Forms and Information from the Pennsylvania Courts
Free online information is available from the Pennsylvania Courts website to assist the growing number of Pennsylvanians who want to file their own family law cases in courts across the state. Standardized court forms for divorce proceedings may be obtained on this page of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania’s website.
Divorce Resources from PASafeLaw.org
Divorce is the legal process of ending a marriage. This section of PASafeLaw.org provides information and sample documents for obtaining a “no-fault, no asset” divorce based on mutual consent and/or irretrievable breakdown.
Delaware County: Self Help - DIVORCE
Information and forms on divorce procedures in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.
Adams County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Adams County.
Allegheny County Court Family Division - Frequently Asked Questions
The Family Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas offers answers to many Frequently Asked Questions in the area of Custody; Dependency & Related Services; Divorce; Juvenile Delinquency and Probation; Paternity; Protection From Abuse (PFA); and Support.
Allegheny County: Outline of Basic PA Family Law Procedure in Allegheny County
Outline of family law procedure in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Topics include Mutual Consent Divorce, Custody, Partial Custody and Visitation, and Support.
Armstrong County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Armstrong County.
Beaver County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Beaver County.
Bedford County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bedford County.
Berks County: Domestic Relations Section of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas
Domestic Relations is a part of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. It helps the Court establish and enforce Court Orders for child support and spousal support.
Blair County Custody Information and Custody Office
Information on the operation of the Custody Office of the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County. The Blair County Custody Division provides administrative support for matters related to the legal and physical custody of minor children. While this office does not provide legal advice, they support parents, guardians, and third parties by offering general information about local procedures. Be sure to consult an attorney if you need additional guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Blair County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Blair County.
Bradford County: Court Administration Forms
The Court Administration for Bradford County lists forms that are available for use in the Bradford County Courts.
Bradford County Domestic Relations Office
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bradford County.
Bucks County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bucks County.
Butler County Family Court: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Butler County.
Cambria County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Cambria County.
Carbon County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Carbon County.
Carbon Court Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Centre County: Domestic Relations Section
The Domestic Relations Section is a Court-appointed office of Centre County Government under the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. The office serves as the Court's child support enforcement agency.
Chester County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Chester County. The Chester County DRS helps families secure the financial support children and dependents need.
Clearfield County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Clearfield County.
Clinton County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Clinton County.
Crawford County - Court Forms and Information
Forms and explanatory information from the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas.
Crawford County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Crawford County.
Cumberland County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Cumberland County.
Dauphin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Dauphin County.
Dauphin County Self Help Center
Information on the Dauphin County Pro Se Litigant Self Help Center. The Self-Help Center provides forms and instructions for various types of proceedings. The Self-Help Center was established in 2005 and is a collaborate effort between the Dauphin County Court and the Dauphin County Bar Association so that citizens of Dauphin County had access to certain forms and instructions.
Delaware County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Delaware County.
Elk County Court Forms
Forms from the Court of Common Pleas of the 59th Judicial District serving Elk and Cameron Counties.
Fayette County Domestic Relations
Information on support porcedures in Fayette County.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Huntingdon County: Forms
Forms for use in the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas.
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
Lehigh County: Divorce - Self Help Center of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
This informational section is for reference and research purposes only. This section explains the basic forms needed for a plaintiff to file a simple Mutual Consent No Fault Divorce or a simple No Fault Divorce when parties have been separated for two years.
Lehigh County Domestic Relations Section
Information on the services provided by the Domestic Relations Section.
McKean County: Family Law Forms
Listing of Family Law forms available from the Court.
Mifflin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Mifflin County.
Mifflin County: Prothonotary Forms
Custody, Divorce and Expungement forms from the Prothonotary and MidPenn Legal Services for use in Mifflin County may be viewed and downloaded.
Northumberland County Court Forms - Family, PFA, Custody
Court forms published on Northumberland County website.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Perry County: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Perry County.
Philadelphia County: Court Forms
Forms from the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. Forms are available for the various divisions of the Court by clicking through the listings on the page.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Philadelphia County.
Philadelphia County: Domestic Relations Information Sheet
Form from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia for use in domestic relations proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia County: Motion Cover Sheet
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia that may be used in family law proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts. This is a cover sheet required by the Court when filing motions in court.
Potter County: Court Related Information and Forms
Court-related information and forms from the Judges Chamber of the Potter County Court of Common Pleas. Click on "Filings" drop-down to see available forms.
Schuylkill County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Schuylkill county.
Schuylkill County: Prothonotary Forms
Forms for use in the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.
Serving a Defendant (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, explains how to serve an opposing party (defendant) in a lawsuit with legal papers related to the lawsuit. Parties must be notified about court proceedings against them and provided with copies of legal papers filed in the proceedings. This video explains the proper and required legal way to notify them of the proceedings (2020). Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Snyder County: Court Forms
The Courts page from Snyder County contains a listing of forms for use in the Court of Common Pleas in 17th Judicial District - Snyder County.
Sullivan County: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Sullivan County.
Union County: Court Forms Listing
Forms for use in the Court of Common Pleas in Union County.
Warren County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Warren County. The Domestic Relations Office handles matters pertaining to child and spousal support.
Washington County: Domestic Relations Section of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County
Information on the Domestic Relations Section of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County. The Domestic Relations Section of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Pennsylvania is the County IV-D Agency responsible for the establishment, collection, and enforcement of child and spousal support obligations. The Domestic Relations Section does not deal with divorce, custody, visitation, or any other family law-related matter.
York County: Court Forms
The Court Forms section of the York County Court of Common Pleas offers popular forms provided by various Court and Court-related departments.