Procedure to Obtain an Order of Court Approving Grounds for Divorce

This procedure applies only to divorces filed under Sections 3301(c) and (d) of the Divorce Code.

1. File the completed Praecipe for Order Approving Grounds for Divorce with the Allegheny County Department of Court Records.
2. Deliver the following to the office of the Family Division Judge assigned to that case:
   • A time-stamped copy of the Praecipe for Order Approving Grounds for Divorce;
   • A proposed Order Approving Grounds for Divorce; and
   • The name, address, and e-mail address of counsel for both parties or the parties, if unrepresented.

Please refer to each Family Division Judge’s Standard Operating Procedures for their preferred method of submission (i.e.—electronic or hard copy).

3. If grounds for divorce were properly established by pleadings filed with the Department of Court Records, the assigned Family Division Judge will then grant the Order Approving Grounds for Divorce and file same with the Department of Court Records.If grounds for divorce are not properly established by pleadings filed with the Department of Court Records, the assigned Family Division Judge will deny the Order Approving Grounds for Divorce and file same with the Department of Court Records.The Family Division Judge will then file and serve the order entered upon counsel for the parties or the parties, if unrepresented.

If the case does not have an existing Adult Division judge assignment (i.e.—assigning a judge to a new adult case or an existing case), email the Docket Clerk at adultjudicialassignment@alleghenycourts.us to obtain a judicial assignment.