Skip to content 
Lancaster County
Family Law & Divorce Attorneys
Lancaster County family law cases are filed and heard at the Court of Common Pleas on North Duke Street. Lancaster Law Group represents individuals and families throughout the county in divorce, custody, support, and related matters. When your family is involved, experience and preparation matter. Our attorneys know Lancaster County courts, appear in them regularly, and are ready to fight for you.
We represent Lancaster County clients in person, by video conference, and by phone. For urgent matters including PFA hearings and emergency custody situations, call us right away.
Call (717) 696-6504 or schedule a consultation online. We will review your situation and tell you what your options are.
Family Law Matters We Handle in Lancaster County
If your situation involves divorce, a custody dispute, a support order, or a property matter, our attorneys are prepared to represent you at the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas. Below are the family law matters we handle.
- Divorce. Contested and uncontested divorce in Lancaster County, including equitable distribution of marital property and spousal support. Pennsylvania requires a six-month residency before filing and a 90-day waiting period for mutual consent divorce under 23 Pa.C.S. 3301(c).
- Child Custody. Legal and physical custody, parenting plans, and modification petitions. Contested Lancaster County custody cases go through a conciliation process before reaching a judge.
- Child Support. Support calculations, enforcement, and modifications filed through the Lancaster County Domestic Relations Section. Pennsylvania uses an Income Shares model; initial support matters begin with a DRS conference, not a judge hearing.
- Spousal Support. Alimony pendente lite during proceedings and alimony determinations following divorce. Pennsylvania distinguishes between spousal support, alimony pendente lite, and post-divorce alimony, each calculated differently.
- Property Division. Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state. Lancaster County judges divide marital property based on 11 statutory factors, not a 50/50 split.
- Paternity. Establishing legal paternity in Lancaster County for custody rights and support obligations.
Every family law case in Lancaster County moves through the Court of Common Pleas. Knowing local procedures, scheduling practices, and how this court operates matters from the first filing to the final order.
Lancaster County Communities We Serve
Lancaster Law Group is based in Lancaster County. For matters in neighboring counties, contact us to discuss whether our team is able to assist based on the court location and the nature of your case.
Our office sits across from the Lancaster County Courthouse, giving us regular familiarity with local procedures, scheduling practices, and court expectations. Lancaster County clients are a short drive or walk from our front door.
Communities and areas in Lancaster County we regularly serve include:
- Lancaster City
- Manheim Township
- East Hempfield Township
- West Lampeter Township
- Lititz
- Ephrata
- Columbia
- Elizabethtown
- Quarryville
- Strasburg
- Millersville
- Mount Joy
- New Holland
- Leola
- Denver
- Willow Street
Lancaster County residents anywhere in the county can work with Lancaster Law Group. Virtual consultations and remote case management are available, and we will match your case to the attorney best suited to your situation.
Where You Are, Where Your Case Is Heard
The table below maps our office to the court where Lancaster County family law cases are filed and heard.
| Our Office | County Served | Primary Courthouse |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Law Group
110 East King Street Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 696-6504 | Lancaster County |
Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas 50 North Duke Street Lancaster, PA 17602 2nd Judicial District of Pennsylvania |
Lancaster County also operates 19 Magisterial District Judge offices throughout the county. These courts handle criminal preliminary hearings, summary offenses, and civil claims under $12,000. If you received a citation, summons, or hearing notice, the assigned MDJ office is listed on your paperwork.
Why Lancaster County Residents Choose Lancaster Law Group
Here is what Lancaster County clients tell us sets our firm apart from attorneys who handle family law as a secondary focus.
We are steps from where your case is heard. Our office is directly across North Duke Street from the Lancaster County Courthouse. When your divorce or custody matter is scheduled, we are not driving in from another county. We know this building, these procedures, and the expectations of this court.
Shawnee S. Burton is an AAML Fellow, one of fewer than 1,600 nationwide. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers credential reflects demonstrated peer-recognized experience in complex family law. For Lancaster County clients facing high-asset divorce, contested custody, or a case heading to trial, it means your attorney has handled situations like yours before.
Joseph P. McMahon tried cases before he advised clients. Before founding the firm, Attorney McMahon served as an assistant district attorney. When a Lancaster County family law matter requires a hearing, we are not adjusting to litigation. We are already prepared for it.
Lancaster County family law rarely stays in one lane. Custody cases intersect with support. Divorce intersects with property. When your situation is complicated, we treat it as a whole problem and build your strategy around how each piece affects the others.
You will always know where your case stands. We tell you what each stage of your Lancaster County case requires, what the realistic range of outcomes looks like, and what decisions are coming. Clients facing divorce or custody in this county face real uncertainty. We reduce it.
Ready to talk? Schedule a consultation with Lancaster Law Group today.
What to Expect When You Call
Most people who contact Lancaster Law Group have never been through a divorce or custody case before. Here is what the process looks like from your first call through resolution.
- Your first call is a conversation, not a commitment. You describe your situation and we determine whether a formal consultation makes sense.
- At your consultation, an attorney maps out the likely path of your case through the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas: which procedures apply, what the realistic timeline looks like, and what decisions you will need to make.
- If you move forward, we prepare a fee agreement covering the scope of representation and costs. You will know what you are agreeing to before anything is filed.
- Once retained, we manage all procedural steps: filings with the Prothonotary or Domestic Relations Section, court appearances, communication with opposing counsel, and representation at any hearing or conciliation.
Lancaster County family law cases move at their own pace. Support matters begin with a DRS conference. Custody cases go through conciliation before a judge hears them. Divorce has statutory waiting periods. We tell you what is coming before it arrives.
Every case has its own facts. To understand how Pennsylvania law applies to your situation, schedule a consultation with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lancaster County handle contested custody cases?
Contested custody cases in Lancaster County go through a conciliation process before a judge hears the matter. A court-appointed conciliation officer meets with both parties, and if no agreement is reached, the case moves to a judge for a hearing.
How is child support calculated in Lancaster County?
Pennsylvania uses an Income Shares model under PA Rule 1910.16, based on both parents’ net incomes and the custody schedule. Support matters in Lancaster County start with a Domestic Relations Section conference, not a judge hearing.
What is the waiting period for divorce in Lancaster County?
Pennsylvania requires a mandatory 90-day waiting period for mutual consent divorce under 23 Pa.C.S. 3301(c), starting from the date the complaint is served. If one spouse does not consent, the filing spouse may proceed after one year of separation under 23 Pa.C.S. 3301(d).
Does Pennsylvania divide marital property 50/50 in Lancaster County?
No. Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state, and Lancaster County judges divide marital property based on 11 statutory factors. Equitable does not mean equal, and the outcome depends on the specific facts of your case.
Where are Lancaster County divorce and custody filings made?
Divorce and custody filings go to the Prothonotary at the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, 50 North Duke Street. Child support matters are handled through the Lancaster County Domestic Relations Section, also located at the courthouse.
How long do Lancaster County family law cases take?
An uncontested mutual consent divorce typically takes four to six months from filing, accounting for the 90-day waiting period and court processing. Contested divorce or custody cases that require a hearing before a judge take significantly longer, often a year or more.
Talk to a Lancaster County Family Law Attorney
We know the Lancaster County courthouse. We know the path through a family law case in this county. And we will walk you through what comes next before you commit to anything. Our Lancaster County family law team handles divorce, custody, support, and related matters with the preparation and advocacy these cases require.
From our office directly across from the Lancaster County Courthouse, we represent clients throughout the county and help families move through the legal process with clear guidance and realistic expectations. When you work with Lancaster Law Group, you get attorneys who explain your options, protect your rights, and tell you what to expect at every stage.
Call (717) 696-6504 or schedule a consultation online. A member of our team will confirm the right attorney for your case and get you on the calendar.