One of the primary benefits of pursuing a simple, no-fault uncontested divorce in Pennsylvania is the speed with which action can be finalized. It usually can be done in just a few months. The low cost of the process is a positive factor, too. A case now in dispute in another state suggests that some other hurdles to getting a divorce through court may be easier to clear in Pennsylvania, as well.

The case involves a champion poker player and his ex-wife. The pair was married in May of 2002. The decree marking the end of their marriage was entered into the record on Dec. 29, 2009. The decision to divorce was a mutual one, according to the ex-wife. That may explain why she allowed her ex-husband to pick the attorney who represented her in the proceedings. He took the lead in a lot of matters related to the split, apparently.

This past March, the ex-wife began to question whether she had been dealt with fairly in the settlement and she hired her own attorney. And the new attorney brought to light that the ex-husband and several of the attorneys he had hired for the divorce had allegedly became top contributors to the divorce judge's reelection campaign shortly after the decree was finalized. This all took place in Nevada.

The ex-wife is now in court challenging the entire settlement, seeking greater division of property. As part of her effort she's seeking to have the original divorce judge removed from the case. It's the practice in Nevada to have the same judge handle all matters related to a particular case.

Her petition, submitted to the Nevada's Supreme Court, questions the judge's impartiality because of the campaign contributions that were made by her husband and the lawyers who worked for him. It says the only way she can be confident of getting a fair shake is if the judge is off the case.

The judge in the case has said he believes he can be fair, regardless of the contributions. But at least one ethics experts say the judge's opinion of himself is irrelevant. He says what's most important is whether the public can believe the judge has the ability to be fair. If there's any question, he says the judge should go.

A decision by the Nevada high court is pending.

Source: Casino City Times, "Judicial bias alleged in Ivey divorce," Carri Geer Thevenot, Nov. 14, 2011