Even though Pennsylvania law does not mandate a 50/50 division of marital property, in practice, a 50/50 division is quite common. If the divorcing spouses have similar incomes from their jobs and the marital assets include a home and modest retirement accounts, the courts will often order a 50/50 division.
What happens to house in divorce PA?
In Pennsylvania, only the marital property will be divided. The court presumes that any property you acquire during marriage is marital property, regardless of what title says. If you want to keep an asset out of the division, then you will have to show the court why it should be characterized as non-marital property.
Is Pennsylvania a 50 50 state when it comes to divorce?
False. While some states (most famously, California) mandate a 50/50 distribution of marital property, Pennsylvania does not. Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state.
How much is a wife entitled to in a divorce Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania uses guidelines to begin the process of determining alimony, but several factors could cause the amount to either go up or down. In general, if there are no children in the marriage, the requesting spouse is entitled to 40% of his or her spouse’s income, minus their own income.
Is PA an alimony state?
No, there is no entitlement to alimony in Pennsylvania. Instead, it’s purely discretionary with the court, and based on 17 factors listed in Section 3701 of the PA Divorce Code.
Does it matter who files for divorce first in PA?
When Both Individuals Live in Pennsylvania. If both you and your partner currently reside within the state, there is no true advantage to filing first. Even if you file first, the case will usually be held at the Court of Common Pleas in the defendant’s county, or the county where you married, by default.
How do you avoid losing your house in a divorce?
In many cases, the simplest way to keep the house in a divorce if it still has a mortgage is to refinance. The best-case scenario is for you to refinance and remove the mortgage from your ex’s name altogether. You’ll need to qualify for the mortgage on your own, so make sure to have all your financial ducks in a row.
Does adultery Affect divorce in PA?
Pennsylvania law recognizes adultery as a fault ground for divorce. The cheating spouse is at fault, due to his or her adulterous behavior, for the decision to divorce. When a divorce involves adultery, it can affect spousal support and alimony.
How much alimony will I get in PA?
The formula used in the state of Pennsylvania states that the receiving spouse must receive 40 percent of the difference between the spouses’ net incomes on a monthly basis. If the couple has children, the formula is altered to 30 percent of the net income difference.
How long does the average divorce take in PA?
Divorce in Pennsylvania can take between 90 days and 12 months on average, depending on whether it is a fault or a no-fault one. The mandatory waiting period for a no-fault marriage dissolution is 90 days. The average contested divorce takes 5-12 months, and an uncontested one – around 4-6 months.
Is spouse entitled to 401k in divorce in Pennsylvania?
In general, any value that a retirement account has accrued between the date of marriage and the filing date of the divorce complaint is subject to equitable distribution – regardless of which spouse’s name is on the account.
How long until a divorce is final in PA?
Pennsylvania law imposes a 90-day waiting period after filing to finalize the divorce agreement.
How many years do you have to be married to get alimony in PA?
If the marriage is three (3) years or less, alimony would be unlikely unless there was a compelling situation. For example, if a spouse contributed to the other spouse’s education during this time, the court may consider an award of alimony for the contributing spouse.
How long is alimony paid in PA?
Therefore, if your divorce is average, you can expect that APL will last for about two years. APL can be limited in certain circumstances. For example, in the case of a short-term marriage (about three years or less), the payor spouse can request that the court limit the duration of APL.
What are the 17 factors for alimony in PA?
- The relative earnings of both spouses.
- The duration of the marriage.
- The ages and physical, mental and emotional states of the two spouses.
- The sources of income of both spouses.
- The expected future earnings and inheritances of the two spouses.
Who is eligible for spousal support in PA?
In Pennsylvania, spousal support is available to the spouse who earns less until a divorce decree is issued, and only then under limited circumstances. If the person requesting spousal support has behaved in a manner that could be grounds for a fault divorce, the court may refuse spousal support.
Can my wife take my retirement in a divorce?
Under the law in most states, retirement plan assets earned during a marriage are considered to be marital property that can and should be divided. It’s therefore advisable for couples to make these assets part of their property settlement agreement negotiations and their divorce decree.
Does cheating affect alimony in PA?
Factors Adultery May Affect in Your Divorce Case In Pennsylvania, marital misconduct, which includes adultery, is a relevant factor in deciding whether a spouse should receive financial support. If an alimony claim is raised, even in a no-fault divorce, adultery would be taken into consideration.
Does Pennsylvania require separation before divorce?
According to the law, there is no required waiting period in Pennsylvania before you can file for a divorce. However, it is vital to establish a date of separation. A legal separation is determined by the date you and your spouse begin living separate and apart.
How long does it take to get a divorce if both parties agree in PA?
How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Pennsylvania? If you file for a no-fault divorce, and both spouses consent to the divorce and submit affidavits (written declarations) showing their consent, it will take 90 days before the divorce can be granted. Alternatively, a couple can seek a fault-based divorce.
What age can a child decide which parent to live with in PA?
Pennsylvania law doesn’t give children of any age the absolute right to choose which parent gets custody of them. Instead, it merely states that “the well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the child’s maturity and judgment” should be given consideration.
What are the 5 stages of divorce?
There are two processes in divorce. The emotional process can be broken down into 5 stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.
What should you not forget in a divorce agreement?
- Financial Estate Planning. You and your spouse may have spent years building up your estate.
- Taxes. It is easy to overlook taxes in a divorce agreement.
- Power of Attorney.
- Retirement Accounts.
- Debts & Liabilities.
Should I fight for the house in a divorce?
Like any other marital property, courts consider the house an asset. If you fight to keep the home, you won’t receive other assets that may help you more financially after the divorce. It’s important to put your emotions aside, as well as to consider other costs associated with the house, such as taxes and maintenance.
What is abandonment in a marriage in PA?
What is Spousal/Marital Abandonment? In the state of Pennsylvania spousal abandonment is recognized when: abandonment is deliberate and final, continued for an uninterrupted time of twelve months and the relationship has moved beyond any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.