The Commonwealth is an equitable distribution state, meaning the courts will attempt to distribute marital assets in a fair and equitable way, but this does not necessarily mean that the split will be 50-50. This is sometimes done to gain more favorable terms during a settlement. A couple can simply cite that a marriage is irretrievably broken, or a spouse can also cite one of several at-fault reasons as well, such as cruelty, adultery, or a spouse’s incarceration, among others. Pennsylvania is both a no-fault and a fault-based state. Although some states allow legal separation, Pennsylvania does not recognize this as an option for couples who do not want to be married any longer.
Beginner’s Guide to Divorce Laws in PennsylvaniaĪ marriage can end either by annulment or by divorce in Pennsylvania.