Equitable Distribution in Pennsylvania Divorce

Marital property generally includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name appears on title. This may include:

• Homes and real estate
• Retirement accounts and pensions
• Bank accounts and investments
• Businesses and professional practices
• Vehicles and personal property
• Credit cards and other marital debt

Certain assets, such as inheritances or property owned before marriage, may be excluded or partially excluded depending on how they were treated during the marriage.

Although equitable distribution and alimony are often discussed together, they serve different purposes in a Pennsylvania divorce.

• Equitable distribution addresses how marital property and debts are divided between spouses.
• Alimony addresses ongoing financial support paid by one spouse to the other after separation or divorce.

Courts consider different legal factors for each, and one does not automatically determine the other. However, the outcome of equitable distribution can affect whether alimony is awarded and in what amount, making it important to evaluate both issues together.

Equitable distribution matters can be resolved in several ways:

• Negotiation between parties and counsel
• Mediation or arbitration as alternatives to court
• Litigation, when agreement cannot be reached

Many cases resolve outside of court, but contested asset division may require judicial involvement—particularly when assets are complex, disputed, or closely tied to income and support issues.