PRINTER'S NO. 289
No. 268 Session of 1987
INTRODUCED BY McVERRY, HAGARTY, SWEET, REBER, ITKIN, CHADWICK, D. W. SNYDER, PISTELLA, DORR, SAURMAN, KUKOVICH, BLAUM, COWELL, HECKLER, CORNELL, HALUSKA, TIGUE, BURD, FREEMAN, BOOK, VEON, McCALL, J. TAYLOR, NAHILL, PERZEL, FOX, MERRY, E. Z. TAYLOR, RAYMOND AND LANGTRY, FEBRUARY 10, 1987
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 10, 1987
AN ACT 1 Amending the act of April 2, 1980 (P.L.63, No.26), entitled "An 2 act consolidating, revising and amending the divorce and 3 annulment laws of the Commonwealth and making certain 4 repeals," further providing for grounds for divorce, 5 procedure, jurisdiction, marital property, relief and 6 alimony; providing for agreements between parties; making 7 editorial changes; and making a repeal. 8 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 9 hereby enacts as follows: 10 Section 1. Sections 104, 201, 301 and 401 of the act of 11 April 2, 1980 (P.L.63, No.26), known as the Divorce Code, are 12 amended to read: 13 Section 104. Definitions. 14 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 15 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 16 context clearly indicates otherwise: 17 "Act." The Divorce Code. 18 "Alimony." An order for support granted by this or any other 19 state to a spouse or former spouse in conjunction with a decree
1 granting a divorce or annulment. 2 "Alimony pendente lite." An order [for temporary support 3 granted to a spouse during the pendency of] of financial 4 assistance to enable the dependent spouse to maintain or defend 5 a divorce or annulment proceeding. 6 "Court." The court of common pleas. 7 "Divorce." Divorce from the bonds of matrimony. 8 "Grounds for divorce." The grounds enumerated in section 9 201. 10 "Irretrievable breakdown." Estrangement due to marital 11 difficulties with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. 12 "Law." Includes both statutory and common law. 13 "Qualified professionals." Includes marriage counselors, 14 psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, ministers, 15 priests, or rabbis, or other persons who, by virtue of their 16 training and experience, are able to provide counseling. 17 "Separate and apart." Complete cessation of any and all 18 cohabitation. 19 Section 201. Grounds for divorce. 20 (a) It shall be lawful for the court to grant a divorce to 21 the innocent and injured spouse whenever it shall be judged that 22 the other spouse shall have: 23 (1) Committed willful and malicious desertion, and 24 absence from the habitation of the injured and innocent 25 spouse, without a reasonable cause, for the period of one or 26 more years. 27 (2) Committed adultery. 28 (3) By cruel and barbarous treatment, endangered the 29 life or health of the injured and innocent spouse. 30 (4) Knowingly entered into a bigamous marriage while a 19870H0268B0289 - 2 -
1 former marriage still is subsisting. 2 (5) Been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of two or 3 more years upon conviction of having committed a crime. 4 (6) Offered such indignities to the innocent and injured 5 spouse as to render his or her condition intolerable and life 6 burdensome. 7 (b) It shall be lawful for the court to grant a divorce upon 8 the ground that insanity or serious mental disorder has resulted 9 in confinement in a mental institution for at least [three 10 years] 18 months immediately before the filing of the complaint, 11 and where there is no reasonable prospect of the defendant 12 spouse's being discharged from inpatient care during the next 13 [three years] 18 months subsequent to the filing of the 14 complaint. A presumption that no such prospect of discharge 15 exists shall be established by a certificate of the 16 superintendent of such institution to that effect and which 17 includes a supporting statement of a treating physician. 18 (c) It shall be lawful for the court to grant a divorce 19 where a complaint has been filed alleging that the marriage is 20 irretrievably broken and 90 days have elapsed from the date of 21 filing of the complaint and an affidavit has been filed by each 22 of the parties evidencing that each of the parties consents to 23 the divorce. 24 (d) (1) It shall be lawful for the court to grant a divorce 25 where a party has filed a complaint and an affidavit alleging 26 that the parties have lived separate and apart for a period 27 of at least [three years] one year, and that the marriage is 28 irretrievably broken, and: 29 (i) the respondent does not deny the allegations set 30 forth in the affidavit; or 19870H0268B0289 - 3 -
1 (ii) the respondent denies one or more of the 2 allegations set forth in the affidavit, but after notice 3 and hearing, the court determines that the parties have 4 lived separate and apart for a period of at least [three 5 years] one year and that the marriage is irretrievably 6 broken. 7 (2) If a hearing has been held pursuant to paragraph 8 (1)(ii), and the court determines that there is a reasonable 9 prospect of reconciliation, then the court shall continue the 10 matter for a period not less than 90 days nor more than 120 11 days, unless the parties agree to a period in excess of 120 12 days. During such period, the court shall require counseling 13 as provided in section 202. If the parties have not 14 reconciled at the expiration of the time period and one party 15 states under oath that the marriage is irretrievably broken, 16 the court shall determine whether the marriage is 17 irretrievably broken. If the court determines that the 18 marriage is irretrievably broken, the court shall grant the 19 divorce. Otherwise, the court shall deny the divorce. 20 (e) If grounds for divorce are established under subsection 21 (a), (b) or (d), the court may grant a divorce without requiring 22 a hearing on a counterclaim. 23 Section 301. Jurisdiction. 24 (a) The courts of this Commonwealth as defined in section 25 104 shall have original jurisdiction in cases of divorce and for 26 the annulment of void or voidable marriages and, where they have 27 jurisdiction, shall determine in conjunction with any decree 28 granting a divorce or annulment the following matters, where 29 raised in the complaint or the answer and issue appropriate 30 decrees or orders with reference thereto and may retain 19870H0268B0289 - 4 -
1 continuing jurisdiction thereof: 2 (1) The determination and disposition of property rights 3 and interests between spouses, including any rights created 4 by any antenuptial, postnuptial, or separation agreement and 5 including the partition of property held as tenants by the 6 entireties or otherwise and any accounting between them, and 7 the order of any spousal support, alimony, alimony pendente 8 lite, counsel fees, or costs authorized by law. 9 (2) The future care, custody and visitation rights as to 10 children of such marriage or purported marriage. 11 (3) Any support or assistance which shall be paid for 12 the benefit of any children of such marriage or purported 13 marriage. 14 (4) Any property settlement, involving any of the 15 matters set forth in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) as submitted 16 by the parties. 17 (5) Any other matters pertaining to such marriage and 18 divorce or annulment authorized by law and which fairly and 19 expeditiously may be determined and disposed of in such 20 action. 21 (b) The said courts having power to grant divorces shall 22 have authority to do so notwithstanding the fact that the 23 marriage of the parties and the cause for divorce occurred 24 outside of this Commonwealth and that both parties were at the 25 time of such occurrence, domiciled [without] outside this 26 Commonwealth. Said courts shall also have power to annul void or 27 voidable marriages notwithstanding the fact such were celebrated 28 [without] outside this Commonwealth at a time when neither party 29 was domiciled within this Commonwealth. 30 (c) After the dissolution or annulment of a marriage in a 19870H0268B0289 - 5 -
1 foreign forum where a matter under subsection (a) has not been 2 decided, a court of this Commonwealth shall have jurisdiction to 3 determine a matter under subsection (a) to the fullest extent 4 allowed under the Constitution of the United States. 5 Section 401. Decree of court. 6 (a) In all matrimonial causes, the court having jurisdiction 7 may either dismiss the complaint or enter a decree of divorce or 8 annulment of the marriage. 9 (b) Any decree granting a divorce or an annulment, shall 10 include after a full hearing, where these matters are raised in 11 the complaint, the answer or other petition, an order or orders 12 determining and disposing of existing property rights and 13 interests between the parties, custody and visitation rights, 14 child support, alimony and any other related matters including 15 the enforcement of separation agreements voluntarily entered 16 into between the parties. In the enforcement of the rights of 17 any party to any such matters, the court shall have all 18 necessary powers, including but not limited to, the power of 19 contempt and the power to attach wages. In the event that the 20 court is unable for any reason to determine and dispose of the 21 matters provided for in this subsection within 30 days after the 22 master's report has been filed, it may enter a decree of divorce 23 or annulment. [The] Upon the request of either party and after a 24 hearing, the court may order [alimony,] reasonable counsel fees 25 and expenses and may make a temporary order necessary to protect 26 the interests of the parties pending final disposition of the 27 matters [provided for] in this subsection [and upon]. Upon final 28 disposition, the court may award costs to the party in whose 29 favor the order or decree shall be entered, or may order that 30 each party shall pay his or her own costs, or may order that the 19870H0268B0289 - 6 -
1 costs be divided equitably as it shall appear just and 2 reasonable. 3 (c) In all matrimonial causes, the court shall have full 4 equity power and jurisdiction and may issue injunctions or other 5 orders which are necessary to protect the interests of the 6 parties or to effectuate the purposes of this act, and may grant 7 such other relief or remedy as equity and justice require 8 against either party or against any third person over whom the 9 court has jurisdiction and who is involved in or concerned with 10 the disposition of the cause. 11 (d) In a proceeding for divorce or annulment, the court 12 shall, upon request of either party, equitably divide, 13 distribute or assign the marital property between the parties 14 without regard to marital misconduct in such proportions as the 15 court deems just after considering all relevant factors 16 including: 17 (1) The length of the marriage. 18 (2) Any prior marriage of either party. 19 (3) The age, health, station, amount and sources of 20 income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities 21 and needs of each of the parties. 22 (4) The contribution by one party to the education, 23 training, or increased earning power of the other party. 24 (5) The opportunity of each party for future 25 acquisitions of capital assets and income. 26 (6) The sources of income of both parties, including but 27 not limited to medical, retirement, insurance or other 28 benefits. 29 (7) The contribution or dissipation of each party in the 30 acquisition, preservation, depreciation or appreciation of 19870H0268B0289 - 7 -
1 the marital property, including the contribution of a party 2 as homemaker. 3 (8) The value of the property set apart to each party. 4 (9) The standard of living of the parties established 5 during the marriage. 6 (10) The economic circumstances of each party, including 7 tax ramifications, at the time the division of property is to 8 become effective. 9 (e) For purposes of this chapter only, "marital property" 10 means all property acquired by either party during the marriage 11 up to the date of final separation except: 12 (1) Property acquired [in exchange for property 13 acquired] prior to the marriage except for the increase in 14 value during the marriage up to the date of final separation. 15 (2) Property excluded by valid agreement of the parties 16 entered into before, during or after the marriage. 17 (3) Property acquired by gift, between spouses or 18 otherwise; bequest[,]; devise; or descent except for the 19 increase in value during the marriage. 20 (4) Property acquired, with nonmarital assets, after 21 separation until the date of divorce, provided however, if 22 the parties separate and reconcile, all property acquired 23 subsequent to the final separation until their divorce. 24 (5) Property which a party has sold, granted, conveyed 25 or otherwise disposed of in good faith and for value prior to 26 the time proceedings for the divorce are commenced. 27 (6) Veterans' benefits exempt from attachment, levy or 28 seizure pursuant to the act of September 2, 1958, Public Law 29 85-857, 72 Statute 1229, as amended, except for those 30 benefits received by a veteran where such veteran has waived 19870H0268B0289 - 8 -
1 a portion of his military retirement pay in order to receive 2 Veteran's Compensation. 3 (7) Property to the extent to which such property has 4 been mortgaged or otherwise encumbered in good faith for 5 value, prior to the time proceedings for the divorce are 6 commenced. 7 (f) All property, whether real or personal, acquired by 8 either party during the marriage is presumed to be marital 9 property regardless of whether title is held individually or by 10 the parties in some form of co-ownership such as joint tenancy, 11 tenancy in common or tenancy by the entirety. The presumption of 12 marital property is overcome by a showing that the property was 13 acquired by a method listed in subsection (e). 14 (g) The court may impose a lien or charge upon the marital 15 property assigned to a party as security for the payment of 16 alimony or other award for the other party. 17 (h) The court may award to one, each, or both of the parties 18 the right to live in the family home for reasonable periods of 19 time. 20 (i) The court may [also] direct the continued maintenance 21 and beneficiary designations of existing policies insuring the 22 life of either party[. The court's power under this subsection 23 shall extend only to policies] which were originally purchased 24 during the marriage and owned by or within the effective control 25 of either party. Where it is absolutely essential to protect the 26 interests of a party, the court may also direct the purchase of, 27 and beneficiary designations on, a policy insuring the life of 28 either party. 29 (j) Whenever a decree or judgment is granted which nullifies 30 or absolutely terminates the bonds of matrimony, any and all 19870H0268B0289 - 9 -
1 property rights which are dependent upon such marital relation, 2 save those which are vested rights, are terminated unless the 3 court otherwise expressly provides in its decree in accordance 4 with subsection (b). All duties, rights, and claims accruing to 5 either of said parties at any time heretofore in pursuance of 6 the said marriage, shall cease and the parties shall, severally, 7 be at liberty to marry again in like manner as if they had never 8 been married, except where otherwise provided by law. 9 Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read: 10 Section 401.1. Effect of agreement between parties. 11 (a) A party to an agreement regarding matters within the 12 jurisdiction of the court under this act, whether or not 13 approved by the court, may utilize a remedy or sanction set 14 forth in this act to enforce the agreement to the same extent as 15 though the agreement had been an order of the court. 16 (b) A provision of an agreement regarding child support, 17 visitation or custody shall be subject to modification by the 18 court upon a showing of changed circumstances. 19 (c) In the absence of a contrary intent appearing in the 20 agreement, a provision regarding the disposition of existing 21 property rights and interests between the parties, alimony, 22 alimony pendente lite, counsel fees or expenses shall not be 23 subject to modification by the court. 24 Section 3. Sections 403 and 501(a), (b) and (c) of the act 25 are amended to read: 26 Section 403. Injunction against disposition of property pending 27 suit and decree rendering fraudulent 28 transfers null and void. 29 (a) Where it appears to the court that a party is about to 30 remove himself or herself or his or her property from the 19870H0268B0289 - 10 -
1 jurisdiction of the court or is about to dispose of, alienate, 2 or encumber property in order to defeat alimony pendente lite, 3 alimony, child and spousal support, or similar award, an 4 injunction may issue to prevent such removal or disposition and 5 such property may be attached as provided by the Rules of Civil 6 Procedure. The court may also issue a writ of ne exeat to 7 preclude such removal. 8 (b) Both parties shall submit to the court an inventory and 9 appraisement [of all property owned or possessed at the time 10 action was commenced.], which shall contain all of the 11 following: 12 (1) A list of the property owned or possessed by either 13 or both of them as of the: 14 (i) date of separation; 15 (ii) date the action was commenced; and 16 (iii) date of trial on equitable distribution. 17 (2) A list of the value of the property owned or 18 possessed by either or both of them as of the: 19 (i) date of acquisition; 20 (ii) date of separation; 21 (iii) date the action was commended; and 22 (iv) date of trial on equitable distribution. 23 (3) A list of the liabilities of either or both of them 24 as of the date of trial on equitable distribution, whether or 25 not the liabilities are related to the property set forth in 26 the inventory and appraisement. 27 (c) If any party deliberately or negligently fails to 28 disclose information required by subsection (b) and in 29 consequence thereof any asset or assets with a fair market value 30 of $500 or more is omitted from the final distribution of 19870H0268B0289 - 11 -
1 property, the party aggrieved by such nondisclosure may at any
2 time petition the court granting the annulment or divorce to
3 declare the creation of a constructive trust as to all
4 undisclosed assets, for the benefit of the parties and their
5 minor or dependent children, if any, with the party in whose
6 name the assets are held declared the constructive trustee, said
7 trust to include such terms and conditions as the court may
8 determine. The court shall grant the petition upon a finding of
9 a failure to disclose such assets as required under subsection
10 (b).
11 (d) Any encumbrance or disposition of property to third
12 persons who had notice of the pendency of the matrimonial action
13 or who paid wholly inadequate consideration for such property
14 may be deemed fraudulent and declared null and void.
15 Section 501. Alimony.
16 (a) [The] Where a divorce decree has been entered, the court
17 may allow alimony, as it deems reasonable, to either party, only
18 if it finds that the party seeking alimony:
19 (1) lacks sufficient property, including but not limited
20 to any property distributed pursuant to Chapter 4, to provide
21 for his or her reasonable needs; and
22 (2) is unable to support himself or herself through
23 appropriate employment.
24 (b) In determining whether alimony is necessary, and in
25 determining the nature, amount, duration, and manner of payment
26 of alimony, the court shall consider all relevant factors
27 including:
28 (1) The relative earnings and earning capacities of the
29 parties.
30 (2) The ages, and the physical, mental and emotional
19870H0268B0289 - 12 -
1 conditions of the parties. 2 (3) The sources of income of both parties including but 3 not limited to medical, retirement, insurance or other 4 benefits. 5 (4) The expectancies and inheritances of the parties. 6 (5) The duration of the marriage. 7 (6) The contribution by one party to the education, 8 training or increased earning power of the other party. 9 (7) The extent to which it would be inappropriate for a 10 party, because said party will be custodian of a minor child, 11 to seek employment outside the home. 12 (8) The standard of living of the parties established 13 during the marriage. 14 (9) The relative education of the parties and the time 15 necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to 16 enable the party seeking alimony to find appropriate 17 employment. 18 (10) The relative assets and liabilities of the parties. 19 (11) The property brought to the marriage by either 20 party. 21 (12) The contribution of a spouse as homemaker. 22 (13) The relative needs of the parties. 23 (14) The marital misconduct of either of the parties 24 during the marriage; however, the marital misconduct of 25 either of the parties [during] from the date of final 26 separation [subsequent to the filing of a divorce complaint] 27 shall not be considered by the court in its determinations 28 relative to alimony. 29 (15) The tax ramifications of the alimony award. 30 (c) Unless the ability of the party seeking the alimony to 19870H0268B0289 - 13 -
1 provide for his or her reasonable needs through employment is 2 substantially diminished by reason of age, physical, mental or 3 emotional condition, custody of minor children, or other 4 compelling impediment to gainful employment, the court in 5 ordering alimony shall [limit] determine the duration of the 6 order [to a], which may be for a definite or an indefinite 7 period of time which is reasonable for the purpose of allowing 8 the party seeking alimony to meet his or her reasonable needs 9 by: 10 (1) obtaining appropriate employment; or 11 (2) developing an appropriate employable skill. 12 * * * 13 Section 4. Section 505 of the act is repealed. 14 Section 5. This act shall take effect in 60 days. A8L23VDL/19870H0268B0289 - 14 -