Pennsylvania offers individuals seeking to dissolve a marriage two primary pathways: a no-fault divorce and a divorce based on fault grounds. The presence of fault grounds allows a party to seek a divorce decree based on specific actions of the other spouse, such as adultery, desertion, or cruel treatment. This contrasts with a no-fault divorce, where the marriage is considered irretrievably broken and neither party is assigned blame. The option to pursue a divorce based on specific wrongdoings exists within the legal framework of the Commonwealth.
The significance of fault grounds lies primarily in their potential impact on alimony and equitable distribution of marital property. While fault is not always a determining factor, it can be considered by the court when deciding these matters. Historically, fault grounds were the primary means of obtaining a divorce. The introduction of no-fault divorce grounds has provided a more streamlined process in many cases, but fault-based divorces remain relevant when specific misconduct has occurred.