State Guides

Divorce finances work differently in every state.

Find your state below for a plain English overview of how property, support, and retirement accounts are generally handled where you live.

Community Property States

Assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally treated as equally owned. Equal division is the common starting point, though outcomes vary.

Equitable Distribution States

A judge weighs multiple factors to determine a fair — not necessarily equal — division of marital assets. The split is rarely automatic.

State guides — 10 states, more coming
California
Community Property
Marital assets are generally subject to equal division. California also has the 10-year marriage rule for spousal support and major 2026 tax changes under SB 711.
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Texas
Community Property
Community property state with a "just and right" division standard. Equal split is common but courts have discretion to deviate based on fault and other factors.
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Florida
Equitable Distribution
Equal distribution is the starting presumption, not a guarantee. Permanent alimony was eliminated in July 2023 — a significant change for long marriages.
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New York
Equitable Distribution
Judges weigh 14 statutory factors. A statutory maintenance formula applies, with income caps updated in March 2026. No automatic formula for property division.
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Illinois
Equitable Distribution
Spousal maintenance is calculated using a statutory formula — more predictable than most states. Property division weighs 12 factors without a fixed 50/50 rule.
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Pennsylvania
Equitable Distribution
Unique three-stage spousal support system. Judges weigh 13 factors for property; marital misconduct not considered. Child support updated January 2026.
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Ohio
Equitable Distribution
Starts with a presumption of equal division — then 9 factors for deviation. Remarriage does not automatically end spousal support. Public pensions need a DPO, not a QDRO.
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Georgia
Equitable Distribution
Either spouse may request a jury trial on property division. Adultery is an absolute bar to alimony. Child support updated January 2026 with parenting time adjustment.
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North Carolina
Equitable Distribution
Requires one-year physical separation before divorce. Illicit sexual behavior has mandatory effects on alimony. Three custody-specific child support worksheets.
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Michigan
Equitable Distribution
The Sparks v. Sparks case-law factors govern both property and support. Fault is considered. Mandatory 60- or 180-day waiting period. Friend of the Court enforces child support.
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Arizona
Community Property
Substantially equal division required (Hatch v. Hatch). Spousal maintenance requires qualifying under one of five eligibility factors before amount is calculated. 2022 guidelines cap duration at 96 months — unless the Rule of 65 applies.
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Washington
Community Property
Community property state — but courts can divide separate property too. Strictly no-fault. Child support table expanded in 2026 to cover $50,000 combined net income. Spousal maintenance has no formula but practitioners use a 1/3 minus 1/4 benchmark.
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Virginia
Equitable Distribution
Adultery can bar spousal support entirely — one of the strictest fault rules in the country. Temporary support has a statutory formula. Child support uses gross income, updated 2025 cap ($42,500).
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New Jersey
Equitable Distribution
Sixteen statutory factors govern property division. Alimony overhauled in 2014 — four types, no formula, hard 20-year threshold for open durational awards. Child support uses net income, not gross.
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Educational purposes only. These state guides provide general background information about how divorce finances are commonly handled in each state. They are not legal advice. Divorce law varies significantly based on individual circumstances, judicial discretion, and local court rules. Nothing on these pages describes what will happen in your specific case. Always consult a licensed family law attorney in your state.
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