This bill amends Section 3702(a) of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, which pertains to alimony pendente lite, counsel fees, and expenses. The amendment changes the language to clarify that the court may allow a spouse reasonable alimony pendente lite or spousal support if it determines that the income and resources of the petitioning spouse are insufficient to meet their basic needs, including the costs associated with the divorce action. Additionally, the court is granted the authority to award exclusive use of the family home or any other available dwelling to either party during the pendente lite period and to ensure that adequate health and hospitalization insurance coverage is maintained for the dependent spouse.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that any determination regarding alimony pendente lite or spousal support cannot be based solely on a court rule that provides presumptive guidelines for support calculation or on the parties' standard of living during the marriage. This amendment aims to provide clearer criteria for the courts when addressing alimony and support issues, ensuring that decisions are made based on the specific financial circumstances of the parties involved. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 514 (Feb 05, 2025): 23-3702(a)
Printer's No. 0514: 23-3702(a)