Bifurcation is where the court enters a divorce decree prior to the final determination and disposition of property and alimony issues.  Absent consent of both parties, a court may enter a bifurcated divorce decree only after "grounds have been established", i.e. the parties have filed affidavits of consent, a fault ground has been approved by the court, a two-year separation has been unopposed or, if opposed, approved by the court, AND the moving party demonstrates that compelling circumstances for bifurcation exist and sufficient economic protections for the opposing party have been provided.  As you can expect, bifurcation is possible only under very limited circumstances. 

For further questions regarding Divorce, Bifurcation or other Family Law matters, please contact our office at 412-823-8003 or send an email to Karen Myers