(a) The averments in the complaint as to the divorce or annulment, ancillary claims that may be joined under the Divorce Code, and petitions for special relief under these rules shall be deemed denied unless admitted by an answer. Notwith- standing the foregoing, the court may require a response to a petition for special relief.
Rule 1920.14.Answer. Denial. Affidavit under Section 3301(d) of the Divorce Code.
Adopted June 27, 1980 · Last amended June 3, 2019 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1920.14 governs the answer in a divorce action, how averments are denied, and the affidavit used to establish a no-fault divorce under Section 3301(d) of the Divorce Code.
Full Text of Rule 1920.14
(b) The averments of the Affidavit under Section 3301(d) of the Divorce Code and the Affidavit to Establish Presumption of Consent under Section 3301(c)(2) of the Divorce Code shall be deemed admitted unless denied by counter-affidavit.
Plain-English Summary
This rule shapes the defendant's response and a key no-fault step. It governs the divorce answer and how the complaint's averments are admitted or denied, and addresses the affidavit under Section 3301(d) of the Divorce Code — the provision allowing divorce after the spouses have lived apart for the required period and the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Section 3301(d) affidavit?
The affidavit used to establish a no-fault divorce based on irretrievable breakdown after the required separation period.
Official Note
Official Note: See Pa.R.C.P. No. 1920.72(e)(2) and (3) for the counter-affidavits.
Explanatory Comment. Subdivision (a) has been amended to clarify that the averments in a petition for special relief in a divorce or annulment action are deemed to be denied unless admitted by an answer. Subdivision (b) has been amended to include divorces under Section 3301(c)(2) of the Divorce Code. The process for obtaining a divorce under Sections 3301(c)(2) and (d) are similar. Subdivision (b) requires that the averments in the affidavit be denied by counter-affidavit and, as such, if the non- moving party fails to file a counter-affidavit denying the averments in the Affidavit to Establish Pre- sumption of Consent or the Affidavit under Section 3301(d) of the Divorce Code, the affidavit’s aver- ments are deemed admitted.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1920.14 adopted June 27, 1980, effective July 1, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 2967; amended January 28, 1983, effective July 1, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 677; amended November 7, 1988, effec- tive January 1, 1989, 18 Pa.B. 5324; amended March 30, 1994, effective July 1, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 1943; amended April 11, 2007, effective immediately, 37 Pa.B. 1959; amended June 3, 2019, effective October 1, 2019, 49 Pa.B. 3059. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (394387) to (394388).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: divorce answer3301(d) affidavitno-fault divorce affidavit