(a) If, within ninety days of service of the complaint, a second action is brought in another county and one of the two counties is the county in which the last family domicile was located and in which one of the parties continues to reside, the court of the county of the last family domicile shall determine, based upon the purposes of the Divorce Code, which of the two actions shall be stayed and which shall proceed. If neither action was brought in the county of the last family domicile and in which one of the parties continues to reside, the court in which the first action was brought shall make the determination.
Rule 1920.6.Multiple Actions. Priority. Stay.
Adopted February 7, 1989 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1920.6 resolves competing divorce actions filed in different counties by setting priority and providing for a stay.
Full Text of Rule 1920.6
(b) If a second action is brought in another county more than ninety days after service of the complaint in the first action, the second action shall be stayed until the conclusion of the first action.
Plain-English Summary
Spouses sometimes file divorce in different counties. This rule sorts out the overlap: when a second action is brought in another county within ninety days of service of the first, it gives priority to the appropriate county and provides for staying the other action, so a single court handles the divorce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if both spouses file for divorce in different counties?
The rule sets priority between the counties and provides for staying one action so a single court proceeds.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1920.6 adopted February 7, 1989, effective July 1, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 764.
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. This rule has not been amended since its adoption. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: competing divorce actionsdivorce priority staytwo divorce cases