The answer to your question may depend upon the court. However if you and your wife cannot sit down in the hopes of deciding who pays what bills, and who get either or both homes, then according to your state divorce law, the court will award the property based on certain criteria. However, you can also request that the court look at relevant matters, such as your money from the joint account was used to provide the income for the purchase of the second property. If granted share in the property, you could be liable for 1/2 of the expenses associated with the home. The state divorce law for the distribution of property for Pennsylvania is as follows: `
State Laws Regarding Property Distribution in PA: Since Pennsylvania is an "equitable distribution" state, the marital property shall be divided in an equitable fashion. Equitable does not mean equal, but rather what is fair. The court will encourage the parties to reach a settlement on property and debt issues otherwise the court will declare the property award. In an action for divorce or annulment, the court shall, upon request of either party, equitably divide, distribute or assign, in kind or otherwise, the marital property between the parties without regard to marital misconduct in such proportions and in such manner as the court deems just after considering all relevant factors, including: 1.The length of the marriage. 2.Any prior marriage of either party 3.The age, health, station, amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities and needs of each of the parties. 4.The contribution by one party to the education, training or increased earning power of the other party. 5.The opportunity of each party for future acquisitions of capital assets and income. 6.The sources of income of both parties, including, but not limited to, medical, retirement, insurance or other benefits. 7.The contribution or dissipation of each party in the acquisition, preservation, depreciation or appreciation of the marital property, including the contribution of a party as homemaker. 8.The value of the property set apart to each party. 9.The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage. 10.The economic circumstances of each party, including Federal, State and local tax ramifications, at the time the division of property is to become effective. 11.Whether the party will be serving as the custodian of any dependent minor children.
Family home -The court may award, during the pendency of the action or otherwise, to one or both of the parties the right to reside in the marital residence.
I really hope this information has helped to provide you with some clarity into the matter. Additionally, I suggest that you seek the services of a free-consult divorce lawyer beforehand, to see how you would fair upon the action of a pending divorce.
My regards.
Pennsylvania Divorce Laws:
http://www.divorcesource.com/info/divorcelaws/pennsylvania.shtml