For many residents in Delaware County, the recent news regarding a projected 19% property tax hike for 2026 has come as a significant shock. While every homeowner in our community is currently evaluating their household budgets, this financial shift carries much heavier implications for those currently navigating a divorce. At Louis Wm. Martini Jr. P.C., we understand that a divorce settlement is more than just a legal end to a marriage; it is a financial blueprint for your future. When the underlying costs of owning property in Media, PA, and the surrounding areas shift so drastically, the strategies we use to protect our clients must shift accordingly.
In Pennsylvania, divorce involves the equitable distribution of marital assets. For most couples, the marital residence is the largest asset on the balance sheet. However, the value of that asset is not just what it could sell for on the open market. Its value is also tied to the cost of maintaining it. With a massive tax increase on the horizon, a home that seemed affordable in 2024 might become a financial burden by 2026. This article explores how we are helping our clients navigate these new Delaware County tax realities to ensure their settlements remain sustainable and fair.
The New Financial Landscape in Delaware County
The Delaware County Council has highlighted the necessity of this tax increase to address budget shortfalls and the rising costs of county services. While the macro-economic reasons are clear, the micro-economic impact on a single-income household post-divorce is intense. For a family living in a home valued at $400,000, a 19% increase in the county portion of their tax bill can result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in additional annual expenses.
When we sit down with our clients in Media, PA, to discuss property division, we look at the carrying costs of the home. These costs include the mortgage, homeowners’ insurance, and property taxes. Because these taxes are often escrowed into a monthly mortgage payment, many homeowners do not realize the impact until their monthly bill jumps significantly. If you are planning to keep the family home as part of your settlement, you must account for these 2026 projections today. Failing to do so could mean that the home you fought to keep becomes the very thing that jeopardizes your financial independence.
Equitable Distribution and the Marital Home Dilemma
Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state, which means the court divides property based on what is fair, not necessarily what is a perfect fifty-fifty split. In many Delaware County divorce cases, one spouse may be willing to trade other assets, such as retirement accounts or cash savings, in exchange for staying in the marital home. This is often done to provide stability for children or to remain close to local schools and community roots.
That being said, we must ask if the equity you are receiving is worth the expense you are inheriting. If the property tax hike reduces your monthly cash flow, the true value of that asset decreases. We work closely with our clients to perform a rigorous analysis of their post-divorce budget. If the 2026 tax hike makes the home unsustainable on one income, it may be more equitable to sell the property and divide the proceeds. Our goal is to ensure that our clients do not just win the house in court, but that they can actually afford to live in it for years to come.
How Rising Taxes Affect Alimony and Spousal Support
The impact of the 19% tax hike extends far beyond the physical house. It also plays a crucial role in how we calculate alimony and spousal support. In Pennsylvania, spousal support and alimony pendente lite (APL) are often determined by formulas that look at the parties' monthly incomes. Nevertheless, final alimony is based on a variety of factors, including the reasonable needs of the person seeking support and the ability of the other spouse to pay.
A 19% increase in property taxes affects both sides of this equation. For the spouse who is paying support, a higher tax bill on their own residence reduces their ability to pay. For the spouse receiving support, if they are staying in the marital home, their reasonable needs have just increased. When we represent clients in support negotiations at the Media courthouse, we advocate for calculations that reflect these impending tax realities. We do not want our clients tied to a support order that was based on 2024 expenses when the 2026 landscape looks much different.
Child Support and the Standard of Living
Child support in Delaware County is governed by the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines, which are primarily based on the combined net income of the parents. While the basic support amount is determined by a schedule, the court can deviate from that amount based on certain factors. One of those factors is the unusually high fixed obligations of a parent.
If a custodial parent is struggling to keep the children in their current school district because the property tax hike has made the mortgage unaffordable, we may explore how that impacts the overall support picture. Furthermore, if taxes rise, the net income available to both parents may decrease. We help our clients understand how these shifts in Delaware County’s fiscal policy might trigger a need for a modification of existing support orders. We believe that child support should always reflect the current economic reality to ensure the children’s needs are met without bankrupting either parent.
Re-evaluating Settlement Agreements in Progress
If you are currently in the middle of a divorce or are just beginning the process, you have a unique opportunity to plan for the tax hike before it takes effect. Many settlement agreements, known as Property Settlement Agreements (PSAs), are written with the assumption that the status quo will continue. But, a 19% tax jump is a significant departure from the status quo.
We are currently advising our clients to include specific language in their agreements that accounts for these projected increases. This might include:
- Revised Buyout Calculations: If one spouse is buying out the other’s interest in the home, the valuation should consider the increased tax burden which may affect the home’s future marketability.
- Refinancing Requirements: Most settlements require the spouse keeping the house to refinance the mortgage to remove the other spouse’s name. With higher taxes, qualifying for a new loan may become more difficult. We help our clients navigate these banking hurdles.
- Sale Triggers: Some agreements may include a trigger to sell the home if carrying costs exceed a certain percentage of the occupant’s income.
By being proactive, we help our clients avoid the need for costly litigation in the future. It is much easier to negotiate a fair deal today than it is to try to reopen a settled case in 2026 when the tax bills arrive.
Why Local Legal Counsel in Media, PA Matters
Navigating a divorce in Delaware County requires more than just a general knowledge of Pennsylvania law. It requires an understanding of the local community and the specific dynamics of the Media, PA legal system. At Louis Wm. Martini Jr. P.C., we have spent decades practicing in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. We know the local masters, the local judges, and the local tax landscape.
This local perspective is vital when discussing something as specific as the county tax hike. We are not just looking at a spreadsheet; we are looking at how these changes affect neighborhoods from Upper Darby to Concord Township. We understand how local school district taxes combine with county taxes to create the total tax burden. When you work with us, you are gaining an advocate who is deeply invested in the Delaware County community and who understands exactly how local government decisions impact your private legal matters.
Protecting Your Future in Uncertain Times
Divorce is already an emotionally and financially draining process. The added uncertainty of a major tax increase can feel overwhelming. That said, knowledge is power. By understanding the 19% Delco tax hike now, you can make informed decisions about your property, your support, and your future.
We believe that our clients deserve a legal strategy that is both compassionate and pragmatically grounded in financial reality. We do not provide cookie-cutter solutions because every family in Southeast Pennsylvania is unique. Whether you are concerned about a high-net-worth estate or are simply trying to ensure you can keep a roof over your children’s heads, we are here to provide the steady hand and legal expertise you need.
As we move toward 2026, the financial choices you make during your divorce will resonate for years. Do not let a sudden shift in county policy derail your path to a new beginning. We are prepared to help you analyze your assets, renegotiate your support, and finalize a settlement that stands the test of time and taxes.
Contact Louis Wm. Martini Jr. P.C. Today for a Consultation About Your Case
If you are facing a divorce or a support dispute in Delaware County, the time to plan for the future is now. The 19% property tax hike is a reality that cannot be ignored in your legal proceedings. At Louis Wm. Martini Jr. P.C., we are dedicated to helping our neighbors in Media, PA, and throughout the region navigate these complex family law issues with confidence and clarity.
We invite you to reach out to us to discuss the specifics of your situation. Our firm offers the personalized attention and seasoned courtroom experience necessary to protect your interests during property division, alimony negotiations, and child support disputes. Let us help you take back control of your future and ensure that your divorce settlement is built on a solid financial foundation. Call our office today or visit our website to schedule your consultation. We look forward to advocating for you and your family.
Disclaimer: The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.