Equitable Distribution is the legal process of fairly dividing marital property and debts between spouses during a divorce. Unlike equal distribution, which splits everything 50/50, equitable distribution considers various factors such as each spouse’s income, contributions to the marriage, length of the marriage, and future financial needs.

The goal is to achieve a fair outcome, though not necessarily an equal one. This process typically applies in states that follow the equitable distribution model rather than community property laws.