Because different states have different laws governing the various issues, whether it be issues of support and dates of emancipation, spousal support and whether one state is more liberal or less liberal, or issues of property distribution, whether it’s an automatic 50/50 division or whether, as in New York, it’s equitable distribution and you can argue for less than a 50/50 division. Plus, some states divide all assets acquired by either party and some states limit it to only assets acquired during the marriage, such as New York does.