The primary jurisdiction for handling property division in the United States is determined by the state in which the couple resides. Each state has its own laws and guidelines for dividing marital property during a divorce. This is because the U.S. legal system operates under a principle of "marital property" as opposed to "community property," where only assets acquired during the marriage are considered marital property. For instance, California follows the community property system, where all assets acquired during the marriage are split equally, while New York follows equitable distribution, where the court decides what is fair based on various factors.

The reason for this diversity in legal jurisdictions is rooted in the U.S. Constitution's Tenth Amendment, which grants states the power to regulate their own legal matters, including family law. According to the American Bar Association, there are approximately 50 different systems of property division across the United States. This variation can significantly impact the outcome of a divorce, as it affects how assets are valued, divided, and distributed.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that the number of marriages ending in divorce has been relatively stable over the past few decades, with an estimated 40-50% of marriages ending in divorce. This high rate of divorce underscores the importance of understanding the property division laws in one's state. For example, a study by the National Center for Health Statistics found that in 2019, the median age at first marriage for men was 29.2 years and 27.4 years for women, suggesting that many individuals are entering marriage with significant assets, which can complicate property division.

In conclusion, the jurisdiction for handling property division in the United States is determined by the state in which the couple resides, reflecting the federalist nature of the U.S. legal system. This diversity in legal jurisdictions can have a significant impact on the outcome of a divorce, making it crucial for individuals to understand the specific laws and guidelines of their state.