Bill Summary for S 518 (2013-2014)

Printer-friendly: Click to view

Summary date: 

Mar 28 2013

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2013-2014 Session
Senate Bill 518 (Public) Filed Thursday, March 28, 2013
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT AMENDING THE LAWS PERTAINING TO DIVORCE TO ESTABLISH A TWO-YEAR WAITING PERIOD TO FILE FOR AN ABSOLUTE DIVORCE; TO ALLOW A COUPLE TO LIVE TOGETHER DURING THE TWO-YEAR WAITING PERIOD; AND TO REQUIRE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PRIOR TO FILING FOR AN ABSOLUTE DIVORCE A COUPLE COMPLETE COURSES ON COMMUNICATION AND THE IMPACT OF DIVORCE ON CHILDREN.
Intro. by Allran.

View: All Summaries for BillTracking:

Bill summary

Amends GS 50-6 to amend the requirements for divorce to require the following. (1) Requires a two year waiting period with the spouse seeking divorce giving the other spouse notice of intent to file for divorce at the beginning of the two-year period. Does not require that the couple live separate and apart during the two-year period. (2) Requires that the husband and wife each, during the two-year period, complete courses on improving communication skills and conflict resolution. (3) Requires the husband and wife to each complete a course on the impact of divorce on children, if the couple has a child.

After satisfying the requirements, allows the couple to proceed with a divorce action by submitting evidence of completing those requirements and evidence that the plaintiff or defendant has resided in the state for six months before filing for divorce.

Makes conforming changes to GS 50-8.

Makes a conforming repeal of GS 50-10.2 (Resumption of marital relations defined).

Allows the Administrative Office of the Courts to adopt necessary rules.

Applies to actions for divorce filed on or after the date that the act becomes effective.