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H.B. 316

             1     

DIVORCE WAITING PERIOD AMENDMENTS

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Val L. Peterson

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill restores the 90-day waiting period required for divorces.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    restores the 90-day waiting period before a hearing may be held in a divorce; and
             13          .    creates an exception if the court finds that extraordinary circumstances exist that
             14      allow the waiver of the 90-day period.
             15      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             16          None
             17      Other Special Clauses:
             18          None
             19      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             20      AMENDS:
             21          30-3-7, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1994, Chapter 167
             22          30-3-18, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 297
             23     
             24      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             25          Section 1. Section 30-3-7 is amended to read:
             26           30-3-7. When decree becomes absolute.
             27          (1) The decree of divorce becomes absolute:


             28          (a) on the date it is signed by the court and entered by the clerk in the register of
             29      actions [if both the parties who have a child or children have completed attendance at the
             30      mandatory course for divorcing parents as provided in Section 30-3-11.3 except if the court
             31      waives the requirement, on its own motion or on the motion of one of the parties, upon
             32      determination that course attendance and completion are not necessary, appropriate, feasible, or
             33      in the best interest of the parties];
             34          (b) at the expiration of a period of time the court may specifically designate, unless an
             35      appeal or other proceedings for review are pending; or
             36          (c) when the court, before the decree becomes absolute, for sufficient cause otherwise
             37      orders.
             38          (2) The court, upon application or on its own motion for good cause shown, may
             39      waive, alter, or extend a designated period of time before the decree becomes absolute, but not
             40      to exceed six months from the signing and entry of the decree.
             41          Section 2. Section 30-3-18 is amended to read:
             42           30-3-18. Waiting period for hearing after filing for divorce -- Exemption -- Use of
             43      counseling and education services not to be construed as condonation or promotion.
             44          (1) Unless the court[, for good cause shown and set forth in the findings,] finds that
             45      extraordinary circumstances exist and otherwise orders, no hearing for decree of divorce [shall]
             46      may be held by the court until 90 days [shall have] has elapsed from the filing of the complaint,
             47      but the court may make interim orders as [may be] it considers just and equitable.
             48          [(2) The 90-day period as provided in Subsection (1) does not apply in any case where
             49      both parties have completed the mandatory educational course for divorcing parents as
             50      provided in Section 30-3-11.3 .]
             51          [(3)] (2) The use of counseling, mediation, and education services provided under this
             52      chapter may not be construed as condoning the acts that may constitute grounds for divorce on
             53      the part of either spouse nor of promoting divorce.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-27-12 2:55 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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