Dissolution of marriage

The law allows eligible couples to finalize a divorce sooner instead of waiting the standard six months. It specifically recognizes domestic-violence safety needs, complete settlements, and remarriage requests as possible good cause.

What the law does ​

• Lets courts reduce or waive the six-month waiting period for a regular divorce when all material issues are resolved and good cause is established through a hearing or both parties’ agreement and a court finding.
• Identifies domestic violence affecting the petitioning spouse, a filed marital settlement agreement, and a remarriage request that does not affect unresolved bifurcated issues as examples of good cause.
• Lets courts reduce or waive the six-month waiting period for a summary dissolution upon a showing of good cause.

Who it affects ​

• Spouses seeking a dissolution of marriage or summary dissolution.
• Petitioning spouses who experienced domestic violence during the marriage.
• Couples that have resolved their divorce terms through a marital settlement agreement.