HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3423        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1535

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Maria Duaime Robinson

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the grounds and time requirements for divorce.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3423        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1535

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act relative to the grounds and time requirements for divorce.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.Section 1 of Chapter 208 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the wording in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following: A divorce from the bond of matrimony may be adjudged for an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as provided in sections one A and one B.

SECTION 2.Section 1A of Chapter 208 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the wording of the third paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following:

A judgment of divorce nisi shall be entered at the time the court has given its approval to a dissolution agreement of the parties that makes proper provisions for custody, support and maintenance, alimony, and the disposition of marital property. 

SECTION 3.Section 1B of Chapter 208 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the third and fifth paragraphs thereof. 

SECTION 4.Section 1B of Chapter 208 of the General Laws is hereby further amended by striking from the fourth paragraph thereof the words “the defendant to obtain a hearing on a complaint for divorce filed under section one” and inserting in place thereof the following:

either party to obtain a hearing on a joint petition for divorce filed in accordance with the provisions of section one A.

SECTION 5.Section 2 of Chapter 208 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

SECTION 6.Section 3 of Chapter 208 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the words “for any of the causes allowed by sections one, one B, or two”. 

SECTION 7.Section 11 of Chapter 208 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

SECTION 8.Section 20A of Chapter 208 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking from the first sentence thereof the words “and making a finding that the plaintiff is living apart from the defendant for justifiable cause, and”.

SECTION 9.Section 22 of Chapter 208 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.