North Carolina lawmakers recently took a surprise step when a measure was proposed to create a waiting period of two years for those couples considering divorce. Beyond the wait, the bill would also require couples to undergo marriage counseling before being granted a divorce.
The measure is backed by a group of Republican legislators who want to strengthen marriage in North Carolina. Senate Bill 518 would replace the current one-year separation now required before a divorce can be granted. The “Healthy Marriage Act” says that couples would have to wait two years before divorcing and would be allowed to either live on their own or together during the period.
Specifically, this bill says that one spouse would be required to submit written notice of his or her intent to file for divorce to officially begin the two-year countdown. During that time, both parties would have to complete courses on improving communication skills and conflict resolution. Those couples with children would also have to complete a four-hour class that deals with the effect of divorce on kids.
One supporter, State Senator Austin Allran, believes that the divorce rate in the state is too high as it is and that there’s no reason why legislators should not attempt to get a handle on the problem. The hope is that by slowing the process down, couples will think better of their decision to split and decide to stay together.
Others have argued the issue of stronger families is not one that government should have a hand in. Even some pastors have come out and said that it’s up to individuals to seek counseling and that such a decision should not be the result of a state mandate. They have argued that counseling is actually much more effective prior to marriage rather than at the end when too much damage has already been done.
Source: “Lawmakers back 2-year wait for divorce,” by Corey Friedman, published at WilsonTimes.com.