Washington Bill Would Require Couples Wait One Year To Divorce - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Washington Bill Would Require Couples Wait One Year To Divorce

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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - People filing for divorce in Washington state must now wait 90 days before it can become final. 

Under a bill heard Friday in the state Senate Law and Justice Committee, that waiting period would be extended to one year. 

Bill supporters say it would give couples more time to reconcile and could result in fewer divorces. Opponents say the measure, Senate Bill 5614, is overly paternalistic. They also say exceptions for domestic violence victims are insufficient. 

Waiting periods for divorces to become final vary by state. While most states have no waiting periods, three have mandatory waits of one year or more. 

The bill would also alter a court-issued handbook for divorcing couples to include the benefits of reconciliation and make it required reading for both parties.

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