ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
divorce; marriage counseling
Extends the amount of time a
judge may continue a dissolution of marriage hearing to six months. Allows a
judge to require a couple seeking dissolution of marriage to attend a minimum
of six marital counseling sessions with a certified marriage and family
therapist.
During
recent years, state lawmakers have begun to look at ways to discourage divorce
and strengthen marriages. State actions
include encouraging premarital counseling, requiring counseling for divorcing
parents, offering covenant marriages and considering reform of the no-fault
divorce system, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures
(NCSL).
At
least half of the states, including Arizona, have enacted laws allowing courts
to require divorcing parents to take parenting education courses or obtain
counseling. Arizona’s Parent
Information Program gives parents information about the impacts of divorce,
changes in the family unit and court involvement have on children involved in a
divorce, paternity or custody case. The
court provides parents with a list of approved courses. There is a maximum fee of $30 per course. Parents may request a waiver from a judge to
take a class not on the court-approved list of courses.
There
are no costs to the state general fund associated with the provisions of this
measure.
1. Increases the length of time a judge may continue a dissolution of marriage hearing from 60 days to six months.
2. Allows a judge to order a couple seeking dissolution of marriage to attend a minimum of six joint marital counseling sessions with a certified marriage and family therapist.
3. Requires each party to pay for half of the joint marital counseling costs, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
4. Makes conforming changes.
5. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 15, 2001