HARRISBURG, Pa. – A Pennsylvania lawmaker believes that Pennsylvania's two-year waiting period for no-fault divorce is too long, and there are many divorce attorneys and Pennsylvania residents that agree.
Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) is sponsoring legislation that would reduce the waiting period for couples seeking a no-fault divorce.
According to Toohil, her proposal, House Bill 380 would allow Pennsylvania couples to obtain a divorce just one year after separation, as opposed to two years.
Toohil says that when divorces are prolonged for two years, they aren't usually resolved for 3 to 5 years after the initial divorce filing.
She contends that the current waiting period has several consequences, including increased legal costs, escalated strain among couples, and it causes additional strain and costs for the courts.
Additionally, Toohil claims that by reducing the waiting period to one year, it would also be less traumatic for the children of divorce.
Toohil says that in surrounding states, the waiting periods range between six months and a year, which explains why it would be reasonable for Pennsylvania to follow suit.
House Bill No. 380
House Bill No. 380 was introduced by Toohil and her colleagues on February 9, 2015. The bill aims to amend Section 3301 (d) of Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes: irretrievable breakdown as one of the grounds for divorce.
If the bill passes, the court could grant a divorce alleging irretrievable breakdown after the parties have lived separate and apart for one year, instead of the current two years.
To learn more about House Bill 380, feel free to contact our office to speak with a Pennsylvania no fault divorce attorney!
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