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MD HB14

MD HB14
Family Law - Grounds for Divorce


summary

Introduced
01/11/2023
In Committee
04/03/2023
Crossed Over
03/02/2023
Passed
04/07/2023
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/16/2023

Introduced Session

2023 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT concerning Family Law - Grounds for Divorce FOR the purpose of repealing the authority of a court to decree a limited divorce; altering certain grounds for an absolute divorce; and generally relating to divorce. BY repealing Article - Family Law Section 7-102 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Family Law Section 7-103 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement)

AI Summary

This bill repeals the authority of a court to decree a limited divorce and alters the grounds for an absolute divorce in Maryland. The key provisions are: 1. Removing the grounds for a limited divorce, including cruelty, excessively vicious conduct, desertion, and separation. 2. Changing the grounds for an absolute divorce to: 6-month separation, irreconcilable differences, and mutual consent (with certain requirements). 3. Clarifying that parties living separate lives can be considered to have lived separate and apart for the 6-month separation ground, even if they reside under the same roof or the separation is due to a court order. 4. Removing recrimination as a bar to obtaining an absolute divorce, except in cases involving adultery. 5. Allowing a court to decree an absolute divorce even if a party has previously obtained a limited divorce. 6. Providing the court the authority to modify or enforce a settlement agreement in a mutual consent divorce. 7. Specifying an effective date of October 1, 2023.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 646 (on 05/16/2023)

bill text


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