The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard Sen. Zakas’ SB 564 concerning the waiting period for dissolution of marriage. The bill extends the waiting period to 180 days for a final hearing if there are children of the marriage that are less than 17 years old, and extends the waiting period to 120 days if an objection to the dissolution is filed by either party. The bill maintains the 60-day waiting period if either party to the dissolution matter asserts that the other party engaged in domestic violence against the petitioning party or the party’s child.
An amendment was adopted by consent that would require the assertion of domestic violence to be made under oath or affirmation and the asserted violence could be against either party to the dissolution in addition to the children. After taking supporting testimony and hearing the concerns from the Indiana State Bar Association Family and Juvenile Law section, the bill was held for further consideration until the next meeting.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/564.