HB 128 - Utah's Divorce Orientation Bill

Have you heard about Utah's new divorce orientation bill.  The purpose of the bill is to require an intermediary step before filing for divorce.  The bill creates a mandatory class for all couples with children, seeking to divorce in Utah.  Among the mandatory class topics will be:

• Resources available from the courts and other administrative agencies for resolving custody and support issues without filing for divorce
• Resources available to improve or strengthen the marriage
• A discussion of the positive and negative consequences of divorce
• Options available as alternatives to divorce
• A discussion of the process of divorce
• Options available for proceeding with the divorce, including mediation, collaborative law, and litigation
• Post-divorce resources available to families

This new bill has been approved by Utah legislature and signed into law by the state's govenor.  The bill is apparently an outgrowth of the so called "divorce reform" movement, who are seeking to eliminate, or at a minimum minimize "no-fault" divorce.  To read the full text of the bill click here.