CHAPTER 33 DISSOLUTION OF MARITAL STATUS -- Sub-Chapter A--General Provisions
(provided by Divorce Source, Inc.)
Published 6.30.98
Section3301. Grounds for divorce.
Section3302. Counseling.
Section3303. Annulment of void and voidable marriages.
Section3304. Grounds for annulment of void marriages.
Section3305. Grounds for annulment of voidable marriages.
Section3306. Proceedings to determine marital status.
Section3307. Defenses.
Section3308. Action where defendant suffering from mental disorder.
Section3309. General appearance and collusion.
Section3301. Grounds for divorce.
(a) Fault.--The court may grant a divorce to the innocent and injured spouse whenever it is judged that the other spouse has:
-
1.Committed willful and malicious desertion, and absence from the habitation of the injured and innocent spouse,
without a reasonable cause, for the period of one or more years.
2.Committed adultery.
3.By cruel and barbarous treatment, endangered the life or health of the injured and innocent spouse.
4.Knowingly entered into a bigamous marriage while a former marriage is still subsisting.
5.Been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of two or more years upon conviction of having committed a crime.
6.Offered such indignities to the innocent and injured spouse as to render that spouse's condition intolerable and life burdensome.
(c) Mutual consent.--The court may grant a divorce where it is alleged that the marriage is irretrievably broken and 90 days have elapsed from the date of commencement of an action under this part and an affidavit has been filed by each of the parties evidencing that each of the parties consents to the divorce.
(d) Irretrievable breakdown.--
-
1.The court may grant a divorce where a complaint has been filed alleging that the marriage is irretrievably broken and
an affidavit has been filed alleging that the parties have lived separate and apart for a period of at least two years and
that the marriage is irretrievably broken and the defendant either:
-
(i) Does not deny the allegations set forth in the affidavit.
(ii) Denies one or more of the allegations set forth in the affidavit but, after notice and hearing, the court determines that the parties have lived separate and apart for a period of at least two years and that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Section3302. Counseling.
(a) Indignities.--Whenever indignities under section 3301(a)(6) (relating to grounds for divorce) is the ground for divorce, the court shall require up to a maximum of three counseling sessions where either of the parties requests it.
(b) Mutual consent.--Whenever mutual consent under section 3301(c) is the ground for divorce, the court shall require up to a maximum of three counseling sessions within the 90 days following the commencement of the action where either of the parties requests it.
(c) Irretrievable breakdown.--Whenever the court orders a continuation period as provided for irretrievable breakdown in section 3301(d)(2), the court shall require up to a maximum of three counseling sessions within the time period where either of the parties requests it or may require such counseling where the parties have at least one child under 16 years of age.
(d) Notification of availability of counseling.--Whenever section 3301(a)(6), (c) or (d) is the ground for divorce, the court shall, upon the commencement of an action under this part, notify both parties of the availability of counseling and, upon request, provide both parties a list of qualified professionals who provide such services.
(e) Choice of qualified professionals unrestricted.--The choice of a qualified professional shall be at the option of the parties, and the professional need not be selected from the list provided by the court.
(f) Report.--Where the court requires counseling, a report shall be made by the qualified professional stating that the parties did or did not attend.
Section3303. Annulment of void and voidable marriages.
(a) General rule.--In all cases where a supposed or alleged marriage has been contracted which is void or voidable under this title or under applicable law, either party to the supposed or alleged marriage may bring an action in annulment to have it declared void in accordance with the procedures provided by this part and prescribed by general rules.
(b) Common-law marriage.--In the case of a purported common-law marriage where a party was under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian of the minor may bring a declaratory judgment proceeding during the party's minority to have the marriage declared void.
Section3304. Grounds for annulment of void marriages.
(a) General rule.--Where there has been no confirmation by cohabitation following the removal of an impediment, the supposed or alleged marriage of a person shall be deemed void in the following cases:
-
1.Where either party at the time of such marriage had an existing spouse and the former marriage had not been
annulled nor had there been a divorce except where that party had obtained a decree of presumed death of the former
spouse.
2.Where the parties to such marriage are related within the degrees of consanguinity prohibited by section 1304(e) (relating to restrictions on issuance of license).
3.Where either party to such marriage was incapable of consenting by reason of insanity or serious mental disorder or otherwise lacked capacity to consent or did not intend to consent to the marriage.
4.Where either party to a purported common-law marriage was under 18 years of age.
Section3305. Grounds for annulment of voidable marriages.
(a) General rule.--The marriage of a person shall be deemed voidable and subject to annulment in the following cases:
-
1.Where either party to the marriage was under 16 years of age unless the marriage was expressly authorized by the
court.
2.Where either party was 16 or 17 years of age and lacked the consent of parent or guardian or express authorization of the court and has not subsequently ratified the marriage upon reaching 18 years of age and an action for annulment is commenced within 60 days after the marriage ceremony.
3.Where either party to the marriage was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and an action for annulment is commenced within 60 days after the marriage ceremony.
4.Where either party to the marriage was at the time of the marriage and still is naturally and incurably impotent unless the condition was known to the other party prior to the marriage.
5.Where one party was induced to enter into the marriage due to fraud, duress, coercion or force attributable to the other party and there has been no subsequent voluntary cohabitation after knowledge of the fraud or release from the effects of fraud, duress, coercion or force.
Section3306. Proceedings to determine marital status.
When the validity of a marriage is denied or doubted, either or both of the parties to the marriage may bring an action for a declaratory judgment seeking a declaration of the validity or invalidity of the marriage and, upon proof of the validity or invalidity of the marriage, the marriage shall be declared valid or invalid by decree of the court and, unless reversed upon appeal, the declaration shall be conclusive upon all persons concerned.
Section3307. Defenses.
(a) General rule.--Existing common-law defenses are retained as to the grounds enumerated in section 3301(a) and (b) (relating to grounds for divorce). The defenses of condonation, connivance, collusion, recrimination and provocation are abolished as to the grounds enumerated in section 3301(c) and (d).
(b) Adultery.--In an action for divorce on the ground of adultery, it is a good defense and a perpetual bar against the action if the defendant alleges and proves, or if it appears in the evidence, that the plaintiff:
-
1.has been guilty of like conduct;
2.has admitted the defendant into conjugal society or embraces after the plaintiff knew of the fact;
3.allowed the defendant's prostitution or received hire from it; or
4.exposed the defendant to lewd company whereby the defendant became involved in the adultery.
If a spouse is insane or suffering from serious mental disorder, an action may be commenced under this part against that spouse upon any ground for divorce or annulment.
Section3309. General appearance and collusion.
The entry of a general appearance by, or in behalf of, a defendant does not constitute collusion. Collusion shall be found to exist only where the parties conspired to fabricate grounds for divorce or annulment, agreed to and did commit perjury or perpetrated fraud on the court. Negotiation and discussion of terms of property settlement and other matters arising by reason of contemplated divorce or annulment do not constitute collusion.
Copyright© 1996. All rights reserved by Divorce Source, Inc.