‘A Matter of Safety’: California’s Expedited Divorce Law Offers Lifeline to Marital Abuse Survivors
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) - Governor Newsom just signed Assembly Bill 1875 into law, allowing courts to expedite divorces involving domestic violence.
Local advocates are applauding the new statewide legislation.
Assembly Bill 1875 takes effect January 1st and grants judges the authority to shorten or waive California's six-month divorce waiting period for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
“It's particularly fitting that we're announcing this bill signing at the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” says Gregg Hart, District 37 California State Assembly.
The legislation, introduced by Assemblymember Hart, aims to reduce legal obstacles for individuals attempting to safely exit abusive marriages.
“With domestic violence the common thread is control,” says Jennifer Adams, Lumina Alliance CEO. “And so when you're going through a court proceeding, oftentimes they can use that demand for control to extend out the process.”
Under existing state law, couples must wait at least six months for a divorce to be finalized after filing.
“The six month divorce waiting period was historically designed to be a cooling off period,” says Assemblymember Hart. “Today, we know that this is absolutely inappropriate for relationships involving domestic violence.”
Advocates echo Assembly member Hart that longer periods of time surrounding separation and divorce present elevated safety risks for victims of domestic abuse.
“So this law allows the judge to intervene and just say, “We're not going to extend this.’” says Adams.
Assemblymember Hart, who represents California's 37th assembly district, introduced the measure after working with local advocates.
“When there is violence or control or, you know, intimate partner abuse like that, the best thing for everybody is to move that along,” says Adams.
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