A Montana lawmaker proposed legislation to require a couple with children under the age of 18 to attend seven sessions of counseling before being granted a divorce. He apparently wants couples to think twice (or seven times) before divorcing.
The idea of counseling is not a novel one. What is unique is seven mandatory sessions for every divorce case involving minor children.
In Connecticut, there are two procedures for court ordered “counseling” during the pendency of a divorce action:
1. During the ninety day waitng period either spouse, their attorney or the attorney for the minor children, may submit a request to the court that the parties attend two consultations with an individual experienced in marriage counseling to explore the possibility of reconciliation or to attempt to resolve the emotional problems which might lead to continuing conflicts following the divorce.
2. At any time before final divorce judgment, a judge has the authority to order either or both spouses, to appear before a disinterested person for the purposes of attempting reconcilation or an adjustment of their differences. However, in practice, judges rarely order such an attempt at reconcilation unless requested by one of the parties.
Connecticut does require parents to participate in a Parenting Education Program unless they are excused by the court. The goal of this program is not for the spouses to attempt reconciliation or to work out the differences within their relationship. Rather, this program is designed to provide information to the parents regarding the adjustment of children to the new parenting plan and parental separation, ways for the parents to resolve disputes and manage conflict, and to promote effective cooperative parenting.
By the way, the proposed Montana legislation was defeated by a 60-40 vote.