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Montana Lawmaker Seeks Repeal of No-Fault Divorce

By Beacon Staff

HELENA – A Republican in the Montana House says it’s time to go back to the days when married couples needed a concrete reason to divorce.

Rep. Tom McGillvray, of Billings, says there are too many divorces. He proposes to repeal Montana’s 30-year-old “no fault” divorce law. That means couples would need a reason, such as adultery, in order to get a divorce.

McGillvray’s bill also calls for state-mandated counseling prior to a divorce.

House Bill 419 was backed by various church groups at a hearing Friday.

Opponents say the notion of no-fault divorce was adopted across the country.

They argue that requiring legal fault would make divorces more contentious, and would not allow some women to get out of abusive marriages without consent of an unwilling partner.