No Sex For A Year Could Equal Divorce In Md.

Current Law Requires Many Couples To Live Seperately For Year

POSTED: 2:23 pm EST January 28, 2010
UPDATED: 7:32 pm EST January 28, 2010

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A Maryland lawmaker wants to allow courts to grant divorces to couples after they go a year without having sex instead of forcing them to live apart during the waiting period.

Click To Read The Bill
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/bills/hb/hb0336f.pdf

Montgomery County Delegate Luiz Simmons is behind the legislation.

Simmons, an attorney, said he's backing the measure to ease the initial financial burden for couples seeking a mutual, uncontested divorce.

Maryland divorce law currently requires many couples to live separately for a year before they can receive an uncontested divorce.

Simmons said the cost of that requirement can be very challenging for some couples, especially when both parties must live in places large enough to accommodate children.

The measure would allow couples to remain in the same house if they're not having sex during the yearlong waiting period.