Can a Divorce Court Help Save Our Marriage? Maybe!

Divorce is often seen as the final step in a relationship that has broken down beyond repair, but what if you’re not ready to give up on your marriage just yet? Surprisingly, divorce court may be able to help.

In certain cases, courts can step in to assist couples with reconciliation efforts before the divorce process is finalized.

Conciliation

One such process is called conciliation, which can be used before or during divorce proceedings. Conciliation is a court-ordered or party-requested process designed to facilitate communication and resolution between spouses.

Any time after 30 days from the service of the divorce complaint, a party—or the court on its own motion—can request that the spouses attempt conciliation. This period of conciliation can last up to ninety days, providing couples with time and resources to work on their marriage.

During conciliation, the court may refer the couple to various professionals for support, including conciliation judges, public or private marriage counselors, family service agencies, community health services, physicians, licensed psychologists, or even clergy members. The goal of this process is to encourage open communication, explore underlying issues, and offer solutions for repairing the relationship.

Importantly, once conciliation is ordered, the divorce, annulment, or legal separation cannot move forward until the conciliation process has concluded and a report has been submitted to the court. This gives the couple a pause in the legal proceedings, allowing them to focus on whether they can rebuild their relationship. Additionally, couples can file a petition for conciliation even before any divorce paperwork has been filed, as a proactive effort to preserve the marriage by seeking reconciliation or to amicably settle disputes.

While this process is not frequently used, it can be a powerful tool for couples who still believe their marriage can be saved. It provides a structured environment for working through issues that may be causing the breakdown of the relationship, and it can help facilitate a path to healing rather than simply severing ties.

In conclusion, if you or your spouse are hesitant to move forward with divorce and believe there is still hope for your marriage, conciliation may be an option worth considering. Under the right circumstances, the divorce court’s involvement could be the catalyst that helps you save your marriage and find a resolution to the conflicts that brought you to the brink of divorce in the first place.