SB208 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Divorce, court granting divorce witihin 30 days allowed, divorce and other marital issues, separated, divorce without hearing, granted, restriction on remarrying, decreased to 30 days, appeal filed and affecting divorce, prohibited, Secs. 30-2-8.1, 30-2-10 am'd.

Summary

SB208 would speed up divorces in Alabama by allowing final divorce approval within 30 days of filing, separating the divorce from other marital issues, and shortening the waiting period to remarry.

What This Bill Does

Requires a final divorce judgment within 30 days of filing the complaint, and allows the divorce to be granted without a hearing. Separates the divorce from issues like property division and child custody, which can be decided later. Reduces the waiting period to remarry after a divorce from 60 days to 30 days, and sets rules for appeals that may affect remarrying and the timing of the divorce.

Who It Affects

• Divorcing spouses in Alabama, who could obtain a divorce more quickly and with less need for hearings, but would see post-divorce issues resolved separately and a shorter period before remarriage.
• Courts and family-law practitioners, who would apply new timelines for granting divorces, handle temporary orders, and follow revised appeal rules that differentiate issues at trial from the divorce itself.

Key Provisions

• Amends sections 30-2-8.1 and 30-2-10 to require final divorce judgment within 30 days of filing; divorce granted and effective before hearings on property, custody, or other marital issues; grounds remain irretrievable breakdown.
• Divorce may be granted without a hearing and separated from other marital issues; temporary orders may be issued as needed.
• Remarriage after divorce is limited to not remarrying until 30 days after the judgment (instead of 60); if an appeal is filed within 60 days, neither party may remarry during the appeal.
• If an appeal is filed within 42 days of the divorce, the appeal applies only to issues at trial and does not stay the granting of the divorce.
• This act becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Domestic Relations