New Streamlined Procedure For Uncontested Divorces

In most localities in Hampton Roads, there is a requirement that one of the parties in a divorce and the corroborating witness personally appear before the court to testify in order for a Final Decree of Divorce to be entered. Governor McDonnell just signed a bill which would permit uncontested divorces to be granted upon affidavits, with no personal appearance required. This procedure will save thousands of hours of wasted court time for the parties and the judges.

The new statutory procedure statewide will be:
However, a party may proceed to take evidence in support of a divorce by deposition or affidavit without leave of court only in support of a divorce on the grounds set forth in subdivision A (9) of § 20-91, where (i) the parties have resolved all issues by a written settlement agreement, (ii) there are no issues other than the grounds of the divorce itself to be adjudicated, or (iii) the adverse party has been personally served with the complaint and has failed to file a responsive pleading or to make an appearance as required by law.
B. The affidavit of a party submitted as evidence shall be based on the personal knowledge of the affiant, contain only facts that would be admissible in court, give factual support to the allegations in the complaint or counterclaim, and establish that the affiant is competent to testify to the contents of the affidavit. The affidavit shall:
1. Affirm the allegations in the complaint or counterclaim, including that the parties are over the age of 18 and not suffering from any condition that renders either party legally incompetent;
2. Affirm that neither party is incarcerated;
3. Verify the military status of the opposing party and advise whether the opposing party has filed an answer or a waiver of his rights under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App § 501 et seq.);
4. Affirm that at least one party to the suit is, and has been for a period in excess of six months, a bona fide resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth;
5. Affirm that the parties have lived separate and apart, continuously, without interruption and without cohabitation, and with the intent to remain separate and apart permanently, for the statutory period required by subdivision A (9) of § 20-91;
6. Affirm the affiant's desire to be awarded a divorce pursuant to subdivision A (9) of § 20-91;
7. State whether there were children born or adopted of the marriage and affirm that the wife is not known to be pregnant from the marriage; and
8. Be accompanied by the affidavit of a corroborating witness, which shall:
a. Verify that the affiant is over the age of 18 and not suffering from any condition that renders him legally incompetent;
b. Verify that neither party is incarcerated;
c. Verify the allegations in the complaint or counterclaim;
d. Verify that at least one of the parties to the suit is, and has been for a period in excess of six months, a bona fide resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth;
e. Verify whether there were children born or adopted of the marriage and verify that the wife is not known to be pregnant from the marriage; and
f. Verify the affiant's personal knowledge that the parties have not cohabitated since the date of separation alleged in the complaint or counterclaim, and that it has been the moving party's intention since that date to remain separate and apart permanently.