Texas Lawmaker Pitches Mandatory Divorce Counseling
By: Gerri L Elder
Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, has introduced divorce legislation in Texas that would require married couples who have children to attend 10 hours of marriage counseling before getting a divorce.
If Chisum sounds familiar, it may be because of another marriage-related bill he wrote last year, which is now part of Texas divorce law. The “Together in Texas” law gives engaged couples a discount on their marriage license if they attend state-approved premarital counseling. So far, only 602 couples in the state have taken the bait.
While “Twogether in Texas” is optional, Chisum’s latest folly would have only narrow exclusions for victims of abuse. Unless domestic violence can be proven, the law would require any couple with children to seek counseling before filing for divorce. Even odder, the parent who files for divorce is required to attend the counseling, while the respondent is not.
However, there’s a twist. If the respondent chooses not to waste his or her time in counseling, the judge may hold it against them when considering the terms of the divorce settlement and child custody.
If passed, the law will force couples who have already decided to divorce into state marriage workshops. Chisum says that people may not like the law, but if it helps save even one marriage, he’ll consider it a job well done.
