Why even have a mandatory waiting period? If two people have followed all the legal processes for division of assets and child custody etc, let them get divorced. Feels like Catholic moralising to force these waiting periods onto people who have made their decision. If they’re not sure, they have the option to stay separated and work things out.
Elections soon ? So many desired proposals were announced recently
The waiting time is an issue but a bigger issue is the waiting time to get a court date.
They should look at prenups as well, I can’t see why people, especially those entering into a second marriage who would have different requirements to a couple in their 20s-30s can’t avail of this.
I feel that 6 months is too short for all parties to access legal advice and also maybe to let any anger or tempers if they exist settle down a little
The country’s gone to the dogs!
We JUST changed this in 2019. A further change would mean another referendum. I don’t have any particularly strong views about whether six months or two years (or whatever) is appropiate, but there needs to be certainty. (and, of course, you can get a legal separation or separation agreement in the meantime)
One thing that should change is that the process of divorce should be allowed to be simplified if a couple wishes.
Compare getting married, which is where you simply sign the registry, to getting divorced, which is an archaic and drawn out legal process. If a couple has agreed on everything and splitting amicably, then there should be a simple application to do so. Keep the current legal process I’d things are being disputed.
Also, prenuptial agreements should be allowed.
The waiting period has nothing to do with legal processes. It was designed to force people rethink getting divorced, because a big chunk of Ireland in 1994 was slightly more conservative than the Vatican.
Bear in mind how much things have changed generationally too.
A 65+ year old in 1994 was born in the 1920s. Nowadays they were born in the late 50s, and were adults in the hippy 70s.
We tend to underestimate just how stuffy things were. I remember the reaction of one of my elderly neighbours to Gay Byrne showing a condom on the Late Late. You’d think the world has ended. She was writing to TDs, ringing them making formal complaints, going to special masses… And that was in leafy south Dublin suburbia btw!
I remember her being totally scandalised by pretty much everything, but particularly single mothers and divocees.
That was the generation who would have rather seen you locked in a loveless marriage for ever…
12 comments
Why even have a mandatory waiting period? If two people have followed all the legal processes for division of assets and child custody etc, let them get divorced. Feels like Catholic moralising to force these waiting periods onto people who have made their decision. If they’re not sure, they have the option to stay separated and work things out.
https://preview.redd.it/ixymzrkqle0d1.png?width=280&format=png&auto=webp&s=11690f8eb48311f8b4be98a25664cf0abb472b60
1995 divorce referendum campaign poster. [https://irishelectionliterature.com/2010/06/27/hello-divorce-bye-bye-daddy-poster-1995-divorce-referendum/](https://irishelectionliterature.com/2010/06/27/hello-divorce-bye-bye-daddy-poster-1995-divorce-referendum/)
Yes **50.28%**
No 49.72%
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifteenth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_of_Ireland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifteenth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_of_Ireland)
Elections soon ? So many desired proposals were announced recently
The waiting time is an issue but a bigger issue is the waiting time to get a court date.
They should look at prenups as well, I can’t see why people, especially those entering into a second marriage who would have different requirements to a couple in their 20s-30s can’t avail of this.
I feel that 6 months is too short for all parties to access legal advice and also maybe to let any anger or tempers if they exist settle down a little
The country’s gone to the dogs!
We JUST changed this in 2019. A further change would mean another referendum. I don’t have any particularly strong views about whether six months or two years (or whatever) is appropiate, but there needs to be certainty. (and, of course, you can get a legal separation or separation agreement in the meantime)
https://preview.redd.it/94nqsx4uze0d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d4a10c048b4a355fd600504ee0ca644c5feb6de2
Well placed advertisement
The level of impatience. Ironic.
One thing that should change is that the process of divorce should be allowed to be simplified if a couple wishes.
Compare getting married, which is where you simply sign the registry, to getting divorced, which is an archaic and drawn out legal process. If a couple has agreed on everything and splitting amicably, then there should be a simple application to do so. Keep the current legal process I’d things are being disputed.
Also, prenuptial agreements should be allowed.
The waiting period has nothing to do with legal processes. It was designed to force people rethink getting divorced, because a big chunk of Ireland in 1994 was slightly more conservative than the Vatican.
Bear in mind how much things have changed generationally too.
A 65+ year old in 1994 was born in the 1920s. Nowadays they were born in the late 50s, and were adults in the hippy 70s.
We tend to underestimate just how stuffy things were. I remember the reaction of one of my elderly neighbours to Gay Byrne showing a condom on the Late Late. You’d think the world has ended. She was writing to TDs, ringing them making formal complaints, going to special masses… And that was in leafy south Dublin suburbia btw!
I remember her being totally scandalised by pretty much everything, but particularly single mothers and divocees.
That was the generation who would have rather seen you locked in a loveless marriage for ever…