Netherlands ditches quick divorce procedure

According to this story from the Smart Marriages listserv, the Dutch parliament either changed the law, or defeated a proposed change, or both, but in any case, it was a victory for slightly stricter divorce laws. However, the goalposts were already at a far more permissive point than in most other European countries, or even than in the U.S., because the issue was apparently having divorce through an administrative process rather than a court, and letting people convert marriages to registered partnerships.

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Netherlands ditches quick divorce procedure
JUNE 6, 2007    

Dutch couples wishing to divorce must arrange their separation through the
courts in the future, according to new legislation approved by the Dutch
parliament Tuesday.

Dutch lawmakers scrapped the country's quick divorce procedure, under which
a marriage is converted into a registered partnership, which can then be
dissolved by a government official, Dutch paper De Volkskrant reported
Wednesday.

Under the Dutch law, a marriage can only be dissolved by court while a
registered partnership can be terminated by a government official.

Dutch lawmakers also voted against a bill that would allow "administrative
divorce," in which a government official would formalize the agreements made
by the two divorcing parties. This means there will be no alternative way
for a quick divorce.

Most Dutch lawmakers believe the quick divorce scheme is undesirable because
it is not recognized in many other countries.

Parents who wish to divorce are required to agree on a parenting plan, which
would put children in a better position, said Dutch Youth and Family Affairs
Minister Andre Rouvoet.