Existing law governs the dissolution of marriage and legal separation. Existing law prohibits a judgment of dissolution of marriage from being made final until 6 months have expired from the date of service of a copy of the summons and petition or the date of appearance of the respondent, whichever occurs first. Existing law authorizes a court to extend the 6-month period for good cause shown. Existing law also requires a court to enter a judgment dissolving a marriage when 6 months have expired from the date of the filing of a joint petition for summary dissolution, unless a revocation has been filed.

This bill would additionally authorize the court to reduce or waive the 6-month period described above for good cause shown.