9.08.030 Procedure, Commencement; Pleadings; Abolition of Existing Defenses

(a) All proceedings under this Act are commenced in the manner provided by the Rules of Judicial Civil Procedure, Title 2.

(b) The verified petition in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal separation shall allege that the marriage is irretrievably broken and shall set forth:

(1) The age, occupation, and residence of each party and his length of residence in this State;

(2) The date of the marriage and the place at which it was registered;

(3) The date on which the parties are separated;

(4) The names, ages, and addresses of all living children of the marriage, and whether the wife is pregnant;

(5) Any arrangements as to support, custody, and visitation of the children and maintenance of a spouse; and

(6) The relief is sought.

(c) Either or both parties to the marriage may initiate the proceeding.

(d) If a proceeding is commenced by one of the parties, the other party must be served in the manner provided by the Rules of Judicial Civil Procedure, Title 2, and may within thirty (30) days after the date of service file a certified response.

(e) Defenses to divorce and legal separation, including but not limited to condonation, connivance, collusion, recrimination, insanity, and lapse of time, are abolished.

(f) The Court may join additional parties proper for the exercise of its authority to implement this Act.