North Carolina lawmakers are considering major changes that could make divorce significantly faster for thousands of couples.
Senate Bill 626 would cut the mandatory separation period from one year to six months. Current North Carolina law still requires spouses to live apart for one year before most divorces.
Some couples could avoid the waiting period entirely. “The six-month period of separation may be waived upon agreement of both parties,” the bill states.
That exception would apply when a divorce is uncontested and the couple has no minor children.
Domestic violence victims could also seek an immediate divorce without completing the six-month separation if the new bill was passed into law. They would need evidence from at least two qualifying sources, including law enforcement records, domestic violence programs or medical professionals.
The legislation would also abolish North Carolina’s alienation of affection and criminal conversation lawsuits. Those laws allow certain claims against third parties accused of interfering with a marriage.
Senate Bill 626 was introduced in 2025 and remains with the Senate Rules and Operations Committee. No legislative vote has occurred on the proposal yet.
If approved, the changes would represent one of North Carolina’s biggest divorce-law reforms in decades.
