S 921. Originating proceeding. A spouse may originate a conciliation proceeding under this article by filing a petition stating that his or her marriage is in difficulty and that the conciliation services of the family court are needed. S 922. Preliminary procedure. The probation service is authorized to confer with a potential petitioner and may invite the potential petitioner's spouse and any other interested person to attend such conferences as appear to be advisable in conciliating the spouses. The probation service is also authorized after the filing of a petition to confer with the petitioner and to invite the petitioner's spouse to attend such conferences as appear to be advisable in conciliating the spouses. S 923. Referral to voluntary agency. (a) The probation service may recommend to the petitioner and to the petitioner's spouse that they consult with interested voluntary social or religious agencies in the community. If they consent, the service may thereupon refer them to any such interested voluntary agency. (b) The probation service may not prevent any person from having access to the court for the purpose of having conciliation proceedings under this article. S 924. Attendance at conference. If the petitioner's spouse does not attend a conference to which he or she has been invited after the filing of a petition under section nine hundred twenty-one, the petitioner may apply to the court for an order directing the petitioner's spouse to attend a conciliation conference. The court may enter an order directing the petitioner's spouse to appear in court on not less than five days' notice and, if the court concludes after hearing that it will serve the purposes of this article to require attendance at a conference, may direct the petitioner's spouse to attend a conference. S 925. Continuation of proceeding. If the petitioner's spouse attends a conference to which he or she has been invited under section nine hundred twenty-two or has been directed to attend under section nine hundred twenty-four and thereafter does not attend any conciliation conference, the court, on due notice to both spouses, may hold a hearing to determine whether the proceeding should be continued. If it concludes that conciliation under the auspices of the family court is not feasible, it may refer the parties to interested voluntary social or religious agencies in the community and shall terminate the proceeding under this article. If it concludes that further efforts at conciliation under this article should be undertaken, it may direct the spouses to attend another conciliation conference. S 926. Duration of proceeding. Unless both spouses consent to the continuation of a conciliation proceeding under this article, it terminates ninety days after the filing of the petition. Top of Page
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