New Law: Pregnant Women Can Divorce (in WA State)

[Mrs. Overall]

OLYMPIA - Pregnant women will be allowed to divorce their husbands in the state of Washington, thanks to a bill Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Thursday.

"We thought this was the law about 50 years ago," said Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, the bill's sponsor. "No kidding," Gregoire responded. "I was surprised."

The bill was inspired by the plight of Shawnna Hughes, a Spokane woman seeking to divorce her abusive husband. A Spokane County judge revoked her divorce because she was pregnant. Superior Court Judge Paul Bastine ruled that state law said marriages can't be dissolved until the paternity of the unborn child is established, so the state knows who should pay child support. The judge's interpretation "set very dangerous policies for women, particularly women in violent relationships," said Terri Sloyer, Hughes' lawyer. "You're basically holding them hostage in relationships with abusers."

http://www.komotv.com/stories/36311.htm

[rodeodance]

1. well geech, it IS 2005 isn't it?

[LiberalFighter]

15. Judge doesn't know what is a calendar.

[TXlib]

2. At least they rectified the situation when they discovered it.

[Mrs. Overall]

6. What Would Rossi Do?

I'm wondering if Right-Wing Republican Dino Rossi had become governor if he would have immediately rectified the situation--probably not.

[liberalhistorian]

11. Imagine if this had been

a southern or other red state. Nothing would have been done at all.

[Fenris]

3. Nice to see they got around to that.

[Skip Intro]

4. They couldn't before????

Got freedom?

[Maddy McCall]

5. They can't in Texas.

I had to wait after the birth of my son for the divorce to be finalized. That was 1994.

And, throughout my whole pregnancy, the judge required my OB to send certified statements each week to my husband's lawyer, stating that I was still pregnant, even though my husband cancelled by insurance and never helped in any way with any of my pre-natal care.

Texas has really oppressive laws.

[Scairp]

7. Jesus

And we felt the need to "free" women in Muslim countries like Afghanistan?! American women are clearly still fighting here to gain autonomy. Pretty ironic.

[Maddy McCall]

8. Let me add...

that the reason I filed for divorce is because my husband beat me and stabbed me WHILE I WAS PREGNANT.

I had two broken ribs, and photos of all of my injuries. Still, the divorce was put on hold until after the birth of my son. Seems like my son being "legitimate" was more important to the judicial system in Texas than our lives were.

[Erika]

10. This is disgusting.

Women and their babies as chattel of the husband again? I wonder how many know these situations still exist here.

[Maddy McCall]

12. Don't know. Many, I'm sure.

If it weren't for a sweet little old lady named Joyce, who worked for the Women's Shelter in Rusk County, who ushered me through the whole process, and for a liberal ADA named Bill who was completely on my side, and who later positioned himself as Guardian Ad Litem for my son so that I could get total and complete custody, I don't know how it would have turned out.

[Pachamama]

18. OMG! Maddy, that's horrible & frightening!

I just can't in my wildest nightmares imagine any gov't in the US and our judicial system requiring such things and not taking the safety of the woman or the baby into consideration!

And they call themselves the "culture of life"...what if you or the baby had died as a result of him stabbing you? They'd justify their failure to let you divorce by saying what? That atleast a pregnant woman died married?

There are a lot of "bad laws" like these still on the books in this country...and the Repukes would rather leave them or reinstate them....scary...

[Solly Mack]

17. This brought me to tears

I'm so sorry you were made to go through this...

You're a strong woman, Maddy. I admire that..

[Shallah Kali]

9. Dragging the law kicking and screaming into the 20th Century

Small problem - we are supposed to be in the 21st

[nolabels]

13. Isn't that a little late?

Why should they have to wait till after they got pregnant before they getting a divorce

[LiberalFighter]

14. Judge is an idiot... that's why

They can establish paternity after the divorce or before the divorce. But the judge couldn't figure that out.

[DulceDecorum]

16. Scott Peterson and Charles Stuart come to mind.

[Moderator]

19. kick to combine

[uppityperson]

20. Bill allows divorce for pregnant women- Go Gregoire

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002242...

OLYMPIA -- Pregnant women will be allowed to divorce their husbands in the state of Washington, thanks to a bill Gov. Christine Gregoire signed yesterday.
<clip>

The bill was inspired by the plight of Shawnna Hughes, a Spokane woman seeking to divorce her abusive husband. A Spokane County judge revoked her divorce because she was pregnant.

<clip>
The judge's interpretation "set very dangerous policies for women, particularly women in violent relationships," said Terri Sloyer, Hughes' lawyer. "You're basically holding them hostage in relationships with abusers."
<clip>
The new law will take effect July 23. It won't help Hughes, whose appeal is scheduled for oral arguments next month.


Edited to add: Ms.Hughes has been living with another man (sperm contributor) while her (legal) husband has spent at least part of the time in jail. So what if sh'e pregnant with not the (legal) husband, you don't need to EVER be legally married to the sperm contributor to determine paternity and figure out child support obligatons. I am appalled that such a law is even necessary. And so sorry to hear of your troubles in Texas 10 yrs ago (Maddy was it?).

[liberalhistorian]

21. Shit, is this 2005 or

1895? I'm beginning to wonder sometimes. I just love these people who have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century when they're still stuck in the 18th or 19th.