Relates to automatic orders in matrimonial actions

Divorcing spouses must share financial warnings

The law adds a notice rule for divorce cases started on or after its effective date, 60 days after becoming law. A spouse receiving notice of a tax lien, foreclosure, bankruptcy, or lawsuit that could harm marital assets or debts must notify the other spouse in writing within 10 days. This also covers notices of related filings or the lifting of a bankruptcy stay. The spouse starting the case must serve the automatic orders with the summons. The orders bind that spouse upon filing the summons, and the other spouse upon receiving the orders with the summons. They last until the divorce judgment or until the case is dismissed, discontinued, or paused, whichever happens first. A court can end or change them on either spouse’s motion. The spouses can also end or change them through a properly signed and formally acknowledged written agreement.