Uzbekistan considers extending reconciliation period for divorcing couples to one year

The Family and Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan has initiated a series of significant amendments to the country’s Family Code, aimed at strengthening the institution of marriage and better protecting the interests of children. A draft law detailing these changes has been published for public discussion on the national portal for legislative acts.

One of the central proposals in the bill is the extension of the mandatory reconciliation period for couples seeking a divorce through the courts. Under current legislation, judges may grant spouses up to six months to resolve their differences; however, the new amendment seeks to increase this maximum duration to one year. Proponents of the change argue that the existing timeframe is often insufficient to address deep-seated familial conflicts or to explore all avenues for mediation.

The explanatory note accompanying the draft suggests that current procedures for dissolving marriages, particularly those handled through civil registry offices, are sometimes overly formal. It notes that such processes may fail to account for the actual situation within a family, the root causes of conflict, or the genuine potential for reconciliation.

Beyond the timeline for divorce, the draft law introduces stricter measures regarding the welfare of children. Proposed changes to Article 44 would clarify the court's role in determining which parent a minor will reside with following a divorce, effectively ensuring a stable place of residence for the child. Additionally, the court would be tasked with establishing specific visitation schedules to ensure the child maintains a relationship with the parent living separately.

Financial protections for children are also a key focus of the reform. An amendment to Article 107 proposes that alimony collected for children placed in specialized institutions should be transferred directly to bank accounts opened in the child’s name. Under this system, guardianship and trusteeship authorities would be responsible for monitoring the accumulation of these funds to ensure they are preserved for the child's future.

The Committee has also suggested updates to Article 122, which would address divorce applications from couples who have been married for less than one year. While the proposal aims to discourage quick dissolutions of new marriages, it explicitly excludes cases involving domestic violence, ensuring that victims of abuse are not forced to remain in dangerous environments.

Finally, the bill seeks to modernize administrative communication between judicial bodies and local authorities. Instead of the current requirement to notify reconciliation commissions within three days, the draft proposes utilizing the "Electronic Government" system to streamline the exchange of information and improve efficiency in handling family disputes.