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Judge denies divorce, saying they ‘might be able to work this out

We Never Know

No Slack
Thats crazy!

A judge denied a couple’s request to legally divorce, claiming she could not find evidence their marriage is “irretrievably broken.”

Attorneys for both parties told WAVE 3 News that Doug and Nicole Potts, married since 2008, had been separated since November.

The couple told the judge they had successfully been co-parenting their younger daughter and were cordial with each other during the hearing for her well-being.

At the end of the hearing, Meredith told the couple she believed they could work things out.

“I get the vibe that you all might be able to work this out. And I could be wrong, but I sit through a lot of these things,” the judge said.

She then asked the couple if they’d be willing to try counseling.

“Would it be beneficial to either of you all if I order you to go to reconciliation counseling, or are you past that?” Meredith asked.

“I mean, I would say we’re past that,” Nicole Potts responded.

Despite that conversation, Meredith issued the order, which read in part:

“While it is highly unusual, in this instance, the Court cannot make the finding at this time that this marriage is irretrievably broken based upon the testimony and evidence before it. Frankly, the Court observes these parties to be two people who have lost the ability to communicate with one another about their emotional relationship and, perhaps, have let their pride become a wall between them.”

Judge denies divorce, saying they ‘might be able to work this out’.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
If that doesn't work they can seek justice in a different US state or territory. In NC you simply both file, then wait while separated one year, then you are divorced. There is no approval needed from a judge.
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
My thought is that this is not a judge's decision but the couple's decision. A judge should not have that kind of power.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm opposed to no fault divorce, especially when they have children together. So good on the judge.

I wish people thought more before they get married, and thought more before they left a marriage.
But...I don't think it's healthy to trap people in a marriage, and I don't think trapping people in a marriage who have managed to be cordial and somewhat mature precisely BECAUSE they've been cordial and somewhat mature is at all a good precedent.
 

Wildswanderer

Veteran Member
Thats crazy!

A judge denied a couple’s request to legally divorce, claiming she could not find evidence their marriage is “irretrievably broken.”

Attorneys for both parties told WAVE 3 News that Doug and Nicole Potts, married since 2008, had been separated since November.

The couple told the judge they had successfully been co-parenting their younger daughter and were cordial with each other during the hearing for her well-being.

At the end of the hearing, Meredith told the couple she believed they could work things out.

“I get the vibe that you all might be able to work this out. And I could be wrong, but I sit through a lot of these things,” the judge said.

She then asked the couple if they’d be willing to try counseling.

“Would it be beneficial to either of you all if I order you to go to reconciliation counseling, or are you past that?” Meredith asked.

“I mean, I would say we’re past that,” Nicole Potts responded.

Despite that conversation, Meredith issued the order, which read in part:

“While it is highly unusual, in this instance, the Court cannot make the finding at this time that this marriage is irretrievably broken based upon the testimony and evidence before it. Frankly, the Court observes these parties to be two people who have lost the ability to communicate with one another about their emotional relationship and, perhaps, have let their pride become a wall between them.”

Judge denies divorce, saying they ‘might be able to work this out’.
That's pretty cool.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
I wish people thought more before they get married, and thought more before they left a marriage.
But...I don't think it's healthy to trap people in a marriage, and I don't think trapping people in a marriage who have managed to be cordial and somewhat mature precisely BECAUSE they've been cordial and somewhat mature is at all a good precedent.

I agree. My oldest son's father was abusive to a point I occasionally feared for my safety, but when I left, after the initial cool-down period, we remained friends(mental illness was a factor in his behavior). If someone had forced me to stay, though, based on our ability to be friendly outside of the home, that would have put me in danger.
 

epronovost

Well-Known Member
I wish people thought more before they get married, and thought more before they left a marriage.
But...I don't think it's healthy to trap people in a marriage, and I don't think trapping people in a marriage who have managed to be cordial and somewhat mature precisely BECAUSE they've been cordial and somewhat mature is at all a good precedent.

I don't think that someone else, no matter how well intentioned or wise, can "do the thinking" on the behalf of the couple.
 
As for the divorce in Kentucky state, I read here Online Divorce Forms in Kentucky | Cheap Divorce Papers in KY that if parents agreed on all child-related questions, they complete the Marital Settlement Agreement. If spouses are unable to make terms, then the judge makes a decision taking into account the best interests of the child. They also consider the relationships of the child with both parents, mental and physical state of each party, household and school location, etc.
 

Kooky

Freedom from Sanity
Risky move. Though the irony would be great if, for some reason, that risky move pays off, too.
"Pays off" for whom? Both sides agreed to the divorce, it seems.

I guess the judge is telling them they need to start screaming at each other and brawling. Apparently this separation was handled too maturely.
If the judge found themselves insufficiently entertained by their antics, they could have always broken out into song - a gravely missed opportunity, if you ask me!
 
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