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PUBLIC LAW 88-241-DEC. 23, 1963
[77 STAT.
CHAPTER 9—DIVORCE, ANNULMENT, SEPARATION, SUPPORT, ETC. Sec.
16-901. 16-902. 16-903. 16-904. 16-905. 16-906. 16-907. 16-908. 16-009. 16-910. 16-911. 16-912. 16-913. 16-914. 16-915. 16-916. 16-917. 16-918. 16-919. 1&-020. 36-921. 16-922.
31 Stat. 1391; 50 Stat. 626.
Definition. Residence requirements. Decree annulling marriage. Grounds for divorce, legal separation and annulment. Revocation of decree of divorce from bed and board. Causes for absolute divorce arising after decree for separation. Legitimacy of issue of annulled marriage contracted while another in force. Legitimacy of issue of annulled marriage with lunatic. Legitimacy of issae of divorced marriage. Dissolution of property rights; jurisdiction of court. Alimony pendente lite; suit money; enforcement; custody of children. Permanent alimony; enforcement; retention of dower. Alimony when divorce is granted on husband's application. Retention of jurisdiction as to alimony and custody of children. Restoration of wife's maiden or other previous name. Maintenance of wife and minor children; enforcement. Co-respondents as defendants; service of process. Assignment of counsel in uncontested cases; compensation. Proof required on default or admission of defendant. Effective date of final decree; contents. Validity of marriage, action to determine. Validity of marriages and divorces solemnized or pronounced before January 1, 1902.
§ 16-901. DeiQnition As used in this chapter, "court" means the Domestic Relations Branch of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions. § 16-902. Residence requirements A decree of nullity of marriage or divorce may not be rendered in favor of anyone who has not been a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia for at least one year next before the application therefor, and a divorce may not be decreed in favor of any person who has not been a bona fide resident of the District for at least two years next before the application therefor for any cause that has occurred out of the District and prior to residence therein. § 16-903. Decree annulling marriage A decree annulling the marriage as illegal and void may be rendered on any of the grounds specified by sections 30-101 and 30-103 as invalidating a marriage. § 16-904. Grounds for divorce, legal separation and annulment (a) A divorce from the bond of marriage or a legal separation from bed and board may be granted for: (1) adultery; (2) desertion for two years; (3) voluntary separation from bed and board for five consecutive years without cohabitation; or (4) final conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude and sentence for not less than two years to a penal institution that is served in whole or part. A legal separation from bed and board may also be granted for cruelty; and where a final decree of divorce from bed and board is or has been granted and the separation of the parties continues or has continued for two years after or since date of decree, the decree may be enlarged into a decree of absolute divorce from the bond of marriage upon application of the innocent spouse. (b) Marriage contracts may be declared void where: (1) the marriage was contracted while either of the parties thereto had a former wife or husband living, unless the former marriage had been lawfully dissolved;
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