New bill would allow divorce arbitration

HELENA — Lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee got their first look at a bill Friday that would add a new way for couples in Montana to divorce.

Senate Bill 104 would allow Montanans to conduct divorce proceedings in private arbitration rather than in mediation or in district court.

The bill’s proponents told the committee that adding another option for families going through a divorce would help to unburden overtaxed Montana district court judges.