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2014 SESSION
14100508DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 20-106 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 20-106. Testimony may be required to be given orally; evidence by affidavit.
A. In any suit for divorce, the trial court may require the
whole or any part of the testimony to be given orally in open court, and if
either party desires it, such testimony and the rulings of the court on the
exceptions thereto, if any, shall be reduced to writing, and the judge shall
certify that such evidence was given before him and such rulings made. When so
certified the same shall stand on the same footing as a deposition regularly
taken in the cause, provided, however, that
no such oral evidence shall be given or heard unless and until after such
notice to the adverse party as is required by law to be given of the taking of
depositions, or when there has been no service of process within this
Commonwealth upon, or appearance by the defendant against whom such testimony
is sought to be introduced. However, a party may proceed to take evidence in
support of a divorce by deposition or affidavit without leave of court only in
support of a divorce on the grounds set forth in subdivision A (9) of § 20-91,
where (i) the parties have resolved all issues by a written settlement
agreement, (ii) there are no issues other than the grounds of the divorce
itself to be adjudicated, or (iii) the adverse party has been personally served
with the complaint and has failed to file a responsive pleading or to make an
appearance as required by law. ;
B. The affidavit of a party submitted as evidence shall be
based on the personal knowledge of the affiant, contain only facts that would
be admissible in court, give factual support to the grounds for divorce
stated in the complaint or counterclaim, and establish
that the affiant is competent to testify to the contents of the affidavit. The
affidavit shall: allegations
1. Give factual
support to the grounds for divorce stated in the
complaint or counterclaim, including that the parties are over the age of 18
and not suffering from any condition that renders either party legally
incompetent; Affirm the
allegations
2. Verify whether either party
is incarcerated; Affirm that neither
3. Verify the military status of the opposing party and advise whether the opposing party has filed an answer or a waiver of his rights under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App § 501 et seq.);
4. Affirm that at least one party to the suit is, and has been for a period in excess of six months, a bona fide resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth;
5. Affirm that the parties have lived separate and apart, continuously, without interruption and without cohabitation, and with the intent to remain separate and apart permanently, for the statutory period required by subdivision A (9) of § 20-91;
6. Affirm the affiant's desire to be awarded a divorce pursuant to subdivision A (9) of § 20-91;
7. State whether there were children born or adopted of the marriage and affirm that the wife is not known to be pregnant from the marriage; and
8. Be accompanied by the affidavit of a corroborating witness, which shall:
a. Verify that the affiant is over the age of 18 and not suffering from any condition that renders him legally incompetent;
b. Verify whether
either party
is incarcerated; that
neither party
c. Give factual support
to the grounds for divorce stated in the complaint or
counterclaim; Verify the
allegations
d. Verify that at least one of the parties to the suit is, and has been for a period in excess of six months, a bona fide resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth;
e. Verify whether there were children born or adopted of the marriage and verify that the wife is not known to be pregnant from the marriage; and
f. Verify the affiant's personal knowledge that the parties have not cohabitated since the date of separation alleged in the complaint or counterclaim, and that it has been the moving party's intention since that date to remain separate and apart permanently.
C. A verified complaint shall not be deemed an affidavit for purposes of this section.