Effect of Conciliation Jurisdiction

(a)Whenever any domestic relations suit is commenced in the Superior Court, the court may, in its discretion, exercise conciliation jurisdiction over the controversy and over the parties thereto and all persons having any relation to the controversy. If, within forty-five

(45)days after the court commences to exercise conciliation jurisdiction, a reconciliation or a settlement of the controversy has not been effected, the domestic relations suit shall proceed as if the court had not exercised conciliation jurisdiction; or

(b)Whenever either or both spouses are undergoing such a disturbance of their marital relations such as to require the services of the conciliation COL120106 CH. 7 CONCILIATION L AW jurisdiction of the Superior Court before domestic relations suit is commenced, either or both may invoke such jurisdiction by filing a petition with the Superior Court as provided in the following section. (c)(1) In the event that the parties in a domestic relations suit have undergone conciliation services by court provided or approved conciliation services within the year next preceding the filing of the domestic relations suit and the completion of such services is authenticated by a sworn certificate of the person providing the services, then the domestic relations suit shall proceed without the exercise of any conciliation jurisdiction.

(2)If a petition is filed under Subsection (b), no domestic relations suit may be filed until after the expiration of forty-five

(45)days from the filing of the petition; provided, however, that the court may exercise its full equity powers to protect and preserve the rights of the spouses.