Guam § 7104 - Effect of Conciliation Jurisdiction.

§ 7104. 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

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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.