The investigation's final report was handed over by investigator Margareta Brattström to Gunnar Strömmer on Wednesday.
The goal is a simpler divorce and a more legally secure division of property to counteract so-called economic violence in relationships.
Shared living arrangements can be a tool to force someone to stay in a destructive relationship or make it difficult for someone who wants to leave to actually do so, says Strömmer.
The requirement for a reflection period of at least six months - which currently applies when only one party wants to divorce - should be removed, the investigator suggests.
Then the will is respected to a greater extent. However, there is still a cooling-off period if there are children under 16 or if both parties want a cooling-off period, of course. It has been shown that relatively many people who apply for divorce do not then complete it, says Brattström.
Threat of fine
According to the proposal, the divorce should now also be approved by the district court as soon as the reflection period has expired, without any further action from the spouses.
"It will be a simplified process. We believe that is important if there is a toxic relationship between the spouses," says Brattström.
When it comes to the proposals for property division, it is largely about counteracting obstruction.
In the vast majority of cases, this is already done today in a simple and quick way, but there are also cases where the system is used for other purposes, says the investigator.
The executor of the estate shall, for example, be able to order a person to provide the required information under threat of a fine. The executor shall also have the right to obtain information about assets and liabilities from, for example, banks and the Swedish Tax Agency.
“Good for both”
In addition, higher limits are proposed for state compensation for the executor's fee and the possibility of deciding on an advance for the financially weaker spouse to pay the fee or arrange accommodation. It is also proposed to tighten the requirement that the person who makes the process more difficult must bear a larger share of the costs.
The starting point is that it should be good for both parties. It's about achieving a good and fair result in a faster and legally secure way for both parties, says Strömmer.
A round of consultation is now underway. The proposed changes to the law will come into effect on July 1 next year.
