Relating to certain void marriages.

Contracts

• Commercial Lending & Buy-Sell Agreements: Review all pending transactions requiring spousal consent. Under Section 2 (Sec. 9.401), a divorce decree can be declared void retroactively if the court lacked jurisdiction.
• *Requirement:* If a counterparty relies on a recent divorce decree to prove sole ownership or lack of community property interest, you must verify the decree is final and not subject to a jurisdictional challenge under this new statute.

Hiring/Training

• Benefits Administration Training: Train HR staff to distinguish between a "Decree of Divorce" and an "Order Declaring Marriage Void."
• *Operational Shift:* A divorce triggers COBRA rights. A void marriage (declared *void ab initio*) means the legal relationship never existed. Staff must not automatically offer COBRA to a "spouse" from a voided marriage without legal review, as they may not be a "qualified beneficiary" under federal law.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• QDRO Processing: Update payroll protocols for Qualified Domestic Relations Orders.
• *Requirement:* If an employee presents an order voiding a divorce decree under HB2240, you must immediately suspend transfers or alimony payments associated with that specific decree and seek legal counsel. The voiding of the divorce likely invalidates the support order.
• Military Personnel Records: The law extends the deadline to contest a bigamous marriage to 90 days for active duty military.
• *Requirement:* Maintain precise deployment records. If a military employee contests a beneficiary change based on this statute, their deployment dates are legally determinative for the filing window.

Fees & Costs

• Legal Review Costs: Budget for increased outside counsel fees to review complex "voidance" orders, particularly where ERISA preemption is unclear.
• No New State Fees: The bill does not impose new filing fees on businesses.