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Chile legalizes divorce

SANTIAGO, Chile, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Divorce became legal Thursday in Chile, one of the few countries in the world where it wasn't permitted until now.

Only Malta and the Philippines continue to outlaw divorce.

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The new law in Chile grants couples a divorce after being separated a year if both partners agree to terminate the marriage. If only one person wants the divorce, it can only be granted after three years of separation.

Church officials in the largely Roman Catholic country have spoken out against the law.

Chilean judicial officials expected an overload of divorce requests Thursday with thousands more in the ensuing months.

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