diff --git a/scripts/update_api.py b/scripts/update_api.py
index 23d044832..863aa7394 100755
--- a/scripts/update_api.py
+++ b/scripts/update_api.py
@@ -642,7 +642,7 @@ def mk_java(java_src, java_dir, package_name):
   public static native void propagateRegisterFinal(Object o, long ctx, long solver);
   public static native void propagateConflict(Object o, long ctx, long solver, long javainfo, int num_fixed, long[] fixed, long num_eqs, long[] eq_lhs, long[] eq_rhs, long conseq);
   public static native void propagateAdd(Object o, long ctx, long solver, long javainfo, long e);
-  public static native void propagateNextSplit(Object o, long ctx, long solver, long javainfo, long e, long idx, long phase);
+  public static native boolean propagateNextSplit(Object o, long ctx, long solver, long javainfo, long e, long idx, int phase);
   public static native void propagateDestroy(Object o, long ctx, long solver, long javainfo);
 
   public static abstract class UserPropagatorBase implements AutoCloseable {
@@ -1929,7 +1929,7 @@ Z3_final_eh = ctypes.CFUNCTYPE(None, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p)
 Z3_eq_eh    = ctypes.CFUNCTYPE(None, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p)
 
 Z3_created_eh = ctypes.CFUNCTYPE(None, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p)
-Z3_decide_eh = ctypes.CFUNCTYPE(None, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p)
+Z3_decide_eh = ctypes.CFUNCTYPE(None, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_void_p, ctypes.c_uint, ctypes.c_int)
 
 _lib.Z3_solver_register_on_clause.restype = None
 _lib.Z3_solver_propagate_init.restype = None
diff --git a/src/api/api_solver.cpp b/src/api/api_solver.cpp
index 2c19d0d9e..08f864226 100644
--- a/src/api/api_solver.cpp
+++ b/src/api/api_solver.cpp
@@ -1114,17 +1114,17 @@ extern "C" {
     void Z3_API Z3_solver_propagate_decide(Z3_context c, Z3_solver s, Z3_decide_eh decide_eh) {
         Z3_TRY;
         RESET_ERROR_CODE();
-        user_propagator::decide_eh_t c = (void(*)(void*, user_propagator::callback*, expr**, unsigned*, lbool*))decide_eh;
+        user_propagator::decide_eh_t c = (void(*)(void*, user_propagator::callback*, expr*, unsigned, bool))decide_eh;
         to_solver_ref(s)->user_propagate_register_decide(c);
         Z3_CATCH;
     }
 
-    void Z3_API Z3_solver_next_split(Z3_context c, Z3_solver_callback cb,  Z3_ast t, unsigned idx, Z3_lbool phase) {
+    bool Z3_API Z3_solver_next_split(Z3_context c, Z3_solver_callback cb,  Z3_ast t, unsigned idx, Z3_lbool phase) {
         Z3_TRY;
         LOG_Z3_solver_next_split(c, cb, t, idx, phase);
         RESET_ERROR_CODE();
-        reinterpret_cast<user_propagator::callback*>(cb)->next_split_cb(to_expr(t), idx, (lbool)phase);
-        Z3_CATCH;
+        return reinterpret_cast<user_propagator::callback*>(cb)->next_split_cb(to_expr(t), idx, (lbool)phase);
+        Z3_CATCH_RETURN(false);
     }
 
     Z3_func_decl Z3_API Z3_solver_propagate_declare(Z3_context c, Z3_symbol name, unsigned n, Z3_sort* domain, Z3_sort range) {
diff --git a/src/api/c++/z3++.h b/src/api/c++/z3++.h
index 88b520147..88bbd2dcc 100644
--- a/src/api/c++/z3++.h
+++ b/src/api/c++/z3++.h
@@ -4240,7 +4240,7 @@ namespace z3 {
         typedef std::function<void(void)> final_eh_t;
         typedef std::function<void(expr const&, expr const&)> eq_eh_t;
         typedef std::function<void(expr const&)> created_eh_t;
-        typedef std::function<void(expr&, unsigned&, Z3_lbool&)> decide_eh_t;
+        typedef std::function<void(expr, unsigned, bool)> decide_eh_t;
 
         final_eh_t m_final_eh;
         eq_eh_t    m_eq_eh;
@@ -4309,13 +4309,11 @@ namespace z3 {
             p->m_created_eh(e);
         }
         
-        static void decide_eh(void* _p, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_ast* _val, unsigned* bit, Z3_lbool* is_pos) {
+        static void decide_eh(void* _p, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_ast _val, unsigned bit, bool is_pos) {
             user_propagator_base* p = static_cast<user_propagator_base*>(_p);
             scoped_cb _cb(p, cb);
-            expr val(p->ctx(), *_val);
-            p->m_decide_eh(val, *bit, *is_pos);
-            // TBD: life time of val is within the scope of this callback.
-            *_val = val;
+            expr val(p->ctx(), _val);
+            p->m_decide_eh(val, bit, is_pos);
         }
         
     public:
@@ -4435,7 +4433,7 @@ namespace z3 {
         }
 
         void register_decide() {
-            m_decide_eh = [this](expr& val, unsigned& bit, Z3_lbool& is_pos) {
+            m_decide_eh = [this](expr val, unsigned bit, bool is_pos) {
                 decide(val, bit, is_pos);
             };
             if (s) {
@@ -4451,11 +4449,11 @@ namespace z3 {
 
         virtual void created(expr const& /*e*/) {}
         
-        virtual void decide(expr& /*val*/, unsigned& /*bit*/, Z3_lbool& /*is_pos*/) {}
+        virtual void decide(expr const& /*val*/, unsigned /*bit*/, bool /*is_pos*/) {}
 
-        void next_split(expr const & e, unsigned idx, Z3_lbool phase) {
+        bool next_split(expr const& e, unsigned idx, Z3_lbool phase) {
             assert(cb);
-            Z3_solver_next_split(ctx(), cb, e, idx, phase);
+            return Z3_solver_next_split(ctx(), cb, e, idx, phase);
         }
 
         /**
diff --git a/src/api/dotnet/UserPropagator.cs b/src/api/dotnet/UserPropagator.cs
index b9cd4dc39..af469ddff 100644
--- a/src/api/dotnet/UserPropagator.cs
+++ b/src/api/dotnet/UserPropagator.cs
@@ -58,12 +58,12 @@ namespace Microsoft.Z3
         public delegate void CreatedEh(Expr term);
 
         /// <summary>
-        /// Delegate type for callback into solver's branching
+        /// Delegate type for callback into solver's branching. The values can be overriden by calling <see cref="NextSplit" />.
+        /// </summary>
         /// <param name="term">A bit-vector or Boolean used for branching</param>
         /// <param name="idx">If the term is a bit-vector, then an index into the bit-vector being branched on</param>
-        /// <param name="phase">Set phase to -1 (false) or 1 (true) to override solver's phase</param>
-        /// </summary>                
-        public delegate void DecideEh(ref Expr term, ref uint idx, ref int phase);
+        /// <param name="phase">The tentative truth-value</param>
+        public delegate void DecideEh(Expr term, uint idx, bool phase);
         
         // access managed objects through a static array.
         // thread safety is ignored for now.
@@ -168,16 +168,11 @@ namespace Microsoft.Z3
             prop.Callback(() => prop.created_eh(t), cb);
         }
 
-        static void _decide(voidp ctx, Z3_solver_callback cb, ref Z3_ast a, ref uint idx, ref int phase)
+        static void _decide(voidp ctx, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_ast a, uint idx, bool phase)
         {
             var prop = (UserPropagator)GCHandle.FromIntPtr(ctx).Target;
-            var t = Expr.Create(prop.ctx, a);
-            var u = t;
-            prop.callback = cb;
-            prop.decide_eh(ref t, ref idx, ref phase);
-            prop.callback = IntPtr.Zero;
-            if (u != t)
-                a = t.NativeObject;
+            using var t = Expr.Create(prop.ctx, a);
+            prop.Callback(() => prop.decide_eh(t, idx, phase), cb);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -352,10 +347,17 @@ namespace Microsoft.Z3
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Set the next decision
+        /// <param name="e">A bit-vector or Boolean used for branching. Use <see langword="null" /> to clear</param>
+        /// <param name="idx">If the term is a bit-vector, then an index into the bit-vector being branched on</param>
+        /// <param name="phase">The tentative truth-value (-1/false, 1/true, 0/let Z3 decide)</param>
         /// </summary>
-        public void NextSplit(Expr e, uint idx, int phase)
+        /// <returns>
+        /// <see langword="true" /> in case the value was successfully set;
+        /// <see langword="false" /> if the next split could not be set
+        /// </returns>
+        public bool NextSplit(Expr e, uint idx, int phase)
         {
-            Native.Z3_solver_next_split(ctx.nCtx, this.callback, e.NativeObject, idx, phase);
+            return Native.Z3_solver_next_split(ctx.nCtx, this.callback, e?.NativeObject ?? IntPtr.Zero, idx, phase) != 0;
         }
 
         /// <summary>
diff --git a/src/api/java/NativeStatic.txt b/src/api/java/NativeStatic.txt
index f68893e6b..6bd406dca 100644
--- a/src/api/java/NativeStatic.txt
+++ b/src/api/java/NativeStatic.txt
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ struct JavaInfo {
   jmethodID fixed = nullptr;
   jmethodID eq = nullptr;
   jmethodID final = nullptr;
+  jmethodID decide = nullptr;
 
   Z3_solver_callback cb = nullptr;
 };
@@ -146,11 +147,10 @@ static void final_eh(void* _p, Z3_solver_callback cb) {
   info->jenv->CallVoidMethod(info->jobj, info->final);
 }
 
-// TODO: implement decide
-static void decide_eh(void* _p, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_ast* _val, unsigned* bit, Z3_lbool* is_pos) {
+static void decide_eh(void* _p, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_ast _val, unsigned bit, bool is_pos) {
   JavaInfo *info = static_cast<JavaInfo*>(_p);
   ScopedCB scoped(info, cb);
-
+  info->jenv->CallVoidMethod(info->jobj, info->decide, (jlong)_val);
 }
 
 DLL_VIS JNIEXPORT jlong JNICALL Java_com_microsoft_z3_Native_propagateInit(JNIEnv *jenv, jclass cls, jobject jobj, jlong ctx, jlong solver) {
@@ -166,8 +166,9 @@ DLL_VIS JNIEXPORT jlong JNICALL Java_com_microsoft_z3_Native_propagateInit(JNIEn
   info->fixed = jenv->GetMethodID(jcls, "fixedWrapper", "(JJ)V");
   info->eq = jenv->GetMethodID(jcls, "eqWrapper", "(JJ)V");
   info->final = jenv->GetMethodID(jcls, "finWrapper", "()V");
-  
-  if (!info->push || !info->pop || !info->fresh || !info->created || !info->fixed || !info->eq || !info->final) {
+  info->decide = jenv->GetMethodID(jcls, "decideWrapper", "(JII)V");
+
+  if (!info->push || !info->pop || !info->fresh || !info->created || !info->fixed || !info->eq || !info->final || !info->decide) {
     assert(false);
   }
 
@@ -225,8 +226,8 @@ DLL_VIS JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_com_microsoft_z3_Native_propagateAdd(JNIEnv
   }
 }
 
-DLL_VIS JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_com_microsoft_z3_Native_propagateNextSplit(JNIEnv * jenv, jclass cls, jobject jobj, jlong ctx, jlong solver, jlong javainfo, long e, long idx, long phase) {
+DLL_VIS JNIEXPORT bool JNICALL Java_com_microsoft_z3_Native_propagateNextSplit(JNIEnv * jenv, jclass cls, jobject jobj, jlong ctx, jlong solver, jlong javainfo, long e, long idx, int phase) {
   JavaInfo *info = (JavaInfo*)javainfo;
   Z3_solver_callback cb = info->cb;
-  Z3_solver_next_split((Z3_context)ctx, cb, (Z3_ast)e, idx, Z3_lbool(phase));
+  return Z3_solver_next_split((Z3_context)ctx, cb, (Z3_ast)e, idx, Z3_lbool(phase));
 }
diff --git a/src/api/java/UserPropagatorBase.java b/src/api/java/UserPropagatorBase.java
index 90243ba68..407d3d0da 100644
--- a/src/api/java/UserPropagatorBase.java
+++ b/src/api/java/UserPropagatorBase.java
@@ -89,9 +89,9 @@ public abstract class UserPropagatorBase extends Native.UserPropagatorBase {
             fixed.length, AST.arrayToNative(fixed), lhs.length, AST.arrayToNative(lhs), AST.arrayToNative(rhs), conseq.getNativeObject());
     }
 
-    public final <R extends Sort> void nextSplit(Expr<R> e, long idx, Z3_lbool phase) {
-        Native.propagateNextSplit(
+    public final <R extends Sort> boolean nextSplit(Expr<R> e, long idx, Z3_lbool phase) {
+        return Native.propagateNextSplit(
             this, ctx.nCtx(), solver.getNativeObject(), javainfo,
             e.getNativeObject(), idx, phase.toInt());
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/src/api/python/z3/z3.py b/src/api/python/z3/z3.py
index 001776ec7..32c7a5763 100644
--- a/src/api/python/z3/z3.py
+++ b/src/api/python/z3/z3.py
@@ -11529,16 +11529,11 @@ def user_prop_diseq(ctx, cb, x, y):
     prop.diseq(x, y)
     prop.cb = None
 
-# TODO The decision callback is not fully implemented.
-# It needs to handle the ast*, unsigned* idx, and Z3_lbool* 
-def user_prop_decide(ctx, cb, t_ref, idx_ref, phase_ref):
+def user_prop_decide(ctx, cb, t, idx, phase):
     prop = _prop_closures.get(ctx)
     prop.cb = cb
     t = _to_expr_ref(to_Ast(t_ref), prop.ctx())
-    t, idx, phase = prop.decide(t, idx, phase)
-    t_ref = t
-    idx_ref = idx
-    phase_ref = phase
+    prop.decide(t, idx, phase)
     prop.cb = None
     
 
@@ -11685,7 +11680,7 @@ class UserPropagateBase:
     # split on. A phase of true = 1/false = -1/undef = 0 = let solver decide is the last argument.
     #
     def next_split(self, t, idx, phase):
-        Z3_solver_next_split(self.ctx_ref(), ctypes.c_void_p(self.cb), t.ast, idx, phase)
+        return Z3_solver_next_split(self.ctx_ref(), ctypes.c_void_p(self.cb), t.ast, idx, phase)
         
     #
     # Propagation can only be invoked as during a fixed or final callback.
diff --git a/src/api/z3_api.h b/src/api/z3_api.h
index 0582ffa37..54974d57b 100644
--- a/src/api/z3_api.h
+++ b/src/api/z3_api.h
@@ -1435,7 +1435,7 @@ Z3_DECLARE_CLOSURE(Z3_fixed_eh,   void, (void* ctx, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_as
 Z3_DECLARE_CLOSURE(Z3_eq_eh,      void, (void* ctx, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_ast s, Z3_ast t));
 Z3_DECLARE_CLOSURE(Z3_final_eh,   void, (void* ctx, Z3_solver_callback cb));
 Z3_DECLARE_CLOSURE(Z3_created_eh, void, (void* ctx, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_ast t));
-Z3_DECLARE_CLOSURE(Z3_decide_eh,  void, (void* ctx, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_ast* t, unsigned* idx, Z3_lbool* phase));
+Z3_DECLARE_CLOSURE(Z3_decide_eh,  void, (void* ctx, Z3_solver_callback cb, Z3_ast t, unsigned idx, bool phase));
 Z3_DECLARE_CLOSURE(Z3_on_clause_eh, void, (void* ctx, Z3_ast proof_hint, Z3_ast_vector literals));
 
 
@@ -7098,20 +7098,21 @@ extern "C" {
     
     /**
        \brief register a callback when the solver decides to split on a registered expression.
-       The callback may set the passed expression to another registered expression which will be selected instead.
-       In case the expression is a bitvector the bit to split on is determined by the bit argument and the 
-       truth-value to try first is given by is_pos. In case the truth value is undefined the solver will decide.
+       The callback may change the arguments by providing other values by calling \ref Z3_solver_next_split
 
        def_API('Z3_solver_propagate_decide', VOID, (_in(CONTEXT), _in(SOLVER), _fnptr(Z3_decide_eh)))
     */
     void Z3_API Z3_solver_propagate_decide(Z3_context c, Z3_solver s, Z3_decide_eh decide_eh);
 
     /**
-        Sets the next expression to split on
+        Sets the next (registered) expression to split on.
+        The function returns false and ignores the given expression in case the expression is already assigned internally
+        (due to relevancy propagation, this assignments might not have been reported yet by the fixed callback).
+        In case the function is called in the decide callback, it overrides the currently selected variable and phase.
      
-      def_API('Z3_solver_next_split', VOID, (_in(CONTEXT), _in(SOLVER_CALLBACK), _in(AST), _in(UINT), _in(LBOOL)))
+      def_API('Z3_solver_next_split', BOOL, (_in(CONTEXT), _in(SOLVER_CALLBACK), _in(AST), _in(UINT), _in(LBOOL)))
     */
-    void Z3_API Z3_solver_next_split(Z3_context c, Z3_solver_callback cb,  Z3_ast t, unsigned idx, Z3_lbool phase);
+    bool Z3_API Z3_solver_next_split(Z3_context c, Z3_solver_callback cb,  Z3_ast t, unsigned idx, Z3_lbool phase);
     
     /**
         Create uninterpreted function declaration for the user propagator.
diff --git a/src/sat/smt/bv_solver.cpp b/src/sat/smt/bv_solver.cpp
index a0bcea43b..f76e5ab70 100644
--- a/src/sat/smt/bv_solver.cpp
+++ b/src/sat/smt/bv_solver.cpp
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ namespace bv {
     /**
        \brief Find an unassigned bit for m_wpos[v], if such bit cannot be found invoke fixed_var_eh
     */
-    void solver::find_wpos(theory_var v) {
+    bool solver::find_wpos(theory_var v) {
         literal_vector const& bits = m_bits[v];
         unsigned sz = bits.size();
         unsigned& wpos = m_wpos[v];
@@ -137,11 +137,12 @@ namespace bv {
             if (s().value(bits[idx]) == l_undef) {
                 wpos = idx;
                 TRACE("bv", tout << "moved wpos of v" << v << " to " << wpos << "\n";);
-                return;
+                return false;
             }
         }
         TRACE("bv", tout << "v" << v << " is a fixed variable.\n";);
         fixed_var_eh(v);
+        return true;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -853,7 +854,17 @@ namespace bv {
         values[n->get_root_id()] = bv.mk_numeral(val, m_bits[v].size());
     }
 
-    trail_stack& solver::get_trail_stack() {
+    sat::bool_var solver::get_bit(unsigned bit, euf::enode *n) const {
+        theory_var v = n->get_th_var(get_id());
+        if (v == euf::null_theory_var)
+            return sat::null_bool_var;
+        auto &bits = m_bits[v];
+        if (bit >= bits.size())
+            return sat::null_bool_var;
+        return bits[bit].var();
+    }
+
+    trail_stack &solver::get_trail_stack() {
         return ctx.get_trail_stack();
     }
 
diff --git a/src/sat/smt/bv_solver.h b/src/sat/smt/bv_solver.h
index dc9cd1456..91e485a9f 100644
--- a/src/sat/smt/bv_solver.h
+++ b/src/sat/smt/bv_solver.h
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ namespace bv {
         
         // solving
         theory_var find(theory_var v) const { return m_find.find(v); }
-        void find_wpos(theory_var v);
+        bool find_wpos(theory_var v);
         void find_new_diseq_axioms(atom& a, theory_var v, unsigned idx);
         void mk_new_diseq_axiom(theory_var v1, theory_var v2, unsigned idx);
         bool get_fixed_value(theory_var v, numeral& result) const;
@@ -334,7 +334,6 @@ namespace bv {
         numeral const& power2(unsigned i) const;
         sat::literal mk_true();
 
-
         // invariants
         bool check_zero_one_bits(theory_var v);
         void check_missing_propagation() const;
@@ -391,6 +390,7 @@ namespace bv {
         euf::theory_var mk_var(euf::enode* n) override;
         void apply_sort_cnstr(euf::enode * n, sort * s) override;
 
+        bool_var get_bit(unsigned bit, euf::enode* n) const;
         
         void merge_eh(theory_var, theory_var, theory_var v1, theory_var v2);
         void after_merge_eh(theory_var r1, theory_var r2, theory_var v1, theory_var v2) { SASSERT(check_zero_one_bits(r1)); }
diff --git a/src/sat/smt/user_solver.cpp b/src/sat/smt/user_solver.cpp
index 34f2b10b4..1e8897b8c 100644
--- a/src/sat/smt/user_solver.cpp
+++ b/src/sat/smt/user_solver.cpp
@@ -15,8 +15,9 @@ Author:
 
 --*/
 
-#include "sat/smt/user_solver.h"
+#include "sat/smt/bv_solver.h"
 #include "sat/smt/euf_solver.h"
+#include "sat/smt/user_solver.h"
 
 namespace user_solver {
 
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ namespace user_solver {
         expr_ref r(m);
         sat::literal_vector explain;
         if (ctx.is_fixed(n, r, explain))
-            m_prop.push_back(prop_info(explain, v, r));        
+            m_prop.push_back(prop_info(explain, v, r));
     }
 
     void solver::propagate_cb(
@@ -56,17 +57,21 @@ namespace user_solver {
     void solver::register_cb(expr* e) {
         add_expr(e);
     }
-    
-    void solver::next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) {
+
+    bool solver::next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) {
         if (e == nullptr) {
-            m_next_split_expr = nullptr;
-            return;
+            m_next_split_var = sat::null_bool_var;
+            return true;
         }
         force_push();
         ctx.internalize(e);
-        m_next_split_expr = e;
-        m_next_split_idx = idx;
+        sat::bool_var var = enode_to_bool(ctx.get_enode(e), idx);
         m_next_split_phase = phase;
+        if (var == sat::null_bool_var || s().value(var) != l_undef)
+            return false;
+        m_next_split_var = var;
+        m_next_split_phase = phase;
+        return true;
     }
 
     sat::check_result solver::check() {
@@ -84,39 +89,41 @@ namespace user_solver {
         m_id2justification.setx(v, sat::literal_vector(num_lits, jlits), sat::literal_vector());
         m_fixed_eh(m_user_context, this, var2expr(v), value);
     }
-    
+
     bool solver::decide(sat::bool_var& var, lbool& phase) {
-        
+
         if (!m_decide_eh)
             return false;
-        
+
         euf::enode* original_enode = bool_var2enode(var);
-        
+
         if (!original_enode || !is_attached_to_var(original_enode))
             return false;
-        
+
         unsigned new_bit = 0; // ignored; currently no bv-support
         expr* e = original_enode->get_expr();
-        
-        m_decide_eh(m_user_context, this, &e, &new_bit, &phase);
-        
-        euf::enode* new_enode = ctx.get_enode(e);
-    
-        if (original_enode == new_enode || new_enode->bool_var() == sat::null_bool_var)
+
+        m_decide_eh(m_user_context, this, e, new_bit, phase);
+        sat::bool_var new_var;
+        if (!get_case_split(new_var, phase) || new_var == var)
+            // The user did not interfere
             return false;
-        
-        var = new_enode->bool_var();
+        var = new_var;
+
+        // check if the new variable is unassigned
+        if (s().value(var) != l_undef)
+            throw default_exception("expression in \"decide\" is already assigned");
         return true;
     }
-    
-    bool solver::get_case_split(sat::bool_var& var, lbool& phase){
-        if (!m_next_split_expr)
+
+    bool solver::get_case_split(sat::bool_var& var, lbool& phase) {
+        if (m_next_split_var == sat::null_bool_var)
             return false;
-        
-        euf::enode* n = ctx.get_enode(m_next_split_expr);
-        var = n->bool_var();
+
+        var = m_next_split_var;
         phase = m_next_split_phase;
-        m_next_split_expr = nullptr;
+        m_next_split_var = sat::null_bool_var;
+        m_next_split_phase = l_undef;
         return true;
     }
 
@@ -134,14 +141,14 @@ namespace user_solver {
         m_id2justification.setx(v, lits, sat::literal_vector());
         m_fixed_eh(m_user_context, this, var2expr(v), lit.sign() ? m.mk_false() : m.mk_true());
     }
-    
+
     void solver::new_eq_eh(euf::th_eq const& eq) {
         if (!m_eq_eh)
             return;
         force_push();
         m_eq_eh(m_user_context, this, var2expr(eq.v1()), var2expr(eq.v2()));
     }
-    
+
     void solver::new_diseq_eh(euf::th_eq const& de) {
         if (!m_diseq_eh)
             return;
@@ -188,7 +195,7 @@ namespace user_solver {
                 propagate_consequence(prop);
             else
                 propagate_new_fixed(prop);
-        }       
+        }
         return np < m_stats.m_num_propagations;
     }
 
@@ -208,7 +215,7 @@ namespace user_solver {
         auto& j = justification::from_index(idx);
         auto const& prop = m_prop[j.m_propagation_index];
         for (unsigned id : prop.m_ids)
-            r.append(m_id2justification[id]);        
+            r.append(m_id2justification[id]);
         for (auto const& p : prop.m_eqs)
             ctx.add_antecedent(probing, expr2enode(p.first), expr2enode(p.second));
     }
@@ -243,7 +250,7 @@ namespace user_solver {
     }
 
     std::ostream& solver::display_constraint(std::ostream& out, sat::ext_constraint_idx idx) const {
-        return display_justification(out, idx);     
+        return display_justification(out, idx);
     }
 
     euf::th_solver* solver::clone(euf::solver& dst_ctx) {
@@ -278,26 +285,35 @@ namespace user_solver {
             return true;
         }
         m_stack.push_back(sat::eframe(e));
-        return false;        
+        return false;
     }
-    
+
     bool solver::visited(expr* e) {
         euf::enode* n = expr2enode(e);
-        return n && n->is_attached_to(get_id());        
+        return n && n->is_attached_to(get_id());
     }
-    
+
     bool solver::post_visit(expr* e, bool sign, bool root) {
         euf::enode* n = expr2enode(e);
         SASSERT(!n || !n->is_attached_to(get_id()));
-        if (!n) 
-            n = mk_enode(e, false);        
+        if (!n)
+            n = mk_enode(e, false);
         add_expr(e);
         if (m_created_eh)
             m_created_eh(m_user_context, this, e);
         return true;
     }
 
-
+    sat::bool_var solver::enode_to_bool(euf::enode* n, unsigned idx) {
+        if (n->bool_var() != sat::null_bool_var) {
+            // expression is a boolean
+            return n->bool_var();
+        }
+        // expression is a bit-vector
+        bv_util bv(m);
+        th_solver* th = ctx.fid2solver(bv.get_fid());
+        return ((bv::solver*) th)->get_bit(idx, n);
+    }
 
 }
 
diff --git a/src/sat/smt/user_solver.h b/src/sat/smt/user_solver.h
index cb1c6fe94..bd1b703e0 100644
--- a/src/sat/smt/user_solver.h
+++ b/src/sat/smt/user_solver.h
@@ -75,9 +75,8 @@ namespace user_solver {
         euf::enode_pair_vector          m_eqs;
         unsigned_vector                 m_fixed_ids;
         stats                           m_stats;
-        expr*                           m_next_split_expr = nullptr;
-        unsigned                        m_next_split_idx;
-        lbool                           m_next_split_phase;
+        sat::bool_var                   m_next_split_var = sat::null_bool_var;
+        lbool                           m_next_split_phase = l_undef;
 
         struct justification {
             unsigned m_propagation_index { 0 };
@@ -104,6 +103,8 @@ namespace user_solver {
         bool visited(expr* e) override;
         bool post_visit(expr* e, bool sign, bool root) override;
 
+        sat::bool_var enode_to_bool(euf::enode* n, unsigned idx);
+
     public:
         solver(euf::solver& ctx);
         
@@ -136,7 +137,7 @@ namespace user_solver {
 
         void propagate_cb(unsigned num_fixed, expr* const* fixed_ids, unsigned num_eqs, expr* const* lhs, expr* const* rhs, expr* conseq) override;
         void register_cb(expr* e) override;
-        void next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) override;
+        bool next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) override;
 
         void new_fixed_eh(euf::theory_var v, expr* value, unsigned num_lits, sat::literal const* jlits);
 
diff --git a/src/smt/smt_context.cpp b/src/smt/smt_context.cpp
index 82f56ab76..4125b24de 100644
--- a/src/smt/smt_context.cpp
+++ b/src/smt/smt_context.cpp
@@ -2918,7 +2918,9 @@ namespace smt {
     bool context::has_split_candidate(bool_var& var, bool& is_pos) {
         if (!m_user_propagator)
             return false;
-        return m_user_propagator->get_case_split(var, is_pos);
+        if (!m_user_propagator->get_case_split(var, is_pos))
+            return false;
+        return get_assignment(var) == l_undef;
     }
     
     bool context::decide_user_interference(bool_var& var, bool& is_pos) {
diff --git a/src/smt/theory_bv.cpp b/src/smt/theory_bv.cpp
index 7adab35f4..a44e1a1aa 100644
--- a/src/smt/theory_bv.cpp
+++ b/src/smt/theory_bv.cpp
@@ -1889,21 +1889,14 @@ namespace smt {
         return var_enode_pos(nullptr, UINT32_MAX);
     }
 
-    bool_var theory_bv::get_first_unassigned(unsigned start_bit, enode* n) const {
+    bool_var theory_bv::get_bit(unsigned bit, enode* n) const {
         theory_var v = n->get_th_var(get_family_id());
+        if (v == null_theory_var)
+            return null_bool_var;
         auto& bits = m_bits[v];
-        unsigned sz = bits.size();
-
-        for (unsigned i = start_bit; i < sz; ++i) {
-            if (ctx.get_assignment(bits[i].var()) == l_undef)
-                return bits[i].var();
-        }
-        for (unsigned i = 0; i < start_bit; ++i) {
-            if (ctx.get_assignment(bits[i].var()) == l_undef)
-                return bits[i].var();
-        }
-
-        return null_bool_var;
+        if (bit >= bits.size())
+            return null_bool_var;
+        return bits[bit].var();
     }
 
     bool theory_bv::check_assignment(theory_var v) {
diff --git a/src/smt/theory_bv.h b/src/smt/theory_bv.h
index 73d659c68..10cf005e3 100644
--- a/src/smt/theory_bv.h
+++ b/src/smt/theory_bv.h
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ namespace smt {
         bool is_fixed_propagated(theory_var v, expr_ref& val, literal_vector& explain) override;
 
         var_enode_pos get_bv_with_theory(bool_var v, theory_id id) const;
-        bool_var get_first_unassigned(unsigned start_bit, enode* n) const;
+        bool_var get_bit(unsigned bit, enode* n) const;
 
         bool check_assignment(theory_var v);
         bool check_invariant();
diff --git a/src/smt/theory_user_propagator.cpp b/src/smt/theory_user_propagator.cpp
index 8eeaf4382..2d5b4917d 100644
--- a/src/smt/theory_user_propagator.cpp
+++ b/src/smt/theory_user_propagator.cpp
@@ -107,15 +107,18 @@ void theory_user_propagator::register_cb(expr* e) {
         add_expr(e, true);
 }
 
-void theory_user_propagator::next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) {
+bool theory_user_propagator::next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) {
     if (e == nullptr) { // clear
-        m_next_split_expr = nullptr;
-        return;
+        m_next_split_var = null_bool_var;
+        return true;
     }
     ensure_enode(e);
-    m_next_split_expr = e;
-    m_next_split_idx = idx;
+    bool_var b = enode_to_bool(ctx.get_enode(e), idx);
+    if (b == null_bool_var || ctx.get_assignment(b) != l_undef)
+        return false;
+    m_next_split_var = b;
     m_next_split_phase = phase;
+    return true;
 }
 
 theory * theory_user_propagator::mk_fresh(context * new_ctx) {
@@ -174,18 +177,15 @@ void theory_user_propagator::new_fixed_eh(theory_var v, expr* value, unsigned nu
      }
 }
 
-bool_var theory_user_propagator::enode_to_bool(enode* n, unsigned bit) {
+bool_var theory_user_propagator::enode_to_bool(enode* n, unsigned idx) {
     if (n->is_bool()) {
         // expression is a boolean
-        bool_var new_var = ctx.enode2bool_var(n);
-        if (ctx.get_assignment(new_var) == l_undef)
-            return new_var;
-        return null_bool_var;
+        return ctx.enode2bool_var(n);
     }
     // expression is a bit-vector
     bv_util bv(m);
     auto th_bv = (theory_bv*)ctx.get_theory(bv.get_fid());
-    return th_bv->get_first_unassigned(bit, n);
+    return th_bv->get_bit(idx, n);
 }
 
 void theory_user_propagator::decide(bool_var& var, bool& is_pos) {
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ void theory_user_propagator::decide(bool_var& var, bool& is_pos) {
 
     if (v == null_theory_var) {
         // it is not a registered boolean value but it is a bitvector
-        auto registered_bv = ((theory_bv*)th)->get_bv_with_theory(var, get_family_id());
+        auto registered_bv = ((theory_bv *) th)->get_bv_with_theory(var, get_family_id());
         if (!registered_bv.first)
             // there is no registered bv associated with the bit
             return;
@@ -236,47 +236,33 @@ void theory_user_propagator::decide(bool_var& var, bool& is_pos) {
 
     // call the registered callback
     unsigned new_bit = original_bit;
-    lbool phase = is_pos ? l_true : l_false;
-    
-    expr* e = var2expr(v);
-    m_decide_eh(m_user_context, this, &e, &new_bit, &phase);
-    enode* new_enode = ctx.get_enode(e);
 
-    // check if the callback changed something
-    if (original_enode == new_enode && (new_enode->is_bool() || original_bit == new_bit)) {
-        if (phase != l_undef)
-            // it only affected the truth value
-            is_pos = phase == l_true;
+    expr *e = var2expr(v);
+    m_decide_eh(m_user_context, this, e, new_bit, is_pos);
+
+    bool_var new_var;
+    if (!get_case_split(new_var, is_pos) || new_var == var)
+        // The user did not interfere
         return;
-    }
+    var = new_var;
 
-    // get unassigned variable from enode
-    var = enode_to_bool(new_enode, new_bit);
-    
-    if (var == null_bool_var)
-        // selected variable is already assigned
+    // check if the new variable is unassigned
+    if (ctx.get_assignment(var) != l_undef)
         throw default_exception("expression in \"decide\" is already assigned");
-    
-    // in case the callback did not decide on a truth value -> let Z3 decide
-    is_pos = ctx.guess(var, phase);
 }
 
-bool theory_user_propagator::get_case_split(bool_var& var, bool& is_pos){
-    if (!m_next_split_expr)
+bool theory_user_propagator::get_case_split(bool_var& var, bool& is_pos) {
+    if (m_next_split_var == null_bool_var)
         return false;
-    enode* n = ctx.get_enode(m_next_split_expr);
-    
-    var = enode_to_bool(n, m_next_split_idx);
-    
-    if (var == null_bool_var)
-        return false;
-    
+
+    var = m_next_split_var;
     is_pos = ctx.guess(var, m_next_split_phase);
-    m_next_split_expr = nullptr;
+    m_next_split_var = null_bool_var;
+    m_next_split_phase = l_undef;
     return true;
 }
 
-void theory_user_propagator::push_scope_eh() {    
+void theory_user_propagator::push_scope_eh() {
     ++m_num_scopes;
 }
 
@@ -421,9 +407,9 @@ bool theory_user_propagator::internalize_term(app* term)  {
     return true;
 }
 
-void theory_user_propagator::collect_statistics(::statistics & st) const {
+void theory_user_propagator::collect_statistics(::statistics& st) const {
     st.update("user-propagations", m_stats.m_num_propagations);
-    st.update("user-watched",      get_num_vars());
+    st.update("user-watched", get_num_vars());
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/smt/theory_user_propagator.h b/src/smt/theory_user_propagator.h
index 2ed1acbdf..5a6eafc0a 100644
--- a/src/smt/theory_user_propagator.h
+++ b/src/smt/theory_user_propagator.h
@@ -83,9 +83,8 @@ namespace smt {
         expr_ref_vector        m_to_add;
         unsigned_vector        m_to_add_lim;
         unsigned               m_to_add_qhead = 0;
-        expr*                  m_next_split_expr = nullptr;
-        unsigned               m_next_split_idx;
-        lbool                  m_next_split_phase;
+        bool_var               m_next_split_var = null_bool_var;
+        lbool                  m_next_split_phase = l_undef;
 
         expr* var2expr(theory_var v) { return m_var2expr.get(v); }
         theory_var expr2var(expr* e) { check_defined(e); return m_expr2var[e->get_id()]; }
@@ -133,7 +132,7 @@ namespace smt {
         
         void propagate_cb(unsigned num_fixed, expr* const* fixed_ids, unsigned num_eqs, expr* const* lhs, expr* const* rhs, expr* conseq) override;
         void register_cb(expr* e) override;
-        void next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) override;
+        bool next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) override;
 
         void new_fixed_eh(theory_var v, expr* value, unsigned num_lits, literal const* jlits);
         void decide(bool_var& var, bool& is_pos);
diff --git a/src/tactic/user_propagator_base.h b/src/tactic/user_propagator_base.h
index 68e55be75..d4dae5166 100644
--- a/src/tactic/user_propagator_base.h
+++ b/src/tactic/user_propagator_base.h
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ namespace user_propagator {
         virtual ~callback() = default;
         virtual void propagate_cb(unsigned num_fixed, expr* const* fixed_ids, unsigned num_eqs, expr* const* eq_lhs, expr* const* eq_rhs, expr* conseq) = 0;
         virtual void register_cb(expr* e) = 0;
-        virtual void next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) = 0;
+        virtual bool next_split_cb(expr* e, unsigned idx, lbool phase) = 0;
     };
     
     class context_obj {
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ namespace user_propagator {
     typedef std::function<void(void*, callback*)>                            push_eh_t;
     typedef std::function<void(void*, callback*, unsigned)>                  pop_eh_t;
     typedef std::function<void(void*, callback*, expr*)>                     created_eh_t;
-    typedef std::function<void(void*, callback*, expr**, unsigned*, lbool*)> decide_eh_t;
+    typedef std::function<void(void*, callback*, expr*, unsigned, bool)>     decide_eh_t;
     typedef std::function<void(void*, expr*, unsigned, expr* const*)>        on_clause_eh_t;
 
     class plugin : public decl_plugin {