A dissolution of marriage where neither party is required to prove wrongdoing on the part of the other is available in New Jersey. This process allows a marriage to be ended based on irreconcilable differences, meaning the couple has experienced difficulties that have caused a breakdown of the marital relationship for a period of six months or more, and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. Previously, spouses were required to demonstrate grounds such as adultery, desertion, or extreme cruelty to obtain a divorce.
The introduction of this approach offers a less adversarial path to ending a marriage. It reduces the need for spouses to engage in potentially damaging accusations and protracted legal battles. The shift also acknowledges that marriages can end due to mutual incompatibility or evolving circumstances, rather than solely due to one party’s misconduct. This method can lead to a more amicable resolution of issues such as asset division, alimony, and child custody, potentially saving time, money, and emotional distress for all parties involved.
