Governor Corzine Signs Irreconcilable Differences Divorce Into Law
Simpler quicker divorce available to New Jersey residents
On January 20, 2007 Governor Jon Corzine signed into law a bill that establishes irreconcilable differences as a ground for divorce in New Jersey. Bard Shober, an attorney with D’Arcy Johnson Shober & Hassel who concentrates his practice in family and divorce law, stated that “this new law provides for a simpler divorce without the acrimony and emotional stress normally associated with divorces.”
Previously, the only no-fault ground for divorce available to New Jersey residents required the parties to physically live separate and apart from each other for a period of eighteen months. Couples wishing for a quicker solution were required to allege a fault basis for the divorce, usually extreme cruelty.
Although the extreme cruelty ground for divorce contains only a 3-month waiting period, it requires one of the parties to accuse the other of wrongful actions. Attorney Shober stated that “This often results in a far more contentious and stressful divorce. In addition, a complaint for divorce becomes a matter of public record. Many people have no desire to air their dirty laundry, or to create a lasting record of allegations about their children’s mother or father.”
Mr. Shober added that “Allegations of extreme cruelty usually result in higher legal costs and decrease the likelihood of a settlement. There are no winners in a divorce, but this law has the potential to make a difficult situation a little more manageable.”
Some organizations opposed the passing of the law because they believe that easier divorce is not in the interests of society. However, other states that have irreconcilable differences divorces did not experience a significant increase in divorce filings.
On January 20, 2007 Governor Jon Corzine signed into law a bill that establishes irreconcilable differences as a ground for divorce in New Jersey. Bard Shober, an attorney with D’Arcy Johnson Shober & Hassel who concentrates his practice in family and divorce law, stated that “this new law provides for a simpler divorce without the acrimony and emotional stress normally associated with divorces.”
Previously, the only no-fault ground for divorce available to New Jersey residents required the parties to physically live separate and apart from each other for a period of eighteen months. Couples wishing for a quicker solution were required to allege a fault basis for the divorce, usually extreme cruelty.
Although the extreme cruelty ground for divorce contains only a 3-month waiting period, it requires one of the parties to accuse the other of wrongful actions. Attorney Shober stated that “This often results in a far more contentious and stressful divorce. In addition, a complaint for divorce becomes a matter of public record. Many people have no desire to air their dirty laundry, or to create a lasting record of allegations about their children’s mother or father.”
Mr. Shober added that “Allegations of extreme cruelty usually result in higher legal costs and decrease the likelihood of a settlement. There are no winners in a divorce, but this law has the potential to make a difficult situation a little more manageable.”
Some organizations opposed the passing of the law because they believe that easier divorce is not in the interests of society. However, other states that have irreconcilable differences divorces did not experience a significant increase in divorce filings.