A dissolution of marriage in New Jersey that does not require either party to prove fault or wrongdoing on the part of the other. Instead, a divorce can be granted based on irreconcilable differences that have caused the breakdown of the marriage for a period of six months or more. An example would be a couple who, despite efforts at reconciliation, can no longer maintain a functional marital relationship and mutually agree to end the marriage, or where one party asserts the marriage is irretrievably broken.
This approach offers several advantages. It reduces the adversarial nature of divorce proceedings, minimizing conflict and emotional distress for all involved, particularly children. Historically, divorce required proving grounds such as adultery or abandonment, which could lead to lengthy and contentious legal battles. The advent of a system focused on marital breakdown rather than blame simplifies the process, potentially lowering legal costs and promoting a more amicable resolution of related issues like asset division and child custody.