Speedier Divorce Bill
OK'd by NJ Senate
Monday, December 4, 2006
(Source:http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061204/NEWS01/61204040/1004/LIVING)
By
MICHAEL RISPOLI
GANNETT STATE BUREAU
Note:
Passed
Assembly on 12-11-06
TRENTON
- The state Senate passed a long-running proposal Monday
that would amend current divorce laws and help speed up
the process.
The
bill (S-1467), which passed 30 to 5, would add new cause
for divorce by
allowing the couple to end a marriage after six months
of "irreconcilable differences."
Current
law mandates a couple to have an 18-month separation before
a no-fault divorce is reached. To dissolve the marriage
in a shorter
period of time, a spouse would have to cite more serious
charges,
such as adultery or emotional and physical cruelty.
Sen.
Nicholas Scutari, D-Middlesex, a sponsor of the bill,
said
divorce is always a sad and difficult occasion but that
"by
establishing 'irreconcilable differences' as grounds for
divorce, we
will allow couples to move forward with their lives in
a civil and
amicable fashion, without undue emotional stress and anguish."
The
bill is opposed by family and religious groups in the
state, who
fear by making divorce easier, divorces in New Jersey
will skyrocket.
Len
Deo, president of the New Jersey Family Policy Council,
said
couples with problems may need a year or more to resolve
issues and
that six months is way too short of a time to decide if
differences
cannot be reconciled.
"By
passing this, the state is moving in the wrong direction
of
divorce," said Deo. "By maintaining a modicum
of fault in divorce
law, it helps couples reconcile in many cases."
The
office of Gov. Jon S. Corzine has not taken a position
on the
issue, and a spokesman said staffers are currently reviewing
the
bill.
An
identical bill was passed in October by an Assembly committee
and
is waiting a vote.
Michael
Rispoli: mrispol@gannett.com
|
