A proposed change to a New Jersey law may prevent couples from turning courtrooms into divorce battlefields.

Lawmakers say the current law forces people to wait 18 months in New Jersey to file for divorce unless they claim extreme cruelty. According to lawmakers, too many couples are resorting to name-calling and accusations to end the marriage sooner, hurting their children in the process. The new bill would add ?irreconcilable differences? as a reason for divorce after only a six-month cooling off period.

Some attorneys say the new bill will be good for New Jersey. However, other attorneys feel the bill will take New Jersey in the wrong direction. One attorney says the measure will just be an easy way out for couples as six months is not long enough to work through problems.

An Assembly committee recently passed the bill. It should now head for a full vote.