What does the new New York State “no fault” divorce law mean?
Until very recently, divorces could only be granted on grounds of cruelty, adultery, abandonment, or imprisonment. This meant that spouses who disagreed on terms couldn’t get a divorce unless grounds were proved in a trial; or that couples who agreed that the marriage should be terminated would have to testify to grounds that may not have been entirely valid. New York is the last state in the country to grant no-fault divorces, whereby couples can terminate their marriages six months after testifying under oath that the marriage should be dissolved. The new law also offers protection for the other spouse, in giving the courts additional discretion in setting spousal support levels and providing for interim counsel fees for non-monied spouses.
