NYS Divorce Laws

Find resources and information on New York State divorce laws, compiled by our team to aid visitors and clients searching for clear information while navigating a divorce in New York.

WHAT ARE THE GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE UNDER NEW YORK DIVORCE LAW?

New York State Divorce lawsUnder New York Domestic Relations Law, there are seven grounds for divorce; four fault-based, two separation-based, and one no-fault based grounds. The grounds are:

  1. Cruel and inhuman treatment (fault based)
  2. Abandonment (fault based)
  3. Imprisonment (fault based)
  4. Adultery (fault based)
  5. Living separate and apart by judicial separation judgment or decree (separation based)
  6. Living separate and apart by separation agreement(separation based)
  7. Irretrievable breakdown (no-fault divorce)

These are references in Domestic Relations Law Section 170.