New York Family Law Bar Practice Exam 2026 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Success!

The choice that identifies a no-fault ground for divorce is irretrievably broken marriage. In New York, a no-fault divorce option allows a spouse to file for divorce without having to prove that the other spouse did something wrong or engaged in misconduct. Instead, the filing spouse simply needs to assert that the marriage has broken down irreparably.

This concept is crucial as it aims to reduce the conflict that can arise from the blame and accusations that often accompany fault-based divorce grounds. In contrast, grounds such as adultery, cruelty, and desertion involve proving some form of wrongdoing or misconduct on the part of one spouse, requiring evidence and potentially exacerbating tensions between the parties. Thus, recognizing an irretrievably broken marriage as a no-fault ground reflects a shift towards more amicable resolutions, prioritizing the emotional well-being and closure for individuals seeking to end a marriage.