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With NYS no-fault divorce in place, divorce cases on the rise

Story Created: Oct 20, 2010 at 5:22 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 20, 2010 at 5:22 PM EDT

What God has joined together just got easier for man, and woman, to put asunder. New York State's equivalent to 'no-fault' divorce went into effect just six days ago, on October 14th.  In that time, local matrimonial attorney Keith Eisenhut has already begun six divorces under the new law.
    
"I've had many people...many people have called me, 'can I get a divorce now?' 'Do I need grounds anymore?' 'I don't have to prove cruel and inhuman treatment anymore?' Because you had to say very unpleasant things in divorce papers up until last week," says Eisenhut.

Eisenhut believe the new law will make a difficult and emotionally draining event easier and even help preserve families.

"Who cares who did what? The mudslinging accomplished nothing except making people dislike each other more and waste the court's time. Now the court can focus on disposing of assets, addressing children, custody, visitation, I think they're focusing on what's really important in the dissolution of a marriage."

Instead of being forced to prove one of several grounds, including infidelity and cruel and inhuman treatment, now, a couple can file for divorce simply citing  an 'irretrievable breakdown of the relationship'. The breakdown has to have occurred over a period in excess of six months.
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