NBC Today show meteorologist Dylan Dreyer filed for divorce from Brian Fichera on March 10, 2026, ending their 12-year marriage. Dreyer has already relocated with the couple's three sons, ages 5, 6, and 9, to Long Island. Under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 170, New York allows no-fault divorce after an irretrievable breakdown lasting at least six months, making the filing process straightforward when both parties agree.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Dylan Dreyer filed for divorce from Brian Fichera |
| Filing date | March 10, 2026 |
| Jurisdiction | New York (Long Island) |
| Marriage duration | 12 years |
| Children | Three sons, ages 5, 6, and 9 |
| Key statute | N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 170(7) (no-fault grounds) |
| Current status | Dreyer relocated to Long Island; both parties seeking amicable resolution |
Why This Filing Matters for New York Divorce Law
This high-profile divorce highlights how New York's no-fault divorce system works in practice for families with young children. Since New York adopted no-fault divorce in 2010 under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 170(7), neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing. The filing party simply states the marriage has been irretrievably broken for at least six months. According to data reported by TMZ, both Dreyer and Fichera are prioritizing an amicable co-parenting arrangement, which aligns with how New York courts prefer custody disputes to resolve.
New York processed approximately 58,000 divorce filings in 2024, according to the New York State Unified Court System. The majority now proceed under no-fault grounds, avoiding the adversarial process that older fault-based statutes required. For a 12-year marriage with three minor children and significant media-industry income, the case touches on every major area of New York family law: equitable distribution, child custody, child support, and potentially spousal maintenance.
How New York Law Handles Cases Like This
New York is an equitable distribution state under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 236(B)(5). That means marital property is divided fairly, not necessarily 50/50. For a couple married 12 years where both spouses earned income, courts consider 13 statutory factors including the duration of the marriage, each spouse's income and property, and the custodial parent's need to occupy the marital residence.
Custody and Parenting Time
New York courts determine custody based on the best interests of the child standard under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240. The fact that Dreyer has already relocated with the children to Long Island is significant. New York courts look at which parent has been the primary caretaker, the stability of each parent's home environment, and each parent's willingness to foster the child's relationship with the other parent.
For three children ages 5, 6, and 9, courts in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island typically prefer arrangements that keep siblings together. The oldest child, at age 9, is approaching the age where New York courts begin giving some weight to the child's own preferences, though judges retain full discretion. New York does not set a specific age threshold, but case law suggests children around 12-14 begin having meaningful input.
Both parents publicly emphasizing co-parenting cooperation works in their favor. New York judges routinely consider the "friendly parent" doctrine, favoring the parent more likely to support the other's relationship with the children.
Child Support
New York calculates child support using the Child Support Standards Act (N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240(1-b)). For three children, the formula applies 29% of the combined parental income up to the statutory cap of $163,000 (as of 2025, adjusted periodically). Income above the cap is subject to judicial discretion.
Given that Dreyer's reported NBC salary places her among the network's top earners, and depending on Fichera's income from his production work, the support calculation could involve significant above-cap analysis. New York courts consider the children's pre-divorce standard of living when exercising discretion on income above the cap.
Spousal Maintenance
For a 12-year marriage, New York's maintenance guidelines under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 236(B)(6) set a duration advisory of 15% to 30% of the marriage length. That translates to roughly 1.8 to 3.6 years of post-divorce maintenance. The amount uses a formula based on the difference between the spouses' incomes, with a cap tied to the payor's income. Whether maintenance applies here depends on the income differential between Dreyer and Fichera, which has not been publicly disclosed.
Practical Takeaways for New York Residents Considering Divorce
-
File in the right county. Dreyer's relocation to Long Island means the case likely falls under Nassau or Suffolk County Supreme Court jurisdiction. Under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 230, at least one spouse must have resided in New York for a continuous period of at least one year before filing, or the grounds for divorce must have occurred in New York.
-
Understand that relocation with children before filing is scrutinized. Moving with the children before a custody order is in place is legally permissible in New York, but the other parent can challenge it. Courts examine whether the move serves the children's best interests or was designed to gain a tactical advantage.
-
Use the no-fault option when both sides agree. Filing under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 170(7) avoids the expense and emotional toll of proving fault grounds like cruel and inhuman treatment or abandonment. Over 75% of New York divorces now proceed on no-fault grounds.
-
Consider mediation or collaborative divorce for an amicable split. New York courts in Nassau and Suffolk counties actively encourage alternative dispute resolution. For couples with the resources and willingness to cooperate, mediation can resolve a case in 3-6 months rather than the 12-18 months a contested divorce typically requires.
-
Protect your financial interests early. New York's automatic orders under 22 NYCRR § 202.16-a take effect upon filing and prevent either spouse from transferring, encumbering, or dissipating marital assets. These orders apply immediately when the summons is served.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in New York with children?
An uncontested New York divorce with children typically takes 3-6 months from filing to final judgment. Contested cases average 12-18 months. Under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 170(7), the marriage must have been irretrievably broken for at least six months before the court grants the divorce, though the filing can occur before that period ends.
Can one parent move with the children before the divorce is finalized in New York?
Yes, a parent can relocate with children within New York before a custody order exists, but the move can be challenged. Once a custody order is in place, N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240 and the Tropea v. Tropea (1996) standard require court permission for any relocation that would significantly impact the other parent's access. The relocating parent bears the burden of proving the move serves the children's best interests.
How is child support calculated for high-income parents in New York?
New York applies the Child Support Standards Act formula to combined parental income up to $163,000 (2025 cap). For three children, that rate is 29%. Above the cap, judges have discretion to apply the percentage, consider the children's pre-divorce lifestyle, or use other factors under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240(1-b). High-income cases frequently involve forensic accountants to determine true income.
What does equitable distribution mean in a New York celebrity divorce?
Equitable distribution under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 236(B)(5) means marital property is divided fairly based on 13 factors, not automatically 50/50. For high-profile couples, courts examine each spouse's contribution to the marriage, career sacrifices, and future earning capacity. Media contracts, retirement accounts, and real estate acquired during the 12-year marriage would all be subject to division.
Do New York courts favor mothers in custody decisions?
No. New York law is gender-neutral in custody determinations under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240. Courts apply the best interests of the child standard regardless of the parent's gender. Factors include each parent's involvement in the children's daily lives, ability to provide a stable home, and willingness to support the other parent's relationship with the children. The historical trend of mothers receiving primary custody reflects caregiving patterns, not legal preference.
Want to understand how New York divorce law applies to your situation? Find a family law attorney in your county through our directory.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.