NBC Today cohost Dylan Dreyer filed for divorce from husband Brian Fichera in New York on March 10, 2026, ending a 12-year marriage that produced three children. The filing came eight months after the couple announced their separation in July 2025 — a timeline that matters under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 170, which governs the grounds and process for dissolving a marriage in New York.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Dylan Dreyer filed for divorce from Brian Fichera |
| Filing date | March 10, 2026 |
| Separation announced | July 2025 (8 months prior) |
| Marriage duration | 12 years (married 2012) |
| Children | Three sons — Calvin (9), Oliver (6), Russell (4) |
| Jurisdiction | New York (children relocated to Long Island) |
Why This Filing Timeline Matters Legally
The eight-month gap between announcing a separation and filing for divorce is legally significant in New York. Under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 170(7), a couple can obtain a no-fault divorce by stating that the relationship has been "irretrievably broken" for at least six months. Dreyer and Fichera cleared that threshold before the March 10, 2026 filing.
New York became the last state in the country to adopt no-fault divorce when it amended Dom. Rel. Law § 170 in 2010 — just two years before the couple married. Before that change, New Yorkers had to prove fault grounds like cruelty, abandonment, or adultery, or live apart under a separation agreement for at least one year. The no-fault option simplified the process considerably, and roughly 95% of New York divorces now proceed on irretrievable breakdown grounds, according to the New York State Unified Court System's 2024 annual report.
Dreyer's public comments about the split — telling audiences "you accept that it's broken and you take this new step forward" — align closely with the statutory language. That kind of public acknowledgment, while not legally required, signals that both parties recognize the marriage has ended. According to TMZ, the filing was uncontested, suggesting the couple may have already negotiated key terms.
How New York Handles Divorce After a 12-Year Marriage
New York is an equitable distribution state under Dom. Rel. Law § 236(B)(5), meaning courts divide marital property fairly — not necessarily equally. For a 12-year marriage involving two professionals (Dreyer is a broadcast meteorologist; Fichera is a cameraman and producer), the court considers 16 statutory factors when dividing assets.
Those factors include the income and property of each spouse at the time of marriage, the duration of the marriage, the age and health of both parties, and whether either spouse will receive maintenance (alimony). New York courts also consider the direct and indirect contributions of each spouse to the marriage, including homemaking and child-rearing — a factor that carries weight when three young children are involved.
For high-profile marriages where one spouse earns substantially more, New York courts apply Dom. Rel. Law § 236(B)(6) to determine maintenance. The 2015 maintenance reform established a formulaic calculation: courts take 30% of the higher earner's income minus 20% of the lower earner's income, capped so the recipient's post-divorce income does not exceed 40% of the combined income. For a 12-year marriage, the advisory maintenance duration guideline is 15% to 30% of the length of the marriage — roughly 1.8 to 3.6 years.
Custody and Parenting on Long Island
Reporting indicates the couple's three sons — ages 9, 6, and 4 — have relocated to Long Island. New York custody determinations are governed by Dom. Rel. Law § 240, which requires courts to prioritize the "best interests of the child." New York does not have a statutory presumption favoring either parent, though the state's courts have increasingly favored shared parenting arrangements over the past decade.
The children's ages matter here. New York courts generally give more weight to a child's preference starting around age 12 to 14, meaning none of the Dreyer-Fichera children would likely have input into the custody arrangement at this stage. Courts instead focus on stability, each parent's involvement in the children's daily lives, and the ability of each parent to foster a relationship with the other parent.
For families with a parent whose career involves irregular hours or travel — as broadcast television often does — New York courts may structure parenting schedules around the work calendar. The court can order a detailed parenting plan specifying weekday, weekend, holiday, and vacation schedules under Dom. Rel. Law § 240(1).
Practical Takeaways for New York Residents
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You do not need to prove fault to file for divorce in New York. Under Dom. Rel. Law § 170(7), stating that the marriage has been irretrievably broken for six months is sufficient. The Dreyer-Fichera timeline — separating in July 2025 and filing in March 2026 — exceeds that six-month requirement.
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Separation and filing are different legal events. Announcing a separation publicly or moving into separate residences does not start the divorce process. Only filing a summons with notice or summons and complaint with the county clerk initiates the case. New York's filing fee is $210 as of 2026.
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Equitable distribution does not mean 50/50. New York courts weigh 16 factors under Dom. Rel. Law § 236(B)(5) to reach a fair division. Longer marriages generally result in closer-to-equal splits, but the outcome depends on each spouse's financial circumstances and contributions.
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Child custody decisions center on stability. When children have already relocated — as the Dreyer-Fichera children reportedly moved to Long Island — courts consider the established living arrangement as one factor in determining what serves the children's best interests.
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Maintenance duration correlates with marriage length. For a 12-year marriage, New York's advisory guidelines suggest maintenance lasting approximately 1.8 to 3.6 years, though courts can deviate based on the specific circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in New York?
An uncontested divorce in New York typically takes 3 to 6 months from filing to final judgment. Contested cases average 12 to 18 months. The minimum waiting period requires that the marriage be irretrievably broken for at least 6 months under Dom. Rel. Law § 170(7) before the court can grant the divorce.
Does New York require a separation period before filing?
New York does not require a formal separation period for no-fault divorce. The statute requires only that the relationship has been irretrievably broken for 6 months at the time the court grants the divorce — not at the time of filing. Couples can file immediately, though the 6-month clock must be satisfied before the judgment is issued.
How is child custody decided in New York?
New York courts decide custody based on the "best interests of the child" standard under Dom. Rel. Law § 240. Courts evaluate 10 or more factors including each parent's ability to provide a stable home, the child's established routine, each parent's work schedule, and the willingness of each parent to support the child's relationship with the other parent. There is no automatic preference for mothers or fathers.
What is equitable distribution in New York?
Equitable distribution under Dom. Rel. Law § 236(B)(5) means New York courts divide marital property fairly based on 16 statutory factors — not automatically 50/50. Factors include marriage duration, each spouse's income, contributions to marital property, and future financial circumstances. A 12-year marriage typically results in a division closer to equal than a shorter marriage would.
Can public statements about a divorce affect the legal outcome?
Public statements about a divorce generally do not affect property division or custody outcomes in New York courts. However, statements made on social media or in interviews can potentially be introduced as evidence if they relate to parenting fitness, hidden assets, or other contested issues. New York family law attorneys routinely advise clients to limit public commentary during active proceedings.
If you are considering divorce in New York, connecting with a local family law attorney can help you understand how these laws apply to your specific circumstances.
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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.