On April 2, 2026, David Craig filed for divorce from Real Housewives of New York City star Sai De Silva in New York County Supreme Court after 9 years of marriage and nearly 20 years together, per E! News. The filing triggers New York's equitable distribution regime under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 236, which governs reality TV earnings, brand deals, and custody of their two children, London (14) and Rio (8).
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | David Craig filed for divorce from Sai De Silva |
| When filed | April 2, 2026 |
| Where filed | New York County Supreme Court (Manhattan) |
| Length of marriage | 9 years married, ~20 years together |
| Children | London (14) and Rio (8) |
| Governing statute | N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 236 (Part B) |
| Public impact | Expected Season 16 RHONY storyline (currently filming) |
Why this matters legally
The Craig-De Silva divorce will be decided under New York's equitable distribution framework, not a 50/50 community property rule. Under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 236(B)(5), marital property is divided "equitably" — meaning fairly, but not necessarily equally — based on 14 statutory factors including the duration of the marriage, each spouse's contributions (financial and non-financial), and the custodial parent's need to occupy the marital residence.
Reality TV income sits squarely within the marital estate. Sai De Silva joined RHONY for Season 14 in 2023, which means her Bravo earnings, podcast revenue, and brand partnerships accrued during the marriage are presumptively marital property subject to division. New York courts have consistently held that celebrity-generated income earned during the marriage — including social media monetization, licensing deals, and appearance fees — is divisible under DRL § 236(B)(1)(c).
The couple's nearly two-decade partnership is legally significant. New York distinguishes between a "long-term" marriage (generally 10+ years) and shorter unions when calculating maintenance (alimony) under DRL § 236(B)(6). At 9 years of legal marriage, the couple sits on the borderline, which typically produces maintenance durations of 30%-40% of the marriage length under the statutory advisory schedule.
How New York law handles this
New York divorce procedure follows a rigid statutory sequence. The filing spouse must serve a Summons with Notice or a Summons and Verified Complaint within 120 days per CPLR § 306-b. The responding spouse then has 20 days (or 30 if served outside New York) to file a Notice of Appearance or Answer.
Sai De Silva must file a Statement of Net Worth within 20 days of the preliminary conference under 22 NYCRR § 202.16(b), disclosing all income, assets, debts, and monthly expenses. For high-income reality TV personalities, this includes Bravo contracts, production company agreements, brand partnership income (Fashion Nova, Walmart, and similar deals), podcast revenue, social media monetization, and any LLC or corporate entity ownership.
Child custody in New York is governed by the "best interests of the child" standard codified at DRL § 240. With London at 14, her stated preference will carry substantial weight — New York case law consistently gives mature teenagers significant input on custody and parenting time. For Rio at 8, courts weigh stability, continuity of schooling, and the primary caretaker history.
Child support follows the Child Support Standards Act under DRL § 240(1-b). For two children, the statutory percentage is 25% of combined parental income up to the 2026 cap of $183,000. Income above that cap is subject to judicial discretion based on 10 statutory factors, which becomes highly relevant for reality TV earners whose income fluctuates season to season.
New York's automatic orders under DRL § 236(B)(2)(b) take effect the moment a divorce is filed. Both parties are immediately restrained from transferring marital assets, changing beneficiaries on retirement accounts or insurance policies, and removing the other spouse from health insurance. Violation can result in contempt findings and sanctions.
Practical takeaways
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File first when you can. The spouse who files first — here, David Craig — selects the venue (New York County) and controls initial scheduling. New York requires a one-year residency under DRL § 230, which both parties clearly satisfy.
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Preserve digital assets immediately. Social media accounts, podcast IP, and brand contracts are marital property subject to the automatic orders. Neither spouse can transfer or liquidate these assets without court approval or written consent.
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Document reality TV income carefully. Bravo contracts, production company payments, and appearance fees must be disclosed on the Statement of Net Worth. Hiding income triggers sanctions under DRL § 236(B)(5)(d)(12).
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Protect children from public exposure. New York courts routinely issue protective orders limiting media discussion of minor children during divorce proceedings. Sai De Silva's April 2026 Instagram statement emphasizing "stability" for London and Rio reflects this legal and practical priority.
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Expect an 18-24 month timeline. Contested New York divorces with significant assets and custody issues typically take 18-24 months from filing to judgment. Uncontested matters resolve in 3-6 months.
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Engage forensic accountants early. Reality TV income, LLC structures, and brand partnerships require specialized valuation expertise to ensure equitable distribution under DRL § 236(B)(5)(d).
Frequently asked questions
Is New York a 50/50 divorce state?
No. New York is an equitable distribution state under DRL § 236(B)(5), meaning marital property is divided fairly based on 14 statutory factors — not automatically 50/50. Courts consider marriage duration, each spouse's contributions, custodial needs, and economic circumstances when dividing assets after filing.
How is reality TV income divided in a New York divorce?
Reality TV income earned during the marriage is marital property under DRL § 236(B)(1)(c). This includes network contracts, podcast revenue, brand partnerships, and social media monetization. Courts typically value ongoing contracts via forensic accounting and divide net income equitably, often awarding the non-celebrity spouse a percentage for 2-5 years post-divorce.
What happens to children during a New York divorce?
New York applies the "best interests of the child" standard under DRL § 240. For children aged 14 like London, stated preferences carry significant weight. Courts issue automatic orders restraining both parents from relocating the children or changing schools without consent or court approval.
How long does a contested New York divorce take?
A contested New York divorce typically takes 18-24 months from filing to judgment, per New York Unified Court System data. The process includes the preliminary conference within 45 days, discovery (6-9 months), compliance conference, settlement negotiations, and potentially trial. Uncontested divorces resolve in 3-6 months.
Can reality TV filming continue during a divorce?
Yes, but subject to the automatic orders under DRL § 236(B)(2)(b) restraining asset transfers. Courts cannot prohibit employment, but protective orders frequently limit what spouses can say about each other or minor children on camera. Bravo contracts typically include morality and legal clauses governing on-air conduct.
Get help with your New York divorce
If you are navigating a New York divorce involving business income, brand assets, or custody of school-age children, consult a matrimonial attorney admitted to the New York bar. Complex equitable distribution cases benefit from early strategic planning around asset valuation and automatic orders.
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.