A person seeking a no-fault divorce in New York may file suit at any time after the marriage has been "irretrievably broken down" for at least six months.  So it appears by the time line here that your friend is fine.  Now, a party can always rty and contest a divorce if they do not want it.  "No-fault" just means that you do not have to prove grounds such as adultery.  But it does not mean that it can not be contested.  He needs to speak with a lawyer.  Good luck.