New York Family Law Blog

Published on: September 25, 2024

Court vacated an acknowledgement of paternity. Escobar v. Pagan, 2022 N.Y. Slip Op. 4912 (N.Y. App. Div. 2022)

by Stephen Bilkis

In proceedings under Family Court Act articles 5 and 6, several orders issued by the Family Court of Suffolk County were contested. These orders pertained to issues surrounding paternity, acknowledgment of paternity, and parental access to a child. In a relatively unusual move, the court vacated an acknowledgement of paternity.

In New York, the court may vacate an acknowledgment of paternity under specific circumstances, typically when there is evidence that the acknowledgment was obtained through fraud, duress, or mistake of fact.

Firstly, if there is clear and convincing evidence that the acknowledgment was obtained through fraud, the court may intervene to vacate it. Fraudulent circumstances could include misrepresentation of paternity by one of the parties involved, such as if the individual signing the acknowledgment knew they were not the biological parent but falsely claimed to be.

Published on: September 18, 2024

Does a grandmother have standing to seek visitation? Noguera v. Busto, 189 A.D.3d 1050 (N.Y. App. Div. 2020)

by Stephen Bilkis

Noguera v. Busto, 189 A.D.3d 1050 (N.Y. App. Div. 2020) centered around a maternal grandmother’s right to visitation with her grandchild, which was initially denied by the Family Court. In New York, grandparents may seek visitation rights if one or both parents are deceased, or if conditions warrant equitable intervention. The court must first determine standing based on these circumstances and then assess if visitation serves the child’s best interests, considering the existing relationship’s quality and duration.

Background Facts

The case involved a maternal grandmother who sought legal visitation rights to her grandchild, following a complex familial situation that crossed international borders. The child, born in 2009, was initially involved in custody proceedings between his parents. In 2012, during these proceedings, the mother unlawfully took the child from the United States to Argentina, without the consent of the father. This act triggered a lengthy and intense search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the police, the FBI, and the U.S. Department of State. In 2018, their efforts resulted in the successful return of the child to the father in the United States.

Published on: September 17, 2024

In the absence of specific related to why the move would be in the best interests of the child, the court denied a parental relocation request. Betts v. Moore, 175 A.D.3d 874 (N.Y. App. Div. 2019)

by Stephen Bilkis

When a parent wants to relocate with their child, they must get the permission of the other parent or of the court. The court will approve such a request to relocate and modification of a custody order if it is in the best interests of the child.

In Betts v. Moore, 175 A.D.3d 874 (N.Y. App. Div. 2019), the petitioner mother sought to modify an existing custody and visitation order, requesting permission to relocate with her child from Ontario County to Monroe County and seeking sole custody. The Family Court dismissed her petitions. On appeal, the mother argued that the court erred in its decision. The appellate court examined the case under the factors set out in Matter of Tropea v. Tropea to determine whether the relocation was in the best interests of the child.

Background Facts

Published on: September 16, 2024

Mother’s request to relocate with child to Florida denied because not in the best interests of the child. Holtz v. Weaver, 94 A.D.3d 1557 (N.Y. App. Div. 2012)

by Stephen Bilkis

This case involved a dispute over parental relocation. The mother, who had primary custody of the child, sought permission from the court to relocate with the child to Florida. The father opposed the move, and the matter was brought before the court for a decision. The court had to determine whether the proposed relocation was in the best interests of the child, as required by New York law.

Background Facts

The mother and father had divorced, and custody of their child was shared, with the mother being the primary custodial parent. The mother filed a petition seeking to modify the custody and visitation arrangements that were part of their divorce judgment. She requested permission to move with the child to Florida, citing her desire to care for her ill father, who lived there. The father opposed the relocation, arguing that it would negatively impact his relationship with the child and was not in the child’s best interests.

Published on: September 15, 2024

Court addressed maintenance, child support, and reimbursement disputes in a high-income divorce case. Tuchman v. Tuchman, 201 A.D.3d 986 (N.Y. App. Div. 2022)

by Stephen Bilkis

This case involved a divorce and related financial matters, including maintenance, child support, and equitable distribution. The Supreme Court, Westchester County, addressed disputes over payments, income allocation, and financial obligations between the parties. Both the plaintiff and the defendant challenged various aspects of the court’s rulings.

Background Facts

The plaintiff and defendant were married in January 1985 and had four children. At the time of the trial, two of their children were still unemancipated. In November 2012, the plaintiff filed for divorce, seeking ancillary relief. Over the course of the proceedings, the parties entered into a stipulation of settlement in June 2017, resolving issues related to equitable distribution, property, and legal fees. However, other matters, including maintenance and child support, proceeded to trial.

Published on: September 12, 2024

Does the Family Court have jurisdiction over a child support petition if another court has already issued an order?? Dawson v. Iskhakov 216 A.D.3d 950 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023)

by Stephen Bilkis

The jurisdiction of the New York Family Court encompasses a wide array of familial matters, prioritizing the welfare of children and the resolution of family conflicts. This court has authority over cases involving child custody, visitation rights, child support, and paternity disputes. It also handles matters related to adoption, guardianship, and juvenile delinquency, aiming to ensure the protection and stability of children within the state. Additionally, the New York Family Court adjudicates cases involving domestic violence, issuing orders of protection and facilitating access to necessary resources for victims. Its jurisdiction extends to matters of family offense proceedings, including allegations of abuse and neglect within familial relationships. With a focus on mediation and rehabilitation, the Family Court strives to promote familial harmony while upholding the rights and safety of all individuals involved, making it a vital institution for resolving complex family issues in the state of New York.

Dawson v. Iskhakov, 216 A.D.3d 950 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023) focuses on an issue related to the jurisdiction of the Family Court when it comes to child support matters.

Background Facts

Published on: September 8, 2024

Court found sister violated protection order through harassment and menacing but removed residence exclusion. Nicholas A. v. Lillian A., 175 A.D.3d 1205 (N.Y. App. Div. 2019)

by Stephen Bilkis

Disputes between family members can escalate to the point of requiring legal intervention. In Nicholas A. v. Lillian A, the Family Court addressed allegations of harassment and menacing between siblings sharing a residence.

Background Facts

The petitioner, the brother, had previously obtained an order of protection against his sister from the Family Court. This order was issued following allegations of family offenses, including harassment and menacing. Despite the order, the petitioner claimed that the sister continued to engage in threatening and harassing behavior, prompting further legal action.

Published on: September 6, 2024

Father found to have neglected his children due to them witnessing his abuse of their mother. In re Jayline J., 156 A.D.3d 701, 64 N.Y.S.3d 916 (N.Y. App. Div. 2017)

by Stephen Bilkis

Domestic violence cases commonly involve violence between intimate partners, with one partner assaulting the other. While one victim is always the person who has been directly physically abused, other victims can include any children who witness the abuse. In the case of In re Jayline J., 156 A.D.3d 701, 64 N.Y.S.3d 916 (N.Y. App. Div. 2017), the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) initiated a neglect proceeding in Family Court, Queens County, against a father, alleging that he had neglected his child by exposing her to domestic violence. After a fact-finding hearing, the court ruled that the father had indeed neglected the child. The father appealed the ruling, disputing the findings. This case presents an examination of the standard for proving neglect under New York law and how domestic violence can impact a child’s well-being.

Background Facts

In March 2015, ACS brought an action against the father, accusing him of neglect. According to the allegations, the father subjected the child’s mother to domestic violence in the presence of the child. Under New York law, exposing a child to domestic violence can constitute neglect if it leads to harm or imminent risk of harm to the child’s physical, mental, or emotional condition.

Published on: September 6, 2024

Court awarded sole custody to mother due to father’s actions. In re Amanda R., No. 2021-04095 (N.Y. App. Div. Jun. 24, 2021)

by Stephen Bilkis

In custody disputes, courts focus on the best interests of the child when determining which parent should be awarded custody. The “best interests of the child” standard is the guiding principle in custody cases. Courts evaluate which arrangement will most effectively promote the child’s well-being, stability, and development. Factors include the child’s relationship with each parent, the ability of each parent to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs, any history of abuse or neglect, and the parents’ ability to foster a positive relationship with the other parent. Courts also consider the child’s preferences, depending on age and maturity, and ensure decisions prioritize the child’s safety, health, and overall happiness. Each case is unique and evaluated on its specific circumstances.

Background Facts

The mother and father in this case were involved in a contentious custody dispute. The parties shared a child, and the father sought to retain a significant role in the child’s life. However, evidence presented during the hearing revealed issues with the father’s ability to effectively co-parent and prioritize the child’s best interests.

Published on: September 4, 2024

Court addressed jurisdictional issues in a child custody case. Katz v. Katz 68 Misc. 3d 1228 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2020)

by Stephen Bilkis

Child custody disputes with jurisdictional issues present significant challenges, especially when the children have been residing in a state other than New York. One of the primary challenges is determining which state has jurisdiction over the case, as this impacts various aspects of the legal proceedings, including custody determinations and child support orders.

When children have been living outside of New York, the issue of “home state” jurisdiction arises under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). Establishing the “home state” is crucial because it dictates which state’s courts have primary jurisdiction over custody matters. However, when children have resided in a different state for an extended period, as in this scenario, determining the “home state” becomes complex and may require careful examination of the children’s residency history.

Furthermore, conflicting claims of residency between the parents add another layer of complexity to jurisdictional disputes. In cases where one parent asserts residency in New York while the other claims residency in another state, the court must carefully evaluate the evidence presented by both parties to determine the children’s primary residence and the state with the most significant connections to their lives.