New York Family Law Blog

Published on: September 2, 2024

Does spousal support obligation survive death? Dean v. Dean, 67 Misc. 3d 325 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2020)

by Stephen Bilkis

In Dean v. Dean, 67 Misc. 3d 325 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2020), the Supreme Court, Monroe County, considered whether a spousal support order survived the death of the payee spouse. In other words, the court considered whether during a divorce proceeding, the payor spouse was required to continue to pay support to the estate of their deceased spouse. This is an issue that most people may not think about during the divorce process.

Background Facts

The legal proceedings began with a divorce claim initiated by a wife. However, the wife passed away during the process due to severe health issues while confined to a nursing home. Consequently, the divorce action was converted into a spousal support proceeding under Article 4 of the Family Court Act.

Published on: August 28, 2024

Whether a man could claim paternity, despite the child having a father-child relationship with another man. Yaseen S. v. Oksana F., 214 A.D.3d 883 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023)

by Stephen Bilkis

In, Yaseen S. v. Oksana F., 214 A.D.3d 883 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023), a case before the Family Court of Richmond County, Yaseen S. appealed a decision denying his paternity petition and petition for visitation with a child. The court granted the attorney for the child’s petition to adjudicate another man, Yuriy K., as the father of the child.

Background Facts

Yaseen S. initiated legal proceedings under Family Court Act Article 5 to establish his paternity regarding the subject child and simultaneously filed a petition under Article 6 seeking visitation rights. These actions reflect his desire to assert his parental rights and establish a relationship with the child. Concurrently, the attorney representing the child initiated proceedings to adjudicate another man, Yuriy K., as the father of the child. This action suggests a legal challenge to Yaseen S.’s claim of paternity.

Published on: August 26, 2024

Cohen v. Escabar 219 A.D.3d 726 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023)

by Stephen Bilkis

In Cohen v. Escabar 219 A.D.3d 726 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023), Louis Escabar, a minor, appealed from an order of protection issued against him, dated June 28, 2021. The order stemmed from a family offense proceeding initiated by Jamie Cohen against her ex-boyfriend, Escabar.

An individual under the age of 18 is considered a minor or an infant in legal terms. When a minor is involved in a legal matter, they typically require representation by a parent, guardian, or a guardian ad litem appointed by the court. This representation ensures that the minor’s interests are adequately protected during legal proceedings.

If a minor does not have a parent or guardian available to represent them, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to act on the minor’s behalf. A guardian ad litem is a person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the minor and make decisions on their behalf during the legal process.

Published on: August 21, 2024

Celinda JJ. v. Adrian JJ. 2021 N.Y. Slip Op. 5900 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2021)

by Stephen Bilkis

When it comes to whether a parent will be permitted to relocate with a child, the court will make a determination as to to whether it is in the best interests of the child. While the case can become more complicated where a parent is incarcerated and grandparents oppose relocation, the inquiry is the same: What is the in best interests of the child.

Background Facts

Celinda JJ. v. Adrian JJ. 2021 N.Y. Slip Op. 5900 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2021) involves a mother and father with four children. The father was convicted of rape against the mother and another female, resulting in a 15-year prison sentence. Seeking permission to relocate to South Carolina, the mother initiated legal proceedings. In a separate case, the paternal grandmother’s request for custody and visitation was denied, granting the mother sole legal and primary physical custody. A hearing was set to consider the relocation petition.

Published on: August 19, 2024

Applicability of equitable estoppel in a paternity case. Danielle E.P. v. Christopher N., 2022 N.Y. Slip Op. 4841 (N.Y. App. Div. 2022)

by Stephen Bilkis

At the center of the case of Danielle E.P. v. Christopher N., 2022 N.Y. Slip Op. 4841 (N.Y. App. Div. 2022) is a child born in September 2016, whose biological father’s identity was at issue. The court was asked to determine whether the doctrine of equitable estoppel should be applied.

The doctrine of equitable estoppel operates to prevent a party from asserting a legal claim or right when it would be unjust or unfair to allow such assertion due to that party’s prior actions, representations, or silence. In the context of paternity proceedings, equitable estoppel may be invoked to preclude a mother from asserting the biological paternity of a child when she has fostered a close relationship between the child and another father figure and it would be detrimental to the child’s welfare to disrupt that relationship. Essentially, equitable estoppel aims to prevent injustice by preventing a party from taking advantage of their own conduct to the detriment of another party who has reasonably relied on that conduct.

Background Facts

Published on: August 15, 2024

Court addressed wasteful dissipation, granting husband $150,000 credit against wife’s marital property share. D’Ambra v. D’Ambra, 2024 N.Y. Slip Op. 1291 (N.Y. App. Div. 2024)

by Stephen Bilkis

In divorce cases, the division of marital property can raise disputes about fairness and accountability. In a recent case, the court addressed claims of wasteful dissipation of marital assets, which impacted the equitable distribution of property between the spouses.

Background Facts

The parties were married in January 2007 and shared a marital residence in Queens, New York, as well as a rental property in Florida. The plaintiff paid all marital expenses while the defendant did not earn an income during the marriage. The couple had no children together, but the defendant’s adult son from a previous relationship lived with them starting in 2011.

Published on: August 14, 2024

Petition to terminate spousal maintenance. Makris v. Makris 179 A.D.3d 694 (N.Y. App. Div. 2020)

by Stephen Bilkis

Makris v. Makris, 179 A.D.3d 694 (N.Y. App. Div. 2020) is about divorce and maintenance obligations. Spousal maintenance in New York can be terminated under specific conditions defined by state law. One such circumstance is if the recipient spouse remarries, as the obligation to pay maintenance typically ceases upon remarriage. Similarly, the death of either the paying or receiving spouse automatically terminates the maintenance obligation.

Another scenario for termination is if it can be demonstrated that the recipient spouse is self-sufficient or no longer requires financial support. This could result from a significant increase in the recipient spouse’s income or assets, rendering them financially independent. Conversely, if the paying spouse experiences a substantial decrease in income or faces financial hardship, they may petition the court to terminate or modify the maintenance obligation.

Additionally, if there is a significant change in circumstances since the maintenance order was issued, such as a disability affecting either spouse’s ability to work, the court may consider terminating or modifying the maintenance arrangement. Cohabitation by the recipient spouse with a new partner in a relationship similar to marriage may also prompt termination of maintenance, as it suggests the recipient no longer requires financial support.

Published on: August 12, 2024

Court considered whether a reduction in maintenance was warranted on the basis of hardship. Valvo v. Valvo 218 A.D.3d 909 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023)

by Stephen Bilkis

Valvo v. Valvo, 218 A.D.3d 909 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023) involves an appeal from the Family Court of Saratoga County regarding a petition to modify maintenance and child support obligations. The dispute arises from a divorce between the petitioner (referred to as the father) and the respondent (referred to as the mother) in 2012.

In New York, Family Court will grant a downward modification in child support only under limited circumstances as follows:

Financial Hardship: One of the most common reasons for seeking a reduction in child support payments is a significant change in the financial circumstances of one or both parents. For example, if the non-custodial parent experiences a loss of income, such as unemployment or disability, they may petition the court for a reduction in child support payments. However, it’s essential to demonstrate that the loss of income is involuntary and not due to willful neglect or avoidance of child support obligations.

Published on: August 8, 2024

Court determined the “home state” under UCCJEA. M.G. v. C.M. 61 N.Y.S.3d 191 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2017)

by Stephen Bilkis

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) is a legal framework adopted by most states in the United States to provide clarity and consistency in child custody jurisdiction matters across state lines. It aims to prevent jurisdictional disputes and forum shopping, ensuring that custody determinations are made in the state that is most appropriate and connected to the child and the family.

Under the UCCJEA, the concept of “home state” is crucial in determining which state has jurisdiction over child custody matters. The “home state” is defined as the state where the child has lived with a parent (or a person acting as a parent) for a consecutive six-month period immediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding. If the child is less than six months old, the “home state” is the state where the child has lived since birth.

When multiple states are involved in a custody dispute, the UCCJEA provides guidelines for determining which state has jurisdiction. Generally, the state that qualifies as the child’s “home state” will have primary jurisdiction over custody matters. However, if no state meets the criteria of being the child’s “home state,” the UCCJEA outlines other bases for jurisdiction, such as significant connections with the child or the child’s family, emergency circumstances, or whether no other state has jurisdiction.

Published on: August 7, 2024

Court considered whether the consent of the father was required for adoption. In re J’adore. E. 2020 N.Y. Slip Op. 6788 (N.Y. App. Div. 2020)

by Stephen Bilkis

In a Family Court case in Queens County, the father contested an adoption proceeding initiated by the maternal grandparents of the subject child. The court had to determine whether the father’s consent was necessary for the adoption and whether he had effectively abandoned the child.

Background Facts

The child in question was born in May 2009, losing their mother shortly after birth. Following this loss, the child’s maternal grandparents took on the responsibility of caring for them. From August 2016 onwards, the child lived with the grandparents, who agreed to raise them as their own.