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SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT OF DIVORCE AGAINST THE HUSBAND, WHO WAS REPRESENTING HIMSELF, WHEN HE DID NOT APPEAR AT THE INQUEST; BOTH THE COURT AND THE WIFE WERE AWARE THE HUSBAND HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the judgment of divorce should not have been entered after the husband, who was representing himself, failed to appear at an inquest. Both the court and his wife were aware he had been diagnosed with a mental health condition, resulting in episodes when he could not care for himself or protect his interests:

… [A]t the conclusion of the inquest, the court explicitly acknowledged that the husband’s absence was likely attributable to his mental health. Thus, before entering judgment upon the husband’s default, there should have been an inquiry into whether a guardian ad litem was necessary (see CPLR 1201, 1203 …). Because there was no inquiry, the judgment must be vacated and the matter remanded for further proceedings, including, if necessary, an inquiry into the husband’s current capacity … . Richard v Buck, 2022 NY Slip Op 02101, First Dept 3-29-22

Practice Point: Here both the court and the wife were aware the husband, who was representing himself and did not appear at the inquest, suffered from a significant mental health condition. The default judgment of divorce should not have been entered. The judgment was vacated. If necessary, Supreme Court should hold a hearing to determine the husband’s capacity.

 

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