FATHER’S PETITION TO SUSPEND CHILD SUPPORT WAS PROPERLY DISMISSED BUT THE DISMISSAL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN “WITH PREJUDICE” BECAUSE FAMILY COURT HAS CONTINUING JURISDICTION OVER SUPPORT MATTERS (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, modifying Family Court, determined that although father’s petition to suspend child support was properly dismissed, it should not have been dismissed “with prejudice:”

Family Court properly dismissed that branch of the father’s petition which was to suspend his basic child support obligation on the ground of parental alienation without a hearing … .

However, the Family Court should not have provided that the dismissal was “with prejudice.” The court has continuing jurisdiction to modify, set aside, or vacate a prior order of child support pursuant to Family Court Act § 451 … . Matter of Lew v Lew, 2023 NY Slip Op 01192, Second Dept 3-8-23

Practice Point: Family Court has continuing jurisdiction over support matters. Therefore father’s petition to suspend child support, although properly dismissed, should not have been dismissed “with prejudice.”