You are here: / FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE CONDUCTED A HEARING IN THIS CUSTODY/PARENTAL ACCESS...

Search Results

/ , ,

FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE CONDUCTED A HEARING IN THIS CUSTODY/PARENTAL ACCESS PROCEEDING AND SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS OF FACT AS REQUIRED BY CPLR 4213 (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined a hearing should have been held in this custody/parental access proceeding. The court noted Family Court failed to set forth findings of fact as required by CPLR 4213 (b):

Parental access determinations should “[g]enerally be made only after a full and plenary hearing and inquiry” … . “While the general right to a hearing in [parental access] cases is not absolute, where ‘facts material to the best interest analysis, and the circumstances surrounding such facts, remain in dispute,’ a hearing is required” … . Here, the record shows that there were disputed factual issues regarding the finding of the children’s best interests such that a hearing on the father’s parental access was required … . … [W]e note that the decision issued by the Supreme Court failed to comply with CPLR 4213(b) in that it did not set forth findings of fact … . Matter of Vazquez v Bahr, 2021 NY Slip Op 02397, Second Dept 4-21-21

 

/ , ,

PURSUANT TO THE SURROGATE’S COURT PROCEDURE ACT (SCPA), AN ADMINISTRATOR MAY BE SUSPENDED WITHOUT A PETITION OR ISSUANCE OF PROCESS FOR MISAPPROPRIATING ESTATE PROPERTY (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Surrogate’s Court, determined the motion to suspend the administrators of the estate should have been granted. The administrators had allowed the estate to languish for 20 years and there was evidence estate property had been misappropriated by one administrator:

Pursuant to SCPA 719, “the court may make a decree suspending . . . or revoking letters issued to a fiduciary from the court . . . without a petition or the issuance of process” where, among other things, “any of the facts provided in [SCPA] 711 are brought to the attention of the court” (SCPA 719[10] … . The circumstances set forth under SCPA 711 justifying “a decree suspending . . . or revoking those letters” include a fiduciary “having wasted or improperly applied the assets of the estate” … or having “removed property of the estate . . . without prior approval of the court” … . “The removal of a fiduciary pursuant to SCPA 711 and 719 is equivalent to ‘a judicial nullification of the testator’s choice and may only be decreed when the grounds set forth in the relevant statutes have been clearly established'” … . The grounds set forth under SCPA 711 may be clearly established “by undisputed facts or concessions, where the fiduciary’s in-court conduct causes such facts to be within the court’s knowledge, or where facts warranting amendment of letters are presented to the court during a related evidentiary proceeding” … . “Thus, revoking a fiduciary’s letters . . . pursuant to SCPA 719 will constitute an abuse of discretion ‘where the facts are disputed, where conflicting inferences may be drawn therefrom, . . . or where there are claimed mitigating facts that, if established, would render summary removal an inappropriate remedy'” … .

Here, the record contains undisputed evidence of conflict between the administrators, and evidence that the animosity between them has interfered with the expeditious administration of the decedent’s estate, which they have allowed to languish for nearly two decades … . Moreover, Menfus [one of the administrators] admitted … he executed a deed to one of the subject properties to himself, and permitted his father to live in the other property rent free. Matter of Steward, 2021 NY Slip Op 02395, Second Dept 4-21-21

 

/ , ,

THE ARBITRATORS’ AWARD IN THIS RELIGIOUS DIVORCE PROCEEDING WAS NOT INVALID BECAUSE THE ARBRITRATORS DID NOT STATE THE REASONS FOR THE AWARD, AND THE AWARD WAS NOT INDEFINITE AND NONFINAL; SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE VACATED THE AWARD (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the arbitration award should not have been vacated. The award, issued by a rabbinical tribunal in a religious divorce proceeding, required the respondent to arrange for the religious divorce (a Get) and required petitioner to accept the religious divorce. A lump sum award and maintenance of $10,000 per month was to be held in escrow until the Get is accepted. Supreme Court held the award was indefinite or nonfinal and the arbitrators failed to state the reasons for the award:

Contrary to the conclusion of the Supreme Court, the arbitrators were not required to give reasons for their arbitration award … . Further, the arbitration award did not leave the parties unable to determine their rights and obligations, resolved the controversy before the arbitrators, and did not create a new controversy; therefore, the arbitration award was not indefinite or nonfinal for purposes of CPLR 7511 … . The respondent’s obligation to pay maintenance continued because he failed to arrange for issuance of a Get and termination of the marriage—not because the terms of the arbitration award were not definite. Matter of Rokeach v Salamon, 2021 NY Slip Op 02393, Second Dept 4-21-21

 

/ ,

FAMILY COURT’S DETERMINATION FATHER DID NOT SEXUALLY ABUSE HIS CHILD WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE RECORD; THE CHILD’S HEARSAY STATEMENTS WERE CORROBORATED, AND FAMILY COURT’S DECISION TO CREDIT THE TESTIMONY OF FATHER’S EXPERT OVER PETITIONER’S EXPERT WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE RECORD (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined the allegations father sexually abused his child, Zamir, were proved by a preponderance of the evidence. The hearsay allegations of the child were corroborated by another child and case workers. Father’s expert, relied upon by Family Court, offered speculative testimony about alleged flaws in the approach taken by petitioner’s expert, but acknowledged he had not reviewed the petitioner’s expert’s testimony:

… [W]e find that the petitioner established by a preponderance of the evidence that the father neglected Zamir by sexually abusing him. The Family Court’s finding that there was no evidence presented of “age-inappropriate sexual knowledge” by Zamir is not supported by the record, since the then five-year-old child made an “up down” motion with his hands during the interviews with the petitioner’s expert to demonstrate how he was made to touch the father’s penis … . Further, the court’s finding that there was no evidence presented that the child displayed any “psychological or behavioral characteristics” indicative of having been sexually abused is not supported by the record. The petitioner’s expert testified that Zamir was “engaging” when talking about anything other than the sexual abuse, but used “less words per sentence,” without maintaining eye contact, and became “squirmy” when discussing the sexual abuse, and that “[i]t was very easy to see that he was not comfortable discussing th[at] topic.” In addition, the court’s speculation that Zamir fabricated the claims of sexual abuse because he was angry at the father for other matters is not supported by the record. Matter of Zamir F. (Ricardo B.), 2021 NY Slip Op 02391, Second Dept 4-21-21

 

/ ,

FATHER’S PETITION FOR A MODIFICATION OF CUSTODY OR INCREASED PARENTAL ACCESS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DENIED WITHOUT AN IN CAMERA INTERVIEW OF THE CHILD (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined father’s petition for joint custody or an expansion of parental access should not have been denied without an in camera interview of the child:

A modification of a court-ordered custody arrangement must be based upon a showing of a change in circumstances such that the modification is required to protect the best interests of the child … . A child’s changing needs as he or she grows older can sufficiently constitute a change in circumstances … .

Here, in light of the evidence presented by the father and assertions of the attorney for the child, the Family Court should not have determined the father’s petition without conducting an in camera interview with the child. “[W]hile the express wishes of children are not controlling, ‘they are entitled to great weight, particularly where their age and maturity would make their input particularly meaningful'” … . Matter of Coleman v Lymus, 2021 NY Slip Op 02389, Second Dept 4-21-21

 

/ , , , , ,

PLAINTIFF POLICE OFFICER WAS INJURED CHANGING THE CARBON DIOXIDE CARTRIDGE FOR AN ANIMAL TRANQUILIZER GUN; THE PRODUCTS LIABILITY CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER SURVIVED SUMMARY JUDGMENT; THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW 205-E/LABOR LAW 27-A CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST THE CITY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined the negligence and products liability causes of action against NASCO, the manufacturer of an animal tranquilizer gun, properly survived summary judgment, but the General Municipal Law/Labor Law action against the city and the NYPD should not have been dismissed. Plaintiff, a police officer, was injured changing the carbon dioxide cartridge for the gun:

NASCO’s expert … opined in mere conclusory fashion that the tranquilizer gun was “appropriately designed.” The affidavit did not, for example, contain any explanation of the gun’s design, or any discussion of industry standards or costs. Nor did it state whether NASCO had received complaints about any of the other tranquilizer guns it had sold. The conclusory affidavit was insufficient to affirmatively demonstrate, prima facie, that the gun was reasonably safe for its intended use … .

NASCO … failed to demonstrate, prima facie, that the plaintiff’s actions were the sole proximate cause of the subject accident … . Triable issues of fact existed, among other things, as to whether the plaintiff was given specific instructions by the NYPD that he failed to follow or whether he used a tool to remove the end cap. …

NASCO, which relied primarily on an instruction sheet produced by the NYPD that the plaintiff testified was never given to him, failed to meet its burden of establishing, prime facie, that the warnings provided to the NYPD were adequate, that no warnings were necessary, or that the failure to give the aforesaid warnings was not a proximate cause of the accident … .

…The City defendants failed to demonstrate their prima facie entitlement to judgment as a matter of law dismissing so much of the General Municipal Law § 205-e cause of action as was predicated upon Labor Law § 27-a. The City defendants failed to demonstrate, prima facie, that the tranquilizer gun, which was purchased by the NYPD in 1976, was not defective due to lack of proper maintenance, as alleged by the plaintiff … . Further “[r]ecovery under General Municipal Law § 205-e ‘does not require proof of such notice as would be necessary to a claim in common-law negligence'” … .”Rather, the plaintiff must only establish that the circumstances surrounding the violation indicate that it was a result of neglect, omission, or willful or culpable negligence on the defendant’s part” … . Morales v City of New York, 2021 NY Slip Op 02386, Second Dept 4-21-21

 

/ , ,

DEFENDANT’S ALLEGATION HE DID NOT RECEIVE THE BANK’S LETTER DE-ACCELERATING THE DEBT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT HIS MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT DISMISSING THE FORECLOSURE ACTION AS TIME-BARRED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the defendant’s claim  he did not receive plaintiff-bank’s letter de-accelerating the debt (thereby stopping the running of the six-year statute of limitations) was not sufficient to warrant dismissal of the complaint as time-barred:

The filing of the summons and complaint in the 2009 action constituted a valid election by the plaintiff to accelerate the maturity of the entire mortgage debt … . This established that the mortgage debt was accelerated in February 2009, and that, without more, the applicable six-year statute of limitations had expired by the time the plaintiff commenced the instant action in March 2016 … .

In opposition, however, the plaintiff produced the January 2015 letter of de-acceleration and alleged that it had been sent to the defendant. Although the defendant claimed that he had never received the letter and had no knowledge of it, the mere denial of receipt was not sufficient to satisfy his burden on his cross motion for summary judgment of establishing that the plaintiff or its loan servicer did not properly send the notice to him … . HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v Hochstrasser, 2021 NY Slip Op 02380, Second Dept 4-21-21

 

/

KESHA, A RECORDING ARTIST, MADE PUBLIC STATEMENTS THAT HER MUSIC PRODUCER, GOTTWALD, HAD DRUGGED AND SEXUALLY ABUSED HER; GOTTWALD WAS PROPERLY AWARDED SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN HIS DEFAMATION ACTION; GOTTWALD DID NOT HAVE TO PROVE MALICE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT A GENERAL-PURPOSE OR LIMITED-PURPOSE PUBLIC FIGURE; TWO DISSENTERS DISAGREED (FIRST DEPT).

The Second Department, over a two-justice dissent, determined plaintiff music producer, Gottwald, was entitled to summary judgment on his defamation action against Kesha, a recording artist with whom Gottwald had entered a contract. Gottwald alleged Kesha falsely claimed Gottwald had drugged and sexually abused her in an effort to force Gattwald to release her from the recording contract. The allegations were published in text messages to Lady Gaga and others. The Second Department found that Gottwald was not a general-purpose or a limited-purpose public figure and provided detailed definitions of both. Therefore Gottwald did not have to prove malice on Kesha’s part. The dissent disagreed with the majority’s conclusion Gottwald was not a public figure:

A person can only be a general-purpose public figure if “he [or she] is a ‘celebrity’; his [or her] name a ‘household word’ whose ideas and actions the public in fact follows with great interest “and ‘invite[s] attention and comment'” … . * * *

To be considered a limited purpose public figure Gottwald must have: (1) successfully invited public attention to his views in an effort to influence others prior to the incident in question, (2) voluntarily injected himself into a public controversy related to the subject of the current litigation, (3) assumed a position of prominence in the public controversy, and (4) maintained a regular and continuing access to the media to influence the outcome of the public controversy.

Gottwald cannot be found to be a limited-purpose public figure because he has not done any of these things. Gottwald v Sebert, 2021 NY Slip Op 02456, First Dept 4-22-21

 

/ , , , , ,

IT IS NOT CLEAR FROM THE CONTRACT WHETHER DEFENDANT TRUSTEE WAS TO PERFORM A MERELY MINISTERIAL FUNCTION OR A GATEWAY FUNCTION IN ACCEPTING ASSETS FOR THE TRUST FROM A NONPARTY WHICH WAS ACTING FRAUDULENTLY; THERE ARE QUESTIONS OF FACT ABOUT WHETHER THE DAMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH ACCEPTING NON-NEGOTIABLE ASSETS WERE DIRECT OR INDIRECT AND WHETHER A FIDUCIARY DUTY WAS BREACHED (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Mazzarelli, reversing Supreme Court, determined the breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty action against defendant trustee, Wilmington, should not have been dismissed. Wilmington acted as a trustee for assets transferred to the trust by a nonparty. The contract stated Wilmington would be responsible only for its own negligence but also stated no non-negotiable assets were to be placed into the trust. The nonparty which transferred assets to the trust acted fraudulently and made risky investments rendering the trust assets out-of-compliance with state law. Plaintiff sued Wilmington for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. Wilmington argued that any damages suffered by plaintiff from the assets transferred by the nonparty were indirect, not direct, and therefore barred by the trust agreements:

… [I]t can be argued that, in light of Wilmington’s promise not to accept nonnegotiable assets into the trusts, and to be responsible for its own negligence, maintaining the value of the assets in the trusts was inherent in the service Wilmington agreed to provide. Thus, there is merit to plaintiffs’ argument that when the assets proved not to be negotiable, they lost the benefit of their bargain and were entitled to recover as direct damages the diminution in value, and the concomitant costs of restoring the assets to negotiable status, such as professional fees. * * *

… [A]t this stage of the litigation, it is difficult to discern whether the parties contemplated that Wilmington would have to pay the damages sought by plaintiffs if it failed to perform under the trust agreements. Again, the agreements provided that Wilmington would be liable for “its own negligence,” which a reasonable factfinder could consider as recognition that Wilmington, if it did not perform its duties in accordance with a minimum level of care, would need to pay more than the nominal damages represented by its fee. * * *

Even though the breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims involved the same conduct, the fiduciary duty claim alleges a breach of a noncontractual duty relating to the trustee’s independent duty to perform nondiscretionary ministerial duties with respect to the negotiability of assets. Thus, the fact that Wilmington’s failure to prevent nonnegotiable assets from entering the trusts breached both fiduciary and contractual duties does not bar plaintiffs from seeking damages related to the former … . Bankers Conseco Life Ins. Co. v Wilmington Trust, N.A., 2021 NY Slip Op 02355, First Dept 4-20-21

 

/ ,

ALTHOUGH THE MOLINEUX EVIDENCE OF TWO PRIOR BURGLARIES WAS RELEVANT TO THE DEFENDANT’S INTENT TO BURGLARIZE THE BUILDING IN WHICH HE WAS FOUND BY THE POLICE, THE EXTENSIVE, DETAILED EVIDENCE OF THE PRIOR BURGLARIES RENDERED THE EVIDENCE TOO PREJUDICIAL, CONVICTION REVERSED (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing defendant’s attempted burglary conviction, determined the Molineux evidence of two prior burglaries to demonstrate intent, although admissible in principle, was too extensive and detailed to the extent its probative value was outweighed by its prejudicial effect. Defendant was seen by a tenant in a private area where the apartment fire escapes could be accessed. When the police arrived defendant told them he used that area to smoke marijuana while waiting for his girlfriend to get off work. The evidence of two prior burglary convictions was introduced to prove the defendant’s intent (to commit burglary):

We find however, that the trial court improvidently exercised its discretion in allowing the People to introduce such a significant quantum of evidence regarding the two burglaries. The trial court permitted the People to call three witnesses to testify regarding the prior two burglaries: the tenant of the apartment that had been burglarized, the investigating police officer and the building’s owner. … The court allowed the introduction of still photographs of the burglarized apartment and building. The court also allowed the introduction of a surveillance video from the February 2011 incident and allowed the building owner to testify about the video. That video depicts a male individual standing outside of the locked front door of the building. The male is seen kicking the door several times until the door breaks open. The male is then seen entering the building, ascending the stairway toward the roof, and, after apparently finding the door locked, the male is seen coming back downstairs and leaving the building.

The probative value of this extensive evidence of the two prior burglaries went well beyond the issue of defendant’s intent and did not outweigh the prejudicial effect to defendant. The jury could well have imputed propensity as opposed to defendant’s intent. Further, the court’s limiting instructions were insufficient to minimize its prejudicial effect. People v Rodriguez, 2021 NY Slip Op 02367, First Dept 4-20-21

 

Categories

Sign Up for the Mailing List to Be Notified When the Site Is Updated.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 2026 New York Appellate Digest, Inc.
Site by CurlyHost | Privacy Policy