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Defendant Alleged a Possible Defense to His Failure to Comply with an Order that He Pay Temporary Maintenance and Child Support (Inability to Work Due to Medical Problems)—Hearing Was Required Before a Civil Contempt Finding Could Be Made

The Second Department determined Supreme Court should not have held defendant in civil contempt for his failure to comply with an order that he pay temporary maintenance and child support without first conducting a hearing. The defendant’s opposition papers raised a factual dispute about whether there was a defense (inability to work due to medical problems).  In the context of a civil contempt proceeding, a question of fact about the existence a defense requires a hearing:

To prevail on a motion to hold a party in civil contempt, the movant is required to prove by clear and convincing evidence ” (1) that a lawful order of the court, clearly expressing an unequivocal mandate, was in effect, (2) that the order was disobeyed and the party disobeying the order had knowledge of its terms, and (3) that the movant was prejudiced by the offending conduct'” … . “Once the movant establishes a knowing failure to comply with a clear and unequivocal mandate, the burden shifts to the alleged contemnor to refute the movant’s showing, or to offer evidence of a defense, such as an inability to comply with the order” … . A hearing is required “if the papers in opposition raise a factual dispute as to the elements of civil contempt, or the existence of a defense” … . Lundgren v Lundgren, 2015 NY Slip Op 03135, 2nd Dept 4-15-15

 

Grandfather Did Not Have Standing to Seek Visitation With Grandchildren—Analytical Criteria Explained

The Second Department determined Family Court properly concluded that the grandfather did not have standing to seek visitation with the grandchildren.  The analytical criteria include the nature and extent of the grandparent-grandchild relationship and the nature and the basis for the parents’ objection to visitation.  Here the grandfather failed to demonstrate mother frustrated his attempts to visit the grandchildren. Mother objected only to the grandfather being accompanied by the grandmother during visits:

In considering whether a grandparent has standing to petition for visitation based upon “circumstances show[ing] that conditions exist which equity would see fit to intervene” (Domestic Relations Law § 72[1]), “the essential components to the inquiry are the nature and extent of the grandparent-grandchild relationship’ and the nature and basis of the parents’ objection to visitation'” … . “In cases where such a relationship has been frustrated by a parent, the grandparent must show, inter alia, that he or she has made a sufficient effort to establish [a relationship with the child], so that the court perceives [the matter] as one deserving the court’s intervention'” … . ” The evidence necessary will vary in each case but what is required of grandparents must always be measured against what they could reasonably have done under the circumstances'” … .

Here, the Family Court properly determined that the grandfather lacked standing to seek visitation with the grandchildren … . The grandfather failed to demonstrate that the mother frustrated his visitation with the grandchildren … . Indeed, it is undisputed that the mother had asked the grandfather to visit with the grandchildren, and that he only refused because the mother did not want the grandmother to accompany him. Matter of Troiano v Marotta, 2015 NY Slip Op 02979, 2nd Dept 4-8-15

 

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Mother Was Not Afforded a Full Hearing in a Custody-Modification Proceeding

The Third Department determined Family Court erred by not affording mother the opportunity to fully cross-examine father or present her own proof in a custody-modification proceeding:

It is well settled “that modification of a Family Ct Act article 6 custody order requires a full and comprehensive hearing at which a parent is to be afforded a full and fair opportunity to be heard” … . Family Court plainly deprived the mother of such a hearing by preventing her from fully cross-examining the father or submitting her own proof before imposing a custody arrangement to which she had not consented … . Matter of Richardson v Massey, 2015 NY Slip Op 02817, 3rd Dept 4-2-15

 

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Child No Longer Had Sufficient Connection to New York State—Custody-Enforcement Petition Properly Dismissed

The Third Department determined mother’s custody-enforcement petition was properly dismissed for lack of jurisdiction because the child no longer had a sufficient connection to New York.  The court noted that both Title II (jurisdiction) and Title III (enforcement) of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) applied:

The mother’s main argument is that Family Court erred in applying title II of the UCCJEA, entitled “[j]urisdiction,” rather than title III, entitled “[e]nforcement.” While title III is not limited to enforcement of out-of-state custody determinations, and its “mechanisms . . . are presumptively available in any enforcement action” (Merril Sobie, Practice Commentaries, McKinney’s Cons Laws of NY, Book 14, Domestic Relations Law § 77, at 563; see Domestic Relations Law § 77), several of the sections within title III do refer or apply to custody determinations issued by courts in other states (see e.g. Domestic Relations Law §§ 77-b, 77-d, 77-e, 77-l). Similarly, title II has sections dealing with initial custody determinations and modification determinations (see Domestic Relations Law §§ 76, 76-b), neither of which is sought by the petition here, but the title overall is broader than those sections. Simply because the mother’s petition seeks enforcement of a custody determination, rather than modification, does not mean that the title addressing enforcement must be relied upon independently and exclusively, without any possible reference to the title addressing jurisdiction. Instead, courts can apply both the jurisdiction and enforcement portions of the UCCJEA, where applicable.

A New York court that made a child custody determination “has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until . . . a court of this state determines that neither the child, [nor] the child and one parent, . . . have a significant connection with this state and that substantial evidence is no longer available in this state concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships” (Domestic Relations Law § 76-a [1] [a]). Here, Family Court determined that the child had lived in Georgia with the father for more than two years and all of her medical and educational records and providers are in Georgia . While the mother and other family members reside in New York, the child did not return to New York — for visitation or any other reason — during the years that she was living in Georgia … . Thus, neither the child nor the father had a significant connection with New York, and substantial evidence regarding “the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships” is located in Georgia rather than New York (Domestic Relations Law § 76-a [1] [a]). According to the statute, after this determination, New York courts no longer have exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the divorce judgment determining custody. Due to this determination, Family Court properly dismissed the mother’s petition for lack of jurisdiction … . Matter of Wengenroth v McGuire, 2015 NY Slip Op 02818, 3rd Dept 4-2-15

 

Failure to Comply With Terms of Suspended Judgment Justified Termination of Parental Rights

The Third Department determined mother’s failure to comply with the terms of a suspended judgment (permanent neglect) justified termination of her parental rights.  There was evidence the child was thriving in foster care:

It is well settled that a suspended judgment gives a parent who is found to have permanently neglected his or her child “a brief grace period within which to become a fit parent with whom the child can be safely reunited” … . Where the parent’s failure to comply with the terms and conditions of a suspended judgment is established by a preponderance of the evidence, such judgment may be revoked and parental rights may be terminated … . * * *

…”[W]hile respondent’s ‘failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the suspended judgment does not compel the termination of her parental rights, [it] is strong evidence that termination is, in fact, in the best interests of the [child]'”… . Matter of Cody D. (Brittiany F.), 2015 NY Slip Op 02811, 3rd Dept 4-2-15

 

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Father, Who Had Not Been Informed of the Birth of His Child Until After the Child Was Adopted, Was Properly Awarded Custody of the Child

The Third Department affirmed Family Court’s rulings that: the father’s consent to the adoption of his child was required; the father had preserved his right to contest the adoption of his child; and custody of the child is awarded to the father.  Mother put the child up for adoption and the child was adopted before mother informed father she had given birth to his child.  The Third Department heard the appeal despite problems with the notice of appeal and the absence of the Family Court hearing transcript. No one contested the factual findings made by Family Court:

“The father of a child born out-of-wedlock is entitled to full protection of his relationship with the child, including the right to deny consent to an adoption at birth by strangers, only if he ‘assert[s] his interest promptly . . . [and] manifest[s] his ability and willingness to assume custody of the child'” … . Evaluation of the father’s conduct includes, among other things, factors such as “his public acknowledgment of paternity, payment of pregnancy and birth expenses, steps taken to establish legal responsibility for the child, and other factors evincing a commitment to the child” … . Family Court’s many factual findings included that: the father had paid up to 90% of the household expenses when the mother resided with him; the mother was not visibly pregnant while living with him; the mother did not know she was pregnant until she had moved to New York City; FIA [the adoption agency] made no reasonable effort to notify the father; the father was first notified about the pregnancy and child on May 6, 2014; he was unable to contribute to pregnancy expenses through no fault of his own because he had no knowledge thereof; the mother was urged by FIA to decline to identify the father of her child; and, once the father became aware of the child, he filed a paternity petition within about 10 weeks and then a custody petition and he did so despite difficult logistics regarding filing (he lived in South Carolina, the child had been born in New York City, the adoption was pending in Albany County), as well as a lack of legal representation by counsel. The father submitted an affidavit stating that, after learning of some uncovered costs of the birth, he was making arrangements to pay those costs. He had a job and residence, and was able to take immediate custody of the child. In light of the uncontested facts found by Family Court, as well as the other relevant proof in the record, we are unpersuaded that Family Court erred in determining that the father adequately preserved his right to contest the adoption of his child … . Matter of Isabella TT. (Dalton C.), 2015 NY Slip Op 02838, 3rd Dept 4-2-15

 

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Under the Circumstances, the Filing of a Family Offense Petition Against the Father and the Issuance of an Order of Protection Made the Children Dependent on a Juvenile Court, a Prerequisite for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

The Second Department determined Family Court erred when it found the children were not dependent on a juvenile court, a prerequisite for special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS).  The mother had filed a family offense proceeding against the father and the allegations in the petition had been substantiated:

Contrary to the Family Court’s determination, in support of their motion, the children established that they were dependent upon a juvenile court. While guardianship, adoption, and custody are not directly or presently at issue in this family offense proceeding …, under the particular circumstances of this case, the children have become dependent upon the Family Court. The children’s mother has filed a family offense petition against the father seeking an order of protection, alleging that the father has assaulted her and the children. In their motion, the children claimed that they have been neglected by the father based on allegations including physical, mental, and verbal abuse. After conducting an investigation, the Administration for Children’s Services concluded that certain of these allegations were substantiated. On May 6, 2013, shortly after the children made their motion, the Family Court issued an order of protection, effective for two years, directing the father, inter alia, to stay away from the mother and the children.

While a family offense proceeding, or the mere issuance of an order of protection, will not always give rise to a determination that a child has become dependent upon a juvenile court, based on the particular circumstances of this case, we conclude that such a determination is warranted here. As we have previously observed, the intended beneficiaries of the SIJS provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act are limited to ” those juveniles for whom it was created, namely abandoned, neglected, or abused children'” … . Thus, while, for example, a child support proceeding will not give rise to a determination that a child has become dependent upon a juvenile court (see Matter of Hei Ting C., 109 AD3d 100), under the proper circumstances, a child involved in a family offense proceeding involving allegations of abuse or neglect may properly be the subject of such a determination as an intended beneficiary of the SIJS provisions. Matter of Fifo v Fifo, 2015 NY Slip Op 02762, 2nd Dept 4-1-15

 

 

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Court Properly Declined to Exercise Jurisdiction Over Child Custody/Access Matters Because the Children No Longer Had a Sufficient Connection with New York State

The Second Department determined Supreme Court properly refused to consider child custody/access matters because the children no longer had a significant connection with New York:

New York is the children’s “home state,” since they resided here for six consecutive months before the commencement of the child custody proceeding (Domestic Relations Law § 76[1][a]; see Domestic Relations Law § 76-a…). The judgment of divorce, which determined the parties’ child custody issues, confers continuing jurisdiction over the children with the New York Courts (see Domestic Relations Law §§ 76, 76-a). However, a New York court may decline to exercise jurisdiction where, as here, neither of the parents nor any of the children retain a significant connection with New York and substantial evidence is no longer available in this state concerning the children’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships (see Domestic Relations Law § 76-a[1][a]…). A court may also decline to exercise jurisdiction where it determines that the children or the children’s parents no longer reside in New York (see Domestic Relations Law § 76-a[1][a], [b]…). Under Domestic Relations Law § 76-f, a court may decline to exercise jurisdiction if it determines, after an evaluation of statutory factors, that New York is an inconvenient forum and that another state provides a more appropriate forum … . Here, since the defendant resides in California, and the plaintiff and children moved to Maryland in November 2012, the Supreme Court, after considering the statutory factors set forth in Domestic Relations Law § 76-f(2)(a) through (h), properly declined to exercise jurisdiction over the issues concerning the defendant’s access to the children. Pelgrim v Pelgrim,2015 NY Slip Op 02738, 2nd Dept 4-1-15

 

Evidence of an “Intimate Relationship” Sufficient to Give Family Court Subject Matter Jurisdiction Over Family Offense Proceeding

The Second Department determined Family Court properly found that it had subject matter over a family offense proceeding based upon the expanded meaning of “members of the same family or household” to include  “intimate relationships.”  The petitioner did not live with the appellant at the time the family offense proceeding was brought:

The Family Court properly concluded that it had subject matter jurisdiction over this proceeding. Family Court Act § 812(1) gives the Family Court jurisdiction over family offenses committed “between spouses or former spouses, or between parent and child or between members of the same family or household.” Persons in the same family are defined as persons related by consanguinity or affinity, persons legally married to one another, persons formerly married to each other even if they no longer live in the same household, and persons with a child in common, “regardless of whether such persons have been married or have lived together at any time” (Family Ct Act § 812[1][d]; see Family Ct Act § 812[1][a], [b], [c]). The petitioner and the appellant did not live in the same household, were not related by consanguinity or affinity, were never married to each other, and did not have any children in common.

In 2008, the legislature expanded the definition of “members of the same family or household” as set forth in Family Court Act § 812(1) to include:

“persons who are not related by consanguinity or affinity and who are or have been in an intimate relationship regardless of whether such persons have lived together at any time. Factors the court may consider in determining whether a relationship is an intimate relationship’ include but are not limited to: the nature or type of relationship, regardless of whether the relationship is sexual in nature; the frequency of interaction between the persons; and the duration of the relationship. Neither a casual acquaintance nor ordinary fraternization between two individuals in business or social contexts shall be deemed to constitute an intimate relationship'” … . …

Generally, the “relationship should be direct, not one based upon a connection with a third party,” such as a child or a common boyfriend or girlfriend … . Here, however, an intimate relationship was established by the fact that the petitioner was living with the appellant’s children and their father, who had custody of them, and was acting as a stepmother to the appellant’s children … .

Frequency of contact is a significant factor in determining whether there is an “intimate relationship” within the meaning of Family Court Act § 812(1)(e) … , and it appears from this record that there is frequent contact between the appellant and the petitioner in order to arrange for the appellant’s visitation with her children. Permitting the petitioner to proceed with this matter in Family Court is consistent with the purpose of a family offense proceeding, which is to end family disruption and obtain protection … . Matter of Winston v Edwards-Clarke, 2015 NY Slip Op 02774, 2nd Dept 4-1-15

 

Duration of Supervised Visits Cannot Be Left Up to Supervising Agency

The Fourth Department noted that Family Court failed to set up a proper visitation schedule because the court left the duration of the visits up to the supervising agency:

Although the court’s determination that visitation must be supervised is supported by the record …, we note that the court set no minimum time period for the monthly visitation and left the duration of visitation, “up to a maximum of eight hours,” to be determined solely based on the availability of “any authorized agency that supervises visitation.” Consequently, we agree with the mother that the court “erred in failing to set a supervised visitation schedule, implicitly leaving it to the supervisor to determine” the duration of each visit … . We therefore modify the order accordingly, and we remit the matter to Family Court to determine the duration of visitation… . Matter of Ordona v Cothern, 2015 NY Slip Op 02652, 4th Dept 3-27-15

 

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