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Appeal Should Not Have Been Dismissed as Moot Because the Underlying Order of Protection Had Expired—There Are Significant Negative Consequences of the Issuance of an Order of Protection Which May Affect Appellant in the Future

The Court of Appeals, in a full-fledged opinion by Judge Abdus-Salaam, determined the appeal by respondent, who had been found to have committed a Family Offense and against whom an order of protection had been issued, should not have been dismissed as moot because the order of protection had expired.  The Court of Appeals explained that the issuance of the order of protection could have significant negative future consequences for the respondent:

“[i]n general an appeal will be considered moot unless the rights of the parties will be directly affected by the determination of the appeal and the interest of the parties is an immediate consequence of the judgment” …. The ability of an appellate decision to directly and immediately impact the parties’ rights and interests is among the most important aspects of the mootness analysis, for otherwise the analysis might turn on inchoate or speculative matters, making mootness an unwieldy doctrine of a thousand “what ifs.” On the other hand, even where the resolution of an appeal may not immediately relieve a party from a currently ongoing court-ordered penalty or obligation to pay a judgment, the appeal is not moot if an appellate decision will eliminate readily ascertainable and legally significant enduring consequences that befall a party as a result of the order which the party seeks to appeal … .

In this case, the expiration of the order of protection does not moot the appeal because the order still imposes significant enduring consequences upon respondent, who may receive relief from those consequences upon a favorable appellate decision. Because the order of protection on its face strongly suggests that respondent committed a family offense, the court in a future criminal case or Family Court proceeding would likely rely on the order to enhance a sentence or adverse civil adjudication against respondent. ** * *In the face of the substantial probability that the order of protection will prompt severely deleterious future legal rulings against respondent, an appellate decision in his favor will directly vindicate his interest in avoiding that consequence of the order.

The order of protection has other potential legal consequences that render it susceptible to appellate review. For example, in a future legal matter, an opposing party might be permitted to use the order of protection to impeach respondent’s credibility …. . Furthermore, since the order of protection remains in a police computer database, albeit not in an active file (see Executive Law §§ 221-a [1]; 221-a [6]; see also 9 NYCRR 486.2 [g]), respondent may face additional law enforcement scrutiny and an increased likelihood of arrest in certain encounters with the police (see 9 NYCRR 486.3 [n] [declaring information obtained from the database to be relevant to the decision to arrest an individual]).[FN2]

Beyond its legal consequences, the order of protection places a severe stigma on respondent, and he can escape that stigma by prevailing on appeal … . Matter of Veronica P v Radcliff A, 2015 NY Slip Op 01300, CtApp 2-13-15

 

Mother’s Actions and Mental Health Issues Did Not Warrant a Finding of Neglect

The Fourth Department determined mother's actions and mental health issues did not support Family Court's neglect-finding.  The mother had left her child with appropriate caregivers and kept in touch, although she was absent longer than expected:

“[A] party seeking to establish neglect must show, by a preponderance of the evidence . . . , first, that [the] child's physical, mental or emotional condition has been impaired or is in imminent danger of becoming impaired and second, that the actual or threatened harm to the child is a consequence of the failure of the parent . . . to exercise a minimum degree of care in providing the child with proper supervision or guardianship” (…see Family Ct Act §§ 1012 [f] [i]; 1046 [b] [i]). “Where a motion is made by the respondent at the close of the petitioner's case to dismiss a neglect petition, [the court] must determine whether the petitioner presented a prima facie case of neglect . . . , viewing the evidence in [the] light most favorable to the petitioner and affording it the benefit of every inference which could be reasonably drawn from the proof presented” … .

We conclude that, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to petitioner, the evidence established that the mother left the child with appropriate caregivers, who agreed to care for the child for several days; however, she left the state for approximately 24 hours, and she failed to provide a medical authorization in case of an emergency. Further, although the male caregiver was unable to reach the mother during the confrontation with the mother's grandmother, petitioner's evidence established that the mother had borrowed a telephone and had remained in contact with the caregivers each day that she was away. The evidence also established that the mother was inexperienced as a parent and that the couple with whom she lived was assisting her with parenting skills and in obtaining appropriate housing, as well as medical and other benefits.

We conclude that petitioner failed to establish that, as a result of the mother's actions, the child was in imminent danger, i.e., “near or impending [danger], not merely possible” … . We further conclude that petitioner failed to present any evidence connecting the mother's alleged mental health condition to any actual or potential harm to the child … . We therefore conclude that petitioner failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the child's physical, mental or emotional condition had been impaired or was in imminent danger of becoming impaired as a result of the mother's failure to exercise a minimum degree of care for the child … . Matter of Lacey-Sophia TR, 2015 NY Slip Op 01123, 4th Dept 2-6-15


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Family Court Should Have Inquired More Deeply Into Mother’s Finances Before Ordering the Matter to Proceed Without Counsel for Mother

The Second Department determined Family Court should have inquired into mother's financial situation in more depth before finding that she was not eligible for assigned counsel and proceeding in the absence of counsel:

Given the mother's statements indicating that she lacked the funds to retain private counsel, the Family Court should have inquired further into the mother's financial circumstances, including, but not limited to, inquiring about her expenses, to determine whether she was eligible for assigned counsel … .

Furthermore, “[w]aiver of the right to counsel must be founded on an explicit and intentional relinquishment which is supported by knowledge and a clear understanding of the right” … . “In order to determine whether a party is validly waiving the right to counsel, the court must conduct a searching inquiry of the party who wishes to waive that right and thus proceed pro se. While there is no rigid formula to be followed in such an inquiry, and the approach is flexible, the record must demonstrate that the party was aware of the dangers and disadvantages of proceeding without counsel” … .

Here, the record is clear that the mother did not wish to proceed pro se, but was forced to do so in light of her alleged inability to retain counsel after numerous adjournments and a lengthy delay in the proceedings … . The deprivation of the mother's fundamental right to counsel requires reversal, without regard to the merits of her position …, especially where, as here, the record demonstrates that the mother did not have a basic understanding of court proceedings … . Matter of Pugh v Pugh, 2015 NY Slip Op 00887, 2nd Dept 2-4-15


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Evidence Did Not Support Finding of Neglect Based Upon Mother’s Mental Illness and Failure to Take Medication

The Second Department determined the evidence was not sufficient to demonstrate mother's neglect based upon her mental illness and her failure to take medication:

” A finding of neglect may be predicated upon proof that a child's physical, mental, or emotional condition is in imminent danger of becoming impaired as a result of a parent's mental illness'” (… see Family Ct Act § 1012[f][i]). “However, proof of mental illness alone will not support a finding of neglect'; the evidence must establish a causal connection between the parent's condition, and actual or potential harm to the children'” … .

Here, based on our evaluation of the record, and giving deference to the Family Court's credibility determinations …, we find that the petitioner failed to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, the existence of a causal connection between the mother's mental illness and actual or potential harm to the subject child … . * * *

“Proof of ongoing mental illness and the failure to follow through with aftercare medication, which results in a parent's inability to care for her child in the foreseeable future, is a sufficient basis for a finding of neglect” … . Here, although there was evidence that the mother stopped taking medication after her discharge from Beth Israel, the evidence was insufficient to establish that the mother was unable to care for the child during that period. Matter of Nialani T, 2015 NY Slip Op 00894, 2nd Dept 2-4-15


Access to Financial Support from Family Properly Considered In Calculating Father’s Child Support and Child Care Obligations

The Second Department explained that Family Court properly imputed income to the father based upon access to financial support from his family:

Pursuant to Family Court Act § 413(1)(b)(5)(iv), the Family Court is entitled to impute income to a parent based upon various factors, including “money, goods, or services provided by relatives and friends” (Family Ct Act § 413[1][b][5][iv][D]). Here, the Family Court properly determined that the father has access to, and receives, financial support from his family. Considering, among other things, the father’s employment history, his monthly expenses, and the resources provided to him by his own father over a number of years, the Family Court providently exercised its discretion in imputing income to the father in the sum of $30,000 per year for the purpose of calculating his child support and child care obligations … . Matter of Recco v Turbak, 2015 NY Slip Op 00770, 2nd Dept 1-28-15

 

One Incident Where Young Children Were Left Alone Overnight Not Enough to Support a Neglect Finding/No Showing of Imminent, as Opposed to Merely Possible, Danger of Impairment to the Children

The Third Department reversed Family Court and determined a single incident of mother’s leaving young children (9 and 3) home alone overnight was not enough to support a neglect finding.  The court explained the proof requirements in some depth:

To satisfy its burden on the neglect petition, petitioner had to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that respondent’s failure “to exercise a minimum degree of care” in providing proper supervision or guardianship resulted in the children’s “physical, mental or emotional condition” being impaired or placed “in imminent danger of becoming impaired” (Family Ct Act § 1012 [f] [i]; see Family Ct Act § 1046 [b] [i]…). There are two prongs: actual or imminent danger, and failure to exercise a minimum degree of care … . The Legislature’s requirement of actual or imminent danger of impairment prevents state intrusion into private family life in the absence of “serious harm or potential harm to the child, not just . . . what might be deemed undesirable parental behavior” … . “Imminent danger, however, must be near or impending, not merely possible” … . * * *

…[T]he record does not indicate that petitioner established the first prong, that the three youngest children were in imminent danger of impairment, when respondent left them alone overnight. One police officer testified that the children were visibly upset when he first arrived at the house. That testimony is too vague to establish impairment of mental or emotional condition, and the record does not contain any expert opinion to that effect … . Even if that testimony was sufficient to show some impairment, it is unclear if the children were upset because of respondent’s actions in leaving them alone … . Leaving young children home alone overnight cannot be condoned, and such behavior satisfies the second prong of neglect in that respondent failed to exercise a minimum degree of care, did not provide proper supervision and her actions fell below what a reasonable and prudent parent would do in those circumstances. Nevertheless, one incident of this improper and irresponsible behavior does not qualify as neglect without a showing of imminent—rather than merely possible—danger of impairment to the children … . Matter of Javan W, 2015 NY Slip Op 00577, 3rd Dept 1-22-15

 

Claimed Gestation Period of 303 Days Requires Reliable Medical Evidence It Is Scientifically Possible/Acknowledgment of Paternity by Another Did Not Preclude Petitioner from Bringing His Paternity Action

The Second Department determined that petitioner must produce reliable medical evidence that a 303-day gestation period (the time between sexual intercourse and birth) is scientifically possible before proceeding with a paternity action.  The court noted that an acknowledgment of paternity by another did not preclude petitioner from bringing his paternity action:

Appellate courts have held that the generally accepted period of gestation is between 38 and 40 weeks… . However, pregnancy periods can exceed that timeframe … . Indeed, in 1992, the Appellate Division, [3rd] Department, held that a period of gestation measured from the last menstrual period prior to the child’s birth can be between 265 and 299 days … . In the beginning of the last century, this Court, citing Code Napoleon, found that the period between sexual intercourse and birth could be up to 300 days … . Here, the petitioner alleges that 303 days, or 43 weeks and 2 days, elapsed between the last date of sexual intercourse with the mother and the birth of the child.

Any material deviation from the generally accepted average period of gestation must be explained with a reliable medical opinion … . Although no such evidence was presented at the hearing, under the circumstances of this case, a new hearing should be conducted to afford the petitioner an opportunity to present such evidence. Since the petitioner has the burden of proof, he must present reliable medical evidence to demonstrate that the 303-day gestational period alleged here is scientifically possible

A prior acknowledgment of paternity made in accordance with Family Court Act § 516-a does not serve as an insuperable bar to a claim of paternity by one who is a stranger to the acknowledgment … . * * * Therefore, upon remittal, if the petitioner satisfies his burden of demonstrating at the hearing, with reliable medical evidence, that a 303-day gestational period is scientifically possible, then the Family Court must determine whether to direct a DNA or genetic marker test in the child’s best interest.

 

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Custody and Visitation Can Only Be Determined by a Court—Custody and Visitation Arbitration-Award Invalid/However Child Support Can Be the Subject of Arbitration

The Second Department determined Supreme Court should not have confirmed the arbitration award to the extent the award dealt with custody and visitation.  Custody and visitation can be addressed only in the courts.  However, Supreme Court properly confirmed the arbitrator’s child support award, as there was no showing the award failed to comply with the Child Support Standards Act:

Although the parties consented to arbitration of custody and visitation matters, they had no power to do so. “Disputes concerning child custody and visitation are not subject to arbitration as the court’s role as parens patriae must not be usurped'” … . Accordingly, that branch of the petition which was to confirm the custody and visitation provisions of the arbitration award should have been denied, and the matter must be remitted to the Supreme Court, Kings County, for a hearing and determination as to the issues of custody and visitation … .

An arbitration award concerning child support may be vacated on public policy grounds if it fails to comply with the Child Support Standards Act (Domestic Relations Law § 240[1-b]; hereinafter the CSSA) and is not in the best interests of the children … . Here, the father failed to demonstrate that the award of child support was incompatible with the objectives of the CSSA and that it was not in the best interests of the children. Matter of Goldberg v Goldberg, 2015 NY Slip Op 00539, 2nd Dept 1-21-15

 

Children’s Attorney Entitled to Cross-Examine Petitioner’s Witnesses Despite Taking a Position Similar to Petitioner’s

The Third Department determined the children’s attorney was entitled to ask leading questions in the cross-examination of petitioner’s witnesses, even though the the attorney for the children had taken a position similar to petitioner’s.  The similar positions did not convert petitioner’s witnesses to witnesses for the children:

…[W]e reject respondent’s contention that Family Court erred by denying her request to require the attorney for the children to cross-examine petitioner’s witnesses before respondent’s cross-examination, or by permitting the attorney for the children to ask leading questions during cross-examination. Both of these claims are premised on respondent’s incorrect view that petitioner’s witnesses effectively became witnesses for the attorney for the children when she agreed with petitioner’s position. The duty of an attorney for the child is to represent the child and advocate for his or her position (see Family Ct Act § 241…). Contrary to respondent’s claim, the fact that here the exercise of this duty resulted in a position similar to that of petitioner did not effectively convert the two parties into one entity. Accordingly, the attorney for the children was entitled to ask leading questions while cross-examining petitioner’s witnesses (see Jerome Prince, Richardson on Evidence § 6-230 at 376 [Farrell 11th ed 1995]). Matter of Aniya L, 2015 NY Slip Op 00410, 3rd Dept 1-15-15

 

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The Second of Two Ceremonial Marriages Is Presumed Valid/Property Owned by Persons Not Legally Married, But Who Are Described as Married in the Deed, Own the Property as Tenants In Common with Right of Survivorship Pursuant to the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL)

The Second Department determined plaintiff’s complaint was properly dismissed.  Decedent was plaintiff’s mother by her mother’s first marriage (in Haiti).  Plaintiff alleged that her mother’s subsequent marriage to defendant (in the US) was void because her mother never divorced plaintiff’s father. On that basis, plaintiff alleged that her mother and defendant owned real property as tenants in common, not tenants by the entirety, and therefore half of the property passed to her upon her mother’s death.  The Second Department held that the second marriage was presumed valid and plaintiff did not rebut the presumption.  The court further noted that, even if decedent and defendant were not legally married, the property would have been owned as a joint tenants with right of survivorship, by virtue of Estates Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL) 6-2.2(d):

Where as here, there are two ceremonial marriages at issue, the second marriage is presumed valid, requiring proof from the challenger that the first marriage was not terminated … .

The existence of a rebuttable presumption in favor of the defendant established his entitlement to judgment as a matter of law … . In opposition, the plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact.

Further, even if [plaintiff’s mother] were not legally married to the defendant, the deed to the subject property nevertheless created a joint tenancy, with the right of survivorship … . The deed to the subject property was executed in 1980. Accordingly, EPTL 6-2.2(d), as amended in 1975, governs … . Pursuant to EPTL 6-2.2(d) “[a] disposition of real property . . . to persons who are not legally married to one another but who are described in the disposition as husband and wife creates in them a joint tenancy, unless expressly declared to be a tenancy in common.” Joseph v Dieudonne, 2015 NY Slip OP 00338, 2nd Dept 1-14-15

 

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