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Cognizable Counterclaim for Breach of Domestic Partnership Stated

In finding defendant had stated a legally cognizable counterclaim for breach of a domestic partnership agreement, the Fourth Department explained:

With respect to domestic partnership agreements, “New York courts have long accepted the concept that an express agreement between unmarried persons living together is as enforceable as though they were not living together . . . , provided only that illicit sexual relations were not ‘part of the consideration of the contract’ ” … .  Additionally, there is no statutory requirement that such a contract be in writing … .  We conclude that here defendant sufficiently pleaded counterclaims for breach of a domestic partnership agreement and that the court therefore erred in dismissing the fourth and fifth counterclaims … . Ramos v Hughes, 866, 4th Dept 9-27-13

 

Neglect Finding Based on Children’s Exposure to Bloody Domestic Violence Affirmed’ Requirements for Admission of Police Reports Explained

In affirming Family Court’s finding of neglect based upon the children’s exposure to bloody violence involving the mother and her boyfriend, the Fourth Department noted that police reports should not have been admitted in evidence because they were not properly certified:

The mother correctly contends that Family Court erred in admitting police records in evidence inasmuch as the certification attached to those records failed to comply with Family Court Act § 1046 (a) (iv).  That statute provides that where, as here, a certification is completed by a “responsible employee” rather than the head of an agency, the certification “shall be accompanied by a photocopy of a delegation of authority signed by both the head of the . . . agency and by such other employee” (emphasis added).  The language of the statute is mandatory, and it is undisputed that “the requisite delegation of authority to [the employee] was lacking” … .  We must therefore “find the admission of these records to have been in error if we are to give effect to the clear and unambiguous intention of the [l]egislature”… . Matter of Kadyn J…, 929, 4th Dept 9-27-13

 

Criteria for Suspension of Judgment in Neglect Proceeding

In reversing Family Court, the Second Department explained the criteria for a suspension of judgment in a permanent neglect proceeding:

A dispositional order suspending judgment is a dispositional alternative, upon a finding of permanent neglect, that affords “a brief grace period designed to prepare the parent to be reunited with the child” … . In essence, an order suspending judgment provides the parent with a second chance, but it may be utilized only when the court determines that a second chance is in the child’s best interests (see Family Ct Act §§ 631, 633…). Moreover, the maximum duration of a suspended judgment is one year, unless the court finds at the conclusion of that period that “exceptional circumstances” require an extension of that period for one additional period of up to one year (Family Ct Act § 633[b]…). * * *

Family Court Act § 633© provides that an order suspending judgment “must set forth the . . . terms and conditions of the suspended judgment” (see also 22 NYCRR 205.50[b]) so that the Family Court may determine whether the parent has violated it … . Matter of Jesse D…, 2013 NY slip Op 06001, 2nd Dept 9-25-13

 

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Husband’s Contribution to Purchase of Home by Wife’s Parents Constituted a Constructive Trust

In a divorce action, the Second Department affirmed Supreme Court’s determination that the husband’s [Henn’s] contribution toward the purchase of a house constituted a constructive trust.  The parties separated before Henn moved into the home.  The wife’s [Tyree’s] parents [the Raffas] contributed some money and purchased the home for Henn and Tyree, both of whom also contributed funds toward the purchase.  In concluding Henn’s contribution constituted a constructive trust, the court wrote:

Here, the Supreme Court correctly found that the first element relevant to imposing a constructive trust was satisfied, as Henn and the Raffas were related through marriage and they pooled their resources to purchase the subject premises … . Henn satisfied the second element by demonstrating that the Raffas implicitly promised to convey the premises to him and Tyree … . He satisfied the third element, which requires a showing that he acted in reliance on the promise, by establishing that he gave $58,500 to Samuel J. Raffa, and that Samuel J. Raffa used that money to purchase the premises … . As for the fourth element, which requires a showing of unjust enrichment flowing from the breach of the promise, the evidence adduced at trial established that Henn never moved into the premises or acquired a legal interest therein. To the contrary, he and Tyree separated the very month that the premises were acquired by the Raffas, and Tyree commenced this divorce action just a few months later. The Raffas remained the sole owners of the premises, and they did not return Henn’s $58,500. In view of this evidence, there is no basis upon which to disturb the Supreme Court’s determination… . Tyree v Henn, 2013 NY Slip Op 05895, 2nd Dept 9-18-13

 

Determination of Paternity Not in Child’s Best Interest; Mother Equitably Estopped from Seeking Paternity Determination

The Second Department determined a genetic marker test to determine appellant’s paternity was not in the best interest of the child and the mother was equitably estopped form asserting appellant’s paternity.  The appellant had not been part of the 16-year-old child’s life since the child was 18 months old and the mother had failed to appear in a paternity proceeding instituted when the child was 8 months old:

…[I]in appropriate circumstances, the doctrine of equitable estoppel may be asserted defensively by a purported biological father to prevent a child’s mother from asserting biological paternity where a genetic marker test would not be in the best interests of the child … . Here, the Family Court improvidently rejected the appellant’s equitable defense. An adverse inference may be taken against the mother for her failure to appear for the court-ordered genetic marker test in 1999, and her failure to pursue that proceeding … . Thereafter, the mother failed to commence a new proceeding for 13 years, during which time the subject child had no relationship with the appellant and lived with the mother, her current husband, and his half-siblings on the mother’s side. Accordingly, a genetic marker test is not in the best interests of the subject child, on the ground that the mother is equitably estopped from asserting the appellant’s biological paternity (see Family Ct Act § 532[a]…). Matter of Karen G v Thomas G, 2013 NY Slip Op 05901, 2nd Dept 9-18-13

 

Motion to Suspend Child Support Properly Denied; Criteria Explained

In affirming Supreme Court’s denial of plaintiff’s motion to suspend child support, the Second Department explained the criteria for early suspension of the child support obligation:

Generally, parents have a statutory duty to continually support their children until they reach 21 years of age (see Family Ct Act § 413[1][a]…). ” However, where the noncustodial parent establishes that his or her right of reasonable access to the child has been unjustifiably frustrated by the custodial parent, child support payments may be suspended'” … .

Here, contrary to the plaintiff’s contention, the Supreme Court properly denied, without a hearing, that branch of his motion which was to suspend his obligation to pay child support. The plaintiff alleges continuing conduct on the part of the defendant which, if proven, would not “rise to the level of deliberate frustration’ or active interference’ with the noncustodial parent’s visitation rights”… . Jones v Jones, 2013 NY Slip Op 05879, 2nd Dept 9-18-13

 

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Relationship of Prenuptial Agreement to Temporary Maintenance and Award of Attorneys Fees

The Second Department determined that temporary maintenance was not properly granted in light of the facts (where the prenuptial agreement did not expressly deal with the topic) and legal fees in excess of the limit in the prenuptial agreement were properly granted.  The court explained the relevant analyses as follows:

“As with all contracts, prenuptial agreements are construed in accord with the parties’ intent, which is generally gleaned from what is expressed in their writing” …. “Where a prenuptial agreement is clear and unambiguous on its face, the intent of the parties is gleaned from the four corners of the writing as a whole with a practical interpretation of the language employed so that the parties’ reasonable expectations are met” … .

Contrary to the plaintiff’s contention, the parties’ prenuptial agreement did not expressly preclude an award of temporary maintenance pendente lite, nor did the defendant expressly waive such an award under the terms of the agreement… .   On the record presented, including evidence of the defendant’s expenses, the defendant’s reasonable needs were more than adequately met. Accordingly, under the circumstances of this case, the Supreme Court improvidently exercised its discretion in directing the plaintiff to pay temporary maintenance in the sum of $1,000 per month… . * * *

Supreme Court properly awarded the defendant interim counsel fees, notwithstanding a provision in the prenuptial agreement limiting, to the sum of $10,000, the plaintiff’s obligation to pay such fees incurred by the defendant in any divorce action. Because of a strong public policy favoring the resolution of matrimonial matters on a level playing field …, the determination of whether to enforce an agreement waiving the right of either spouse to seek an award of an attorney’s fee is to be made “on a case-by-case basis after weighing the competing public policy interests in light of all relevant facts and circumstances both at the time the agreement was entered and at the time it is to be enforced” … . Here, the parties are involved in extensive litigation concerning child custody, a matter not expressly addressed in their prenuptial agreement. Moreover, the plaintiff’s net worth is more than $13 million and his monthly gross income exceeds $45,000, while the defendant has no income other than what she is receiving pursuant to the agreement. Abramson v Gavares, 2013 NY Slip Op 05861, 2nd Dept 9-18-13

 

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Disposition of Juvenile Delinquency Proceeding Reversed; Purpose Is Not to Punish

Over a dissent, the First Department reversed Family Court’s juvenile delinquency disposition which was based on the findings that, had the juvenile been an adult, he would have been guilty of two counts of sexual abuse 2nd and two counts of forcible touching 3rd.  The First Department eliminated the 12-month period of probation and granted an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal.  The juvenile was 13 years old at the time of the incident.  It was alleged the juvenile grabbed the 12-year-old complainant from behind by pulling on her backpack and, as she tried to get away, touched and squeezed her breasts and the right side of her buttocks.  He then tried to kiss her, ignored her when she said she needed to go to class, and demanded a hug in order to let her go.  The First Department noted that this was the juvenile’s first contact with the justice system, that he and his mother had been cooperative throughout, and that he was a good student (among other factors).  The court wrote:

…[T]the totality of appellant’s course of conduct, and his statements to the complaining witness, support the inference that he acted for the purpose of sexual gratification … . The court’s findings that appellant committed an act, that, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime, was, therefore, based on legally sufficient evidence and not against the weight of the evidence … .

A juvenile delinquency adjudication, however, requires both a determination that the juvenile committed an act, that, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime and a showing, by the preponderance of the evidence, that the juvenile needs supervision, treatment or confinement (Family Ct Act §§ 345.1, 350.3, 352.1). Although the seriousness of the juvenile’s acts is an extremely important factor in determining an appropriate disposition …, it is not the only factor. The disposition is not supposed to punish a child as an adult, but provide effective intervention to “positively impact the lives of troubled young people while protecting the public” .. .

While the trial court properly found that appellant committed a delinquent act, there was insufficient support for its decision that appellant needed supervision, treatment or confinement (Family Ct Act §§ 352.1, 350.3). In addition, 12 months probation was not the least restrictive available alternative that would have adequately served the needs of appellant and society (Family Ct Act § 352.2…). Matter of Narvanda S, 2013 NY Slip Op 05855, 1st Dept 9-17-13

 

Child Should Not Have Been Removed from Foster Parents in Favor of Maternal Uncle

In reversing Family Court’s determination the child should move to the home of her maternal uncle rather than remain with her foster parents for adoption, the Second Department wrote:

Once parental rights have been terminated, there is no presumption favoring the child’s biological family … . Moreover, while the law expresses a preference for keeping siblings together, the rule is not absolute and may be overcome where the best interests of each child lie in residing apart … . Here, as the children never shared a household, the Family Court erred in concluding that this consideration outweighed the benefit to Orianne of remaining in her foster home, where she has resided since infancy … . The record clearly reflects that Orianne has bonded with her foster family, and is healthy, happy, and well provided for … . Accordingly, the Family Court erred in determining that it was in Oriane’s best interests to move to the home of her maternal uncle rather than remain with her foster parents for the purpose of adoption, which, the record indicates, is the foster parents’ intent… . Matter of Ender MZ-P…, 2013 NY Slip Op 05829, 2nd Dept 9-11-13

 

Grant of Custody to Maternal Grandparents Rather than Parent Reversed

In reversing Family Court’s grant of custody to maternal grandparents, the Second Department wrote:

“In a custody proceeding between a parent and a nonparent, the parent has the superior right to custody that cannot be denied unless the nonparent establishes that the parent has relinquished that right due to surrender, abandonment, persisting neglect, unfitness, or other like extraordinary circumstances” … . “For a third-party nonparent to gain custody of a child, he or she must first prove that extraordinary circumstances exist such that a parent has relinquished his or her superior right to custody” … . “Where extraordinary circumstances are present, the court must then consider the best interests of the child in awarding custody” … .  * * *

We agree with the Family Court that the petitioners, the maternal grandparents of the subject children, satisfied their burden of demonstrating the existence of “extraordinary circumstances,” necessitating a determination as to the best interests of the children … . However, considering the totality of the circumstances in this case .., we find that the Family Court’s determination awarding … custody … to the maternal grandparents is not supported by a sound and substantial basis in the record. The mother’s testimony indicated that, at the time of the hearing, she had abstained from drug use for more than 2½ years. The mother’s testimony also indicated that there were no recent incidents of domestic violence between her and Tardo [the father of one of the children]. Indeed, the Family Court noted in its order that the mother and Tardo are now “clean and sober,” three years having passed between their last instances of drug use and the date of the order, and that “there have been no reports of aggression.” The Family Court placed undue emphasis on the forensic evaluation, which was completed almost two years prior to the court’s determination. Additionally, while the Family Court did acknowledge the nature of James’s wishes, we conclude that the court failed to adequately consider those preferences … . We further note that the attorney for the children supports the mother’s position on appeal, at least insofar as advocating for the mother to have joint custody of both children. Matter of Noonan v Noonan, 2013 NY Slip Op 05824, 2nd Dept 9-11-13

 

 

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