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THE JUDGE’S FAILURE TO MAKE FINDINGS OF FACT IN THIS VISITATION PROCEEDING REQUIRED REMITTAL FOR A NEW HEARING (THIRD DEPT). ​

The Third Department, reversing Family Court, determined the judge’s failure to make findings of fact in the visitation proceedings required remittal:

Although the court recited that its determination was based upon the proof adduced at the fact-finding and Lincoln hearings, it did not make factual findings. Furthermore, the record is also not sufficiently developed in order for us to make an independent determination. In this regard, at the fact-finding hearing, the father withdrew his request for in-person visitation with the child and, on appeal, the father requests monthly telephone contact with the child. The mother testified that she opposed additional visitation than what was provided for in the 2013 order because the child showed signs of fear and apprehension, did not have a relationship with the father and was not engaged in writing letters to the father. The mother also testified that the child has a fear associated with prison and violence.

Other than the mother’s conclusory testimony, there was scant evidence, if any, demonstrating that the child having telephone contact with the father would be detrimental to the child’s welfare … . Moreover, even crediting the mother’s testimony about the child’s fear, it is unclear whether such fear relates to in-person visitation with the father at a prison or to telephone calls, as the father now requests. Because the record evidence is not sufficiently developed to determine whether the father should be awarded monthly telephone contact with the child, the matter must be remitted for a new hearing … . Matter of Anthony T. v Melissa U., 2022 NY Slip Op 07287, Third Dept 12-22-22

Practice Point: In this “expansion of visitation” proceeding, the judge did not make findings of fact and the record was not sufficient for the appellate court to rule, the case was remitted to Family Court for a new hearing.

 

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ALTHOUGH TWO CHILDREN HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM MOTHER’S CARE AFTER NEGLECT FINDINGS AND MOTHER ALLEGEDLY CONCEALED HER PREGNANCY AND FAILED TO SEEK APPROPRIATE PRENATAL CARE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT FINDING MOTHER HAD NEGLECTED HER NEWBORN WAS NOT APPROPRIATE; MATTER REMITTED TO BE HEARD BY A DIFFERENT JUDGE (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Family Court, determined summary judgment finding respondent mother had neglected and derivatively neglected her newborn baby was not appropriate. Two children had been removed from mother’s care based on neglect findings,. Mother allegedly had concealed her pregnancy and allegedly had not sought appropriate prenatal case. But triable issues of fact remained. The matter was sent back to be heard by a different judge:

Upon review of the record and considering the nature of the prior neglect findings, the passage of time, and the questions concerning the degree of progress made by respondent over that time, we find that there are triable issues of fact precluding summary judgment (see CPLR 3212 [b] …). Petitioner’s motion was centered upon the two prior findings of neglect and respondent’s failure to abide by the corresponding orders of disposition … . However, the petition itself acknowledged that respondent had recently become more compliant with petitioner, resulting in expanded visitation with her children, and had been making improvements in her engagement with services and communication skills. According to the petition, respondent had put together a safety plan for the subject child to live with her, and petitioner saw this as “a strength” and was “hopeful in working with” respondent on this plan. Further, petitioner pointed out in opposition to the motion that she had improved her housing and employment situation and ended a relationship with an abusive partner…. .

Accordingly, the matter must be remitted for a fact-finding hearing concerning the allegations in the petition … . Under the circumstances, we find it appropriate to remit to a different judge for the purpose of conducting the hearing. Matter of Ja’layna FF. (Jalyssa GG.), 2022 NY Slip Op 07271, Third Dept 12-22-22

Practice Point: Summary judgment is almost never appropriate in a child-neglect matter. Here summary judgment finding mother had neglected her newborn based on neglect findings re: two other children and allegations mother had concealed her pregnancy and failed to seek appropriate prenatal care was reversed. There existed several triable issue of fact, including recent cooperation by mother. The matter was remitted for a hearing in front of a different judge.

 

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THE ADMISSION ALLOCUTION IN THIS JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROCEEDING, WHICH REQUIRES THAT THE JUDGE QUESTION THE JUVENILE AND A PARENT, FELL SHORT OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IN THE FAMILY COURT ACT; PETITION DISMISSED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing respondent’s admission to criminal mischief in this juvenile delinquency proceeding, determined: (1) the validity of the admission was not moot despite the completion of the one-year placement, and the issue need to be preserved for review; and (2) the admission allocution was insufficient:

… [R]espondent’s argument that the plea allocution did not comply with Family Ct Act § 321.3 is not moot — despite the expiration of respondent’s placement — because the delinquency determination challenged herein “implicates possible collateral legal consequences” … .

… Family Court must “ascertain through allocution of the respondent and his [or her] parent or other person legally responsible for his [or her] care, if present, that (a) he [or she] committed the act or acts to which he [or she] is entering an admission, (b) he [or she] is voluntarily waiving his [or her] right to a fact-finding hearing, and (c) he [or she] is aware of the possible specific dispositional orders” (Family Ct Act § 321.3 [1]). Although respondent’s mother was present at the April 2021 allocution, Family Court only asked her whether she had sufficient time to speak to respondent about the proceedings….  The record reflects that the court failed to question respondent’s mother regarding the acts to which respondent admitted, his waiver of the fact-finding hearing or her awareness of the possible dispositional options. As a result, Family Court’s allocution fell short of the statutory mandate … . Matter of Christian VV. (Christian VV.), 2022 NY Slip Op 07275, Third Dept 12-22-22

Practice Point: The Family Court Act requires that the admission allocution in a juvenile delinquency proceeding involve both the juvenile and a parent. Here the allocution of respondent and his mother fell short of the statutory requirements and the juvenile delinquent petition was dismissed. Although the respondent had already completed his placement, the issue was not moot because of the possible collateral consequences of the delinquency determination.

 

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THE HUSBAND DEMONSTRATED HE WAS ILL WHEN THE DIVORCE TRIAL WAS HELD AND THE WIFE MAY NOT BE ENTITLED TO A PORTION OF HIS WORLD TRADE CENTER ACCIDENTAL DISABILITY RETIREMENT BENEFITS BECAUSE PERSONAL-INJURY BENEFITS CONSTITUTE SEPARATE PROPERTY; THE HUSBAND’S MOTION TO VACATE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Supreme Court in this divorce action, determined the husband’s motion to vacate the default judgment should have been granted. The husband demonstrated he missed the trial because of illness and he had a meritorious argument that the World Trade Center accidental disability retirement benefits were personal-injury benefits which constituted his personal property:

Pursuant to CPLR 5015 … a court may vacate an order “upon the ground of excusable default, if such motion is made within one year” after such order … . “[A] party seeking to vacate a default must establish a reasonable excuse for the default and a potentially meritorious . . . defense” to the underlying claim … . Significantly, “in recognition of the important public policy of determining matrimonial actions on the merits, the courts of this State have adopted a liberal policy with respect to vacating defaults in actions for divorce” … . * * *

… [I]n support of his motion to vacate the default, the husband proffered an affidavit wherein he averred that on the day of the hearing he was suffering from shingles and, as such, he was in extreme pain, sleep deprived, disoriented and unable to leave his bed. The husband also submitted an affidavit from a physician’s assistant who diagnosed him with, and treated him for, shingles approximately two weeks prior to the date of the trial. She also averred that she saw the husband again the day following the missed trial and that she “observed a noticeable progression of the shingles rash on [the husband’s] body.” … . …

… [T]he husband claims that the wife is not entitled to the portion of his pension that is for World Trade Center accidental disability retirement benefits. “While it is true that the portion of a disability pension which represents compensation for personal injuries is separate property, the party so claiming bears the burden of demonstrating what portion of the pension reflects compensation for personal injuries, as opposed to deferred compensation” … . Zeledon v Zeledon, 2022 NY Slip Op 07279, Third Dept 12-22-22

Practice Point: Here the husband’s illness at the time of trial was a reasonable excuse for his default and the argument that the wife was not entitled to his World Trade Center accidental disability retirement benefits which constituted his separate property (personal-injury benefits) was meritorious. Therefore the husband’s CPLR 5015 motion to vacate the default judgment should have been granted.

 

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RESETTLEMENT OF THE JUDGMENT OF DIVORCE WAS PROPER ONLY TO THE EXTENT OF CORRECTING A MISTAKE IN THE JUDGMENT; RESETTLEMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN USED TO AMEND THE JUDGMENT (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined the judgment of divorce should have been resettled to the extent that the judgment conform with the stipulation. But the judgment should not have been modified to include a provision which was not in the stipulation. Resettlement cannot be used to amend the judgment, as opposed to correcting a mistake:

Resettlement of a judgment of divorce pursuant to CPLR 5019(a) is an appropriate remedy when the judgment does not accurately incorporate the terms of a stipulation of settlement … . Here, although the judgment of divorce provided that the defendant was responsible for providing health insurance for the parties’ children, that provision was inconsistent with the terms of the stipulation. Specifically, the stipulation contained a provision which set forth that the plaintiff was responsible for providing health insurance for the parties’ children through her employer unless she became unemployed, and then the defendant would be responsible for providing health insurance for them through his employer. …

… Supreme Court should have denied that branch of the defendant’s motion which was to resettle the judgment of divorce to the extent it sought to replace the provision requiring the defendant to provide health insurance for the parties’ children with a provision requiring the plaintiff to be solely responsible to provide health insurance for the parties’ children … . The amendment proposed by the defendant failed to comport with the terms of the stipulation regarding the responsibility of the parties as to the health insurance for their children and was a substantive modification beyond the court’s inherent authority to correct a mistake, defect, or irregularity in the original judgment “not affecting a substantial right of a party” (CPLR 5019[a] …). Ferrigan v Ferrigan, 2022 NY Slip Op 07058, Second Dept 12-14-22

Practice Point: Here resettlement of the judgment of divorce pursuant to CPLR 5019 was appropriate only to the extent of correcting a mistake by conforming the judgment to the stipulation. Resettlement should not have been used to amend the judgment to include a provision which was not in the stipulation.

 

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BOTH PARENTS OPPOSED VISITATION WITH THE GRANDPARENTS AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE VISITATION WITH THE GRANDPARENTS HAD NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON ONE OF THE CHILDREN; IT WAS NOT DEMONSTRATED THAT VISITATION WITH THE GRANDPARENTS WAS IN THE CHILDREN’S BEST INTERESTS; MATTER REMITTED FOR A NEW HEARING BEFORE A DIFFERENT JUDGE (THIRD DEPT). ​

The Third Department, reversing Family Court, determined Family Court’s ruling allowing visitation by the grandparents, which was opposed by both parents, was not demonstrated to be in the best interests of the children. The son is autistic and has frequent “meltdowns” which the grandparents allegedly didn’t handle appropriately. The matter was sent back for a new hearing in front of a different judge:

In granting visitation to the grandparents, Family Court essentially based its determination on its belief that the son would benefit from frequent contact with family members who love him, and that “equity demand[ed]” that the daughter have the same level of visitation. While contact with loving family members is certainly a laudable goal for these and any other children, the record does not support the court’s finding that the children’s best interests would be served by visitation with the grandparents. Indeed, to the contrary, the mother and the father, who were separated as of the time of the hearing but were united in their opposition to the grandparents’ visitation petition, offered testimony detailing the negative effects that visitation with the grandparents had on the son. Matter of Virginia HH. v Elijah II., 2022 NY Slip Op 06970, Third Dept 12-8-22

Practice Point: Here both parents opposed visitation with the grandparents and there was evidence such visitation had negative effects on one of the children, who is autistic. It was not demonstrated visitation with the grandparents was in the children’s best interests. The case was remitted for a new hearing before a different judge.

 

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THE AMENDMENT TO THE FAMILY COURT ACT WHICH PRECLUDES A FINDING OF NEGLECT BASED SOLELY ON MARIJUANA USE SHOULD BE APPLIED RETROACTIVELY; HOWEVER HERE THERE WAS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF MOTHER’S NEGLECT OF THE CHILD BASED UPON HER “ABUSE” (AS OPPOSED TO “USE”) OF MARIJUANA (SECOND DEPT). ​

​The Second Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Zayas, determined (1) the amendment to the Family Court act precluding a finding of neglect based solely on marijuana use should be applied retroactively, and (2) the evidence mother neglected the child based upon abuse of marijuana was sufficient:

The 2021 amendment should not be interpreted as preventing any reliance on the misuse of marihuana, no matter how extensive or debilitating, to establish a prima facie case of neglect. After all, the statute still encompasses the misuse of other legal substances, such as alcoholic beverages and prescription drugs. Based on the plain language of the statute, the 2021 amendment does not prevent a court from finding that there has been a prima facie showing of neglect where the evidence establishes that the subject parent has, in fact, repeatedly misused marihuana in a manner that “has or would ordinarily have the effect of producing in the user thereof a substantial state of stupor, unconsciousness, intoxication, hallucination, disorientation, or incompetence, or a substantial impairment of judgment, or a substantial manifestation of irrationality” … . Such a finding is not based on “the sole fact” that the parent “consumes cannabis” … .

… In its order, the Family Court expressly determined that the mother had misused marihuana and “clearly had a substantial impairment of judgment, and/or substantial manifestation of irrationality and was disoriented and/or incompetent.” Since this finding was not based on “the sole fact” that the mother “consumes cannabis” (Family Ct Act § 1046[a][iii]), it provided a sufficient basis on which to apply the presumption of neglect arising from repeated misuse of drugs that is articulated in the statute, as amended … . Matter of Mia S. (Michelle C.), 2022 NY Slip Op 06932, Second Dept 12-7-22

Practice Point: The amendment of the Family Court Act to preclude a finding of neglect based solely on use of marijuana should be applied retroactively. But the amendment does not preclude a finding of neglect based on the “abuse,” as opposed to “use,” of marijuana.

 

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THE EVIDENCE FATHER NEGLECTED THREE OF THE CHILDREN BY THROWING AN OBJECT AT MOTHER AND YELLING AT MOTHER WAS INSUFFICIENT (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined the evidence father neglected three of the children by throwing an object at mother and yelling at mother was insufficient:

Family Court providently exercised its discretion in determining that the out-of-court statements of Tawdrea G., Terel R., and Micah M. G. to an ACS caseworker that the father threw an object at the mother cross-corroborated each other, and that the record as a whole demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that the physical, mental, or emotional condition of Tawdrea G., Terel R., and Micah M. G. was impaired or was in danger of becoming impaired when the father threw an object at the mother in their presence … .

However, the Family Court erred in determining that a preponderance of the evidence established that the father neglected Tyresse M., Makai G., Tamera P.-C. M., or Divine K. M., based on the father throwing an object at the mother. There was no evidence that Tyresse M., Makai G., Tamera P.-C. M., or Divine K. M. witnessed that event. Moreover, there was insufficient evidence to establish that the physical, emotional, or mental condition of Tyresse M., Makai G., Tamera P.-C. M., or Divine K. M., was impaired or placed in imminent danger of impairment based on that incident … .

The Family Court also erred in determining that a preponderance of the evidence established that the father neglected any of the children by verbally abusing the mother in the presence of the children. While it was inappropriate for the father to yell at the mother in the presence of the children, the evidence concerning those arguments was insufficient to establish that the children’s physical, mental, or emotional condition was impaired or in imminent danger becoming impaired … . Matter of Divine K. M. (Andre G.), 2022 NY Slip Op 06929, Second Dept 12-7-22

Practice Point: There was no evidence three of the children were present when father threw an object at mother and there was no evidence the children’s physical, mental, or emotional condition was impaired by father’s yelling at mother. The relevant neglect findings were reversed.

 

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EVIDENCE OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF ANOTHER CHILD IS ADMISSIBLE IN A MODIFICATION OF CUSTODY PROCEEDING; ALTHOUGH CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES RECORDS REGARDING NEGLECT ARE HEARSAY, THE HEARSAY IS ADMSSSIBLE IF CORROBORATED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Family Court in this modification of custody proceeding, determined it was error to exclude Child Protective Services (CPS) records regarding mother’s alleged neglect of another child. Family Court excluded the records because the proceeding was not a neglect proceeding and because the evidence was hearsay. The Third Department noted that evidence of abuse or neglect is admissible in a custody proceeding and hearsay is admissible if corroborated:

The agency records that the father sought to admit are not in the record and, thus, not before this Court. A review of the father’s modification petition reveals that he noted CPS’s involvement with the mother and cited to such as establishing a change in circumstances. Specifically, he alleged there had been “ongoing child protective involvement in the [mother’s] home[,]” that the subject child has indicated there is domestic abuse taking place in the home and that the child has reported that he is being neglected by the mother. The petition states that “it was revealed through the CPS open investigation that the child is reporting that there is no food at the [mother’s] home and that he goes without meals.” Based on the foregoing, Family Court erred in refusing to allow the CPS records into evidence based upon the rationale that no hearsay exception existed for abuse and neglect allegations in a Family Ct Act article 6 proceeding. In this respect, although this is not a Family Ct Act article 10 proceeding, the law is well established that hearsay evidence as to allegations of abuse or neglect can be admitted into evidence during a custody proceeding if corroborated by other evidence . As such, this case must be reversed and remitted to Family Court for the admission of such evidence at a new fact-finding hearing on the parties’ modification petitions. Matter of Sarah QQ. v Raymond PP., 2022 NY Slip Op 06659, Third Dept 11-23-22

Practice Point: Evidence of abuse or neglect of another child is admissible in a modification of custody proceeding. Although agency records concerning neglect are hearsay, the records would be admissible if the hearsay is corroborated.

 

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THE THREATS ALLEGEDLY MADE TO PETITIONER WERE NOT MADE IN PUBLIC AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THE THREATS WERE MADE WITH THE INTENTION TO CAUSE A PUBLIC DISTURBANCE; THEREFORE THE FAMILY OFFENSE PETITION ALLEGING DISORDERLY CONDUCT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISMISSED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Family Court, determined the alleged threats against petitioner were made privately and did not create a public disturbance. In addition, there was no proof the alleged threats were made with the intent to cause a public disturbance. Therefore the petition alleging disorderly conduct as a family offense should have been dismissed:

… “[A] person is guilty of disorderly conduct when, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof[,] . . . [h]e [or she] engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior” (Penal Law § 240.20 [1]). Pursuant to both CPL 530.11 (1) and Family Court Act § 812 (1), “‘disorderly conduct’ includes disorderly conduct not in a public place.” Yet, “even where the conduct at issue is alleged to have occurred in a private residence, in order for a petitioner to meet his or her burden of establishing the family offense of disorderly conduct, there must be a prima facie showing that the conduct was either intended to cause, or recklessly created a risk of causing, public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm. The intent to cause, or recklessness in causing, public harm, is the mens rea of the offense of disorderly conduct” … . * * *

… [P]etitioner failed to meet her burden of making a prima facie showing that respondent had the requisite intent to create public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly causing a risk of the same … . In this respect, petitioner’s evidence does not establish that respondent’s actions were public in a manner that would support such a finding … . Respondent’s threat against petitioner’s life would have undoubtedly caused public disorder if others had heard the threat … ; however, the record reveals that respondent appears to have threatened petitioner’s life in only their company, and without having drawn the attention of others to the scene … . Further, although the police were called on one instance, without a police report in evidence, it is impossible to determine which one of the parties — or if, in fact, a neighbor — had called the police to therefore permit a finding that respondent’s conduct rose to the level of creating a public disturbance. Matter of Kilts v Kilts, 2022 NY Slip Op 06660, Third Dept 11-23-22

Practice Point: To prove the family offense of disorderly conduct, the conduct must occur in public or must have been motivated by the intention to cause a public disturbance. The petitioner did not meet her burden of proof and the family offense petition should have been dismissed.

 

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