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FATHER HAD PAID ALL THE CHILD SUPPORT HE OWED; THE SENTENCE OF INCARCERATION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IMPOSED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined that the court should not have imposed a sentence of incarceration on father because father had paid all of the child support he owed:

We disagree … with the Family Court’s imposition of a sentence of incarceration upon its finding of willfulness since the parties agreed at the hearing that the father had paid the full amount due and owing. Although the court is empowered to impose a sentence of incarceration of up to six months for willful failure to comply with a support order (see Family Ct Act § 454[3][a] …), such incarceration may only continue until the offender complies with the support order (see Judiciary Law § 774[1] … ). Here, the court sentenced the father to a period of incarceration of 40 days, to be suspended under certain conditions, after the parties already had agreed that the father had paid all that was due and owing at that time. Under such circumstances, no period of incarceration should have been imposed … . Accordingly, since the court imposed a sentence of incarceration in contravention of Judiciary Law § 774(1), that provision of the … order must be deleted. Matter of Augliera v Araujo, 2020 NY Slip Op 03510, Second Dept 6-24-20

 

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THE ACTION TO ENFORCE THE POSTNUPTIAL AGREEMENT WAS GOVERNED BY THE THREE-YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS LAW, NOT THE SIX-YEAR CONTRACT STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN CPLR 213; THEREFORE THE ACTION WAS TIME-BARRED (SECOND DEPT). ​

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the statute of limitations with respect to the enforcement of a postnuptial agreement is that provided for in Domestic Relations Law 250, not the six-year statute of limitations for contract actions generally:

… [T]he six-year statute of limitations that pertains to breach of contract causes of action (see CPLR 213[2]) is not applicable. Rather, the applicable statute of limitations is provided for in Domestic Relations Law § 250. Pursuant to Domestic Relations Law § 250, the statute of limitations for claims arising from prenuptial and postnuptial agreements is three years and that period is tolled, as relevant here, until process has been served in a matrimonial action. The language of the statute makes it broadly applicable to claims arising from prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, such that it applies equally where a party seeks to invalidate the agreement and where a party seeks to enforce it … .

Here, the defendant did not assert his claim to enforce the postnuptial agreement until more than 4½ years after he was served with process in the matrimonial action. Accordingly, the defendant’s claim is untimely, and should have been rejected. Washiradusit v Athonvarangkul, 2020 NY Slip Op 03562, Second Dept 6-24-20

 

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THE MAJORITY HELD THE ISSUES WHETHER MOTHER HAD MADE ALLEGATIONS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE IN A SWORN PLEADING OR WHETHER MOTHER HAD PROVEN DOMESTIC ABUSE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FATHER WERE NOT PRESERVED FOR APPEAL; THE DISSENT ARGUED THE ISSUES WERE PRESERVED AND WOULD REMIT FOR A BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD ANALYSIS (CT APP).

The Court of Appeals, over a detailed and comprehensive dissent, affirmed the award of custody to father, finding that the issues raised on appeal by mother were not preserved. Defendant mother argued she had made allegations of domestic abuse in a sworn pleading (petition) and, therefore, pursuant to Domestic Relations Law 240(1)(a), the court was required to consider the effect of the domestic violence on the best interests of the child:

Defendant failed to preserve her arguments regarding Domestic Relations Law § 240 (1) (a). As a result, the parties never litigated, and Supreme Court did not pass upon, or make any findings with respect to, whether a withdrawn family offense petition constitutes “a sworn petition” for purposes of this statute or whether defendant proved allegations of domestic violence “by a preponderance of the evidence” (Domestic Relations Law § 240 [1] [a]) — issues that are essential to the arguments defendant now raises. Record evidence supports the affirmed custody award. * * *

From the dissent:

Because the issue is preserved, I would reverse and remit to Supreme Court for a new best interest of the child analysis consistent with the framework of Domestic Relations Law § 240 (1) (a), and any development of the record as needed. Cole v Cole, 2020 NY Slip Op 03489, CtApp 6-23-20

 

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FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE CHILD TO PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing Family Court, determined the court should have made findings which would allow the child to petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS):

The evidence shows that the subject child was unmarried and under the age of 21 at the time of the special findings hearing and order (see generally 8 USC § 1101[a][27][J]; 8 CFR 204.11[c] … ). The Family Court’s appointment of a guardian rendered the child dependent on a juvenile court … .

The evidence also established that reunification with the child’s parents was not viable due to neglect or abandonment. The child testified that, with no prior warning, his father left him in the United States with his uncle (petitioner), and that his parents later told him that they could not support him and did not want him back. The child further stated, and petitioner corroborated, that he had only occasional contact with his parents, and received no gifts or support from them, since coming here. This was sufficient to “evince[] an intent to forego . . . parental rights and obligations” or a failure to exercise a minimum degree of care to supply the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, or supervision … .

In determining whether reunification was viable, the Family Court should not have refused to consider evidence of circumstances which occurred after the child’s 18th, but before his 21st, birthday … .

The evidence also demonstrated that it is not in the best interests of the child to return to Thailand, where his parents reside, or to be sent to live in Bangladesh, where he has citizenship but has never resided. The child presented evidence that his parents would not accept him if he returned to Thailand, that his Thai visa was on the verge of expiring and he had no way to renew it, and that he had no other place to live or way to support himself in Thailand or Bangladesh … . He also presented evidence that he was doing well in petitioner’s care … . Matter of Khan v Shahida Z., 2020 NY Slip Op 03480, First Dept 6-18-20

 

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THE ORDER WAS NOT ENTERED ON CONSENT AND THEREFORE WAS APPEALABLE; GRANDPARENTS’ PETITIONS FOR VISITATION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED ABSENT A FULL TRIAL (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, after noting the order was not entered on consent and was therefore appealable, determined the grandparents should not have been awarded visitation absent a full trial:

In the absence of consent, Family Court should not have awarded the paternal grandparents visitation without conducting a full trial. The decision was based only on the grandmother’s partial testimony. The separately petitioning grandfather did not testify. The mother was not present due to a medical procedure she was undergoing in North Carolina. Even if the court was justified in drawing a negative inference from her failure to give testimony … , the court failed to afford the attorney for the child (AFC) an opportunity to ascertain the seven-year-old child’s position … . Although the Family Court appropriately appointed an AFC, he did not let her do her job. The child’s position in this case was particularly important because of the mother’s representations that the child did not want to see the grandparents so soon following her father’s death and would be traumatized by such visitation. In addition, each of the grandparents brought separate petitions and each was separately represented in this matter. Although there is some indication that the grandparents are separated, because of the truncated record, there is insufficient information to support the court’s having jointly awarded jointly awarded them visitation with the child. Without a full hearing, the record is insufficient to determine whether visitation with the paternal grandparents is in the child’s best interests … . If after a full hearing upon remand the Family Court determines that grandparental visitation is in the child’s best interest, it should also clarify the award of visitation rights vis-a-vis each grandparent, given that they filed separate petitions and were not jointly represented by counsel, and thus in fact may be separated. Matter of Donna F.T., 2020 NY Slip Op 03469, First Dept 6-18-20

 

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FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE GRANTED THE APPLICATION FOR AN ADJOURNMENT IN CONTEMPLATION OF DISMISSAL IN THIS JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROCEEDING (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department determined Family Court should have granted the application for an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal in this juvenile delinquency proceeding:

” The Family Court has broad discretion in determining whether to adjourn a proceeding in contemplation of dismissal'” … . Factors that are relevant to a court’s discretionary determination of whether to adjourn a proceeding in contemplation of dismissal include a respondent’s criminal and disciplinary history, history of drug or alcohol use, academic and school attendance record, association with gang activity, acceptance of responsibility for his or her actions, the nature of the underlying incident, recommendations made in a probation or mental health report, the degree to which the respondent’s parent or guardian is involved in the respondent’s home and academic life, and the ability of the parent or guardian to provide adequate supervision … .

Here, the Family Court improvidently exercised its discretion in denying the appellant’s application pursuant to Family Court Act § 315.3 for an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. Under the circumstances here, including the fact that this proceeding constituted the appellant’s first contact with the court system, he took responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse, he voluntarily participated in counseling during the pendency of the proceeding, and he maintained a strong academic and school attendance record, an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal was warranted … . Matter of Maximo M., 2020 NY Slip Op 03428, Second Dept 6-17-20

 

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THE MEANING OF ‘GROSS EARNED INCOME’ IN THE STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT AFFECTED THE CALCULATION OF CHILD SUPPORT; THE TERM WAS AMBIGUOUS REQUIRING A HEARING TO DETERMINE THE INTENT OF THE PARTIES (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined the settlement agreement was ambiguous. The meaning of the term “gross earned income” in the agreement affected the child support calculation. The court should have held a hearing to ascertain the intent of the parties. Instead, the court deferred to the definition of “income” in the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA):

“A stipulation of settlement entered into by parties to a divorce proceeding constitutes a contract between them subject to the principles of contract interpretation” … . “Where the intention of the parties is clearly and unambiguously set forth, effect must be given to the intent as indicated by the language used” … . “A court may not write into a contract conditions the parties did not insert or, under the guise of construction, add or excise terms, and it may not construe the language in such a way as would distort the apparent meaning” … . “Whether a writing is ambiguous is a matter of law for the court, and the proper inquiry is whether the agreement on its face is reasonably susceptible of more than one interpretation” … . In making this determination, the court also should examine the entire contract and consider the relation of the parties and the circumstances under which the contract was executed … . Where a contract is ambiguous, “the court may consider the construction placed on the contract by the parties to help ascertain the meaning” … . “The role of the court is to determine the intent and purpose of the stipulation based on the examination of the record as a whole” … .

Here, the term “gross earned income,” in the context of the parties’ stipulation, is ambiguous … . However, instead of deferring to the CSSA’s definition of “income,” the Support Magistrate should have held a hearing to determine the parties’ intent in including the word “earned” … . Matter of Abramson v Hasson, 2020 NY Slip Op 03418, Second Dept 6-17-20

 

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NEW YORK DETERMINED TO BE AN INCONVENIENT FORUM IN THIS CUSTODY MATTER (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department noted the record was sufficient to allow the appellate court to determine whether New York was an inconvenient forum in this custody matter. Mother had moved to California with the child after father abused mother in New York. Father filed the custody petitions in New York. After considering the statutory factors the Fourth Department found New York to be an inconvenient forum. With respect to one of the factors–the location of the relevant evidence–the court wrote:

The location of relevant evidence and, to some extent, the ability of the court in each state to decide matters expeditiously also favor California as the appropriate forum. The majority of the evidence pertaining to the best interests analysis in this custody matter is located in California. Although evidence relating to certain domestic violence incidents is, as noted above, more readily available in New York, most other relevant information regarding the child’s best interests, such as her school performance, response to therapy, the indigenous tribe she belongs to, and her relationship with her extended family, is in California … . It does not appear that the child has any connection with New York other than the father and a paternal grandmother. Further, the Attorney for the Child in New York was having trouble providing effective representation to the child inasmuch as it was difficult to communicate with the child by telephone … . Matter of Coia v Saavedra, 2020 NY Slip Op 03325, Fourth Dept 6-12-20

 

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SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE GRANTED SOLE CUSTODY TO FATHER, SHOULD NOT HAVE SANCTIONED MOTHER FOR PERJURY ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED IN A DIFFERENT COURT PROCEEDING, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ORDERED RELIEF NOT REQUESTED BY A PARTY (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined: (1) father should not have been awarded sole custody of the children for 60 days because no change of circumstances was alleged or demonstrated; (2) the court should not have, sua sponte, directed a child be deprived of cell phone and other electronic devices and be barred from outside-the-home activities; (3) the court should not have have directed mother to pay a fine to father for perjury; (4) the court did not have the authority to sanction mother for frivolous conduct (perjury); (5) the court should not have awarded attorney’s fees to father:

… [T]he court summarily punished the mother by sanctioning her after it determined that she committed perjury during her testimony before a Judicial Hearing Officer in Family Court with respect to the temporary order of protection and during her testimony at the hearing on the petition before Supreme Court. Assuming, arguendo, that perjury would support a finding of contempt, we conclude that the court could not properly find the mother in criminal contempt based on her testimony in Family Court, nor could the court summarily punish the mother for civil or criminal contempt based on that testimony, inasmuch as it occurred out of the court’s “immediate view and presence” … . Insofar as the order may be deemed to sanction the mother for civil or criminal contempt that occurred in the presence of Supreme Court, we conclude that, because “due process requires that . . . the contemnor be afforded an opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner’ ” … , and the court failed to provide notice that it was considering finding the mother in contempt or an opportunity to be heard thereon, the court erred in imposing such sanction … . …

Assuming, arguendo, that sanctions for frivolous conduct may be based on a party’s perjury, we conclude that the regulation permitting the imposition of such sanctions specifically provides that it “shall not apply to . . . proceedings in the Family Court commenced under article . . . 8 of the Family Court Act” … . …

In awarding attorney’s fees to the father, the court did not state, and we cannot determine on this record, whether it did so based upon the custodial stipulation between the parties or pursuant to statute. Consequently, we are unable ” to determine whether the award was within the proper exercise of the court’s discretion’ ” … . Ritchie v Ritchie, 2020 NY Slip Op 03316, Fourth Dept 6-12-20

 

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FINDING THAT MOTHER DID NOT MEDICALLY NEGLECT HER CHILDREN LACKED A SOUND AND SUBSTANTIAL BASIS (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department, reversing Family Court, determined the finding that mother did not medically neglect her children lacked a sound and substantial basis:

A neglected child is defined, in relevant part, as a child less than 18 years of age “whose physical, mental or emotional condition has been impaired or is in imminent danger of becoming impaired as a result of the failure of his [or her] parent . . . to exercise a minimum degree of care . . . in supplying the child with adequate . . . medical . . . care, though financially able to do so” … . “The statute thus imposes two requirements for a finding of neglect, which must be established by a preponderance of the evidence . . . First, there must be proof of actual (or imminent danger of) physical, emotional or mental impairment to the child . . . Second, any impairment, actual or imminent, must be a consequence of the parent’s failure to exercise a minimum degree of parental care . . . This is an objective test that asks whether a reasonable and prudent parent [would] have so acted, or failed to act, under the circumstances” … .

A parent’s failure to provide medical care as required by [Family Court Act § 1012 (f) (i) (A)] may be interpreted to include psychiatric medical care where it is necessary to prevent the impairment of the child’s emotional condition’ ” … . Here, upon our review of the record, we conclude that DSS established a prima facie case of medical neglect by presenting evidence that the mother failed to follow mental health treatment recommendations upon the daughter’s discharges from psychiatric hospitalizations for suicidal and homicidal ideation and that the mother failed to rebut DSS’s prima facie case … .

We further agree with the AFC that the evidence of neglect with respect to the daughter ” demonstrates such an impaired level of . . . judgment as to create a substantial risk of harm for any child in [the mother’s] care,’ ” thus warranting a finding of derivative neglect with respect to the younger children … . Matter of Olivia W. (Courtney W.), 2020 NY Slip Op 03296, Fourth Dept 6-12-20

 

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