Family Law – Page 87 – New York Appellate Digest

TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS BASED UPON ABANDONMENT REVERSED, AGENCY DID NOT MEET ITS BURDEN OF DEMONSTRATING FATHER, WHO WAS INCARCERATED, FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHILD DURING THE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE PROCEEDING (CT APP).

The Court of Appeals, reversing the Appellate Division, in a brief memorandum decision, determined the petitioner agency did not meet its burden of demonstrating father, who was incarcerated, had abandoned his child:

An order terminating parental rights may be entered upon the ground that a child’s parent “abandoned such child for the period of six months immediately prior to the date on which the petition is filed in the court” … . A child is “abandoned” within the meaning of Social Services Law § 384-b, if the “parent evinces an intent to forego his or her parental rights and obligations as manifested by his or her failure to visit the child and communicate with the child or agency, although able to do so and not prevented or discouraged from doing so by the agency” … . Parents are presumed able to visit and communicate with their children and, although incarcerated parents may be unable to visit, they are still presumed able to communicate with their children absent proof to the contrary … .

The petitioner agency bears the burden of proving abandonment by clear and convincing evidence… . Here, petitioner’s caseworker testified that respondent—who was incarcerated—did not visit with the child or communicate with the caseworker or other agency personnel in the six months preceding the filing of the abandonment petition. However, the record is bereft of evidence establishing that respondent failed to communicate with the child, directly or through the child’s foster parent, during the relevant time period. Thus, petitioner did not meet its burden of demonstrating, by clear and convincing evidence, that respondent abandoned the child. Matter of Mason H. (Joseph H.), 2018 NY Slip Op 04384, CtApp 6-14-18

FAMILY LAW (PARENTAL RIGHTS, TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS BASED UPON ABANDONMENT REVERSED, AGENCY DID NOT MEET ITS BURDEN OF DEMONSTRATING FATHER, WHO WAS INCARCERATED, FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHILD DURING THE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE PROCEEDING (CT APP))/PARENTAL RIGHTS (TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS BASED UPON ABANDONMENT REVERSED, AGENCY DID NOT MEET ITS BURDEN OF DEMONSTRATING FATHER, WHO WAS INCARCERATED, FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHILD DURING THE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE PROCEEDING (CT APP))/ABANDONMENT (FAMILY LAW, TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS BASED UPON ABANDONMENT REVERSED, AGENCY DID NOT MEET ITS BURDEN OF DEMONSTRATING FATHER, WHO WAS INCARCERATED, FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHILD DURING THE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE PROCEEDING (CT APP))/TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS (ABANDONMENT, TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS BASED UPON ABANDONMENT REVERSED, AGENCY DID NOT MEET ITS BURDEN OF DEMONSTRATING FATHER, WHO WAS INCARCERATED, FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHILD DURING THE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE PROCEEDING (CT APP))

June 14, 2018

FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE DENIED THE PETITION RE THE CHILD’S SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS WITHOUT HOLDING A HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER REUNITING THE CHILD WITH MOTHER WAS NOT VIABLE DUE TO NEGLECT OR ABANDONMENT (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department ruled that Family Court should have held a hearing to determine whether the child could be reunited with his mother in order to further determine whether to make the findings necessary for the child to apply for special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS):

… [B]ased upon our independent factual review … , we find that the record establishes that the child meets the age and marital status requirements for special immigrant status, and the dependency requirement has been satisfied by the granting of the father’s guardianship petition … . Further, we determine that it would not be in the best interests of the child to be returned to El Salvador, where gang members had threatened to kill him and his sister … . However, the record is insufficient to determine whether reunification with the mother is not viable due to parental neglect or abandonment … .

Accordingly, we reverse the order, and remit the matter to the Family Court, Nassau County, for a hearing on the issue of whether reunification with the mother is not viable due to parental neglect or abandonment, and a new determination thereafter of the father’s motion for the issuance of an order, inter alia, making specific findings so as to enable the child to petition for SIJS … . Matter of A.M.G. v Gladis A.G., 2018 NY Slip Op 04321, Second Dept 6-13-18

FAMILY LAW (SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE DENIED THE PETITION RE THE CHILD’S SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS WITHOUT HOLDING A HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER REUNITING THE CHILD WITH MOTHER WAS NOT VIABLE DUE TO NEGLECT OR ABANDONMENT (SECOND DEPT))/SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE DENIED THE PETITION RE THE CHILD’S SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS WITHOUT HOLDING A HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER REUNITING THE CHILD WITH MOTHER WAS NOT VIABLE DUE TO NEGLECT OR ABANDONMENT (SECOND DEPT))/IMMIGRATION LAW (FAMILY LAW, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE DENIED THE PETITION RE THE CHILD’S SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS WITHOUT HOLDING A HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER REUNITING THE CHILD WITH MOTHER WAS NOT VIABLE DUE TO NEGLECT OR ABANDONMENT (SECOND DEPT))

June 13, 2018

Appeals, Family Law

FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined Family Court should not have relieved mother’s attorney as counsel and entered a default judgment on mother’s failure to appear. Mother was not notified of her attorney’s intent to withdraw and, therefore, Family Court should not have entered an order on mother’s default. Because the order should not have been entered, an appeal, rather than a motion to vacate the default, was the proper remedy:

Generally, no appeal lies from an order made upon the default of the appealing party (see CPLR 5511…). Rather, the proper procedure is to move to vacate the default and, if necessary, appeal from any denial of that motion (see CPLR 5015[a][1]…). Here, however, there was no proper order entered upon default. An attorney of record may withdraw as counsel only upon sufficient cause and upon notice to the client (see CPLR 321[b][2]…). Indeed, a purported withdrawal without proof of proper notice to the client is ineffective …, and a court may not enter a default order in the absence of a proper withdrawal … . There is no indication on the record that the mother’s attorney informed her that he was seeking to withdraw as counsel. Accordingly, the Family Court should not have relieved the mother’s attorney as counsel or entered an order on the mother’s default… . Inasmuch as no order was properly entered upon default, the mother’s appeal is not precluded … . Matter of Menghi v Trotta-Menghi, 2018 NY Slip Op 04324, Second Dept 6-13-18

FAMILY LAW (ATTORNEYS, DEFAULT, FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT))/ATTORNEYS (FAMILY LAW, DEFAULT, FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT))/APPEALS (ATTORNEYS, DEFAULT, FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT))/DEFAULT (ATTORNEYS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT))/CIVIL PROCEDURE (APPEALS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT))/CPLR 5511 FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT))/CPLR 5015 FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT))/CPLR 321 (FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT))

June 13, 2018

Appeals, Family Law

FOURTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD HAD THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO WAIVE HIS PRESENCE AT THE PERMANENCY HEARING AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO APPEAR, APPEAL HEARD AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE MOOTNESS DOCTRINE (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department, reversing Family Court, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Troutman, determined the 14-year-old child had the statutory right to waive his presence at the permanency hearing and the judge should not have ordered his presence. Although the hearing had been held, the appeal was heard under as an exception to the mootness doctrine because the issue was likely to recur:

The child was freed for adoption in 2014. A permanency hearing was scheduled for March 30, 2017, and notice of the hearing was provided to the child, who was then 14 years old. One week before the scheduled hearing date, the Attorney for the Child (AFC) filed a form indicating that the child, after consultation with the AFC, waived his right to participate in the hearing. The AFC appeared at the hearing on the child’s behalf and reiterated that the child had waived his right to participate in the hearing. The court stated, however, that it was “required by law to have some communication” with the child, and that the child would therefore be required to appear at the next scheduled hearing date. …

Here, the statutory language is clear and unambiguous. Although the permanency hearing must include “an age appropriate consultation with the child” (Family Ct Act § 1090-a [a] [1]), that requirement may not “be construed to compel a child who does not wish to participate in his or her permanency hearing to do so” … . The choice belongs to the child. Indeed, “[a] child age fourteen and older shall be permitted to participate in person in all or any portion of his or her permanency hearing in which he or she chooses to participate” … . Moreover, “a child who has chosen to participate in his or her permanency hearing shall choose the manner in which he or she shall participate, which may include participation in person, by telephone or available electronic means, or the issuance of a written statement to the court” … . Although the court may limit the participation of a child under the age of 14 based on the best interests of the child… , the court lacks the authority to compel the participation of a child who has waived his or her right to participate in a permanency hearing after consultation with his or her attorney … . Matter of Shawn S., 2018 NY Slip Op 04208, Fourth Dept 6-8-18

FAMILY LAW (PERMANENCY HEARING, FOURTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD HAD THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO WAIVE HIS PRESENCE AT THE PERMANENCY HEARING AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO APPEAR, APPEAL HEARD AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE MOOTNESS DOCTRINE (FOURTH DEPT))/APPEALS (FAMILY LAW, MOOTNESS, FOURTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD HAD THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO WAIVE HIS PRESENCE AT THE PERMANENCY HEARING AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO APPEAR, APPEAL HEARD AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE MOOTNESS DOCTRINE (FOURTH DEPT))/PERMANENCY HEARINGS (FAMILY LAW, FOURTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD HAD THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO WAIVE HIS PRESENCE AT THE PERMANENCY HEARING AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO APPEAR, APPEAL HEARD AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE MOOTNESS DOCTRINE (FOURTH DEPT))/MOOTNESS DOCTRINE (APPEALS, FAMILY LAW, FOURTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD HAD THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO WAIVE HIS PRESENCE AT THE PERMANENCY HEARING AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO APPEAR, APPEAL HEARD AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE MOOTNESS DOCTRINE (FOURTH DEPT))

June 8, 2018

Family Law

FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE SET A SPECIFIC AND DEFINITIVE VISITATION SCHEDULE, MATTER REMITTED (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department, modifying Family Court, determined Family Court should have set a specific and definitive visitation schedule:

Respondent mother appeals from an amended order that, inter alia, granted petitioner father’s petition to modify a prior custody order by awarding him primary physical custody of their daughter. We agree with the mother that Family Court erred in failing to set a specific and definitive visitation schedule … . We therefore modify the amended order by striking from the first ordering paragraph the words “and subject to periods of visitation with the Mother and the Father shall encourage [the child] to visit with her Mother,” and we remit the matter to Family Court to fashion a specific and definitive schedule for visitation between the mother and daughter. Matter of Montes v Johnson, 2018 NY Slip Op 04194, Fourth Dept 6-8-18

FAMILY LAW (VISITATION, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE SET A SPECIFIC AND DEFINITIVE VISITATION SCHEDULE, MATTER REMITTED (FOURTH DEPT))/VISITATION (FAMILY LAW, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE SET A SPECIFIC AND DEFINITIVE VISITATION SCHEDULE, MATTER REMITTED (FOURTH DEPT))

June 8, 2018

Evidence, Family Law

CHILD’S OUT OF COURT STATEMENTS ABOUT ABUSE BY STEPFATHER SUFFICIENTLY CORROBORATED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, in a custody proceeding, determined out of court statements by a child about abuse by the stepfather were properly deemed admissible because they were sufficiently corroborated:

… [T]he older child’s out-of-court statements concerning the sexual abuse perpetrated upon her by the stepfather did not constitute impermissible hearsay. Where, as here, a child’s out-of-court statements relate to abuse or neglect, such statements are admissible in a Family Ct Act article 6 proceeding so long as they are sufficiently corroborated … . “The relatively low degree of required corroboration may be provided by ‘[a]ny other evidence tending to support the reliability of the [child’s] statements'”… . While the mere repetition of an accusation does not, by itself, provide sufficient corroboration … , “some degree of corroboration can be found in the consistency of the out-of-court repetitions” … . Proof of the abuse of another child can also provide the requisite corroboration … . The sufficiency and “reliability of the corroboration, as well as issues of credibility, are matters entrusted to the sound discretion of Family Court and will not be disturbed unless clearly unsupported by the record” … .

The maternal aunt testified that, while babysitting the children … , the older child disclosed that the stepfather comes into her room in the middle of the night and “touches in [her] butt.” The child also revealed the sexual abuse to the father, specifically stating that, while she was locked in her room, the stepfather would pull back the covers and reach into her underwear. The maternal aunt described changes in the older child’s behavior that coincided with the time frame in which the alleged sexual abuse occurred, explaining that the child, who used to be happy and playful, became “unsociable” and “scared,” as if something was bothering her. A therapist whom the older child began seeing following the disclosures testified that the child was “very distant,” “detached” and “withdrawn” during their interactions and opined that the child exhibited behavior that was consistent with that of a four-year-old who may have experienced trauma. Further, a woman whose father had previously lived with the stepfather provided detailed and graphic testimony of her own sexual abuse at the hands of the stepfather when she was a young girl. During interviews with the State Police, both this woman as well as her sister confirmed that they had been sexually abused by the stepfather when they were younger. In view of this proof, and according due deference to Family Court’s factual findings and credibility assessments, we conclude that the older child’s statements were adequately corroborated … . Matter of Cory O. v Katie P., 2018 NY Slip Op 04046, Third Dept 6-7-18

FAMILY LAW (EVIDENCE, HEARSAY, CHILD’S OUT OF COURT STATEMENTS ABOUT ABUSE BY STEPFATHER SUFFICIENTLY CORROBORATED (THIRD DEPT))/EVIDENCE (FAMILY LAW, ABUSE, HEARSAY, CHILD’S OUT OF COURT STATEMENTS ABOUT ABUSE BY STEPFATHER SUFFICIENTLY CORROBORATED (THIRD DEPT))/HEARSAY (FAMILY LAW, ABUSE, CHILD’S OUT OF COURT STATEMENTS ABOUT ABUSE BY STEPFATHER SUFFICIENTLY CORROBORATED (THIRD DEPT))/EVIDENCE (FAMILY LAW, ABUSE, HEARSAY, CHILD’S OUT OF COURT STATEMENTS ABOUT ABUSE BY STEPFATHER SUFFICIENTLY CORROBORATED (THIRD DEPT))/CORROBORATION (FAMILY LAW, ABUSE, HEARSAY, CHILD’S OUT OF COURT STATEMENTS ABOUT ABUSE BY STEPFATHER SUFFICIENTLY CORROBORATED (THIRD DEPT))/EVIDENCE (FAMILY LAW, ABUSE, HEARSAY, CHILD’S OUT OF COURT STATEMENTS ABOUT ABUSE BY STEPFATHER SUFFICIENTLY CORROBORATED (THIRD DEPT))

June 7, 2018

Attorneys, Family Law

MOTHER DEMONSTRATED FATHER WILLFULLY VIOLATED THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND WAS THEREFORE ENTITLED TO ATTORNEY’S FEES (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Family Court, determined mother had demonstrated that father’s violation of the separation agreement was willful, entitling mother to attorney’s fees:

Family Court’s determination that the mother failed to prove a willful violation is not supported by the record or the law. The mother’s testimonial and documentary submissions were amply sufficient to make a prima facie showing that the father’s delays and failures to satisfy his obligations were willful violations, thus shifting the burden to him to demonstrate his inability to pay … . In response, the father made no effort to show that he could not meet his obligations; indeed, he admitted that he did not make the orthodontic payment or turn over the tax information until he was ordered to do so. Accordingly, he failed to satisfy his burden… . Family Court thus erred in dismissing the mother’s objections. Contrary to the court’s determination, the fact that the father had paid his obligations by the time of the hearing — at least in part, because he was ordered to do so — does not negate the evidence that he repeatedly delayed in fulfilling some of his responsibilities and completely avoided others, forcing the mother to make repeated efforts to obtain his compliance and, finally, to commence this proceeding. Matter of Shkaf v Shkaf, 2018 NY Slip Op 04052, Third Dept 6-7-18

FAMILY LAW (SEPARATION AGREEMENTS, MOTHER DEMONSTRATED FATHER WILLFULLY VIOLATED THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND WAS THEREFORE ENTITLED TO ATTORNEY’S FEES (THIRD DEPT))/ATTORNEYS (FAMILY LAW, (SEPARATION AGREEMENTS, MOTHER DEMONSTRATED FATHER WILLFULLY VIOLATED THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND WAS THEREFORE ENTITLED TO ATTORNEY’S FEES (THIRD DEPT))/ATTORNEY’S FEES (FAMILY LAW, MOTHER DEMONSTRATED FATHER WILLFULLY VIOLATED THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND WAS THEREFORE ENTITLED TO ATTORNEY’S FEES (THIRD DEPT))/SEPARATION AGREEMENTS (VIOLATION, ATTORNEY’S FEES, MOTHER DEMONSTRATED FATHER WILLFULLY VIOLATED THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND WAS THEREFORE ENTITLED TO ATTORNEY’S FEES (THIRD DEPT))/CONTRACT LAW (FAMILY LAW, SEPARATION AGREEMENTS, MOTHER DEMONSTRATED FATHER WILLFULLY VIOLATED THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND WAS THEREFORE ENTITLED TO ATTORNEY’S FEES (THIRD DEPT))

June 7, 2018

Family Law

SUSPENDED JUDGMENT COMMITTING RESPONDENT TO JAIL FOR FAILURE TO MAKE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REVOKED WITHOUT A HEARING (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Family Court, determined a suspended judgment should not have been revoked without a hearing:

… [R]espondent consented to an order confirming the Support Magistrate’s finding that he willfully violated his child support obligation. Family Court suspended judgment on the condition that respondent make certain minimum payments. After respondent failed to make the requisite payments, petitioner, in November 2015, filed a violation petition against him. Following an appearance in April 2016, it was revealed that respondent had been recently employed and the child support payments had been made. As a consequence, Family Court continued to suspend judgment and the matter was adjourned. At a November 2016 appearance, petitioner advised Family Court that, although it had been receiving payments directly from respondent’s employer, such payments had ceased in early October 2016. Inasmuch as respondent failed to personally appear in November 2016, a warrant was issued for his arrest. At an appearance on January 4, 2017, respondent’s counsel requested a hearing to call respondent’s employer as a witness to determine why payments were not being made to petitioner. Respondent’s counsel inquired whether he should subpoena the employer and, although Family Court did not explicitly respond to this inquiry, the court noted that a hearing “could at least start.” At the January 17, 2017 appearance, Family Court refused to let respondent call the subpoenaed witness. Family Court noted that a hearing was unnecessary because respondent did not dispute that payments had not been made and, therefore, good cause existed to revoke the suspended judgment. Family Court sentenced respondent to a 90-day jail term and imposed a purge amount of $3,507.50. …

Family Court erred in revoking the suspended judgment without first conducting an evidentiary hearing … . Given respondent’s liberty interest at stake … , he was entitled to present witnesses on the issue of whether good cause existed to revoke the suspended judgment … . Matter of Madison County Support Collection Unit v Campbell, 2018 NY Slip Op 04049, Third Dept 6-7-18

FAMILY LAW (SUSPENDED JUDGMENT COMMITTING RESPONDENT TO JAIL FOR FAILURE TO MAKE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REVOKED WITHOUT A HEARING (THIRD DEPT))/CHILD SUPPORT (SUSPENDED JUDGMENT COMMITTING RESPONDENT TO JAIL FOR FAILURE TO MAKE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REVOKED WITHOUT A HEARING (THIRD DEPT))/SUSPENDED JUDGMENT (FAMILY LAW, CHILD SUPPORT, SUSPENDED JUDGMENT COMMITTING RESPONDENT TO JAIL FOR FAILURE TO MAKE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REVOKED WITHOUT A HEARING (THIRD DEPT))

June 7, 2018

Family Law

DURATION OF ORDERS OF PROTECTION FOR A BIOLOGICAL GRANDFATHER AND A STEPGRANDFATHER EXPLAINED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department discussed the allowed duration of orders of protection for a biological grandfather and a stepgrandfather:

Family Ct Act § 1056 (4) provides that “[t]he court may enter an order of protection[,] independently of any other order made under this part, against a person who was a member of the child’s household or a person legally responsible . . . and who is no longer a member of such household at the time of the disposition and who is not related by blood or marriage to the child or a member of the child’s household. [Such] order of protection . . . may be for any period of time up to the child’s eighteenth birthday.” Because Harold J. is the biological grandfather of Annabella and Caleb J., the orders of protection as to these children must be modified to reflect an expiration date … one year from disposition of the matter … .

The familial relationship between Makayla and Harold J. warrants slightly more analysis as Harold J. is not Makayla’s biological grandfather, but rather is related to her through his son’s marriage to Makayla’s mother. This raises the issue of whether a stepgrandparent is related to a stepgrandchild by marriage for the purposes of Family Ct Act § 1056 (4). We conclude that they are not. This conclusion is supported by the specific language in the statute, “related by . . . marriage” … , rather than the broader and more inclusive concept of “affinity,” which is used elsewhere in the Family Ct Act … . Further, a stepgrandparent has no enforceable legal right to have contact with a stepgrandchild as a stepgrandparent lacks standing to pursue visitation … . Thus, although Family Ct Act § 1056 (4) limits the duration of orders of protection against a stepparent who is related to a child by and through his or her own marriage to the child’s mother or father, these limitations do not apply to a stepgrandparent, whose relationship to the child is attenuated. Therefore, because Harold J.’s relationship to Makayla is not established by his own marriage, but rather through his son’s marriage, it was statutorily permissible, in this regard, for Family Court to issue an order of protection until Makayla’s eighteenth birthday. Our analysis does not end here, however, as Family Ct Act § 1056 (4) prohibits orders of protection until a child’s eighteenth birthday if the order is against someone who is related by blood or marriage to a member of the child’s household. Therefore, if, at the time of disposition, Makayla resided in the same household as Annabella and Caleb J., the order of protection as to Makayla could not exceed one year … . Inasmuch as we cannot discern from the record whether this is the case, the matter must be remitted for the purpose of making this determination. Matter of Makayla I. (Caleb K.), 2018 NY Slip Op 04047, Third Dept 6-7-18

FAMILY LAW (ORDERS OF PROTECTION, DURATION OF ORDERS OF PROTECTION FOR A BIOLOGICAL GRANDFATHER AND A STEPGRANDFATHER EXPLAINED (THIRD DEPT))/ORDERS OF PROTECTION (FAMILY LAW, DURATION OF ORDERS OF PROTECTION FOR A BIOLOGICAL GRANDFATHER AND A STEPGRANDFATHER EXPLAINED (THIRD DEPT))

June 7, 2018

Contract Law, Family Law

HUSBAND ENTITLED TO REVOKE HIS CONSENT TO USE OF A FROZEN EMBRYO, EMBRYO AWARDED TO HUSBAND FOR SOLE PURPOSE OF DISPOSAL IN THIS DIVORCE ACTION (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined plaintiff husband, in this divorce action, was entitled to the frozen embryo for the sole purpose of disposal:

… [Husband and wife] engaged the services of [New Hope Fertility Center, NHF] in the hope of conceiving a child via implantation of cryopreserved embryos in the wife’s uterus. … [T]hey signed an agreement with NHF entitled “Consent for the Cryopreservation of Human Embryo(s)” (the Consent Agreement). …

Paragraph 7 of the Consent Agreement is entitled “Voluntary Participation” and provides “I/We may withdraw my/our consent and discontinue participation at any time . . . .” Paragraph 16, entitled “Authorization,” provides, “This consent will remain in effect until such time as I notify NHF in writing of my/our wish to revoke such consent.” …

In Kass v Kass (91 NY2d 554 [1998]), the Court of Appeals determined that agreements between donors participating in IVF [in vitro fertilization] should be enforced pursuant to general rules of contract interpretation. … The Consent Agreement specifies that participation in the procedures involving cryopreservation of embryos is voluntary and that either party may withdraw consent at any time. … The provisions permitting either party to revoke consent are not limited to cryopreservation, but permit either party to withdraw consent to participation in the entire IVF process. … [T]he Consent Agreement does not indicate that the court has plenary authority to determine ownership of the embryo in the event of divorce … . Finkelstein v Finkelstein, 2018 NY Slip Op 03926, First Dept 6-5-18

FAMILY LAW (IN VITRO FERTILIZATION, FROZEN EMBRYO, HUSBAND ENTITLED TO REVOKE HIS CONSENT TO USE OF A FROZEN EMBRYO, EMBRYO AWARDED TO HUSBAND FOR SOLE PURPOSE OF DISPOSAL IN THIS DIVORCE ACTION (FIRST DEPT))/CONTRACT LAW (FAMILY LAW, IN VITRO FERTILIZATION, FROZEN EMBRYO, HUSBAND ENTITLED TO REVOKE HIS CONSENT TO USE OF A FROZEN EMBRYO, EMBRYO AWARDED TO HUSBAND FOR SOLE PURPOSE OF DISPOSAL IN THIS DIVORCE ACTION (FIRST DEPT))/IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (FAMILY LAW. FROZEN EMBRYO, HUSBAND ENTITLED TO REVOKE HIS CONSENT TO USE OF A FROZEN EMBRYO, EMBRYO AWARDED TO HUSBAND FOR SOLE PURPOSE OF DISPOSAL IN THIS DIVORCE ACTION (FIRST DEPT))/EMBRYO, FROZEN (FAMILY LAW, IN VITRO FERTILIZATION, HUSBAND ENTITLED TO REVOKE HIS CONSENT TO USE OF A FROZEN EMBRYO, EMBRYO AWARDED TO HUSBAND FOR SOLE PURPOSE OF DISPOSAL IN THIS DIVORCE ACTION (FIRST DEPT))

June 5, 2018

FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE DENIED THE PETITION RE THE CHILD’S SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS WITHOUT HOLDING A HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER REUNITING THE CHILD WITH MOTHER WAS NOT VIABLE DUE TO NEGLECT OR ABANDONMENT (SECOND DEPT).

FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RELIEVED MOTHER’S COUNSEL WITHOUT NOTICE TO MOTHER, THEREFORE FAMILY COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED A DEFAULT JUDGMENT UPON MOTHER’S FAILURE TO APPEAR, BECAUSE THE DEFAULT JUDGMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENTERED, APPEAL WAS THE PROPER REMEDY (SECOND DEPT).

FOURTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD HAD THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO WAIVE HIS PRESENCE AT THE PERMANENCY HEARING AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO APPEAR, APPEAL HEARD AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE MOOTNESS DOCTRINE (FOURTH DEPT).

FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE SET A SPECIFIC AND DEFINITIVE VISITATION SCHEDULE, MATTER REMITTED (FOURTH DEPT).

CHILD’S OUT OF COURT STATEMENTS ABOUT ABUSE BY STEPFATHER SUFFICIENTLY CORROBORATED (THIRD DEPT).

MOTHER DEMONSTRATED FATHER WILLFULLY VIOLATED THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND WAS THEREFORE ENTITLED TO ATTORNEY’S FEES (THIRD DEPT).

SUSPENDED JUDGMENT COMMITTING RESPONDENT TO JAIL FOR FAILURE TO MAKE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REVOKED WITHOUT A HEARING (THIRD DEPT).

DURATION OF ORDERS OF PROTECTION FOR A BIOLOGICAL GRANDFATHER AND A STEPGRANDFATHER EXPLAINED (THIRD DEPT).

HUSBAND ENTITLED TO REVOKE HIS CONSENT TO USE OF A FROZEN EMBRYO, EMBRYO AWARDED TO HUSBAND FOR SOLE PURPOSE OF DISPOSAL IN THIS DIVORCE ACTION (FIRST DEPT).

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