|
|
NEW YORK DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW
ARTICLES BY SUBJECT Alimony, Maintenance and Spousal Support Child Custody and Parental Alienation Grandparent Visitation and Non-Parent Visitation Legal Fee Awards and Awards For Expenses Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
|
SUMMARIES OF EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION CASES REPORTED IN 2000 CASE: Allen v Allen CITE: __AD2d__, 693 NYS2d 708 (3d Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: 12 H AGE: 54 H INCOME: $46,869/yr W AGE: 53 W INCOME: $18,485/yr CHILD SUPPORT: N/A MAINTENANCE: $125/wk for 6 years EXCL OCC: ? HEALTH/MED INS: ? DENTAL INS: ? LIFE INS: ? COUNSEL FEE: ? PROP DIST TO W: $5700 (including half of value of appreciation of husband's business. COMMENT: [Where adverse party stipulates to introduction of expert report into evidence and does not offer proof at trial concerning increase in value of husband's business nor object to inflation adjustment used by expert, figures contained in report may not be challenged as inaccurate; property acquired by one spouse as a gift or inheritance during a marriage, and retained separately, is not marital property.] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Barnaby v Barnaby CITE: __AD2d__, 686 NYS 2d 230 (3d Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: $400/wk W AGE: W INCOME: $16000/yr CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $500/mo for 10 yrs EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: remitted for hearing PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: Income of $53000/yr imputed to husband; child support is predicated on parents ability to provide support and not necessarily his/her current financial plight.
CASE: Block v Block CITE: _AD2d_, 685 NYS2d 443 (1st Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: $2145/mo + unreimbursed medical, dental & optical expenses MAINTENANCE: $2500/mo until youngest child in kindergarten EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: for parties children DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $60,000 PROP DIST TO W: 50% of value of law practice and 50% of proceeds of sale of marital home COMMENT: [capitalization of earnings approach to value of law practice goodwill was proper, as was application of a weighted average and a capitalization factor of 33 1/3%; abuse of discretion to award arbitrary 25% of the net fees to be recovered by husband in contingency fee cases he commenced prior to the action; value of such cases to be determined by comparing percentage of time spent by husband during the marriage with the total time he spent in reaching each ultimate recovery. Since defendant is bearing all of children's financial needs he should be permitted to declare them as tax exemptions. Improper to deduct maintenance from defendant's income in calculating child support where no provision for concomitant increase in child support upon termination of maintenance.] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Bogdan v. Bogdan CITE: __AD2d__, __NYS2d__ (2d Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [Expenses incurred prior to the commencement of the action constitute marital debt and should be equally shared by the parties] CASE: Brennan v. Brennan CITE: NYLJ, 10-15-99, P.__, col __, Supreme Court, Richmond County (Harkavy, J.) YRS MAR: 19 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: $65,000 CHILD SUPPORT: $1415/mo (3 ) to husband MAINTENANCE: none EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: none PROP DIST TO W: 50% of her answering service business and 50% of all marital assets; COMMENT: [wife addicted to cocaine and Tylenol with codeine taken for MS; wife's testimony devoid of credibiity; wife's lack of credibility and failure to comply with court orders consider under factor 13; wife's responsibility for 100% for law guardians fees] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Butler v. Butler CITE: _AD2d_, 683 NYS2d 603 (3d Dept., 1998) YRS MAR: 24 H AGE: 47 H INCOME: $132/wk W AGE: 63 W INCOME: $1,156/mo CHILD SUPPORT: n/a MAINTENANCE: denied EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: all of her pension benefits; furnishings in marital residence COMMENT: [valuation of assets at trial date is justified when using date of commencement would be inequitable; Factors in DRL 236 (B)(5)(d) do not have to be specifically cited in decision where evident they were considered and reasons for decision articulated; value of furnishings listed in a loan application is inadequate proof of value in light of parties incomes and standard of living]
CASE: Carlson-Subik v. Subik CITE: _AD2d_, 684 NYS2d 65 (3d Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: 21 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: ? MAINTENANCE: $300/wk personal EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: remitted for a hearing PROP DIST TO W: 75% to wife COMMENT: [proper to attribute or impute income in fixing child support ($42,000) based upon a prior employment experience *** as well as a parents future earning capacity in light of his educational background; proper to impute as income monies received from aunt and parents; 75% of marital property to wife where husband secreted and wrongfully dissipated marital assets] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Castiglione v. Castiglione CITE: _AD2d_, _NYS2d_, NYLJ, 3-23-99, P. 31 Col. 3 (2d Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $300/wk personal EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: denied PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [where parties stipulated that each would receive half of husbands pension payments when distributed, error to direct that maintenance payment be reduced in future by amount of that payment] CASE: Chadwick v. Chadwick CITE: _AD2d_, 684 NYS2d 129 (4th Dept., 1998) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: remitted PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [proper to preclude defendant from presenting evidence tracing origin of jointly held stocks to his separate property because he claimed no separate property in response to wife's discovery demand; error to award counsel fee on stipulation for submission on affidavits if no affidavit is submitted] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Chambers v Chambers CITE: __AD2d__, 686 NYS 2d 1999 (3d Dept. 1999) YRS MAR: 38 H AGE: H INCOME: $51,178 W AGE: W INCOME: $18,836 CHILD SUPPORT: N/A MAINTANCE : $250/wk until husband retires and begins drawing a pension. EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [Error to direct each party to elect a pension option which provides that if your beneficiary survives you, your total monthly allowance will be paid to him. her for life, where this reduces his payment during life by 19% and is greater than under Majauskas formula; deferred distribution of pension appropriate where no present ability to pay; no credit for separate fund placed into joint account and then back in spounse's name where he fails to establish that the account was created only as a matter of convenience.] CASE: Chervin v. Chervin CITE: __AD2d__, 695 NYS2d 565 (1st Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: to wife plus 2/3 of all child care, medical and educational expenses MAINTENANCE: "permanent maintenance" to wife EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: to wife PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT:
*************************************************************************************************** CASE: CRANE v CRANE CITE: __AD2d__,694 NYS2d 763 (2dDept, 1999) YRS MAR: 19 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: [2 ch] MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: to wife until youngest child 18 HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [Where need of custodial parent to occupy marital home outweighs father's need for his share of sale proceeds exclusive occupancy of marital home should be awarded; a downward modification of pendente lite child support by trial court may only operate prospectively.]
CASE: DeLuca v DeLuca CITE: NYLJ, 7-6-99, P __, Col__ Supreme Court, Co.(Geller, J.H.O.) YRS MAR: 33 H AGE: 56 H INCOME: W AGE: 56 W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: $150/wk "lifetime maintenance" MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: for wife (50% to be paid by Husband) DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: for wife COUNSEL FEE: $20,000 PROP DIST TO W: 50% of marital property COMMENT: [parties lived apart for approximately 20 years; variable supplement fund of retired police officer is marital property; obstructenistic taches current counsel fee] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Dieckman v. Dieckman CITE: NYLJ, 8-13-99, P__. Col __, Supreme Court, Kings County, (Garson, J.) YRS MAR: 14 H AGE: 54 H INCOME: $50,800 W AGE: 58 W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: n/a MAINTENANCE: denied EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $20,000 to husband PROP DIST TO W: 50% of marital real property and 75% of her liquid assets and 25% of marital portion of husband's pension COMMENT: [appreciation of marital residence due to inflation of marital forces is not marital property; court considered under factor 13; wife's failure to failure to disclose ownership interest in a business and failure to place proceeds of sale of property into escrow account per court order; wife responsible for loss of all of parties liquid assets] CASE: DiFilippo v DiFilippo CITE: __AD2d__, 692 NYSd 259 (4th Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: 35+ H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: 59 W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $750/wk non-durational EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: TO WIFE PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Dougherty v Dougherty CITE: _AD2d_, 680 NYS2d 759 (3rd Dept, 1998) YRS MAR: 22 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 40% of value of marital residene and 50% of other marital assets. COMMENT: [artwork to be sold if parties can't agree to its division; husband personally constructed marital home]
CASE: Dunnan v Dunnan CITE: -AD2d, 690 NYS2d 46 (1st Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $5,000/mo "permanent lifetime maintenance" EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $75,000 PROP DIST TO W: 50% of marital property COMMENT: [severance package is marital property; wife who is completely unable to earn income, requires maintenance to approach the pre-divorce standard living wife who is unable to work, should not be required to deplete her assets to pay all of her attorneys fees.]
*************************************************************************************************** CASE: Ferraro v Ferraro CITE: _AD2d_, _NYS2d_, NYLJ, 1-27-99, P. 29, Col. 3 (2nd Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: 40 W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $13,000/mo for 5 years from judgment retroactive to date of commencement EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $212,000 PROP DIST TO W: $450,000 COMMENT: [transfer of husbands interest in corporation to trust two months before commencement of action, was made in contemplation of a matrimonial action and half was awarded to wife] CASE: Francis v Francis CITE: __AD2d__, 692 NYS2d 263 (4th Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: for 15 months EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [Error to admit in evidence portion of hospital record containing plaintiff's account of how defendant allegedly caused her injury; valuation of marital residence was proper because it was "within the framework of the evidence"] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Galachiuk v Galachiuk CITE: __AD2d__, 691 NYS2d 828 (4th Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [Property acquired during marriage is presumed to be marital property; proper to include in marital property accounts closed by husband within 6 months of commencement of action where he failed to account for proceeds]
CASE: Galakis v. Galakis CITE: _AD2d_, _NYS2d_, NYLJ, 4-16-99, P. 35, Col. 5 (2d Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: $476.00 every 2 weeks MAINTENANCE: $200/bi-weekly for 6 years EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: $100,000 for wife; $100,000 for son COUNSEL FEE: $4,500 to wife PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Gittelson v Gittelson CITE: __AD2d__, 69 NYS2d 212 (2d Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [Where Appellate Division remits matter to trial court to make detailed findings to supplement its determination so that it will have a basis for its review, it is improper for the trial court to consider the issues de novo.]
CASE: Goddard v Goddard CITE: _AD2d_, 682 NYS2d 423, (2nd Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: none PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [proper to impute $20,800 in income to husband because child support is based upon a parents ability to provide for their child rather than their current economic situation] **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Grossman v. Grossman CITE: _AD2d_, _NYS2d_, NYLJ 5-4-99, P. 31, Col. 4 (2d Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: husband to pay college expenses MAINTENANCE: to wife for 15 years EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $50,000 to wife PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT:
CASE: Grunfeld v. Grunfeld CITE: _AD2d_, _NYS2d_, NYLJ, 4 - 99, P. , Col (1st Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $15,000/mo to be reduced to $8,500/mo when distributive award payments start EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [proper, under circumstances, not to make maintenance retroactive; McSparron permits court to grant a distributive award based on enhanced earnings capacity and then adjust payors other obligations, rather than reduce maintenance award, when it distributes value of professional license and professional practice. Explains valuation methodology] **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Haas v Haas CITE: __AD2d__, 695 NYS2d 644 (4th Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: $30,417 W AGE: W INCOME: $23,087 CHILD SUPPORT: $136/wk plus 55% of uninsured medical and dental, and day care. MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [where parent is self employed income for CSSA is his "gross income less allowable business expenses", depreciation that did "not officer disallowed deductions for telephone and truck expenses used or personal, as well as business reasons; proper to deduct all self-employment tax. Appellate Division declined to construe notice of appeal liberally.] CASE: Imhof v. Imhof CITE: _AD2d_, _NYS2d_, NYLJ, 3-21-99, P. 34, Col. 3 (2nd Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: $210.50/wk retroactive MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: sold HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 50% of net proceeds of sale of marital residence COMMENT: [separate property can be transmuted into marital property when the actions of the titled spouse demonstrate his intent to transform the character of the property from separate to marital; error not to credit husband for college payments] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Johnson v. Johnson CITE: _AD2d_, _NYS2d_, NYLJ, 5-14-99, P. 36, Col. 4 (2nd Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: remitted for new determination EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [equitable distribution presents matters of fact to be resolved by the trial court, and its distribution of the parties marital property should not be disturbed unless it can be shown that the court improvidently exercised its direction in so doing]
CASE: Kelly - Milone v Milone CITE: _AD2d_, 682 NYS2d 435 (2nd Dept, 1998) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: $1000 COMMENT: [overtime earnings are part of gross income for purposes of the child support obligation] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Kennedy v. Kennedy CITE: _AD2d_, 683 NYS2d 608 (3d Dept., 1998) YRS MAR: 18 H AGE: H INCOME: $45,000/yr W AGE: W INCOME: unemployed CHILD SUPPORT: 131.00/wk per stipulation (2 children) MAINTENANCE: $175.00/wk for 10 years EXCL OCC: to wife HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: title to marital residence ;50% of marital property COMMENT: [testimony as to value of furnishings by spouse, where credible, established value for purposes of a distribution; DRL 236 (B)(5) and (6) recognizes that maintenance and property distribution should not be treated as 2 separate items but each should be set with a view toward the other. It is error to utilize an "offset" in place of separate awards for maintenance and property distribution and to reduce maintenance in recognition of fact that the wife would receive most of the marital assets and had no liquid assets to pay distributive award to husband] CASE: Kerzner v Kerzner CITE: __AD2d__, 649 NYS2d 49 (1st Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 50% of business appreciation and pension plan COMMENT: *************************************************************************************************** CASE: King v. King CITE: _AD2d_, 684 NYS2d 684 (3d Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: $46,727 W AGE: W INCOME: $34,451 CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT:
CASE: Kirschenbaum v Kirschenbaum CITE: -AD2d-, 693 NYS2d 149 (1st Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: 18 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: 48 W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $4,000/mo for 10 years then $2000/mo EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: Lifetime maintenance is appropriate where payee spouse is incapable of becoming self-supporting at a level roughly commensurate with the pre-divorce standard of living." Fact that payee spouse has ability to become self supporting with respect to some standard of living does not preclude an award of lifetime maintenance.] **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Knight v. Knight CITE: _AD2d_, 685 NYS2d 560 (4th Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $200 per week EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: equal distribution of marital assets; 50% of monthly pension income of husband to wife COMMENT: [proper to commence wife's share of husband's pension payment as of date of commencement of the action; proper to value automobile based on value in husband's affidavit, which was consistent with NADA used car guide, rather than his testimony at hearing] CASE: Koehler v. Koechler CITE: NYLJ, 10-18-99, P. __, Col.__, Supreme Court, Suffolk County (Lifson,J.) YRS MAR:11 moH AGE: 61 H INCOME: W AGE: 55 W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: ordered sold HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: wife reimbursed for purchase of house plus 50% of any increase in value; all of joint checking account; COMMENT: [second marriage for both parties; real property, title to which was taken as JWROS prior to marriage, is marital property, where husband not in sale contract and made no formal contribution and taken in contemplation of marriage.] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Kosovsky v. Zahl CITE: _AD2d_, 684 NYS2d 524 (1st Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: $750,000 for benefit of child COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 31.8% of defendant's pension COMMENT:[funds in joint account presumed to be marital property absent proof that source of funds was separate property or account was a convenience account; proper to value pension as of trial date where increase in value due to passive appreciation; proper to impute $400,000 to husband where he manipulated his corporations finances to reduce his income and had unreported cash; proper to impute $150,000 investment income to wife] CASE: Krigsman v Krigsman CITE: NYLJ 6-14-99, P-- col-- Sup. Court Kings Co. (Yancy J.) YRS MAR: 11 H AGE: 36 H INCOME: W AGE: 33 W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: $587/wk [3 ch] + 70% of unreimbursed medical and dental expenses, and 70% of reasonable child care, 70% of childrens Yeshiva and 70% of summer camp if it is a component of child care. MAINTENANCE: denied EXCL OCC: title to wife HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: $500,000 decreasing term for wife COUNSEL FEE:$25,000 PROP DIST TO W: 50% of marital residence; 25% of enhancing earning capacity of husband.
COMMENT: Income of $50,000/yr imputed to wife who was a RN; income of $120,000 a year impulsed to husband for purpose of valuing enhanced earnings as a pediatric gastroenterologist; wife to receive reduced share of husband's enhanced earning capacity because of short marriage, use of non-marital funds to pay for education and role of husband as major income earner, wife acted reasonably in refusing to sign joint income tax return.] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Kysor v. Kysor CITE: _AD2d_, 684 NYS2d 388 (4th Dept., 1998) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [If monthly payment is based on DRL 240 (1-b)(d) health and child care expenses cannot be ordered in addition; failure to set forth factors considered and reasons for decision on maintenance and properly distribution warrents reversal and remitted for hearing. See DRL 236 (B)(5)(g) and (B)(6) (b).]
CASE: Lenigan v. Lenigan CITE: NYLJ, 11-15-99, Supreme Court, Suffolk Co. (Austin, J.) YRS MAR: H AGE: 52 H INCOME: $98,000 W AGE: 51 W INCOME: $0 CHILD SUPPORT: $200/wk (1 ch) plus 100% of extra curricular and uninsured medical expenses MAINTENANCE: $300/wk until pension in pay status, then $100/wk EXCL OCC: title to wife HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: $100,000 for child COUNSEL FEE: $18,250 PROP DIST TO W: QDRO for plaintiffs pension; 50% of marital debt; 75% if marital residence and 50% of other assets. COMMENT: [pro se plaintiff not entitled to any inference or benefit from the court; wasteful consumption assets (liquor bottles) by husband; wife awarded 75% of marital residence in recognition of her contribution to husband's career; husband directed to choose pension option wife surviving benefits; catch all factor is used for "best interest of child to retain child's furniture] **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Leroy v Leroy CITE: NYLJ 7-15-99, P.26, Col -- Sup. Ct. NY Co. (Tulub,5) YRS MAR: 29 H AGE: 63 H INCOME: W AGE: 54 W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: N/A MAINTENANCE: $61,183 per month to be reduced by imputing a 5% annual return on cash portion of wife's distributive award as received EXCL OCC: N/A HEALTH/MED INS: NO DENTAL INS: NO LIFE INS: No COUNSEL FEE: $739,313 (in addition to $450,00 pendente lite) and $413,761 expert PROP DIST TO W: fees.40%($18,829,124)of marital property worth $47,072,810.00 COMMENT: [counsel fee award in excess of $1,150,000]
CASE: Levy v Levy CITE: -Ad2d-, 689 NYS2d 62(1st Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: To wife PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [Award of maintenance in increasing amounts over a period of 7 yrs. before terminating, is proper to enable wife to maintain pre-separation standard living] **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Lombardo v Lombardo CITE: _AD2d_, 680 NYS2d 270 (3rd Dept, 1998) YRS MAR: 20 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $1500/mo. until april 2005; then $800/mo. non-durational EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: to be paid for by wife under employers COBRA DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [guardian ad litem appointed to protect wife; maintenance award to enable wife to meet pre divorce standard of living]
CASE: Lopez v Lopez CITE: __AD2d__, __NYS2d, NYLJ, 11-18-99, p.28, col 2 (1st Dept.,1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $500/mo for 7 years EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Madonna v. Madonna CITE: __AD2d__, NYS2d__, NYLJ, 10-18-99, P__, Col__ (2d Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 50% of increase in value of marital residence and 50% of husband's pension earned during marriage. COMMENT: [Supreme Court has borad discretion in accepting or rejecting all or part of any expert testimony; authorizing to award interest at 9% pursuant to CPLR 5004 is not mandatory; proper to award interest at 4-1/2% on wife's share of increase in value of marital residence]
CASE: Matwijczuk v Matwijczuk CITE: -AD2d-, 690 NYS2d 343 (3d Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: 28 H AGE: H INCOME: $10,000 W AGE: W INCOME: $45,000/y CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: none PROP DIST TO W: all of her pension; 58% of marital residence No counsel fee to wife considering the parties income and the assets available to her as a result of the equitable distribution. COMMENT: [Use of marital funds plus wife's contributions of her separate funds, time and labor in furtherance of the marital partnership were sufficient to transform the marital residence and land (purchased by husband before marriage and constructed before and during marriage) into marital property; land purchased marriage is presumed to be marital property; transfer in contemplation of a matrimonial action with fair consideration remains marital property; where a lump sum distribution of the marital portion of a pension is not requested. Evidence of present value of pension is not needed to establish an interest, but spouse may emply the "Majauskas" formula to calculate the equitable share marriage is presumed to be marital property; transfer in contemplation of a matrimonial action with fair consideration remains marital property; where a lump sum distribution of the mental protion of a pension is not requested evidence of where a lump sum distribution of the marital portion of a pension is not requested evidence of present value of pension is not needed to establish an interest, but spouse may imply the majauskas formula to calculate the equitable share] **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Mcgrath v Mcgrath CITE: -AD2d-, 689 NYS2d, (2d Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: $204 /weekly [2Ch] then $316/weekly when main. terminates MAINTENANCE: $250.wk for 3 years EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 50% of marital property COMMENT: [Proper to impute annual income to husband of $69,000 annual income to husband to complete maintenance and child support; a court may impute income based upon a parties past income or [a court is not bound by a parties account of his finances, and when a parties account of his finances is not believable, the court is justified in finding an actual or potential income greater than claimed. Proper to consider money received from parents in fixing child support] CASE: Mellen v. Mellen CITE: _AD2d_, _NYS2d_, NYLJ, 5-4-99, P. 32, Col. 4 (2d Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: $533/wk MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [a court is not bound by a parties account of his finances, and when a parties account of his finances is not believable, the court is justified in finding an actual or potential income greater then claimed. Proper to consider money received from parents in fixing child support finding an actual or potential income granted then claimed. Proper to consider money received from parents in fixing child support] **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Meyers v Meyers CITE: _AD2d_, 680 NYS2d 690 (3rd Dept, 1998) YRS MAR: 19 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $125/wk for 7 years, than $100/wk until wife reaches 62 EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 50% ($560,000) of marital property COMMENT: [marketability discount of 25% should be applied to valuation of husbands heating oil business as the risk associated with illiquidity of stores should be considered; marital fault is a relevant factor in awarding maintenance, but it does not preclude it] CASE: Michelle S v Charles S CITE: _AD2d_, 683 NYS2d 89 (1st Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: remitted EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: remitted PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [a time limitation on maintenance should be imposed soley to enable a dependent spouse to obtain training to become financially independent, or to allow a resteration of his earning capacity to its previous level. Such limits are inappropriate when such spouse is unlikely to become completely self supporting] **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Mitnick v Rosenthal CITE: __AD2d__, 688 NYS2d 150 (1st Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: Reference directed PROP DIST TO W: 25% of appreciation of husband's medical practice. COMMENT: [Application of statutory child support formula to any amount over $150,000 is unjust and inappropriate because both parties earn significantly more than $80,000/yr. and its application is unnecessary to assure that both children enjoy the same lifestyle as before the separation; award of "open-ended" child support for medical expenses, camp, tutoring, school tuition, recreation and transportation, to be fixed on basis of annual accountings by wife, not to exceed $ 6,000 per month, was proper.]
CASE: Mogollon v. Mogollon CITE: __AD2d__, 686 NYS 2d 849 (2d Dept 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: Ordered sold HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 50% of net proceeds of sale of marital residence COMMENT: [Where trial courts decision did not address request for payment of certain college expenses by defendant, and judgment appealed from does not contain decretal paragraph either granting or denying this relief, the request s not before the appellate division, and remains pending and undecided before Supreme Court.] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Morrissey v Morrissey CITE: _AD2d_, _NYS2d_, NYLJ, 3-5-99, P. 29, Col. 3 (2nd Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: remitted for new determination MAINTENANCE: for 7 years EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: to wife PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [court may impute income, in fixing child support, based upon a parties ability to provide support, rather than current economic situation. "An imputed income amount is based, in part, upon a parents past earnings actual earning capacity and educational background." Counsel fee proper where defendant guilty of stonewalling.]
CASE: Murphy v Murphy CITE: __AD2d__, 693 NYS 2d 699 (3d Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: 32 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: Waived EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 60% of marital portion of pension COMMENT: [Award of 60% of pension to a wife, who was unemployed and suffered debilitating disease and was responsible for funding her own health and/or life insurance.] *************************************************************************************************** CASE: Murtha v Murtha CITE: __AD2D__, 694NYS2d__, (1st Dept.,1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: 5 years from entry of judgment EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 60% of marital assets COMMENT: [60% of marital estate awarded to wife in view of parties income potential, loss of wife's career potential and her fragile emotional state; husband directed to return $100,000, that he used to pay taxes, attorney and expert fees, to marital estate; he violated interim court order and should have moved for permission; CFA certification is an asset.] CASE: Nielson v Nielson CITE: _AD2d_, 682 NYS2d 503 (4th Dept, 1998) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: denied EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: denied PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [error to conclude that severance payment received after commencement of action is separate property, where it constituted compensation for past services rather than an incentive for future services] **************************************************************************************************** CASE: Papandrea v Papandrea CITE: __AD2d__,695NYS2d 377 (2d Dept.,1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: $ 100/wk MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT:
CASE: Pearl v Pearl CITE: __AD2d__, NYS2d__, NYLJ, 11-22-99, P.33, Col 4 (2d Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: title to wife HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: title to marital residence and 10% of husband's accounting business COMMENT: [husband's willful failure to disclose was proper basis for preclusion order against him] ***************************************************************************************************
CASE: Pinto v Pinto CITE: __AD2d__, 668 NYS2d 701 (2d Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $100,000 to wife PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [Not an abuse of discretion to award wife 100% of all assets listed on both parties net worth statements if husband did not deliver a Jewish divorce to wife within a specified period of time.] CASE: Plotnick v. Plotnick CITE: __AD2d__, __NYS2d__, NYLJ, 11-22-99, P.22 Col 6 (1st Dept., 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $36,000 paid in monthly increments of $1500 for 2 years EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $17,000 to wife PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT:
***************************************************************************************************
CASE: Pollack v. Pollack CITE: NYLJ, 10-25-99, P__, Col __, Supreme Court., Nassau Co. (Jonas J.) YRS MAR: 9 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: N/A MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [husband, who attempted to murder wife (an attorney) by stabbing her many times denied share of her law practice/license for egregious misconduct; mentally ill husbands assets seized by execution on $750,000 personal injury judgment in wife's first; they are her separate property; sheriffs execution sale extinguished husband's title. Equitable distribution of all assets except Fidelity Account granted on summary judgment motion.]
CASE: Pompa v Pompa CITE: __AD2d__, 687 NYS2d 25 (1st Dept 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $300/mo until death or remarriage EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $25,000_ PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: ***************************************************************************************************
CASE: Rindos v Rindos CITE: __AD2d__,694NYS2d 735 NYLJ (2d Dept.,1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $5,000/month for 10 years EXCL OCC: until youngest child emancipated HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 50% of net proceeds of sale of marital residence COMMENT: [husband not entitled to credit for half of income taxes paid by him where parties executed a tax indemnification letter which provided he would be responsible for that amount]
CASE: Robinson v Robinson CITE: _AD2d_, 682 NYS2d 292 (3rd Dept, 1998) YRS MAR: 26 H AGE: 49 H INCOME: $40,400 W AGE: 56 W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: n/a MAINTENANCE: denied EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $1500 PROP DIST TO W: all of marital residence (worth $44,000). Husband kept IRA worth $21,000 but was obligated to pay all marital debt of $20,000. COMMENT: [not abuse of discretion to decline maintenance award in view of modest pre-separation standard of living, wife's ability to earn as a licensed practical nurse, and the substantial benefit she received from the property distribution.] ***************************************************************************************************
CASE: Sammarco v Sammarco CITE: NYLJ,6-10-99, p--, col.-- Sup. Ct. Kings Co. (Harcavy,J.) YRS MAR: 29 H AGE: 52 H INCOME: $61,000 W AGE: 50 W INCOME: $35,000 CHILD SUPPORT: n/a MAINTENANCE: n/a EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: none PROP DIST TO W: 50% of marital assets
COMMENT: [ocial Security Benefits pre-empted by Federal Law from being subject to equitable distribution; court may not allow an offset for social security benefits of one spouse against federal pension of other spouse; wife given option to purchase husband's share of marital residence; wife awarded 50% of husband's CSRS persons by COBRA; husband required to elect survivor benefits on pension or obtain life insurance for wife.]
CASE: Shattuck v Shattuck CITE: _AD2d_, 679 NYS2d 781 (4th Dept, 1998) YRS MAR: 30 H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: to wife until husbands death, or retirement at or after age 62 EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [pursuant to DRL 236 [B][6](c) maintenance must terminate upon the wifes death or remarriage] ***************************************************************************************************
CASE: Tan v Tan CITE: __AD2d__, 668 NYS2d 597 (2d Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [Error of law to direct spouse to contribute to future college expenses of 11 year old child,award was prematured where no evidence of child's academic interest, ability, possible choice of college or what child's expenses might be].
CASE: Turk v Turk CITE: NYLJ 6.7.99, P 32 Col 6, Sup Ct, Kings Cty (Ambrosio, J.) YRS MAR: H AGE: 56 H INCOME: W AGE: 54 W INCOME: $58000 CHILD SUPPORT: N/A MAINTENANCE: husband's request denied EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: none DENTAL INS: none LIFE INS: none COUNSEL FEE: to be determined PROP DIST TO W: equal division of marital property COMMENT: [wife failed to rebut presumption that joint accounts with her mother were open solely as a matter of convenience; husband who was disabled from mental illness, denied maintenance, where income sufficient to meet reasonable needs.] ***************************************************************************************************
CASE: Wittig v. Wittig CITE: _AD2d_, 685 NYS2d 342 (4th Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: 50% ($731,652) of marital property COMMENT: [agreement in nature of severance and settlement contract is marital property; not abuse of discretion to rely on formula of closely held corporation for valuation of its stock; as a general rule value of marital residence should be fixed at time of trial; defendant sanctioned for failure, as appellant, to include in appendix parts of record necessary for respondent]
CASE: Wood v Wood CITE: _AD2d_, 682 NYS2d 788 (4th Dept, 1998) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $400 bi-weekly until husbands retirement retroactive to date of application therefor EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT:
***************************************************************************************************
CASE: Yunis v Yunis CITE: _AD2d_, 680 NYS2d 339 (4th Dept, 1999) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: 10 years EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: denied PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT:
CASE: Zurek v Zurek CITE: _AD2d_, 680 NYS2d 384 (4th Dept, 1998) YRS MAR: H AGE: H INCOME: W AGE: W INCOME: CHILD SUPPORT: MAINTENANCE: $100/wk for 3 years EXCL OCC: HEALTH/MED INS: DENTAL INS: LIFE INS: COUNSEL FEE: $500 PROP DIST TO W: COMMENT: [error to award counsel fees without proof regarding the nature and extent of the services provided, and without a hearing to determine whether the fees charged were reasonable] |