Source: http://brandeslaw.blogspot.com/2010/09/
Timestamp: 2017-08-24 10:44:37
Document Index: 761648949

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§ 440', '§ 451', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§413', '§240', '§413', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§461', '§236', 'Art. 1', '§10', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§ 236', '§ 451', '§ 236', '§ 440', '§ 437', '§ 437', '§ 111', '§ 111', '§ 236', '§ 170', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 237', '§ 238', '§ 170', '§ 210', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§1', '§ 6', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 237', '§ 236', '§ 503', '§ 35', '§ 2306', '§ 358', '§ 842', '§ 3', '§ 237', '§ 237', '§ 238', 'art 1', '§1089', '§384', '§ 4', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 236', '§ 6', '§ 2']

New York Divorce and Family Law Blog: September 2010
The "Low Income Support Obligation and Performance Improvement Act," amends the provisions of the Domestic Relations Law and the Family Court Act with regard to modification of child support orders.
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b)(2) was amended by separating out the "substantial change of circumstances" basis for modification of child support orders into its own section for clarity. It provides two new bases for the modification of an order of child support, and is applicable to an application for either an upward or downward modification of child support. The first basis for modification of child support is the passage of three years since the order was entered, last modified, or adjusted. The second basis for modification of child support is a 15 percent change in either party's income since the order was entered, last modified or adjusted. Any reduction in income must be involuntary and the party whose income has been reduced must have made diligent attempts to secure employment commensurate with his or her education, ability and experience.
Thus, a reduction in a party’s income is not a basis for a downward modification of child support, unless the reduction in income is involuntary and the party whose income has been reduced has made diligent attempts to secure employment commensurate with his or her education, ability and experience. However, a 15% increase in a party’s income is a basis for an upward modification of child support, overruling the prior rule that an increase in income alone was not a basis to modify child support. Neither of these rules are applicable where the parties “opt out” of this modification provision in a surviving, validly executed, agreement or stipulation.
The parties may specifically opt out of the two new bases for modification in a validly executed agreement or stipulation. This provision also provides that incarceration is a not a bar to finding a substantial change in circumstances under certain conditions.
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b) (2) now provides:
Family Court Act § 451 is amended to provide two new bases for modification of an order of child support: (1) the passage of three years since the order was entered, last modified, or adjusted; or (2) a 15 percent change in either party's income since the order was entered, last modified or adjusted provided that any reduction in income was involuntary and the party has made diligent attempts to secure employment commensurate with his or her education, ability and experience. The parties may specifically opt out of the two new bases for modification in a validly executed agreement or stipulation. This section provides that incarceration is not a bar to finding a substantial change in circumstances under certain conditions, and also clarifies that retroactive support is paid and enforceable as provided under Family Court Act § 440.
The language of Family Court Act § 451 governing the modification of child support orders and the language of Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b) are conformed so that both provisions provide for a "substantial change in circumstances" as a basis for modification of an order of child support.
Opting-out of Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b)(2)(ii) and Family Court Act § 451 (2)(b)
The “Child Support Standards Act” allows the parties to "opt out" of its provisions regarding the basic child support obligation by executing a written agreement doing so. The statute states that it does not alter the rights of the parties to "voluntarily enter into validly executed agreements or stipulations.” It specifically provides that the parties may agree that the child support standards "established by this subdivision" are not applicable to validly executed agreements or stipulations voluntarily entered into between the parties, "when executed.” However, a validly executed agreement or stipulation that "opts-out" of the child support standards act which is presented to the court for incorporation in an order or judgment must include a provision that the parties have been advised of the provisions of Section 240(1-b) of the Domestic Relations Law and New York Family Court Act §413(1)(b). An agreement which opts out of the law must also contain a provision that the parties have been advised that the "basic child support obligation" provided in New York Domestic Relations Law §240(1-b) and New York Family Court Act §413(1)(b) "would presumptively result in the correct amount of child support to be awarded." In the event that the Agreement or Stipulation deviates from the "basic child support obligation,” the Agreement or Stipulation must specify the amount that the "basic child support obligation." would have been and the reason or reasons that such Agreement or Stipulation does not provide for payment of that amount. These provisions may not be waived by either party or counsel.
The failure to include such a clause in an "opting-out" agreement is fatal.
Unlike the provisions of the Child Support Standards Act, Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b)(2)(ii) and Family Court Act § 451 (2)(b) permit the parties to “opt out “of the three year or fifteen percent threshold for modification of a child support order “in a validly executed agreement or stipulation,” without a provision that the parties have been advised of any specific provisions of the Domestic Relations Law or Family Court Act. Nor is there any requirement that the Agreement or Stipulation must specify the reason or reasons that they are opting out of the provisions of Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b)(2)(ii) and Family Court Act § 451 (2)(b).
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b)(2)(ii) and Family Court Act § 451 (2)(b) provide that “unless the parties have specifically opted out of the following provisions in a validly executed agreement or stipulation entered into between the parties, the court may modify an order of child support where: (A) three years have passed since the order was entered, last modified or adjusted; or (B) there has been a change in either party's gross income by fifteen percent or more since the order was entered, last modified, or adjusted.”
Existing statutory and case law distinguishes between modification of a child support provision in a court order or divorce judgment, where there is no surviving agreement, and modification of a child support provision in a separation agreement or stipulation, where there is a surviving separation agreement or stipulation.
Where there is merely a court order or judgment ordering child support the rule is that in order to have an award modified so as to increase or decrease payments for child support, a substantial change of circumstances must be shown to have occurred since the time of the entry of the order.
An agreement executed by the parties, which is fair and adequate when made and which provides support for children, confines the obligation of the non-custodial parent to that which is set forth in the agreement. Unless and until the agreement is set aside or modified, no other award may be made for child support. However, the parties cannot by agreement eliminate or diminish either parent’s duty to support a child of the marriage. A child is entitled to support, maintenance and education in accordance with his parent’s financial means and ability. Family Court Act §461(a) provides that a separation agreement does not diminish a parent’s duty to support his child, and the initial adequacy of the provisions of a separation agreement for the child may be challenged at any time.
Where there is a separation agreement or stipulation that is incorporated into but not merged with a divorce decree the agreement or stipulation is an independent contract binding on the parties unless impeached or challenged for some cause recognized by law. Courts of this State enjoy only limited authority to disturb the terms of a separation agreement.
In Matter of Boden v. Boden, the Court of Appeals held: “Where, as here, the parties have included child support provisions in their separation agreement, the court should consider these provisions as between the parties and the stipulated allocation of financial responsibility should not be freely disregarded. It is to be assumed that the parties anticipated the future needs of the child and adequately provided for them. It is also to be presumed that in the negotiation of the terms of the agreement the parties arrived at what they felt was a fair and equitable division of the financial burden to be assumed in the rearing of the child. Included in these obligations is the financial responsibility of providing the child with adequate and reasonable educational opportunities. Absent a showing of an unanticipated and unreasonable change in circumstances, the support provisions of the agreement should not be disturbed. Unless there has been an unforeseen change in circumstances and a concomitant showing of need, an award for child support in excess of that provided for in the separation agreement should not be made based solely on an increase in cost where the agreement was fair and equitable when entered into.” In Boden, petitioner sought an increase in respondent's support obligations in order to help send the child to a costly private university even though respondent had honored his obligation under the separation agreement to provide for the child's education. The Court declined to modify the parties' “stipulated allocation of financial responsibility” absent a showing that an unanticipated or unreasonable change in circumstances occurred with a concomitant showing of need, or that the agreement was unfair when made.”
Domestic Relations Law §236 [B][9][b] does not contain similar language with respect to modification of child support where there is a surviving agreement because public policy permits the court to always modify the order where the child is being inadequately supported, and in certain circumstances it may declare the agreement or its child support provisions void, where it violates the public policy enunciated in the Child Support Standards Act.
Thus, in Priolo v Priolo, finding that the modification was in keeping with the "overriding policy of ensuring adequate child support," the Appellate Division concluded that "the terms of the settlement agreement must yield to the welfare of the children and cannot support an action to recover damages for breach of contract arising from the increase in the father’s child support obligation." In Pecora v Cerillo the court held that since children are not bound by separation agreements, one that does not provide adequate support for the parties’ child does not bind a court from remedying the inadequacy. Therefore, an inadequate child support provision "is voidable and cannot bind an appropriate court from remedying the inadequacy nor can it bind a parent from seeking to remedy the inadequacy.” It rejected that plaintiffs’ argument that it was unconstitutional under the impairment of contracts doctrine (U.S. Const. Art. 1 §10) to preclude a breach of contract action in such a case stating that a statute that is intended to prevent an economic wrong, in this case against the children, is not unconstitutional as impairing contract rights." In Maki v Straub the Appellate Division held that the terms of an inadequate child support provision in an agreement do not bind the court or the child and cannot support a civil action for breach thereof, and that the theory behind such an action was contrary to the public policy incorporated in the "Child Support Standards Act."
The first sentence of Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b) (2) and Family Court Act § 451 (2)(b) now provide that the “court may modify an order of child support, including an order incorporating without merging an agreement or stipulation of the parties, upon a showing of a substantial change in circumstances. “
This language might, at first blush, appear to eliminate the rule enunciated in Boden v Boden that where there was a surviving agreement, a child support award in excess of that provided for in a separation agreement should not be made “[u]nless there has been an unforeseen change in circumstances and a concomitant showing of need”.
Actually, the first sentence of Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b)(2) and Family Court Act § 451 appears to be a recognition of the rules enunciated in Boden, Brescia and Gravlin v Ruppert. In Boden, where there was a surviving agreement, the Court declined to modify the parties' “stipulated allocation of financial responsibility” absent a showing that an unanticipated or unreasonable change in circumstances occurred with a concomitant showing of need, where the agreement was fair when made.” The Court, in Brescia, where there was also a surviving agreement, established a needs test for modification of support obligations, where the child's right to receive adequate support is being asserted, based purely on a “needs of the child” analysis. In Brescia, the Petitioner introduced evidence tending to show, among other things, that the combination of her own income and the payments contributed by respondent did not adequately meet the children's needs. Specific items of expense were detailed, as well as petitioner's and respondent's respective financial situations. The principles iterated in Boden did not alter the scope of Family Court's power to order support where the dispute concerns the child's right to receive adequate support.
The prior rule in New York, where there was no surviving agreement, was unresolved. The Second Department held that an increase in the income of the supporting parent was sufficient to obtain an upward modification of child support. The other Departments held that a change in circumstances warranting an upward increase in child support must include an increase in the needs of the children as well as an increase in means of the supporting parent, and that an increase in income of the supporting parent alone was insufficient. This rule was adopted by the Court of Appeals in Boden v Boden, 42 NY2d 210 (1977). Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b)(2) and Family Court Act § 451 do not eliminate this rule since they both permit the parties to opt out of these modification provisions, including the 15% change in income provision, by a surviving agreement or stipulation.
The Assembly Memorandum refers to the fact that the amendments to Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b) and Family Court Act § 451(2) provide for two additional bases, for obtaining a review of an order of child support: the passage of three years or a 15 percent change in a party's income since the order was entered, last modified or adjusted. The Assembly Memorandum states that the intent of this measure is not to have these bases limit or define substantial change in circumstances, nor is the intent to supersede case law interpreting substantial change of circumstances as a standard for modification. The additional bases are not intended to be considered as necessary threshold requirements for modification of child support on the basis of a substantial change of circumstances. The amendments are intended to continue to allow evidence of a substantial change in circumstances as permitted under existing case law for modification. The legislation is intended to adopt and conform the rule found in the existing body of case law in order to clarify that a reduction in income may not be considered even under the new 15 percent change in income basis unless it was involuntary and the party has made diligent attempts to secure employment commensurate with his or her education, ability and experience.
Clarification of Knights v Knights
Thus, the modification provisions apply to any action or proceeding to modify any order of child support entered on or after October 13, 2010, and if a child support order incorporated a surviving agreement or stipulation of the parties, the amendments regarding the modification of a child support order only apply if the incorporated agreement or stipulation was executed on or after October 13, 2010.
Notably, the Assembly Memorandum states that the “substantial change in circumstances threshold” in the amendments to Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](9)(b) and Family Court Act § 451 is intended to apply prospectively to all orders of child support. If the order incorporates but does not merge a stipulation or settlement agreement, the amendment would be effective only if the stipulation or agreement was executed on or after the effective date of the amendment. Parties who have consented or will consent to deviations from the basic child support order calculated under the Child Support Standards Act would be protected. The Amendments are not intended to affect vested rights under existing valid separation agreements or stipulations.
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B](7) was amended to add a new subdivision (d). It requires that all orders establishing a child support obligation contain a notice regarding the right to apply for a modification of the order if there has been a substantial change in circumstances or the occurrence of the additional enumerated bases for modification.
Similarly, Family Court Act § 440 was amended to add a subdivision 4. It requires that all orders establishing a child support obligation contain a notice regarding the right to apply for a modification of the order if there has been a substantial change in circumstances or the occurrence of the additional enumerated bases for modification.
Authorization to Require Non-custodial Parent to Seek Employment
Family Court Act § 437-a was added to authorize the Family Court to require the non-custodial parent of a child to seek employment, or to participate in job training, employment counseling or other programs designed to lead to employment, where such programs are available, if he or she is unemployed at the time the court is establishing the support order unless he or she is in receipt of supplemental security income (SSI) or social security disability (SSD) benefits.
The Assembly Memorandum indicates that Family Court Act § 437-a is added to permit the Family Court to require an unemployed non-custodial parent to seek employment, participate in job training, employment counseling or other programs designed to lead to employment at the time an order is established. Noncustodial parents in receipt of SSI or SSD may not be required to participate in such employment programs. It states that this provision is not intended to limit the non-custodial parent's obligation to support his or her child, nor curtail the court's obligation to set a fair and reasonable child support obligation in accordance with the Child Support Standards Act.
Social Services Law § 111-h was amended to add a paragraph (20) which provides that if the respondent is required to participate in work programs or activities, and if the order of support is made payable on behalf of persons in receipt of public assistance, the support collection unit may not file a petition to increase the support obligation for twelve months from the date of entry of the order if the respondent's income is derived from the work activity or program. Social Services Law § 111-h provides that no modification of the order would be sought for 12 months from the date of entry of the order if a non-custodial parent is or was enrolled in work programs or activities and the order of support is payable to a local department of social services pursuant to an assignment.
These provisions are effective October 13, 2010, except that sections 6 and 7 only apply to child support orders which incorporate but do not merge stipulations or settlement agreements if the stipulation or agreement was executed on or after the effective date of the bill.
Posted by Joel R. Brandes at 10:42 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: The Low Income Support Obligation and Performance Improvement Act of 2010
The 2010 Session of the legislature has resulted in legislation that is intended to bring significant reform New York’s divorce process, increase the amount of temporary maintenance awards, and compel New York court to promptly make counsel and expert fee awards to the non-monied spouse. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a clear and concise explanation of the 2010 Divorce Reform Amendments, including the new Temporary Maintenance Guidelines which are codified in new Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][5-a]. However, it does not contain an extensive discussion of the Temporary Maintenance Guidelines. For a comprehensive discussion of the Temporary Maintenance Guidelines we refer you to the "Guide to the Temporary Maintenance Guidelines", written by Joel R. Brandes, which comes with The New York Divorce and Family Law™ Temporary Maintenance Calculator.
Laws of 2010, Ch 384, effective October 12, 2010, amended Domestic Relations Law § 170 to add subdivision 7. It adopts the “irretrievably broken” no-fault divorce ground for New York. However, a divorce may not be granted until all of the major ancillary issues are resolved by the parties or the court.
Laws of 2010, Ch 371, effective October 12, 2010, amends Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][6] to add a subdivision 5-a. It revises the process for setting awards of temporary maintenance during the pendency of a matrimonial action, by creating a formula and list of factors that presumptively govern such awards. It amends Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][1][a] to update the definition of “maintenance” by cross-referencing it to Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B] [6] subdivision 5-a and amends Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][6] to add 5 new factors for the court to consider in determining the amount and duration of “post-divorce “maintenance.
Laws of 2010, Ch 329, as amended by Laws of 2010, Ch 415, effective October 12, 2010) amended Domestic Relations Law §§ 237 and 238 to create a rebuttable presumption that counsel fees shall be awarded to the less monied spouse. It adds actions to obtain maintenance or distribution of property after a foreign judgment of divorce to the actions for which such fees shall be awarded. In exercising the court's discretion, the court is required to seek to assure that each party is adequately represented and that where fees and expenses are to be awarded, they shall be awarded on a timely basis pendente lite, so as to enable adequate representation from the commencement of the proceeding. In addition the court is authorized to order expert fees to be paid by one party to the other to enable the party to carry on or defend the action. The parties and their attorneys are also required to submit an affidavit to the court with financial information to enable the court to make its determination. The monied spouse is now required to disclose how much he has agreed to pay and how much he has paid his attorney. The affidavit must include the amount of any retainer, the amounts paid and still owing thereunder, the hourly amount charged by the attorney, the amounts paid, or to be paid, any experts, and any additional costs, disbursements or expenses. In addition, Domestic Relations Law § 238 was also amended to add to the actions for which such fees shall be awarded “actions to enforce a court order”.
Domestic Relations Law § 170 was amended to allow a judgment of divorce to be granted to either a husband or a wife without assigning fault to either of the parties. A divorce can only be granted after the major ancillary issues have been resolved. Section 170 of the Domestic Relations Law was amended by adding subdivision 7 allowing a divorce where a marriage is ‘irretrievably broken”, for a period of at least six months, provided that one party has so stated under oath. It would appear that the verified complaint should suffice for this purpose. The statute does not define the terms ‘irretrievably broken, nor does it eliminate the five year statute of limitations in Domestic Relations Law § 210. The judgment can only be granted after the following ancillary issues have been resolved: the equitable distribution of marital property, the payment or waiver of spousal support, the payment of child support, the payment of counsel and expert fees and expenses, and custody and visitation with the infant children of the marriage.
Section 170 (7) of the domestic relations law provides as follows:
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][1][5-a]
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][1] was amended by adding a new subdivision 5-a establishing a process for determining the presumptive amount of temporary maintenance awards, with factors for deviation, where the award is unjust or inappropriate. Laws of 2010, Ch 371, §1 . The amendments took effect immediately except for sections one, two and four, which all take effect on October 12, 2010 and apply to matrimonial actions commenced on or after the effective date of such sections. Laws of 2010, Ch 371, § 6.
Calculation (1): 30% of the payor's income minus 20% of the payee's income,
The temporary maintenance guidelines also include protections for individuals whose annual income is less than the self-support reserve.
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][1][5-a] provides:
a. Except where the parties have entered into an agreement pursuant to subdivision three of this part
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][1][a]
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][1][a] was amended to update the definition of “maintenance” by cross-referencing it to Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B] subdivision 5-a.
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][1][a] now provides as follows: “The term "maintenance" shall mean” payments provided for in a valid agreement between the parties or awarded by the court in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions five-a and six of this part, to be paid at fixed intervals for a definite or indefinite period of time, but an award of maintenance shall terminate upon the death of either party or upon the recipient's valid or invalid marriage, or upon modification pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision nine of section two hundred thirty-six of this part or section two hundred forty-eight of this chapter.”
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][6]
Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][6] was amended to add as factors for the court to consider in determining the amount and duration of maintenance: the need of one party to incur education or training expenses; the existence and duration of a pre-marital joint household or a pre-divorce separate household; the presence of children of the marriage in the respective homes of the parties; the care of the children or stepchildren, disabled adult children or stepchildren, elderly parents or in-laws that has inhibited or continues to inhibit a party's earning capacity; and the inability of one party to obtain meaningful employment due to age or absence from the workforce.
The title of this section was amended from “Maintenance “ to “ Post-divorce Maintenance Awards”, which might lead the reader to make the erroneous assumption that the section is only applicable to divorce proceedings, and not applicable to maintenance awards in other proceedings, such as annulment or dissolution, in which they maintenance awards are also authorized.
Domestic Relations Law § 237 was amended to create a rebuttable presumption that counsel fees shall be awarded to the less monied spouse. It adds actions to obtain maintenance or distribution of property after a foreign judgment of divorce to the actions for which such fees shall be awarded. In exercising the court's discretion, the court is required to seek to assure that each party is adequately represented and that where fees and expenses are to be awarded, they shall be awarded on a timely basis pendente lite, so as to enable adequate representation from the commencement of the proceeding. provide for a presumption of counsel fees to a non-monied spouse. In addition the court is authorized to order expert fees to be paid by one party to the other to enable the party to carry on or defend the action. The parties and their attorneys are also required to submit an affidavit to the court with financial information to enable the court to make its determination. The monied spouse is now required to disclose how much he has agreed to pay and how much he has paid his attorney. The affidavit must include the amount of any retainer, the amounts paid and still owing thereunder, the hourly amount charged by the attorney, the amounts paid, or to be paid, any experts, and any additional costs, disbursements or expenses
(a) In any action or proceeding brought (1) to annul a marriage or to declare the nullity of a void marriage, or (2) for a separation, or (3) for a divorce, or (4) to declare the validity or nullity of a judgment of divorce rendered against a spouse who was the defendant in any action outside the State of New York and did not appear therein where such spouse asserts the nullity of such foreign judgment, (5) to obtain Maintenance or distribution of property following a foreign judgment of divorce, or (6) to enjoin the prosecution in any other jurisdiction of an action for a divorce, the court may direct either spouse or, where an action for annulment is maintained after the death of a spouse, may direct the person or persons maintaining the action, to pay counsel fees and fees and expenses of experts directly to the attorney of the other spouse to enable the other party to carry on or defend the action or proceeding as, in the court's discretion, justice requires, having regard to the circumstances of the case and of the respective parties. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that counsel fees shall be awarded to the less monied spouse. In exercising the court's discretion, the court shall seek to assure that each party shall be adequately represented and that where fees and expenses are to be awarded, they shall be awarded on a timely basis, pendente lite, so as to enable adequate representation from the commencement of the proceeding. Applications for the award of fees and expenses may be made at any time or times prior to final judgment. Both parties to the action or proceeding and their respective attorneys, shall file an affidavit with the court detailing the financial agreement between the party and the attorney. Such affidavit shall include the amount of any retainer, the amounts paid and still owing thereunder, the hourly amount charged by the attorney, the amounts paid, or to be paid, any experts, and any additional costs, disbursements or expenses. Any applications for fees and expenses may be maintained by the attorney for either spouse in his own name in the same proceeding. Payment of any retainer fees to the attorney for the petitioning party shall not preclude any awards of fees and expenses to an applicant which would otherwise be allowed under this section.
Posted by Joel R. Brandes at 2:15 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: The 2010 Divorce Reform Amendments
Amends CPLR 1101; Amends Domestic Relations Law §§ 236, 75-f, 76-f, 112-b, 113, 115-b, 240 & 254, ; Amends Executive Law §§ 503 & 508; Amends Judiciary Law §§ 35 & 35-a; Amends Family Court Act, generally; Amends Public Health Law §§ 2306 & 2782; Amends Social Services Law §§ 358-a, 372, 383-c, 384, 384-a, 384-b, 409-e, 409-f & 422.
Replaces the term "law guardian" with the term "attorney for the child" to more accurately reflect the attorney's role. Effective date April 14, 2010.
Amends Family Court Act § 842
Authorizes the family court in family offense proceedings to extend an order of protection upon the showing of good cause or consent of the parties. Effective date August 13, 2010. ( § 3.This act shall take effect immediately, and shall apply to all orders entered prior to such effective date, and to all actions and proceedings pending on or commenced on or after such effective date.) Laws of 2010, Ch 325 (8.13.10)
Amends Domestic Relations Law § § 237 & 238.
Laws of 2010, Ch 329, as amended by Laws of 2010, Ch 415, effective October 12, 2010, amended Domestic Relations Law §§ 237 and 238 to create a rebuttable presumption that counsel fees shall be awarded to the less monied spouse. It adds actions to obtain maintenance or distribution of property after a foreign judgment of divorce to the actions for which such fees shall be awarded. In exercising the court's discretion, the court is required to seek to assure that each party is adequately represented and that where fees and expenses are to be awarded, they shall be awarded on a timely basis pendente lite, so as to enable adequate representation from the commencement of the proceeding. In addition the court is authorized to order expert fees to be paid by one party to the other to enable the party to carry on or defend the action. The parties and their attorneys are also required to submit an affidavit to the court with financial information to enable the court to make its determination. The monied spouse is now required to disclose how much he has agreed to pay and how much he has paid his attorney. The affidavit must include the amount of any retainer, the amounts paid and still owing thereunder, the hourly amount charged by the attorney, the amounts paid, or to be paid, any experts, and any additional costs, disbursements or expenses. In addition, Domestic Relations Law § 238 was also amended to add to the actions for which such fees shall be awarded “actions to enforce a court order”.
Adds Family Court Act Article 6 Part 1-A, Sections 635 - 637; Amends Family Court Act §1089; Amends Social Services Law §384-b.
Provides a process for a petition to restore previously terminated parental rights under certain circumstances.
Effective date November 11, 2010 (§ 4. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Laws of 2010, Ch 343).
Extends for two years authorization of courts to designate referees to determine order-of-protection applications by Family Courts based, in part, on ex parte conversations. The state empowered the referees to issue the orders when first approving their use against non-family members in 2008. Grants the chief administrator of the courts the authority to allow referees to determine applications to a family court for an order of protection when such application is made ex parte or without the presence of all the parties except the applicant; specifies that such provisions shall only apply during those hours that the family court is in session and after 5:00 p.m.
Effective date August 13, 2010. (Laws of 2010, Ch 363 effective 8.13.10 (This act shall take effect immediately; provided that paragraph (n) of subdivision 2 of section 212 of the judiciary law, as Added by section one of this act, shall expire and be deemed repealed September 1, 2012.)
Amends Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][6] to add a subdivision 5-a which revises the process for setting awards of temporary maintenance during the pendency of a matrimonial action, by creating a formula and list of factors that presumptively govern such awards. It amends Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][1][a] to update the definition of “maintenance” by cross-referencing it to Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B] [6] subdivision 5-a.
It also amends Domestic Relations Law § 236 [B][6] to add 5 new factors for the court to consider in determining the amount and duration of maintenance. Subdivision 3 directs the law revision commission to study the effects of divorce and maintenance.
Effective date August 13, 2010. (Laws of 2010, Ch 371 (8.13.10) (§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that sections one, two and four of this act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after this act shall have become a law and shall apply to matrimonial actions commenced on or after the effective date of such sections.)
Amends Domestic Relations Law 170 to add subdivision 7.
Provides that spouses may be granted a judgment of divorce in a timely fashion provided the relationship between husband and wife is irretrievably broken” for a period of at least six months, provided that one party has so stated under oath. No judgment of divorce may be granted unless and until the economic issues of equitable distribution of marital property, the payment or waiver of spousal support, the payment of child support, the payment of counsel and experts' fees and expenses as well as the custody and visitation with the infant children of the marriage have been resolved by the parties, or determined by the court and incorporated into the judgment of divorce.
Effective October 12, 2010. Laws of 2010, Ch 384, (8.13.10) (§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law and shall apply to matrimonial actions commenced on or after such effective date.)
Amends Family Court Act 352.3 to add (1-a)
Authorizes family courts to issue orders of protection for the protection of witnesses.
Provides that upon the issuance of an order pursuant to Family Court Act 315.3 or the
Effective November 28, 2010
extended as well as associated petitions and summonses, emphasizes legislation enacted in 2007. That statute amended section 8011 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules to prohibit sheriffs from charging the statutory $45 fee and any mileage fees for service of orders of protection and related orders or papers when service has been directed by the court. See L. 2007, c. 36. The statute is essential to ensure compliance by New York State with The Federal Violence Against Women Act.
42 U.S.C.A. S3796hh(c)(4).
Posted by Joel R. Brandes at 2:11 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: Summary of Laws of 2010 New York Family Law Legislation