Source: http://jmpattorney.blogspot.com/2016_02_01_archive.html
Timestamp: 2017-09-20 05:29:19
Document Index: 601818922

Matched Legal Cases: ['artz 2015', 'art 24', '§ 2', '§ 630', '§ 609', '§ 236']

A Lawyer's Blog - Jon Michael Probstein, Esq.: February 2016
Matter of Stent v Schwartz 2015 NY Slip Op 08535 Decided on November 20, 2015 Appellate Division, Fourth Department granted custody of child to the child's half-brother:
"Here, the evidence established that the mother and the father changed residences frequently over a period of 18 months, and they were evicted from one residence and were homeless for several months, living in a tent or their vehicle. The child changed schools five times in four school districts over that same time period and, with each change in school, the child missed at least several days and sometimes several weeks of school. Indeed, we note that "[u]nrebutted evidence of excessive school absences [is] sufficient to establish . . . educational neglect" (Matter of Gabriella G. [Jeannine G.], 104 AD3d 1136, 1137 [internal quotation marks omitted]). The evidence also supports the court's conclusion that the child had poor hygiene"
But note the two judge dissent:
".....we conclude that the court erred in awarding custody of the child to petitioner because petitioner failed to demonstrate the existence of extraordinary circumstances (see generally Matter of Bennett v Jeffreys, 40 NY2d 543, 544). "A finding of extraordinary circumstances is rare, and the circumstances must be such that they drastically affect the welfare of the child' " (Matter of Jenny L.S. v Nicole M., 39 AD3d 1215, 1215, lv denied 9 NY3d 801, quoting Bennett, 40 NY2d at 549; see Matter of Aylward v Bailey, 91 AD3d 1135, 1136). Absent a threshold showing of extraordinary circumstances, "the question of best interests does not arise and the natural parent[s] must be awarded custody" (Matter of Male Infant L., 61 NY2d 420, 429; see Matter of Jody H. v Lynn M., 43 AD3d 1318, 1318).
Here, we conclude that the evidence at the hearing concerning respondents' alleged deficiencies as parents fell short of establishing unfitness, persisting neglect, or similar misconduct constituting extraordinary circumstances (see Aylward, 91 AD3d at 1136-1137; Matter of Culver v Culver, 190 AD2d 960, 961-962; see also Jenny L.S., 39 AD3d at 1216; cf. Matter of Braun v Decicco, 117 AD3d 1453, 1454, lv dismissed in part and denied in part 24 NY3d 927). The fact that respondents moved between various temporary residences with the child for some time after being evicted from their apartment is not, by itself, sufficient to establish unfitness (see Matter of Mildred PP. v Samantha QQ., 110 AD3d 1160, 1161-1162; Matter of Darrow v Darrow, 106 AD3d 1388, 1392; see generally Male Infant L., 61 NY2d at 430), and the record does not establish that their living situation was ever unsafe (cf. Matter of Van Dyke v Cole, 121 AD3d 1584, 1585-1586; Darrow, 106 AD3d at 1392), or that the child's medical care was being neglected (see Matter of Jerry Q. v Malissa R., 287 AD2d 810, 811).
In our view, the child's school absences and hygiene do not rise to the level of extraordinary circumstances, and petitioner's testimony that the child would be better off living with him also does not establish extraordinary circumstances (see Bennett, 40 NY2d at 548; Jody H., 43 AD3d at 1319). In view of petitioner's failure to demonstrate the existence of extraordinary circumstances, the court erred in awarding him custody of the child (see generally Male Infant L., 61 NY2d at 429; Jody H., 43 AD3d at 1318)."
Labels: Child care, child custody, nonparent
Whether you call them "Bradys", "Blended", etc., there are estate planning considerations that families may want to be addressed. Here is a link to an article from Moses & Singer:
http://www.mosessinger.com/site/files/alert_bass_keeping_it_brady.pdf
Posted by Jon Michael Probstein at 11:29 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Today's NEWSDAY has an article "Long Island foreclosure rate dips, still higher than nation" and from that article:
"Now, with lower fuel costs and near-record-low interest rates — including rates as low as 2 percent for homeowners who received certain loan modifications — homeowners are more likely to struggle due to a serious illness or loss of a second job, Yopp said.
It took lenders an average of 1,010 days to foreclose on homes in New York State during the last three months of 2015, the sixth-longest delay in the country, according to California-based data company RealtyTrac."
Labels: Long Island, Mortgage Foreclosure
In Matter of Mercado v Smith 2015 NY Slip Op 08419 Decided on November 18, 2015 Appellate Division, Second Department, the specific facts are not noted but the court states:
""In a . . . custody [proceeding] between a parent and a nonparent, the parent has a superior right to custody that cannot be denied unless the nonparent establishes that the parent has relinquished that right due to surrender, abandonment, persistent neglect, unfitness, or other extraordinary circumstances" (Matter of Diana B. v Lorry B., 111 AD3d 927, 927; see Matter of Flores v Flores, 91 AD3d 869, 869-870). This rule applies even when, as in this case, a prior order granting custody of a child to a nonparent was issued on consent of the parties (see Matter of LaBorde v Pennington, 60 AD3d 950, 951-952; Matter of Cockrell v Burke, 50 AD3d 895, 856). The party seeking to deprive the natural parent of custody bears the burden of establishing the existence of extraordinary circumstances (see Matter of Cambridge v Cambridge, 13 AD3d 443, 443-444). Even when the nonparent satisfies that burden, the natural parent may not be deprived of custody unless the court then determines that placing custody with the nonparent is in the best interests of the child (see Matter of Bennett v Jeffreys, 40 NY2d 543, 548-549; Matter of Culberson v Fisher, 130 AD3d 827, 827; Matter of Wright v Wright, 81 AD3d 740, 741).
Here, the Family Court properly determined that the respondent sustained her burden of demonstrating the existence of extraordinary circumstances (see Matter of Culberson v Fisher, 130 AD3d at 828; Matter of Flores v Flores, 91 AD3d at 870). Additionally, the Family Court's determination that the best interests of the child would be served by an award of custody to the respondent is supported by a sound and substantial basis in the record and, therefore, we decline to disturb it (see Matter of Culberson v Fisher, 130 AD3d at 828-829; Matter of Diana B. v Lorry B., 111 AD3d at 928)."
Labels: child custody, nonparent
I will be volunteering today, Monday February 22, at the Nassau County Bar Association's free clinic for Mortgage Foreclosure, Bankruptcy and Superstorm Sandy issues, from 3pm to 6pm.
In NY, a minor (those under 18) need "working papers". See https://labor.ny.gov/youth/14-to-17.shtm and Article 4 of New York Labor Law.
But what of the "babysitter", the "snow shoveler", etc.? For an interesting twist on a child injured while mowing a lawn, see Vincent v. Riggi & Sons, 30 NY 2d 406 - NY: Court of Appeals 1972 and note the following:
""Employed" is elsewhere defined to include those "permitted or suffered to work" (Labor Law, § 2, subd. 7). The language has been construed to include independent contractors. Thus, in Koenig v. Patrick Constr. Corp. this court interpreted a similar phrase "employing or directing another to perform labor of any kind" as covering both employees and independent contractors (298 N.Y. 313, 316-317). Indeed, in Bernal v. Baptist Fresh Air Home Soc. (275 App. Div. 88, 95, affd. 300 N.Y. 486), concerned both with section 130 and section 2 (subd. 7), the phrase "permitted or suffered to work" was interpreted as including children employed by a subcontractor when the principal had knowledge of the employment (see, also, Clark v. Arkansas Democrat Co., 242 Ark. 133, 135, 410*410 interpreting the phrase "employed or permitted to work" of a child labor statute as covering an independent contractor)."
Labels: Capability of Employment, child, Independent Contractor
Or even "Dessert Rat" who is the latest of rodent personalities, there is a resource to report. So in NYC, go to http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/2374/rodent-complaint
Labels: Rodent Complaint
Posted by Jon Michael Probstein at 10:25 AM 0 comments Links to this post
There are many sites that list, etc. attorneys - regarding Avvo, I have heard a range of opinions.
Personally, I enjoy answering questions from people seeking some legal advice - they are either submitted to me through this site or are listed and responses are posted.
But some attorneys are not pleased with Avvo for various reasons:
http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/lawyer_sues_avvo_says_unauthorized_use_of_professional_info_violates_right/?utm_source=maestro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly_email
From a recent email from Shenwick & Associates:
"This is the outline of a lecture Jim Shenwick prepared for students and alumni of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania regarding debtor and creditor issues for small business startups.
Observe your form of organization.
Make sure your form of entity is properly set up and continues to remain in existence, or the principals will be personally liable
Pay your annual filing fees so your entity remains in existence, or the principals could then become personally liable.
If you set up a corporation as your business entity, make sure that you sign the documents with your title as an officer (i.e. as “President”, “Vice-President” etc.). Do not sign a business document personally.
Keep records, on site and off site, of business events such as issuance of stock, bonds, notes and capital contributions. Ex. If a friend or family loans money to your entity, do you have an executed promissory note which states the interest rate, who is the borrower, the repayment terms, etc.?
Have you set up an accounting system/program such as Quickbooks and do you know how to use it?
Do you have a budget for your venture?
Do you know your “burn rate?"
Have you prepared and reviewed an Income Statement and Balance Sheet?
There are two types of guaranties that small businesses will usually enter into: (a) a general guaranty and (b) a “good guy” guaranty
A guaranty is a written agreement by a third party or entity to pay the debts of an individual or entity (primary obligor) who fails to pay its debts as they mature
As an example, if the entity wants an American Express corporate credit card, the principal(s) will need to guaranty payment to American Express if the entity does not make that payment.
“Good Guy” guaranties are generally used for office leases. It is a limited form of guaranty that provides that the principals agree to pay the debts for the Tenant, if the Tenant fails to pay base rent or additional rent, until (i) the Tenant pays its rent arrears, (ii) vacates the space in broom clean condition and (iii) gives the keys back to the Landlord.
4. Responsible Person Taxes are sales taxes or employees’ share of employment taxes (FICA and FUTA) that are collected by an entity and not paid over to the tax authorities.
The responsible person is generally an officer of the corporation and the taxing authorities will conduct an audit to determine who the responsible person(s) are after the business closes or fails.
Responsible Person Taxes are also not dischargeable in personal bankruptcy
Note the principals of a defunct entity are not liable for general corporate income tax liabilities that were not paid by the defunct entity.
5. Fraudulent Conveyances
NYS Debtor and Creditor Law and the Bankruptcy Code provide that if an individual or a business does not have sufficient capital to conduct its business, then they cannot transfer property for no consideration (gift) to family, friends or third parties. If they do, a creditor or the Bankruptcy Trustee can commence litigation to unwind the transaction.
Hint: The best time to do “asset protection planning” is before one gets into trouble!
6. Small Corporation and LLC Wages for Employees
Section 630 of the New York Business Corporation Law renders every privately held corporation’s ten largest shareholders personally liable, jointly and severally, “for all debts, wages or salaries due and owing to any of [the corporation’s] . . . laborers, servants or employees other than contractors, for services performed by them for such corporation.” N.Y. Bus. Corp. Law § 630(a)
Limited Liability Company Law § 609(c) provides similar treatment to laborers, servants and employees of a LLC
Accordingly, if you are running a small business that is failing, make sure that you pay monies due your employees before the business closes or you may be personally liable for those monies.
7. Closing a business (letting it go inactive or in windup mode) v. a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing
Closing a business benefits: Lower administrative costs and possible to do without the help of professionals.
Closing a business detriments: Belief by vendors or creditors that assets or inventory were not properly sold or accounted for, lawsuits, no accounting by a bankruptcy trustee and no “automatic stay” which results from an entity filing for bankruptcy protection
Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing benefits: Protection from creditor actions via the automatic stay, orderly payment of creditors if assets are available for distribution, and an orderly liquidation of company assets. The business closes after the Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition is filed with the bankruptcy court
Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing detriments: Filing fee ($335), administrative cost for professionals, preparing schedules and reports for the bankruptcy trustee and meeting with the bankruptcy trustee (341 hearing) and possible bankruptcy trustee litigation (adversary proceeding)
For information about how your small business can plan to avoid debtor and creditor issues, please contact Jim Shenwick."
655 Third Ave. 20th Fl,
(212)541-6224
jshenwick@gmail.com
Labels: Doing Business, Small Business Owners
I will be volunteering today, Monday February 8, at the Nassau County Bar Association's free clinic for Mortgage Foreclosure, Bankruptcy and Superstorm Sandy issues, from 3pm to 6pm.
LAWYERS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES
In "Easy Rider", it was funny for a while. In real life, it is not.
A small minority of lawyers openly acknowledge prior or existing substance or mental health conditions, problem drinking and mental health concerns. But according to a recent and comprehensive landmark study of U.S. lawyers, called “The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns among American Attorneys,”many lawyers are not seeking the help they need.
See http://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/Fulltext/2016/02000/The_Prevalence_of_Substance_Use_and_Other_Mental.8.aspx
Labels: alcohol, Attorneys, drugs, Lawyers Assistance Program, Mental Health
G.M. v M.M., 2015 NY Slip Op 25422 , Decided on December 17, 2015, Supreme Court, Westchester County:
"It is well established that equitable distribution of marital property does not necessarily mean equal distribution. Duffy v. Duffy, 84 AD3d 1151 [2d Dept 2011]; Michaelessi v. Michaelessi, 59 AD3d 688 [2d Dept 2009]. The equitable distribution must be based on the circumstances of the particular case and the consideration of a number of statutory factors. DRL § 236[B][5][d]. The court has substantial discretion in fashioning an award of equitable distribution. Stated another way, "the trial court has substantial flexibility in fashioning an appropriate decree based on what it views to be fair and equitable under the circumstances," Mahoney-Buntzman v. Buntzman, 12 NY3d 415, 420 [2009].
To implement this distribution, defendant's counsel shall include a provision in the Judgment of Divorce providing for the transfer of title to the marital premises from plaintiff and defendant, to plaintiff alone. This shall be accomplished by defendant executing a bargain and sale deed with covenant against grantor's acts, and the ancillary documents required to be filed together with the recording of the deed. Defendant's attorney shall prepare the transfer documents required to effectuate the conveyance of the marital residence, and defendant shall incur any and all expenses relative to the conveyance and the recording of the deed. In the event defendant fails to sign the deed within 30 days of the Judgment of Divorce being served upon him with notice of entry, the court directs the Westchester County Clerk to sign the deed in his stead upon presentation by plaintiff without further application to the court."
Labels: divorce, Equitable Distribution, marital property, Marital residence, marital waste
We all know the issue of affordable housing in New York. I know of so many people and/or their children who find an apartment and then take in a roommate - and some who take in more than one.
But not every one has the right to a roommate - or for that matter two. From the Metropolitan Council on Housing:
http://metcouncilonhousing.org/help_and_answers/your_right_to_have_a_roommate
Labels: Landlord Tenant Law, leases, roommates
NEW YORK REGIONAL COMPETITION - NATIONAL TRIAL COMPETITION
It was an honor to be a Presiding Judge and Evaluator this Saturday at the New York Regional competition hosted by St. John's University School of Law at the Queens County Supreme Court House.
The students were well prepared and quite impressive.My best wishes to all
Labels: St. John 's Law School, Trial Competition