Case Name: Amy Stuart Wells, Respondent, v. Todd W. Serman, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2012-02-21
Citations: 92 A.D.3d 555
Docket Number: 
Parties: Amy Stuart Wells, Respondent, v Todd W. Serman, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 92
Pages: 555–555

Head Matter:
Amy Stuart Wells, Respondent, v Todd W. Serman, Appellant.
[938 NYS2d 439]

Opinion:
Supreme Court's award of interim counsel fees to plaintiff, the monied spouse, based solely on defendant's conduct in delaying the litigation, was improper under Domestic Relations Law § 237. An award of counsel fees under Domestic Relations Law § 237 cannot be made merely to punish a party for claimed discovery delays or for seeking a jury trial on grounds (see Silverman v Silverman, 304 AD2d 41, 47-48 [2003]). Concur— Andrias, J.E, Saxe, Acosta, Freedman and Richter, JJ.