Case Name: John Costin, Respondent, v. Dolores Costin, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1996-03-11
Citations: 225 A.D.2d 575
Docket Number: 
Parties: John Costin, Respondent, v Dolores Costin, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 225
Pages: 575–576

Head Matter:
John Costin, Respondent, v Dolores Costin, Appellant.
[638 NYS2d 786]

Opinion:
Bifurcation of matrimonial actions is generally disfavored because it raises the possibilities of economic coercion, two protracted proceedings, or delay in resolving the financial issues (Campbell v Campbell, 171 AD2d 720; Fiorella v Fiorella, 132 AD2d 643). Absent concrete reasons for bifurcation, such a motion should be denied (see, Campbell v Campbell, supra, at 721). Here, the only reason the plaintiff offers is that the grounds phase would progress quickly and the equitable distribution phase would be more complicated. Such a reason does not warrant bifurcation and could well lead to a delay in resolving the financial issues. Bracken, J. P., Balletta, Thompson and Hart, JJ., concur.