A proceeding was brought by a mother in Nassau County Supreme Court by Judge Falanga to hold her children’s father in civil contempt. The mother alleged the father, who was awarded custody of their child, had refused to make reasonable accommodations related to her Orthodox Jewish religious practices. She argued that her Orthodox Jewish observence … [Read more...]
Canadian Gay Marriage Valid, Partner to Inherit in Probate Court
The Appellate Division in New York held in February of 2011, in the matter of the Estate of H. Kenneth Ranftle, that they recognize as valid the Canadian marriage of H. Kenneth Ranftle and J. Craig Leiby. The late Kenneth Ranftle named Craig as "surviving spouse and sole distributee" in his will. The court found that the recognizing of the Canadian … [Read more...]
3,250 Collective Years of Marriage
A vow renewal ceremony was held at Harbor Links Golf Course in Port Washington, New York, to celebrate Valentine's Day. The event marked the fourth time Rose and Nick Capobianco, both 89 years of age, had renewed their wedding vows. Rose and Nick have celebrated 68 anniversaries of their marriage. They have renewed their vows on the 25th, 50th and … [Read more...]
Interrogation of Child Abuse Victims
The United States Supreme Court recently had before them the case of Camreta v. Green, 131 S. Ct. 456 (2010). In this case, the issue presented was whether the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution requires government officials to obtain a search warrant or parental permission before they can interrogate a suspected child abuse victim. … [Read more...]
Spousal Maintenance Award is Fair
Justice Janowitz, sitting in the Supreme Court located in Nassau County, New York, recently made a decision in the case of Jill G. vs. Jeffery G, 202923-10 (March 18th). The wife in this case claimed that the temporary, non-taxable maintenance payments she was receiving were inadequate. The wife was receiving $10,783 per month. This award was … [Read more...]
Juvenile Probation Assessment Tool Discriminates Against Boys
Judge Hunt, sitting in the Family Court of Queens County in November of 2010, rendered a decision in a case that criticized the Probation Assessment Tool. Judge Hunt stated that the Probation Assessment Tool, which was implemented in the year 2003, provided "unwarranted harsher treatment" for many males and "unwise and unjustified lenient treatment … [Read more...]
Family Court has Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
In November of 2010, Family Court Judge Julianne S. Eisman, sitting in Nassau County, New York, rendered a decision that the New York Family Court has subject matter jurisdiction over acts that take place outside of the United States of America. Children Assaulted In Anguila A social worker named Annette Richardson pushed her daughter to the … [Read more...]
A Father’s Rights Protected
Judge John J. Kelly, sitting in the Family Court of Suffolk County, recently rendered a decision in a custody case that the children's best interest required that they be returned to the custody of their father. The case presented to him was a permanency hearing brought by the Department of Social Services. The Social Services Department had … [Read more...]
Fathers’ Rights Issues, Child Support and Visitation
If you are obligated to make child support payments and your spouse refuses to give you visitation, can you stop making these child support payments? The answer to this question is no. A spouse who has child support financial obligations must make these payments whether or not he or she has access to the child for visitation. It takes a court order … [Read more...]
Same Sex Marriage Fails in Maryland
There is a bill before the Maryland State Legislature to allow same sex marriage. On Friday, March 11, 2011, this bill was withdrawn from consideration due to the unlikelihood of the bill being passed by the state legislature. The law was titled the Civil Marriage Protection Act. For the past few weeks, the bill sponsors have been claiming that … [Read more...]
