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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 27, 2013

In re the Adoption of a Child Whose First Name is G.

This case addresses whether two close personal friends, KAL and LEL, who are not married or in a romantic relationship but co-parent a child, G., can be her joint legal adoptive parents. KAL initially adopted G. from Ethiopia, and LEL, who jointly planned the adoption and functions as G.'s father, petitioned to become her second legal parent with KAL's consent. The court interpreted "intimate partners" in Domestic Relations Law § 110 broadly, considering legislative intent to expand adoption eligibility and the child's best interests, finding that the shared and intentional parenting relationship between KAL and LEL qualifies as intimate. The decision also affirmed that LEL could adopt as an "adult unmarried person" and that KAL's parental rights would not be terminated under Domestic Relations Law § 117. Ultimately, the court found it was in G.'s best interests to have both KAL and LEL as legal parents, ensuring her security and access to full benefits.

Second-Parent AdoptionUnmarried Partners AdoptionIntimate PartnersNon-Traditional Family StructureCo-ParentingChild's Best InterestsDomestic Relations LawStatutory InterpretationParental RightsAdoption Law
References
28
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

A. F. v. Spence Chapin Agency

A 16-year-old father, who previously consented to the adoption of his out-of-wedlock infant, sought custody, attempting to revoke his consent. The birth mother had also surrendered the child to Spence Chapin Services for Families and Children, who placed the baby with preadoptive parents. The court examined the validity of the minor father's consent, whether it was statutorily or constitutionally required, and his standing to petition for custody. It found the father's consent invalid due to the agency's insufficient guidance for a minor, but determined his consent was not legally required under Domestic Relations Law § 111 (1) (e) as he did not meet the criteria for demonstrating paternal interest. Applying the 'best interest of the child' standard, the court ultimately denied the father's custody petition, concluding the preadoptive parents were better suited.

Adoption LawChild CustodyMinor Parents' RightsParental ConsentBest Interests of the ChildFamily LawUnmarried FathersRevocation of ConsentAdoption AgenciesLegal Standing
References
13
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 09, 2011

In re the Certification as Qualified Adoptive Parents Pursuant to Domestic Relations Law § 115-d

This case concerns Joanna K. and Scottye K.'s application to waive the mandatory certification as qualified adoptive parents for Jeremiah B., the biological son of Careese B. The K.s received physical custody of Jeremiah shortly after his birth in March 2009, prior to obtaining the required judicial certification, thereby violating New York's adoption statute. The court reviewed the convoluted history, including Careese B.'s judicial consent to adoption and the K.s' temporary custody order. However, the court denied the waiver application, emphasizing the critical importance of pre-placement certification to protect children and prevent unregulated transfers of custody. The decision stated that the petitioners failed to show good cause for waiver and that a retroactive approval of non-compliance would undermine legislative intent, although the K.s retain legal and physical custody pending the adoption petition.

Adoption Law CompliancePrivate-Placement Adoption RequirementsPre-Placement CertificationWaiver Application DenialChild Welfare LegislationFamily Law ProcedureJudicial DiscretionStatutory InterpretationParental Fitness StandardsCustody Transfer
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Female D.

This case involves an appeal by prospective adoptive parents from an order of the Surrogate’s Court, Nassau County, dated February 4, 1981. The original order had declared a section of the Domestic Relations Law unconstitutional as applied to the natural father, requiring his consent to adoption, vacated the natural mother's consent due to duress, and dismissed the adoption proceeding. The appellate court modified this order, denying the application to vacate the natural mother's consent and declaring the Domestic Relations Law constitutional. The court found overwhelming evidence that the natural mother's consent was freely given, despite her claims of coercion and duress. It also upheld the constitutionality of Domestic Relations Law § 111 (subd 1, par [e]), which sets criteria for requiring an unwed father's preadoption consent, finding it promotes the adoption of illegitimate newborns into stable families. The proceeding was remitted for further action consistent with the appellate decision.

Adoption LawParental RightsUnwed Fathers' RightsConsent to AdoptionDuressCoercionConstitutional LawDomestic Relations LawSurrogate's CourtAppellate Review
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Baby Girl B.

This case involves a private placement adoption proceeding where the biological mother initially consented to the adoption of her child born on May 16, 1988. She later revoked her consent after her parents became aware of the birth. The unwed putative father also did not sign a consent. The biological parents alleged the mother's consent was invalid due to non-compliance with Domestic Relations Law § 115-b and was obtained by fraud and duress. They also claimed improper placement under Social Services Law § 374 (2) and § 371 (12). The court found the consent valid and freely given, and the child's placement compliant with the law, denying the motion to vacate consent and dismiss the adoption petition.

Private Placement AdoptionParental ConsentRevocation of ConsentFraud and DuressChild PlacementSocial Services LawDomestic Relations LawBest Interests of ChildSurrogate CourtNew York Law
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 07, 1999

Baby U. v. Teresea U.

This case involves an appeal concerning the adoption of 'Baby U.' Petitioners sought to adopt, but respondents (the birth parents, Teresea U. and Paul E.) subsequently revoked their extrajudicial consents. Respondents alleged the consents were invalid due to lack of adequate representation and a misunderstanding of their revocability. The Family Court initially found the consents invalid and ordered petitioners to pay respondents' legal expenses. On appeal, the higher court reversed the findings regarding the invalidity of the consents, determining there was competent representation and no fraud, coercion, or duress. It also reversed the orders requiring petitioners to bear respondents' litigation costs. While affirming certain discovery and visitation orders, the matter was ultimately remanded for a best interests hearing for Baby U. before a different Family Court Judge, with an emphasis on the child's right to a Law Guardian.

Adoption LawParental ConsentChild WelfareAppellate ProcedureAttorney's FeesBest Interests of ChildFamily CourtLegal EthicsRevocation of ConsentInterstate Adoption
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re the Adoption of Baby Boy C.

This case concerns a private adoption proceeding in New York State for a child born in Arizona in 2004. The biological mother is a registered member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, which opposes the adoption and seeks to intervene, arguing the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) applies. The adoptive parents contend ICWA does not apply, citing the 'existing Indian family doctrine' (EIF), which posits ICWA is inapplicable if the Indian parent or child has no significant connection to their tribe. The adoptive parents also filed a motion to disqualify the tribe's attorney. The court denies the motion to disqualify counsel, finding the information shared was not confidential or impactful. The judge adopts the reasoning of Bridget R. regarding the EIF doctrine, finding it necessary for the constitutionality of ICWA, but adjourns the case for a hearing to determine if an Indian family exists, placing the burden of proof on the tribe. The court also clarifies that ICWA can apply to voluntary private adoptions and supersedes Social Services Law § 373 regarding religious placement preferences.

ICWAIndian Child Welfare ActAdoptionExisting Indian Family DoctrineTribal InterventionParental RightsConstitutional LawDue ProcessEqual ProtectionSupremacy Clause
References
30
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re the Adoption of J.

The case concerns an adoption proceeding initiated by a same-sex couple. The court addresses whether to appoint a guardian ad litem for the adoptive infant, a practice previously common in same-sex adoptions due to their novelty. Citing Matter of Dana, which affirmed the legality of same-sex and heterosexual unmarried couple adoptions, the court found no legal basis to treat same-sex adoptions differently from those by married couples, where a guardian ad litem is not automatically appointed if statutory requirements and social worker reports are favorable. The court concluded that denying equal treatment could violate federal and state equal protection clauses, deciding against appointing a guardian ad litem unless special circumstances are present.

AdoptionSame-sex coupleGuardian ad litemBest interest of childEqual protectionDomestic Relations LawStatutory interpretationCourt of AppealsSurrogate's CourtFamily Law
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Male D.

The court addressed a motion by petitioning adoptive parents to dispense with the appearance of the child’s natural parents in a private-placement adoption proceeding. The motion was denied due to concerns regarding whether the natural parents' extrajudicial consents were knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily given. The court highlighted the absence of independent legal advice for the natural parents and the conflict of interest with the adoptive parents' attorney acknowledging consents. Furthermore, the court found non-compliance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, as the child was brought from Connecticut to New York without proper approval. The petitioners were directed to obtain the natural parents' testimony and to seek Compact approval forthwith.

Private AdoptionParental ConsentDue ProcessInterstate CompactAdoption LawNew York LawConnecticut ResidentsLegal RepresentationConflict of InterestJudicial Review
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 05, 1999

In re the Adoption of Baby Girl S.

This contested adoption proceeding involves Baby Girl S., whose biological mother, M.S. (13/32 Chickasaw Indian), and non-Native American father, D.R., are central figures. Adoptive parents, Adam and Katherine "Anonymous," initiated the adoption. The Chickasaw Nation sought to transfer the case to tribal court and to intervene, while D.R. moved to dismiss the proceeding. The court determined that the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) did not apply, primarily due to the "existing Indian family doctrine" and M.S.'s objection to tribal intervention. Consequently, the motions to transfer and dismiss were denied. The Chickasaw Nation was allowed to intervene under CPLR, and a preliminary injunction was granted to the adoptive parents to prevent the child's removal from New York jurisdiction.

Adoption LawIndian Child Welfare ActTribal SovereigntyChild CustodyInterventionPreliminary InjunctionFamily LawState Court JurisdictionExisting Indian Family DoctrineParental Consent
References
26
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