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

Case No. NN-5890-05/06A
Regular Panel Decision

In re D.A.

The Onondaga County Department of Social Services petitioned to modify a dispositional order for child D.A., seeking placement with a maternal aunt, T.S., instead of the foster parent, D.L. Concurrently, D.L. and T.S. filed custody petitions. The court consolidated the matters, hearing extensive testimony regarding D.A.'s bond with D.L., Ms. S.'s inconsistent visitation, and the parents' neglect history. The court denied the County's modification application, finding no good cause and emphasizing D.A.'s strong bond and stability with D.L. It further directed the County to initiate proceedings for the termination of parental rights and dismissed both D.L.'s and T.S.'s custody petitions due to lack of standing.

Child NeglectFoster CareChild CustodyParental Rights TerminationFamily Court ActDispositional Order ModificationBest Interests of the ChildPermanency PlanningKinship PlacementOnondaga County
References
6
Case No. 2024 NY Slip Op 24320
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 17, 2024

D.P. v. S.P.

This case involves a custody dispute between D.P. (Plaintiff) and S.P. (Defendant) concerning their two minor children in Westchester County, New York. The defendant sought to compel the plaintiff to release psychotherapy notes and medical records from her former and current mental health professionals (Dr. O.K. and Dr. A.L.). The defendant argued these records were essential for trial preparation, alleging the plaintiff had a personality disorder and received in-patient psychiatric treatment. The plaintiff and the treating professionals' counsel opposed, asserting confidentiality and that substantial medical records had already been disclosed to a court-appointed forensic evaluator. The court affirmed that psychotherapy notes can be discoverable in custody cases but ruled that the defendant failed to demonstrate that the specific information sought was not already available from the extensive records previously provided. Consequently, the defendant's motion for disclosure was denied, and the plaintiff's cross-motion to deny the disclosure was granted.

Custody DisputeChild WelfarePsychotherapy Notes DisclosureMental Health RecordsParental FitnessConfidentiality WaiverProtective OrderIn Camera ReviewBest Interests of the ChildForensic Evaluation
References
15
Case No. NN-5890-05/06A
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 12, 2007

Matter of D.A.

This case concerns D.A., a child born cocaine positive and adjudicated neglected, who has been in foster care with D.L. since birth. The Onondaga County Department of Social Services petitioned to modify a dispositional order, seeking to place D.A. with her maternal aunt, T.S., while D.L. and T.S. also filed separate custody petitions. The court denied the County's application to modify placement, concluding that removing D.A. from D.L., with whom she had formed a strong bond, would cause severe distress and was not in the child's best interests. Consequently, D.A.'s placement with the Onondaga County Commissioner of Social Services in foster care with D.L. was continued. Furthermore, the court directed the County to file a petition for the termination of the biological parents' parental rights due to the child's extended time in foster care, and dismissed both custody petitions for lack of standing.

Child NeglectChild CustodyFoster CareParental Rights TerminationFamily Court Act Article 10Modification of Dispositional OrderBest Interests of ChildPermanency PlanningInterstate Compact on the Placement of ChildrenLaw Guardian
References
6
Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 04274
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 08, 2021

Matter of J.D. (S.A.--M.A.)

The Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed orders of disposition from the Bronx County Family Court, which found a respondent neglected and abused J.D. and derivatively neglected and abused adoptive children M.A. and E.A. The court based its decision on J.D.'s detailed out-of-court statements, corroborated by an older sibling's testimony and explicit photographs. The Family Court's decision to quash a subpoena for J.D.'s testimony due to potential psychological harm was also upheld. The ruling emphasized the respondent's impaired parental judgment demonstrated by long-term sexual abuse, creating a substantial risk to his children.

child abuseneglectFamily CourtAppellate Divisionparental judgmentout-of-court statementscorroborationsubpoenaPTSDderivative neglect
References
6
Case No. 2016 NY Slip Op 08114
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 01, 2016

Matter of Kent D. (Rachel D.)

Petitioner Kent D. appealed an order from Family Court, New York County, which denied his motion for a forensic evaluation and granted the cross motion to dismiss his petition for visitation with his child. The background reveals that in February 2008, Kent D. stabbed Rachel D., the mother, seven times in front of their child, leading to his conviction for assault and child endangerment and an 11-year prison sentence. A 19-year order of protection was issued, prohibiting contact with the child. The Family Court had previously awarded custody to the mother, and a 2012 divorce judgment affirmed no visitation rights for Kent D. The Appellate Division affirmed the Family Court's decision, finding that Kent D. failed to make an evidentiary showing of changed circumstances required for a visitation hearing, and his claims of completing an anger management program were unsubstantiated. The court also noted the child's continuing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and desire not to see him.

Visitation RightsChild CustodyOrder of ProtectionDomestic ViolenceAssault ConvictionChanged CircumstancesForensic EvaluationAppellate ReviewFamily LawPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder
References
2
Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 25024
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 29, 2025

Matter of W.S. v. G.S.

The petitioner (W.S.) filed a family offense petition against the respondent (G.S.), his sister, alleging harassment in the second degree. W.S. claimed G.S. threatened 'further consequences' and made false statements in a Mental Hygiene Law article 9 petition, leading to W.S.'s arrest. G.S. argued her statements were privileged and made due to genuine fear and concerns about W.S.'s mental health and hoarding. The court held that communications made in support of a Mental Hygiene Law petition are subject to a qualified privilege and serve a 'legitimate purpose' unless made with knowing/reckless disregard of falsity and solely to alarm/annoy. The court found W.S. failed to prove G.S.'s statements met this higher standard or that her other alleged actions constituted harassment. Consequently, the petition was dismissed.

Family OffenseHarassment Second DegreeMental Hygiene Law Article 9Qualified PrivilegeLegitimate Purpose DefenseIntent to HarassBurden of ProofCredibility of WitnessesStatements to PoliceMalice Standard
References
22
Case No. 26 NY3d 107 (2016)
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 09, 2016

S.B. v. A.C.C.

This case addresses the definition of "parent" under Domestic Relations Law § 70 (a) for purposes of custody and visitation for unmarried couples. The New York Court of Appeals overrules its 1991 decision in Matter of Alison D. v Virginia M., which had limited parental standing to biological or adoptive parents. The Court now holds that a non-biological, non-adoptive partner has standing if they can show by clear and convincing evidence that the parties agreed to conceive and raise a child together. In Matter of Brooke S.B. v Elizabeth A.C.C., the Appellate Division's order is reversed and the matter remitted for further proceedings under this new standard. In Matter of Estrellita A. v Jennifer L.D., the Appellate Division's order is affirmed, upholding standing based on judicial estoppel. This decision aims to address the unworkability of the Alison D. rule in light of evolving familial relationships, particularly for same-sex couples, and to protect the best interests of children.

Parental RightsCustodyVisitationSame-Sex CouplesNontraditional FamiliesEquitable EstoppelJudicial EstoppelPre-Conception AgreementDomestic Relations LawOverruling Precedent
References
28
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 06, 2007

In re G.S.

A nursing home, Split Rock Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, filed a petition for the appointment of a guardian of the property for G.S., an alleged incapacitated person, citing an outstanding debt of over $200,000. G.S.'s son, D.R., held a power of attorney and health care proxy, managing her finances, including the proceeds from the sale of her home. The nursing home alleged D.R. mishandled funds and was uncooperative, seeking to revoke the power of attorney. The court, however, found no clear and convincing evidence of mishandling, and G.S. reaffirmed her trust in her son. The court denied the petition, emphasizing that a guardianship application is not the appropriate avenue for debt collection and that G.S. had a sufficient plan for her affairs through her son.

GuardianshipIncapacitationPower of AttorneyMental Hygiene LawFinancial Mismanagement AllegationNursing Home LitigationDebt CollectionFiduciary ResponsibilityCourt DiscretionElder Law
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 26, 1991

Square D Co. v. Schneider S.A.

Plaintiff Square D Company alleged that defendant Schneider, S.A. and its affiliates were engaged in an illegal plan to acquire Square D through a hostile tender offer and proxy fight. Square D filed an Amended and Supplemental Complaint, claiming violations of Sections 7 and 8 of the Clayton Act and Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Defendants moved to dismiss these counts for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, arguing lack of standing and flaws in the plaintiff's legal theories. The Court denied the defendants' motion in its entirety, affirming Square D's standing to bring the antitrust claims and accepting the 'agency theory' for Section 8 liability at this preliminary stage. The Court also denied the defendants' application for certification under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b), citing the expedited schedule of the case and the potential for hindering resolution.

Antitrust LawClayton ActSherman ActHostile TakeoverProxy FightCorporate AcquisitionMotion to DismissAntitrust InjuryStandingInterlocking Directorates
References
11
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 01069 [158 AD3d 703]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 14, 2018

Matter of Bella S. (Sarah S.)

The case "Matter of Bella S. (Sarah S.)" involves an appeal from a Family Court order that found Sarah S. (mother) neglected her child, Bella S. The Administration for Children's Services had petitioned, alleging the mother's untreated bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses put the child at risk. The Family Court agreed, but the Appellate Division, Second Department, reversed this finding. The Appellate Division concluded that the petitioner failed to prove inadequate treatment or imminent harm, noting the mother's consistent efforts in seeking housing, prenatal care, methadone treatment, and psychiatric medication. Consequently, the petition against the mother was denied, and the proceeding dismissed.

Child NeglectParental RightsMental IllnessBipolar DisorderAdequate TreatmentAppellate ReviewBurden of ProofImminent DangerFamily Court ActKings County
References
8
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