Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
IN RE: STEVEN J.K., Petitioner-Respondent, v. LEAH T.K., Respondent-Appellant.
Orders, Family Court, Bronx County (Carol Ann Stokinger, J.), entered on or about January 18, 2007 and March 16, 2007, which, to the extent appealed from as limited by the briefs, upheld the Support Magistrate's order, entered on or about December 27, 2006, granting petitioner-father's petition for downward modification of child support and terminating the support order of $261.54 per week, effective August 8, 2005, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The petition for downward modification of child support was appropriately granted in this action where “[t]he parties are now well into their second decade of litigating the issue of support for their child” (Matter of Kent v. Kent, 29 A.D.3d 123, 125, 810 N.Y.S.2d 160 [2006] ), who will attain the age of 21 in November 2007. The testimony of the subject child established that there was a change of circumstances warranting a modification of child support inasmuch as when, while not attending college, the majority of the child's time was spent at petitioner's residence in Pennsylvania (see Tryon v. Tryon, 37 A.D.3d 455, 457, 830 N.Y.S.2d 233 [2007]; McMillen v. Miller, 15 A.D.3d 814, 790 N.Y.S.2d 556 [2005] ). The Support Magistrate's finding that the child's testimony was credible despite his expressed concerns as to the effect his testimony would have on his relationship with his parents, is entitled to deference (see Matter of Childress v. Samuel, 27 A.D.3d 295, 296, 811 N.Y.S.2d 372 [2006] ). The Support Magistrate also properly determined that regardless of any change in circumstances, petitioner was obligated to continue to support his son (see Rocchio v. Rocchio, 213 A.D.2d 535, 537, 623 N.Y.S.2d 917 [1995] ), including paying 100% of the educational expenses.
We have considered appellant's remaining arguments and find them unavailing.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Decided: December 20, 2007
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)