SHORT v. SHORT (2009)

We conclude that Supreme Court erred in dismissing the amended complaint in this divorce action on the ground that plaintiff failed to establish cruel and inhuman treatment on the part of defendant.   Plaintiff met her burden of establishing by a preponderance of the credible evidence that defendant engaged in “serious misconduct ․ such that plaintiff's physical or mental well-being was endangered and continued cohabitation with defendant is unsafe or improper” (Ridley v. Ridley, 275 A.D.2d 941, 942, 714 N.Y.S.2d 396;  see Domestic Relations Law § 170[1];  Brady v. Brady, 64 N.Y.2d 339, 343, 486 N.Y.S.2d 891, 476 N.E.2d 290;  Collins v. Collins, 284 A.D.2d 743, 745, 726 N.Y.S.2d 777), and defendant failed to rebut that showing (see Levine v. Levine, 2 A.D.3d 498, 500, 770 N.Y.S.2d 358).   We therefore reverse the order, reinstate the amended complaint, and remit the matter to Supreme Court to grant judgment in favor of plaintiff and to determine the remaining issues.

It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously reversed on the law without costs, the amended complaint is reinstated, and the matter is remitted to Supreme Court, Wayne County, for further proceedings.

MEMORANDUM: