CARRASCO v. CARRASCO (2003)

In an action for a divorce and ancillary relief, the defendant husband appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (Stack, J.), dated May 23, 2001, which denied his motion for summary judgment dismissing the plaintiff wife's claim for equitable distribution.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

The husband seeks summary judgment dismissing the wife's claim for equitable distribution, contending that a 1975 agreement entered into between the parties before their marriage and a 1982 agreement entered into after the parties were married settle all property rights between them.

 “[S]trong public policy favor[s] individuals ordering and deciding their own interests through contractual arrangements” (Matter of Greiff, 92 N.Y.2d 341, 344, 680 N.Y.S.2d 894, 703 N.E.2d 752;  see Bloomfield v. Bloomfield, 97 N.Y.2d 188, 193, 738 N.Y.S.2d 650, 764 N.E.2d 950).  “Thus, as with all contracts, we assume a deliberately prepared and executed agreement reflects the intention of the parties.   Further, while we must be concerned with what the parties intended, we generally may consider their intent only to the extent that it is evidenced by their writing” (Bloomfield v. Bloomfield, supra;  see Rodolitz v. Neptune Paper Prods., 22 N.Y.2d 383, 386-387, 292 N.Y.S.2d 878, 239 N.E.2d 628).

 Contrary to the husband's contention, the Supreme Court properly found that the 1975 agreement addressed the parties' property rights in the event of death, but did not contemplate the settlement of property upon the dissolution of marriage.   Since the parties' agreement was clear, summary judgment dismissing the wife's claim to equitable distribution was properly denied (cf.  Roos v. Roos, 206 A.D.2d 293, 295, 614 N.Y.S.2d 522).

The husband's remaining contentions are without merit.