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IN RE: Geoffrey C. SCHLAKMAN, appellant, v. Joanne C. SCHLAKMAN, respondent.
In a child support proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 4, the father appeals from an order of the Family Court, Suffolk County (Budd, J.), dated December 22, 2008, which denied his objections to an order of the same court (Rodriguez, S.M.), dated August 27, 2008, denying, after a hearing, his petition to modify the child support provision in a stipulation of settlement dated November 15, 2002, which was incorporated but not merged into the parties judgment of divorce entered June 9, 2003.
ORDERED that the order dated December 22, 2008, is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
A party seeking to change the support provisions contained in a stipulation of settlement incorporated but not merged into a judgment of divorce has the burden of establishing a substantial, unanticipated, and unreasonable change in circumstances (see Matter of Ripa v. Ripa, 61 A.D.3d 766, 877 N.Y.S.2d 383; Matter of Broomhall v. Jones, 47 A.D.3d 711, 848 N.Y.S.2d 896; Matter of Chupungco v. Acompado, 47 A.D.3d 628, 848 N.Y.S.2d 546; Beard v. Beard, 300 A.D.2d 268, 751 N.Y.S.2d 304). Although the father has shown that his income is less than it was at the time that his support obligation was established by the stipulation, he did not submit any evidence that he had diligently sought to increase his income. The father failed to establish that his current income is commensurate with his earning potential (see Beard v. Beard, 300 A.D.2d at 268, 751 N.Y.S.2d 304; Matter of Davis v. Davis, 197 A.D.2d 622, 602 N.Y.S.2d 672).
The father's remaining contentions are without merit.
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Decided: October 13, 2009
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.
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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.
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