Colt v. Colt

261 A.D. 787, 27 N.Y.S.2d 100, 1941 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 7440

• Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
• Decided: May 2, 1941
• Status: Published

Opinions

Callahan, J.

In this action for a separation, plaintiff claims to be the common-law wife of the defendant. Defendant denies existence of any marriage. Special Term granted plaintiff’s motion for temporary alimony and counsel fee only to the extent of designating an official referee “ to take proof and report to the court with his opinion, with all convenient speed, as to whether the plaintiff possesses a reasonable probability of success in this action. * * *,” and allowing plaintiff $100 a week temporary alimony until the termination of the reference, and $350 counsel fees.

We think that this procedure was improper. Unless Special Term was satisfied that a reasonable probability of success was shown, no award should have been made. A reference to determine this issue was improper,

We think that upon the papers plaintiff failed to show reasonable probability of success.

The order should be reversed in its entirety, without costs, and the plaintiff’s motion denied.

Martin, P. J., and Townley, J., concur; O’Malley and Dore, JJ., dissent in part, with memorandum.