State v. Phillips
This text of 39 A. 453 (State v. Phillips) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New York Court of General Session of the Peace primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
Opinion
Philips and his wife were divorced by act of the General Assembly of this State, which act is silent as to custody of their only child, a boy fourteen years of age. The wife has [12]*12retained and insists on his custody. There is no objection to the fitness of either parent to have such custody. The father has tendered himself ready to support the child, if allowed the custody of him; the mother refuses such custody and yet claims from the father separate maintenance. At common law, the duty of maintenance of children by parents, was based on the right to custody, society and services of the child. As this child is not an infant of tender years, and the father is shown to be a fit person to have him in charge, there seems to be no just reason why he should support the child, whose custody, society and services are enjoyed by the mother.
We therefore order the case dismissed.
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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack
39 A. 453, 17 Del. 11, 1 Penne. 11, 1897 Del. LEXIS 22, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-phillips-nygensess-1897.