Washington v. Washington

925 N.E.2d 582, 14 N.Y.3d 777, 898 N.Y.S.2d 543

Opinion

14 N.Y.3d 777 (2010) 925 N.E.2d 582 898 N.Y.S.2d 543

ANNE B. WASHINGTON, Appellant,
v.
BARRY A. WASHINGTON, Respondent.

No. 117 SSM 10.

Court of Appeals of New York.

Decided March 25, 2010.

Amy S. Nord, Valley Stream, for appellant.

Barry A. Washington, respondent pro se.

Chief Judge LIPPMAN and Judges CIPARICK, GRAFFEO, READ, SMITH, PIGOTT and JONES concur in memorandum.

OPINION OF THE COURT

MEMORANDUM.

The order of the Appellate Division should be reversed, with costs, and the judgment of Supreme Court reinstated.

In this nonjury trial, the parties charted their own course, effectively removing from the case the question whether the trust funds were exhausted and thereby eliminating plaintiff mother's burden on this issue. The Appellate Division erred in holding that no evidence was adduced as to the means and abilities of the parties to contribute to their children's college education expenses. Such evidence was adduced, and we conclude as a matter of law that defendant father had sufficient means to contribute to his sons' college education expenses within the meaning of the parties' separation agreement. Defendant father's remaining arguments in support of affirmance are without merit.

On review of submissions pursuant to section 500.11 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals (22 NYCRR 500.11), order reversed, etc.