Summary
In Patricia Lynn N. v Vincent Michael N. (152 A.D.2d 547), the Appellate Division, Second Department, overruled Sorkin v. Sorkin (111 A.D.2d 845).
Summary of this case from Greenberg v. GreenbergOpinion
July 3, 1989
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Westchester County (Delaney, J.).
Ordered that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, with costs.
Contrary to the defendant's contention, the Supreme Court may enforce a pendente lite order granting maintenance or child support by granting leave to enter a money judgment for arrears pursuant to Domestic Relations Law § 244, even where the application for such relief is made after the entry of the final judgment in the matrimonial action (see, Siddiqui v Siddiqui, 118 A.D.2d 846, 847; Treherne-Thomas v Treherne-Thomas, 267 App. Div. 509; Wormley v Wormley, 267 App. Div. 85; see also, Mazer v Mazer, 276 App. Div. 733, mod on other grounds 301 N.Y. 774; White v White, 205 Misc. 1042; 19A Carmody-Wait 2d, N Y Prac § 118:111). This rule must be distinguished from the rule which precludes enforcement of a pendente lite order by way of civil contempt after the termination of the matrimonial action (see, Polizotti v Polizotti, 305 N.Y. 176, revg 280 App. Div. 229; Weaver v Weaver, 72 A.D.2d 221; Prothers v Prothers, 283 App. Div. 747; Mittman v Mittman, 263 App. Div. 384; 19A Carmody-Wait 2d, N Y Prac § 118:111). To the extent that this distinction was not observed in the decision of this court in Sorkin v Sorkin ( 111 A.D.2d 845, 846), we overrule that case. Further, we decline to follow the decision of the Appellate Division, First Department, in Perrotta v Perrotta ( 149 A.D.2d 317). We have examined the appellant's remaining contention and find it to be without merit. Thompson, J.P., Bracken, Brown and Harwood, JJ., concur.