New York Court of Appeals

In the Matter of Evelyn Seitz v. Joseph Drogheo

December 28, 196721 N.Y.2d 181

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals held that subdivision (c) of section 466 of the Family Court Act is constitutional because it creates a new class of action authorized by Article VI §7(c) of the State Constitution, thereby granting the Family Court jurisdiction to enforce and modify support provisions of a foreign divorce decree. The Court reversed the Appellate Division and reinstated the Family Court's orders. The decision rests on the principle that the legislature may confer jurisdiction over newly created causes of action.