New York Law Journal, August 21, 2025 —
One of the most glaring contradictions in the practice of matrimonial law is that divorce litigation proceeds all the way up through the start of a trial without being governed by the rules of evidence. But when a trial starts, perhaps years after the divorce action has been commenced, all of a sudden the rules of evidence are front and center.
The danger posed by this contradiction should be obvious: an attorney can prosecute an argument or arguments for the better part of 80 to 90 percent of the duration of a divorce litigation without concern for questions such as (1) is this hearsay, and if so, is there a hearsay exception that applies; (2) is this document authenticated; (3) can I get this document in evidence even though its author is no longer alive; (4) is this a business record, and many more.
But when trial starts, the unchained litigious arguments that an attorney can make in motion papers and at oral argument on motions without evidentiary restriction are met with a gigantic brick wall, and that attorney had better be ready with concrete evidence.
That brings us to the subject of constructive emancipation of children in divorce, which to my mind incorporates one of the most challenging and complex burdens of proof in the scheme of the many claims that can be made in the context of divorce litigation.
In the recent decision of L.E. v. Y.E., 2025 NY Slip Op 51038(U) (Family Court, Westchester County, May 2025), the petitioner-father sought to discontinue his child support obligations for his three children on the basis that they had been constructively emancipated. Prior to the father’s modification petition, the mother had been awarded sole legal and physical custody, with the father having “supervised and/or unsupervised access” with the children.
The father ceased paying all support in 2023, and alleged that “despite his efforts, the children have refused to see him for six years, and by their choice and not his actions, and as a result, are constructively emancipated.”