Cohen v. Cohen

OPINION OF THE COURT

Robert A. Ross, J.

When fundamental rights such as the right to counsel in a matrimonial contempt proceeding are implicated (see Family Ct Act § 435 [a]; People v Spears, 64 NY2d 698 [1984]; Matter of Keenan v Keenan, 51 AD3d 1075, 1077 [2008]), the court is duty bound to make an inquiry whether the party is eligible for court-appointed counsel. (Gifford v Gifford, 223 AD2d 669 [1996]; Matter of Williams v Williams, 91 AD2d 1044, 1045 [1983].) But as part of this inquiry, it is axiomatic that a litigant is concomitantly obligated to provide complete information to the court…