Kaminski v. Kaminski

In this matrimonial action defendant-respondent moves to proceed as a poor person and to have counsel assigned to represent him, and if the motion is granted to extend the time for defendant’s counsel to appear until 20 days after the entry of the order hereon.

Defendant has made a sufficient showing to proceed as a poor person. However, there is no obligation on the part of local government to compensate assigned counsel in matrimonial actions. (Jacox v Jacox, 43 AD2d 716; Smiley v Smiley, 45 AD2d 785.)

Absent statutory authority for the payment of assigned counsel in matrimonial actions and…