Debra R. v. Sidney R.

The within proceeding framed under article 4 of the Family Court Act considers a newly emerging field of law, that of a child’s right, as a litigant, to an order of support from a parent. When this issue is presented, the court often finds itself not in the midst of adjudicating fault (if such a concept really exists) as occurs between litigating spouses, but "fault” as a relative matter often resulting from a lack of communication between parent and child concerning conflicting values. Understandably, the law in this field is sparce.

The petitioner, soon to be 19, is the daughter of…