Matter of Chabanov v. Chabanova

Appeal by the mother from an order of the Family Court, Kings County (Dean T. Kusakabe, J.), dated December 14, 2015. The order granted the father’s motion for an award of an attorney’s fee for the failure of the mother’s attorney to attend a court appearance.

Ordered that the order is reversed, on the facts and in the exercise of discretion, with costs, and the motion is denied.

In this proceeding relating to custody of and visitation with the parties’ child, the mother was represented by assigned counsel, but sought to retain counsel. When she contacted an attorney, Raquel Vasserman, for the…