Summary
In Schelter v Schelter (206 AD2d 865 [4th Dept 1994]), citing Levine v Levine (206 Misc 884), and Law Office of Tony Center v Baker (supra), the Court concluded that if the funds that were being held in escrow by the defendant's former attorney were treated as payments for child support, it would conclude that such payments would not be subject to an attorney's retaining lien.
Summary of this case from Shipman v. SUPPORT COLLECTIONOpinion
July 15, 1994
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Monroe County, Siracuse, J.
Present — Green, J.P., Balio, Fallon, Callahan and Davis, JJ.
Order unanimously affirmed with costs to defendant. Memorandum: Funds held in escrow or in a custodial capacity are not subject to an attorney's retaining lien (see, Marsano v. State Bank of Albany, 27 A.D.2d 411, appeal dismissed 23 N.Y.2d 1018; Entertainment Amusements v. Barnes, 49 Misc.2d 316). Thus, the sum of $8,000, held by defendant's former attorney subject to further direction by the court as part of an undertaking pending the appeal of a judgment for arrears in child support, was not subject to the former attorney's retaining lien, and Supreme Court properly directed that the attorney transfer those funds to defendant's current attorneys. We note that, even if the funds were treated as payments for child support, we would conclude that such payments are not subject to an attorney's retaining lien (cf., Levine v. Levine, 206 Misc. 884; see also, Law Off. of Tony Center v. Banker, 185 Ga. App. 809, 366 S.E.2d 167).
The court properly denied defendant's motion for counsel fees. Domestic Relations Law § 237 (c) does not apply to a motion for an order compelling an attorney to transfer funds held in escrow, regardless of the fact that the funds constitute part of an undertaking pertaining to a judgment for child support arrears.