A husband who strategically delayed accepting a divorce settlement—but not to the point where his conduct was obstructionist or abusive—is liable for the extra legal fees incurred by his former wife, a judge in Rochester has held.
Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Dollinger (See Profile) said the husband’s “hold-your-breath-until-the-very-end-and-cause-your-spouse-to-incur-unnecessary-fees” tactic is precisely the type of conduct that the Legislature sought to discourage with a 2010 amendment to the Domestic Relations Law. He awarded the wife $22,500.
