On August 30th, the state’s highest court overruled its prior holdings and expanded the definition of parent to grant a standing to seek custody to a domestic partner who agreed with the biological parent to the conception of a child and the raising of the child together. That decision in Matter of Brooke S.B. v Elizabeth A.C.C. was quickly followed by the decision of the Appellate Division, Second Department in Matter of Frank G. v Renee P.-F. 

In the September 6th decision of the Second Department, Joseph and Frank were domestic partners who lived together for some five years. Together they asked Joseph’s sister, Renee, to act as a surrogate and give birth to the child resulting from Renee’s being impregnated with Frank’s sperm. The surrogacy contract contemplated that Renee would surrender her parental rights in order for Joseph to adopt the child. The understanding contemplated that Renee would remain a part of the child’s life.Continue Reading Domestic Partner of Biological Father May Seek Custody