Table of Contents

Cover Page.................................................................. i

Table of Contents.......................................................... ii

Table of Authorities...................................................... iii

Index to Transcripts...................................................... vii

Table of Contents to Appendix............................................. vii

Procedural History.......................................................... 1

Statement of Facts.......................................................... 6

Summary of Argument........................................................ 20

 

Legal Argument

 

I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN RULING THAT THE DEFENDANT-COUNTERCLAIMANT'S INABILITY TO ATTEND THE DECEMBER 21, 1993 HEARING DID NOT CONSTITUTE EXCUSABLE NEGLECT......... 23

 

II.  THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN HOLDING THAT MS. M WOULD NOT SUCCEED ON THE MERITS OF HER CLAIM; THE UNCONTROVERTED FACTS OF THE CASE DEMONSTRATE THAT SHE WILL SUCCEED ON THE MERITS ............................................................................ 29

A.  The purchase of the co-habitants’ home as joint tenants with

rights of survivorship clearly indicates an intent on the part of the plaintiff to provide for the defendant-counterclaimant beyond the end of their relationship..................................................................... 29

 

B. The trial court erred in failing to consider the palimony factors announced

in Kozlowski v. Kozlowski, and instead focusing on the legal irrelevancy of the nonexistence of a writing............................................ 32

 

III.  THE LOWER COURT'S RULING SHOULD BE REVERSED BECAUSE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDER WOULD BE UNJUST, OPPRESSIVE AND INEQUITABLE......................................... 37

 

IV.  THE APPELLATE DIVISION SHOULD EXERCISE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION TO REDRESS THE FINANCIAL INJUSTICE CAUSED BY THE LOWER COURT'S ERRONEOUS RULING..................... 43

 

A.  The court should revive pendente lite support pending the resolution of the defendant-counterclaimant's claims at the trial level   47

 

B.  As the underlying Order improperly deprived the defendant-counterclaimant of her property, she must be considered ousted and is therefore entitled to half the fair rental value of the residence since her removal................. 52

 

Conclusion................................................................. 54

                             Table of Authorities

Federal Statutes

 

  42 U.S. Code § 12114; 28 C.F.R. § 35.131(a)(2) (1993) (Americans with Disabilities Act)

................................................................... 24, 25, 27

 

 

New Jersey Constitution

 

 Article IV, section V, paragraph 3........................................ 43

 

 

New Jersey Statutes

 

  N.J. Stat. Ann. 3B:1-2 (West 1994)....................................... 24

 

  N.J. Stat. Ann. 30:1-12 (West 1994)...................................... 25

 

  N.J. Stat. Ann. 3B:12-28 (West 1994)..................................... 24

 

  N.J. Stat. Ann. 10:5‑4.1 (West 1992) (New Jersey Law Against Discrimination)      24, 25

 

  N.J. Stat. Ann. 17:48-6a (West 1994)..................................... 25

 

 

New Jersey Court Rules

 

  Rule 4:50-1.......................................................... passim

 

 

Federal Case Law

 

  Reitmeier v. Kalinski, 631 F.Supp. 565 (D.N.J. 1986)............. 38, 39, 40

 

 

New Jersey Case Law

 

  Anastasia v. Planning Board of West Orange Township, 209 N.J. Super. 499

(App. Div. 1986)........................................................... 43

 

  Arrow Mfg. Co. v. Levinson, 231 N.J.Super. 527 (App.Div.1989)........ 27, 36

 

  Baird v. Moore, 50 N.J. Super. 156  (App.Div. 1958).................. 52, 53

 

  Baker v. Drabik, 224 N.J. super. 603 (App.Div.1988)...................... 53

  Bauer v. Migliaccio, 235 N.J. Super. 127 (App.Div.1994).................. 52

 

  Baumann v. Marinaro, 95 N.J. 380 (1984) ................................. 27

 

  Bergen Eastern Corp. v. Kaus, 178 N.J. Super. 42 (App.Div. 1981) .... 24, 25

 

  Bressman v. Gash, 131 N.J. 517 (1993) ................................... 43

 

  Citizens Coach Co. v. Camden Horse R.R. Co., 29 N.J.Eq. 299 (E. & A. 1878) 50

 

  City of Newark v. J.S., 279 N.J. Super. 178 (Law Div. 1993).............. 25

 

  Clowes v. Terminix Int'l Inc., 109 N.J. 575 (1988)....................... 24

 

  Coffin v. Kelly, 133 N.J.L. 252  (E. & A. 1945)...................... 24, 29

 

  Court Inv. Co. v. Perillo, 48 N.J. 334 (1966)............................ 23

 

  Crowe v. DeGioia, 90 N.J. 126 (1982) reh'g on remand 203 N.J. Super. 22

(App. Div. 1985)............................................... 35, 49, 50, 51

 

  Eiseman v. Schneider, 60 N.J.L. 291 (Sup.Ct. 1897)....................... 35

 

  Gery v. Gery, 113 N.J.Eq. 59 (Ct.E. & A.1933)............................ 39

 

  Gimello v. Agency Rent-A-Car Systems, 250 N.J. Super. 338 (App.Div.1991). 24

 

  Gross v. Yeskel, 100 N.J. Eq. 293 (1926)................................. 31

 

  Hodge v. Giese, 43 N.J.Eq. 342  (Ch. 1887)............................... 50

 

  In the Matter of Collestar, 126 N.J. 468 (1991).......................... 25

 

  In the Matter of the Adoption of a Child by J.R.D., 246 N.J.Super. 619 (Ch. Div.1990)   26

 

  In the Matter of George Hahn, an Attorney at Law, 120 N.J. 691 (1990).... 24

 

  Klockner v. Green, 54 N.J. 230 (1969).................................... 35

 

  Kozlowski v. Kozlowski, 164 N.J. Super. 162 (Ch.Div. 1978), aff’d 80 N.J. 378 (1979)

........................................... 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 48, 50, 51

 

  Lohmann v. Lohmann, 50 N.J.Super. 37 (App.Div.1958)...................... 52

 

  Lombardo v. Hoag, 269 N.J. Super. 36 (App. Div. 1993)................ 24, 29

 

  Maisonet v. N.J. Dept. of Human Service, 274 N.J. Super. 228, cert granted 138 N.J. 265 (1994)..................................................................... 44

 

  Mancini v. New Jersey Automobile Full Insurance Underwriting Association, 132 N.J. 330 (1993)..................................................................... 29

 

  Manning Eng', Inc. v. Hudson County Park Comm'n, 74 N.J. 113 (1977)...... 27

 

  Marder v. Realty Construction Co., 84 N.J. Super. 313 (App.Div. 1964), aff'd, 43 N.J. 508 (1964)................................................................. 27, 29

 

  Margaritondo v. Stauffer Chemical Company, 217 N.J. Super. 560 reaffrm'd 217 N.J. Super. 565 (App.Div.1986) ........................................................ 43

 

  Morin v. Becker, 6 N.J. 457 (1951)....................................... 47

 

  Moscowitz v. Middlesex Borough Building & Loan Ass'n., 18 N.J. Super. 182

(App. Div. 1952)........................................................... 31

 

  Newman v. Chase,  70 N.J. 254 (1976)................................. 39, 52

 

  Quagliato v. Bodner, 115 N.J. Super. 133 (App.Div. 1971)............. 37, 41

 

  Rova Farms Resort v. Investors Insurance Co., 65 N.J. 474 (1974)......... 24

 

  S.E.W. Friel Company v. N.J. Turnpike Authority, 73 N.J. 107 (1977)...... 27

 

  S.S. v. E.S., 243 N.J. Super. 1 (App.Div. 1990).......................... 43

 

  Saul v. Midlantic National Bank, 240 N.J. Super. 62 (App.Div.1990)....... 47

 

  State v. Tumminello, 70 N.J. 187 (1976).................................. 43

 

  State v. Jarbath, 114 N.J. 394 (1989).................................... 44

 

  State v. Macon, 57 N.J. 325 (1971)....................................... 47

 

  State v. Scher, 278 N.J. Super. 249 (App. Div. 1994)..................... 24

 

  Tradesman National Bank and Trust Co. v. Cummings, 38 N.J. Super. 1

(App.Div. 1955)........................................................ 24, 27

 

  Weichert Co. Realtors v. Ryan, 128 N.J. 427, (1992)...................... 31

 

  Weiss v. Cedar Park Cemetery, 240 N.J. Super. 86 (App.Div. 1990)......... 29

 

 

Foreign State Case Law

 

  Clarke v. Clarke, 423 N.W.2d 818 (S.D. 1988)..................... 26, 27, 42

 

  Crowell v. Danforth, 222 Conn. 150, 609 A.2d 654 (1992).................. 52

 

  Hall v. Eaton, 258 Ill.App.3d 893, 631 N.E.2d 833, 197 Ill.Dec. 611 (App.Div. 1994)     52

 

  Henderson v. Eason, 17 Q.B. 701, 117 Eng.Rep. 1451 (Ex.Ch.1851).......... 52

 

  Iddings v. McBurne, 657 A.2d 550 (R.I. 1995)............................. 27

 

  Sawyer v. Cox, 36 N.C.App. 300, 244 S.E.2d 173 (1982).................... 27

 

  U.S.I.F. Wynnewood Corp. v. W. G. Soderquist, 27 N.C.App. 611, 219 S.E.2d 787 (1975)    27

 

 

Other Sources

 

  Accountability of Co‑tenants, Weible, 29 Iowa L.Rev. 558 (1944).......... 52

 

  Black's Law Dictionary, 6th Ed........................................... 30

 

  Law of Property, Cunningham, §§ 5.8, 5.12. .............................. 52

 

  Real Property, Thompson, (1940), § 1908, p. 431.......................... 52

 

  Restatement (Second) of Contracts §27, §213, (1982 App.)................. 31

                             Index to Transcripts

 

Transcript 1 [1T] - Feb 25, 1995    Hearing before J.S.C. Mahon, Hunterdon County

 

Transcript 2 [2T] - Dec 21, 1993    Hearing before J.S.C. Mahon,  Hunterdon County

 

Transcript 3 [3T] - June 12, 1992   Hearing before J.S.C. Sullivan, Monmouth County

 

All transcripts are included in Volume II, immediately following the end of the Appendix documents.

 

 

                         Table of Contents to Appendix

VOLUME I

 

Complaint for Custody, dated June 12, 1992:  (John H., Plaintiff).... Da 1 - 3

 

Plaintiff's accompanying Order to Show Cause, dated June 12, 1992 ... Da 4 ‑ 7

 

Plaintiff's Certification in Support of Order to Show Cause, dated June 12, 1992    Da 8 ‑ 21

 

Answer and Counterclaim (Janice M a/k/a Janice H, Defendant-counterclaimant), dated June 17, 1992............................................................... Da 22 ‑ 36

 

Defendant-counterclaimant's Order to Show Cause to Dissolve Restraints and Other Relief, dated June 17, 1992................................................ Da 37 ‑ 40

 

Plaintiff's Supplemental Certification in Support of Order to Show Cause Da 41 ‑ 46

 

Defendant-counterclaimant's Supplemental Certification in Support of Order to Show Cause, dated June 17, 1992................................................ Da 47 - 57

 

Plaintiff's Certification in Response to Defendant-counterclaimant's Counterclaim and Certification in Support of Order to Show Cause, dated June 29, 1992 Da 58 ‑ 80

 

Certification of Brian H in Support of Plaintiff's Order to Show Cause, dated June 29, 1992................................................................... Da 414-416

 

Letter Brief of Jan L. Bernstein (Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti) in support of defendant-counterclaimant-counter-claimant's Order to Show Cause,

dated July 1, 1992................................................. Da 81 ‑ 89

 

J.S.C. Carchman Order to Transfer Venue (Mercer to Monmouth),

dated June 12, 1992.................................................... Da 400

 

Order Granting Relief and Transferring Venue (Monmouth to Somerset), signed by Mark A. Sullivan, J.S.C. and Alexander Lehrer, P.J.F.P., dated July 22, 1992 Da 90 ‑ 93

 

Plaintiff's Answer to Counter Claim, dated July 28, 1992........... Da 94 ‑ 98

 

Two criminal complaints lodged by defendant-counterclaimant (harassing phone calls),

dated July 15 & 27, 1992................................................ Da 99

 

Third criminal complaint lodged by defendant-counterclaimant (flashing camera through bedroom windows at night), dated Aug 18, 1992.................................. Da 100

 

Temporary Restraining Order under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act,

dated Aug 19, 1992............................................... Da 101 - 104

 

Domestic Violence complaint merger and withdrawal (Mutual Restraint stipulation),

dated Jan 19, 1993............................................... Da 105 ‑ 106

 

District VII Ethics Committee, Disciplinary Action against John H, for threatening J.S.C. Linda Feinberg, dated May 28, 1993............................... Da 401 - 405

 

Answer of John H. denying the Judge's allegations (partial document)

....................................................................... Da 406

 

Cover page of interrogatories propounded by defendant-counterclaimant,

dated Mar 26, 1993..................................................... Da 407

 

Cover page of Document Production Request propounded by defendant-counterclaimant, dated Mar 26, 1993............................................................... Da 408

 

Consent Order re Defendant giving documents to plaintiff, dated July 14, 1993 Da 107 - 108

 

Riker Danzig's Notice of Motion for Leave to Withdraw as Counsel (Nonpayment of legal fees), dated July 9, 1993............................................... Da 109 - 110

 

Certification in Support of Notice of Motion for Leave to Withdraw as Counsel,

dated July 9, 1993............................................... Da 111 - 112

 

Order Granting Leave to Withdraw as Counsel, dated July 23, 1993. Da 113 - 114

 

Certification of John H, in Support of Order to Show Cause, dated July 8, 1993      Da 115 - 123

 

Summons and Notice of Court Hearing, dated Nov 24, 1993................ Da 124

 

Amended Complaint for Partition (correctly states that title is held as "joint tenants"),

dated Nov 30, 1992............................................... Da 125 - 127

 

Plaintiff's trial brief (now incorrectly claims that residence held as tenants in common), dated Dec 13, 1993............................................... Da 128 - 137

 

Jan 6, 1994 Order of J.S.C. Roger Mahon.......................... Da 138 - 141

 

Pro se Notice of Appeal, dated Feb 10, 1994............................ Da 142

 

Pro se Court Transcript Request, dated Mar 8, 1994..................... Da 146

 

Pro se Motion to Reconsider (Trial level), dated Mar 9, 1994........... Da 147

 

Pro Se "Additional Affidavit in Support of Motion to Reconsider

Filed February 10, 1994"......................................... Da 148 - 150

 

Pro se Notice of Motion for Stay Pending Appeal (Trial level)

....................................................................... Da 151

 

Pro Se "Affidavit in Support of Motion for Stay Ending Appeal", dated March 15, 1994

................................................................... Da 152-154

 

Pro se motion "for the Appintment of Attorney", (Trial level) dated Mar 9, 1995     Da 155

 

Pro Se "Certification in Support of Application Appointing Attorney dated 3/7/94 Suing in Forma Pauperis".................................................. Da 156 - 157

 

Appellate Division Notice of Docketing of Defendant-counterclaimant's Motion for Stay and Further Relief, dated Mar 29, 1994..................................... Da 158

 

Plaintiff's Notice of Cross Motion, (Appellate Division) dated Mar 29, 1994 Da 159 - 160

 

Plaintiff's Certification in Opposition to Defendant-counterclaimant's Motion and in Support of Cross Motion, dated Mar 18, 1994.............................. Da 161 - 179

 

Appearance Grace Dennigan, Esq, (for trial level proceedings only), dated April 14 Da 180

 

Plaintiff's Notice of Motion to Extend Time to Answer, dated Apr 18, 1994 Da 181

 

Plaintiff's Supporting Certification of Counsel in Support of Motion to Extend Time to file Answering Papers to Motion, dated Apr 18, 1994................... Da 182 - 185

 

Appellate Division's Order on (3/18/94) Motion for Stay Pending Appeal,

dated Apr 21, 1994..................................................... Da 185

 

Defendant-counterclaimant's Supplemental Notice of Motion for Reconsideration of All Issues Addressed in the January 5, 1994 Order (Converts out of time Reconsideration Motion into R. 4:50-1 Motion), dated Apr 27, 1994............................... Da 186 - 188

 

Defendant-counterclaimant's Supporting Certification in Support of Supplemental Notice of Motion, dated Apr 14, 1994....................................... Da 189 - 195

 

Defendant-counterclaimant's Letter Brief in Support of Relief From Judgment under R. 4:50-1, dated Apr 27, 1994............................................... Da 196 - 199

 

Defendant-counterclaimant's Attorney's Certification of Services, dated Apr 27, 1994

................................................................. Da 200 - 202

 

Plaintiff's Responsive Certification in Opposition to Defendant-counterclaimant's Motion to Reopen Judgment under R. 4:50-1 (This is partial document; the remainder is lost), dated May 4, 1994.......................................................... Da 202 - 212

 

Pro Se Notice of Motion to Compel Production of Documents (Appellate Division), dated May 9, 1994................................................................... Da 213

 

Pro Se Certification in Support of Motion to Compel Notice of Motion to Compel Production of Documents (Appellate Division), dated May 9, 1994...................... Da 214

 

Police report re Defendant-Counterclaimant removing her items from residence Da 413

 

Pro Se Notice of Motion for Extension of Time to File The Answer to the Cross Motion for Relief, dated May 9, 1994.............................................. Da 215

 

Pro Se "Certification of Pro Se in Support of Notice of Motion to Extend Time to File The Answer to the Cross Motion for Relief AND in Support of the Motion to Compel Production of Documents", dated May 9, 1994.................................... Da 216 - 217

 

Pro se letter-motion to Appellate Division requesting Miscellaneous Relief,

dated June 2, 1994............................................... Da 219 - 220

 

Appellate Division: Order on Motion by Appellant to Compel Production of Documents and to Extend Time to Answer to Cross Motion, dated June 7, 1994.............. Da 221

 

Appellate Division: Order on Motion by Respondent for Relief, dated June 7, 1994    Da 222

 

Appellate Division: Order on Motion by Appellant for Stay and for Further Relief,

dated Jun 7, 1944...................................................... Da 223

 

Supplemental Certification of Defendant-counterclaimant, dated Jul 14, 1994 Da 224 - 226

 

Responsive Certification in Opposition to Defendant-counterclaimant's Supplemental Certification and Certification of Stephen Marrin and In Further Support of Cross Motion,

dated July 25, 1994.............................................. Da 227 - 239

VOLUME II

 

Grace Dennigan, Esq, letter brief outlining meritorious defenses available to defendant-counterclaimant if judgement were re-opened under R. 4:50‑1, dated Sep 9, 1994

................................................................. Da 240 - 248

 

Certification of Edna Bijou concerning defendant-counterclaimant's alcoholism during period of 12/21/93 hearing,

dated Sep 7, 1994 ............................................... Da 249 - 251

 

Certification of Robert Bijou concerning defendant-counterclaimant's alcoholism during period of 12/21/93 hearing, dated Sep 7, 1994........................... Da 251 - 253

 

Certification of Steven Marrin concerning defendant-counterclaimant's alcoholism during period of 12/21/93 hearing, dated Sep 7, 1994.................... Da 409 - 412

 

Plaintiff's responsive letter brief, dated Sep 12, 1994

................................................................. Da 254 - 260

 

Court Order memorializing decision on August 5, 1994, dated Oct 5, 1994 Da 260 - 262

 

J.S.C. Mahon Order (decided February 23, 1994) denying R. 4:50-1 Motion, dated Mar 28, 1995...................................................................... Da 263

 

Defendant-counterclaimant's substitution of Counsel (Grace Dennigan to Janice M, pro se), dated Mar 6, 1995...................................................... Da 264

 

Pro se Notice of Motion to Amend Appeal (to include J.S.C.'s Mahon's Mar 28, 1995 Order), dated May 5, 1995...................................................... Da 419

 

Appellate Division Scheduling Order, dated May 11, 1995................ Da 265

 

Pro se Notice of Motion to Extend Time, dated Jun 22, 1995

....................................................................... Da 266

 

Pro se Certification of Janice M in support of Notice of Motion to Extend Time, dated Jun 22, 1995............................................................. Da 267 - 269

 

Pro se Notice of Motion to Amend Notice of Appeal and to Relinquish Jurisdiction, dated Jun 22, 1995.............................................................   Da 270

 

Pro se Certification of Janice M in support of Notice of Motion to Amend Notice of Appeal and to Relinquish Jurisdiction, dated Jun 22, 1995................... Da 271 - 272

 

Certifications of John H in Opposition to Defendant-counterclaimant's Motions to Extend Time and Amend Notice of Appeal, dated Jun 30, 1995................... Da 273 - 276

 

Responsive Certification of Janice M, dated Jul 10, 1995

................................................................. Da 277 - 284