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10. FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW (Form UD-10):
Fields 1-4: Do not fill in these sections. The court will fill in these fields.
Field 5: Print the Plaintiff's name.
Field 6: Print the index number assigned to the case. Do not fill in the calendar
number.
Field 7: Print the Defendant's name.
Field 8: If you are submitting the papers to obtain a divorce based solely on signed
affidavits, check the appropriate box or boxes. If you had an inquest/hearing
before a judge, check that box. If you do not know whether the court will
sign your divorce (you may want to inquire at the clerk's office as to the
procedure in the county where you are filing), do not strike either provision
or insert the Part where the documents will be signed. The Part will be filled
in by court employees. You must, however, insert the name of the county
where you are filing for divorce and the date of the inquest/hearing if you had
one. Otherwise leave the date section blank so that the the court can fill in the
information.
Field 9: This section remains unchanged. If either the Plaintiff or the Defendant was
under the age of 18 when this action was commenced, then a divorce action
may not be filed and the Plaintiff should consult with an attorney as noted
earlier.
Field 10: This section establishes residency for purposes of obtaining a divorce. The
beginning of this filing instruction packet explains the requirements for
residency. Check the appropriate box or boxes. This section should be
consistent with the earlier instructions given as to residency and any other
form where you addressed residency.
Field 11: Fill in the date and place that the parties were married, and indicate the type
of ceremony by checking the appropriate box.
Field 12: Do not fill anything in this section unless there is another action pending
elsewhere. If so, consult an attorney as noted in the Foreword.
Field 13: Check the appropriate box as to the papers served on Defendant to start the
action. Indicate how defendant was served by placing a check mark in the
appropriate box. If service was made pursuant to court order, fill in the date
of such order. Indicate whether defendant appeared in the action by placing a
check in the appropriate box.
Field 14: Check the appropriate box. If defendant is a member of the military indicate
the branch of service. If defendant is in the military and does not consent, it is
suggested you retain counsel.
Field 15: Check the appropriate box. Insert the total number of children of the marriage
(see the definition on page 7). List their names, social security numbers, dates
of birth and addresses.
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Field 16: Indicate the grounds upon which the divorce is to be granted by checking the
appropriate box. Where a date is required, fill in the appropriate date. When usingCruel and Inhuman Treatment (DRL §170(1)) as grounds for divorce, make sure the
specific allegations listed demonstrate Cruel and Inhuman Treatment as defined on
the form. Repeat the same facts as set forth in the Verified Complaint and in the
Plaintiff's Affidavit.
Field 17: Check the appropriate box.
Field 18: If you have asked for maintenance payments ("alimony") from your spouse in your
divorce papers and you and your spouse have come to a written agreement on the
amount and timing of the payments, complete the box in paragraph "A)". If there is
no agreement for maintenance and you asked the court for maintenance payments in
the divorce papers that you served on your spouse, you may be required to attend a
court hearing to provide proof of the need for maintenance. Leave Paragraph "B)" blank. You will receive further instructions from the court. If there is already a
court order about maintenance regarding you and your spouse, and you either want
that court order to continue after the divorce or you and your spouse have a written
agreement stating that the court order will continue, fill in the information requested
in paragraph "C)". If maintenance was not awarded, check the appropriate box in
paragraph "D)" as to the reason.
Field 19: This section addresses the children of the marriage (see the definition on page 7 ).
Check the appropriate box so that the court can see which party the children reside
with and which party, if any, is entitled to visitation with the children away from the
custodial residence (the place where the children reside). If the children live with a
third party, fill in the name. Leave the paragraph regarding domestic violence for
the court to complete.
Field 20: If there are other issues (i.e., support, custody, marital home, etc.) being settled or
decided by the court, place a check mark in the appropriate box.
Field 21: Check the appropriate box.: Paragraph (A): You must fill out this paragraph if
there are children of the marriage (see the definition on page 7). List the names and
the dates of birth of the unemancipated children of the marriage. Paragraph (B):
You must fill in either subparagraph 1, 2 or 3 to show how the amount of child
support was determined. Much of this information can be taken from the Child
Support Worksheet. It is recommended that you use the Child Support Standards
Chart in calculating the support obligation. The Chart is available at:
https://newyorkchildsupport.com/quick_links.htm
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* Instructions for subparagraph (1): Fill in subparagraph (1) if there is already in existence a court
order that has set the amount of child support and such order is to be continued by the Judgment of
Divorce.
* Instructions for subparagraph (2): Fill in subparagraph (2) if you are requesting an order of the
court for child support. Fill in the adjusted gross income (after deductions) of each party. Circle the
applicable child support percentage. The percentages are 17% for one child, 25% for two children,
29% for three children, 31% for four children and 35% for five or more children. Multiply the child
support percentage by the combined income to $136,000 and do the same for combined income over
$136,000, if any. Fill in the amounts. Divide each party's income by the total income to obtain each
party's pro rata share percentage of the combined income. Fill in the percentage. Multiply the basic
child support obligation on income to $136,000 by the non-custodial parent's pro rata percentage share
and do the same for income over $136,000. Fill in the amounts. Fill in the non-custodial parent's pro
rata share of health care expenses not covered by insurance, child care, educational, or extraordinary
expenses.
* Instructions for subparagraph (3): Fill in subparagraph (3) if the parties entered into a
stipulation/agreement as to child support, or if the court rendered its decision in open court on the
record. Fill in the date the parties entered into the stipulation/agreement and the amount of child
support agreed to be paid. Check the appropriate boxes as to who will pay and who will receive child
support. Check the appropriate box as to whether the parties are applying or waiving the application of
the Child Support Standards Act (Guidelines) to the total combined income over $136,000 a year. If
issues regarding health care, child care, educational, or extraordinary expenses were agreed to, fill in
the dollar amount to be paid or the percentage of said expenses agreed to be paid. Fill in the
presumptive amount of child support attributable to the non-custodial parent pursuant to the Child
Support Standards Act (Guidelines). Refer to the Child Support Standards Chart or Child Support
Worksheet for this presumptive amount. Check the appropriate box that indicates whether the
agreed-upon amount of support conforms with or deviates from the non-custodial parent's basic child
support obligation. If there is a deviation, whether it be higher or lower, give specific reasons why the
court should approve of such deviation. The reasons for deviations must be in the
stipulation/agreement.
Field 22: List the Plaintiff's and Defendant's addresses and social security numbers.
Field 23: If there are no unemancipated children of the marriage or if child support is not
an issue or if the parties do not have health coverage provided by their
employer, check the appropriate box. If either party's employer offers health
insurance, check that box and fill in the required information about Plaintiff's
and Defendant's insurance coverage. Make sure to include the type of coverage.
Examples include but are not limited to medical, dental and optical coverage. If
either party has more than one insurance plan, you must list the additional
coverage on a separate sheet of paper. Form UD-13 must be submitted if there is
health insurance coverage available to either party through their employer.
* Check the appropriate box as to whether both parties have agreed or stipulated as to
which party will cover the unemancipated children on their health insurance policy. If there
is no agreement, check the box indicating that the court has determined the party who will
cover the children and indicate whether Plaintiff or the Defendant will cover the children
under a group health plan. Strike out any inapplicable language.
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Field 24: List any court orders, by the index number or docket number and the date
entered, that the parties wish to be continued.
Field 25: Check the appropriate box and list prior surname.
Field 26: Check box A) if the parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement/Agreement
and fill in the date of the agreement. Check appropriate box 1 or 2.
Check box B) if there is no Stipulation of Settlement/Agreement. Leave box 1
or 2 to be completed by the court.
Field 27: Check the appropriate box.
Field 28: Check the appropriate box and insert the Domestic Relations Law subdivision
for the grounds for divorce. Be consistent with prior forms.
Field 29: This section will be filled in by the court.