Matter of S. (Anonymous), Adam; S. (Anonymous), Aiden; S. (Anonymous) 2025-11071
Motion No: M309103.WPD
Slip Opinion No: 2026 NY Slip Op 61681(U)
Decided on January 30, 2026
Appellate Division, Second Department, Motion Decision
Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.
This motion is uncorrected and is not subject to publication in the Official Reports.


Supreme Court of the State of New York

Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M309103

KL/

HECTOR D. LASALLE, P.J.

MARK C. DILLON

COLLEEN D. DUFFY

BETSY BARROS

FRANCESCA E. CONNOLLY, JJ.

2025-11071

In the Matter of Adam S. (Anonymous).

Forestdale Inc., petitioner-respondent;

Candice W. (Anonymous), et al.,

respondents-appellants.

(Proceeding No. 1)

In the Matter of Aiden S. (Anonymous).

Forestdale Inc., petitioner-respondent;

Candice W. (Anonymous), et al.,

respondents-appellants.

(Proceeding No. 2)

In the Matter of Amere S. (Anonymous).

Forestdale Inc., petitioner-respondent;

Candice W. (Anonymous), et al.,

respondents-appellants.

(Proceeding No. 3)

(Docket No. B-9970-2021)

ORDER ON CERTIFICATION
Assignment of Counsel

Appeal by Candice W. and separate appeal by Alysis S. from an order of the Family Court, Queens County, dated August 4, 2025. Pursuant to Family Court Act §§ 1118 and 1120, and upon the certification of Tehra Coles, dated August 27, 2025, it is

ORDERED that the appellant Candice W. is granted waiver of costs, fees, and expenses on the appeal, and the following named attorney is assigned as counsel to prosecute the appeal by Candice W:

Helene Bernstein

594 Dean Street, 2nd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11238

917-748-9854

and it is further,

ORDERED that assigned counsel shall promptly attempt to contact the appellant Candice W. at the address provided by this Court, and on or before February 20, 2206, shall notify the Case Manager assigned to the appeal, in writing, that she has done so and that either

(1) the appellant Candice W. is interested in prosecuting the appeal, or

(2) the appellant Candice W. is not interested in prosecuting the appeal, or that she has been unable to contact the appellant, and wishes to be relieved of the assignment;

and it is further,

ORDERED that the appeals will be heard on the original papers (including a certified transcript of the proceedings, if any) and on the briefs of the parties, who are directed to upload, through the digital portal on this Court's website, digital copies of their respective briefs, with proof of service of one hard copy on each other, or, if self-represented and unable to upload a digital copy, to file one original copy with the Clerk of this Court, with proof of service of one hard copy on each other (22 NYCRR 670.9[a], 1250.5[e][1], 1250.9[e]; Family Ct Act § 1116); and it is further,

ORDERED that the stenographer(s) and/or the transcription service(s) is/are required promptly to make and certify two transcripts of the proceedings, if any, except for those minutes previously transcribed and certified (22 NYCRR 671.9); in the case of stenographers, both transcripts shall be filed with the clerk of the Family Court, and the clerk of the Family Court shall furnish one of such certified transcripts to the appellant's assigned counsel, without charge; in the case of transcription services, one transcript shall be filed with the clerk of the Family Court and one transcript shall be delivered to the assigned counsel. Assigned counsel for Candice W is directed to provide copies of said transcripts to all of the other parties to the appeal, including the attorney for the child ren, if any, when counsel serves the appellant's brief upon those parties; and it is further,

ORDERED that the assigned counsel shall prosecute the appeal by Candice W. expeditiously in accordance with any scheduling order or orders issued pursuant to § 670.3(b) of the rules of this Court (22 NYCRR 670.3[b]); and it is further,

ORDERED that upon a determination that the appellant Candice W. is interested in proceeding with the appeal, the assigned counsel is directed to serve a copy of this order upon the clerk of the court from which the appeal is taken.

LASALLE, P.J., DILLON, DUFFY, BARROS and CONNOLLY, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Darrell M. Joseph

Clerk of the Court

The Case Manager assigned to this case is Ms. Landaverde. Please contact her at [email protected] or 718-722-6487 with any questions.