Mbanefo v Mbanefo
2009 NY Slip Op 01625 [60 AD3d 648]
March 3, 2009
Appellate Division, Second Department
As corrected through Wednesday, May 6, 2009


30—Arthur Mbanefo, Appellant,
v
Jennifer WarrenMbanefo, Respondent.

[*1]Goldschmidt & Genovese, LLP, White Plains, N.Y. (Sandra M. Fusco and SylviaGoldschmidt of counsel), for appellant.

In an action for a divorce and ancillary relief, the plaintiff appeals, as limited by his brief,from stated portions of an order of the Supreme Court, Westchester County (Tolbert, J.), enteredFebruary 21, 2007, which, inter alia, granted those branches of the defendant's motion whichwere for pendente lite maintenance and an award of an interim attorney's fee.

Ordered that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.

" 'Pendente lite awards should reflect an accommodation between the reasonable needs of themoving spouse and the financial ability of the other spouse with due regard for the parties'preseparation standard of living' " (Bogannam v Bogannam, 20 AD3d 442, 442 [2005], quotingCampanaro v Campanaro, 292 AD2d 330, 330 [2002]; see Domestic RelationsLaw § 236 [B] [6]; Campion v Campion, 264 AD2d 705 [1999]; Ash v Ash,262 AD2d 436 [1999]; Landau v Landau, 258 AD2d 508 [1999]).

Under the circumstances, the Supreme Court properly directed the plaintiff to pay thedefendant monthly maintenance pendente lite as provided by the parties' previous agreement (see McLeod v McLeod, 50 AD3d979 [2008]; Bogannam vBogannam, 20 AD3d 442 [2005]).

In light of the parties' disparate economic circumstances and the submission of proof on theissue, the award of an attorney's fee was a provident exercise of discretion (see Prichep v Prichep, 52 AD3d61 [2008]; McGarrity v McGarrity,49 AD3d 824, 826 [2008]; Stubbs v Stubbs, 41 AD3d 832 [2007]; Bogannam v Bogannam, 20 AD3d442 [2005]).

The plaintiff's remaining contentions are without merit. Fisher, J.P., Florio, Dickerson andBelen, JJ., concur.


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