December 5, 2003

TO: Judges of the Surrogate’s Court
Judges, Referees and Judicial Hearing Officers of the Family Court
Chief Clerks of the Surrogate’s Court
Chief Clerks of the Family Court

FROM: Michael Colodner

RE: Amendments to Sections 205.53(b)(7) of the Uniform Rules of the Family Court and 207.55(b)(7) of the Uniform Rules of the Surrogate’s Court

The attached Administrative Order of the Chief Administrative Judge revises sections 205.53(b)(7) of the Uniform Rules of the Family Court and 207.55(b)(7) of the Uniform Rules of the Surrogate’s Court in order to expedite the resolution of adoption cases. The revisions permit adoptions to proceed to finalization upon an affirmation by the adoption attorney that the attorney’s adoption affidavit has been filed with the Office of Court Administration in accordance with Appellate Division rules, obviating the need to await the attorney’s receipt of the postcard from OCA. See 22 N.Y.C.R.R. §§603.23 [First Department], 691.23 [Second Department], 806.14 [Third Department], 1022.33 [Fourth Department].

Attachment

cc: Hon. Jonathan Lippman
Hon. Ann T. Pfau
Hon. Joseph J. Traficanti, Jr.
Hon. Joan B. Carey
Administrative Judges Changes in Court Rules Regarding Attorney Adoption Affidavits
[Pursuant to Administrative Order AO/344/03, dated Oct. 8, 2003]

I. Uniform Rules of the Family Court [22 N.Y.C.R.R. §205.53(b)(7)]
(7) a copy of the attorney’s affidavit of financial disclosure filed with the Office of Court Administration pursuant to 22 NYCRR 603.23, 691.23, 806.14 or 1022.33 and either an attorney’s affirmation that the affidavit has been personally delivered or mailed in accordance with such rules or the dated receipt from the Office of Court Administration; and

II. Uniform Rules of the Surrogate’s Court [22 N.Y.C.R.R. §207.55(b)(7)]
(7) a copy of the attorney’s affidavit of financial disclosure filed with the Office of Court Administration pursuant to 22 NYCRR 603.23, 691.23, 806.14 or 1022.33 and either an attorney’s affirmation that the affidavit has been personally delivered or mailed in accordance with such rules or the dated receipt from the Office of Court Administration; and