Family Law

Kessler v. Switzer, Ky COA, No Hearing Required For Extension of DVO

By Diana L. Skaggs

Kessler v. Switzer, _ S.W.3d _ (Ky. App. 2009); 2008-CA-002083-ME Switzer filed a motion to extend a domestic violence order (DVO) and attached an affidavit stating that she had filed charges against Kessler for violation of the DVO and that she was still in fear of Kessler. When the matter came before the court, Switzer?s counsel informed the court that the charges had been dismissed. Kessler objected to the court ordering the extension without holding a hearing in which Switzer could testify and be cross-examined. He also objected to the extension on the grounds that there was no legal standard for granting such extensions. The trial court granted the extension and this appeal followed. The COA affirmed. The statute does not require that a hearing be held or that evidence of additional acts of domestic violence be presented in order for the court to grant an extension of a DVO. The trial court properly considered the facts and circumstances of the case. COA also found that Kessler waived his constitutional claims since he failed to follow the proper procedure pursuant to KRS 418.075. Judge Caperton?s dissent: The trial court should not have accepted the allegations made in Switzer?s affidavit without the test of cross-examination. Digested by Sarah Jost Nielsen, Diana L. Skaggs + Associates

Full post as published by Divorce Law Journal on June 10, 2009 (boomark / email).