The Equitable Distribution Law is founded on the principle that “separate property”—property “acquired before marriage” or “by bequest, devise, or descent, or gift from a party other than the spouse”—”shall remain such.” DRL §236(B)(1)(d) and (5)(b).
Since the dawn of the EDL, courts have interpreted this principle to warrant, upon divorce, reimbursement to a party who contributes separate property to acquire a residence irrespective of the form in which title is taken. Duffy v. Duffy, 94 A.D.2d 711 (2d Dept. 1983); Parsons v. Parsons, 101 A.D.2d 1017 (4th Dept. 1984); Nalbandian v. Nalbandian, 135 A.D.2d 621 (2d Dept. 1987); Lisetza v. Lisetza, 135 A.D.2d 20 (3d Dept. 1988); Lolli-Ghetti v. Lolli-Ghetti, 165 A.D.2d 426 (1st Dept. 1991); Pauk v. Pauk, 232 A.D.2d 386 (2d Dept. 1996); Judson v. Judson, 255 A.D.2d 656 (3d Dept. 1998); Murphy v. Murphy, 4 A.D.3d 460 (2d Dept. 2004); Juhasz v. Juhasz, 59 A.D.3d 1023 (4th Dept. 2009); Wyser-Pratte v. Wyser-Pratt, 68 A.D.3d 624 (1st Dept. 2009); Fields v. Fields, 15 N.Y.3d 158, 165-66 (2010).
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