Opinion
March 24, 1998
Appeal from the Family Court, New York County (Richard Ross, J.).
We reject respondent-appellant's contention that the Family Court erroneously declined to vacate the order of filiation, which has already been affirmed on appeal, based on his new arguments that he was deprived of due process or of effective assistance of counsel at the filiation hearing, a proceeding at which he had no constitutional right to counsel ( see, Department of Social Servs. v. Trustum C.D., 97 A.D.2d 831, n, lv denied 61 N.Y.2d 605).
However, we find that a hearing is warranted on his contention, joined in by petitioner-respondent, that the best interests of the child would be served by vacatur of the order of filiation in exchange for respondent-appellant's entry into the proposed support compromise agreement.
Contrary to the Family Court, we find that a support compromise agreement that waives future support in exchange for a lump sum payment may, under certain circumstances, be held enforceable if the court finds, after notice and opportunity to be heard have been given to public welfare officials and using the child's best interests as the guiding principle, that "adequate provision has been made" (Family Ct. Act § 516 [a]).
For these reasons, we remand for a hearing at which Family Court will determine whether the proposed settlement is in the best interests of the child and at which the Commissioner may be heard on the adequacy of the proposed agreement. The child's interests should be safeguarded at that hearing by the appointment of a law guardian.
Concur — Rosenberger, J. P., Ellerin, Wallach and Rubin, JJ.