N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 77-k

§ 77-k. Costs, fees and expenses. 1. The court shall award the\nprevailing party, including a state, necessary and reasonable expenses\nincurred by or on behalf of the party, including costs, communication\nexpenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses,\ntravel expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings,\nunless the party from whom fees or expenses are sought establishes that\nthe award would be inappropriate. No fees, costs or expenses shall be\nassessed against a party who is fleeing an incident of domestic violence\nor mistreatment or abuse of a child or sibling, unless the court is\nconvinced by a preponderance of evidence that such assessment would be\nclearly appropriate.\n 2. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against a state\nunless authorized by law other than this article.\n