2006 New York Code - Costs, Fees And Expenses.

 
    §  77-k.  Costs,  fees  and  expenses.  1.  The  court shall award the
  prevailing party, including a state, necessary and  reasonable  expenses
  incurred  by  or  on behalf of the party, including costs, communication
  expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses  for  witnesses,
  travel  expenses,  and  child care during the course of the proceedings,
  unless the party from whom fees or expenses are sought establishes  that
  the  award  would  be inappropriate. No fees, costs or expenses shall be
  assessed against a party who is fleeing an incident of domestic violence
  or mistreatment or abuse of a child or  sibling,  unless  the  court  is
  convinced  by  a preponderance of evidence that such assessment would be
  clearly appropriate.
    2. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against  a  state
  unless authorized by law other than this article.