The court did not abuse its discretion pursuant to CPLR 603 in severing the financial issues from the issues of marital status and custody in this case where the parties are possessed of many assets, and equitable distribution proceedings are likely to be of extended duration. Protracted proceedings can only redound to the detriment of the children, who would benefit from an expeditious determination of custody.
Concur — Milonas, J.P., Ellerin, Kassal and Rubin, JJ.