Opinion
2019–02068 Docket Nos. V–13845–18, V–23926–18
01-08-2020
In the Matter of Jason LAWRENCE, Respondent, v. Brittany J. MATTRY, Appellant. (Proceeding No. 1) In the Matter of Brittany J. Mattry, Appellant, v. Jason Lawrence, Respondent. (Proceeding No. 2)
Lewis S. Calderon, Jamaica, NY, for appellant. Helene Chowes, New York, NY, for respondent. Karen P. Simmons, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Laura Solecki and Janet Neustaetter of counsel), attorney for the child.
Lewis S. Calderon, Jamaica, NY, for appellant.
Helene Chowes, New York, NY, for respondent.
Karen P. Simmons, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Laura Solecki and Janet Neustaetter of counsel), attorney for the child.
CHERYL E. CHAMBERS, J.P., SHERI S. ROMAN, JEFFREY A. COHEN, LINDA CHRISTOPHER, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
The parties, who were never married, are the parents of a child born in 2006. In May 2018, the mother moved from New York to Georgia with the child without the father's consent. The father filed a petition for sole custody of the child, and the mother filed a petition for sole custody of the child and for permission to relocate with the child to Georgia. By decision and order on motion dated August 22, 2018, this Court directed that the mother return the child to New York to reside with the father pending determination of the proceedings. Following a hearing, in an order dated February 28, 2019, the Family Court awarded the parties joint legal custody of the child with physical custody to the father. The mother appeals.
" ‘A court deciding an initial petition for child custody must determine what is in the child's best interests’ " ( Matter of Alvarado v. Cordova , 158 A.D.3d 794, 794, 71 N.Y.S.3d 566, quoting Matter of Supangkat v. Torres , 101 A.D.3d 889, 889–890, 954 N.Y.S.2d 915 ). " ‘Factors to be considered in determining the child's best interests include the quality of the home environment and the parental guidance the custodial parent provides for the child, the ability of each parent to provide for the child's emotional and intellectual development, the financial status and ability of each parent to provide for the child, the relative fitness of the respective parents, and the effect an award of custody to one parent might have on the child's relationship with the other parent’ " ( Matter of Mejia v. Llarena , 172 A.D.3d 720, 721, 99 N.Y.S.3d 446, quoting Matter of Elliott v. Felder , 69 A.D.3d 623, 623, 892 N.Y.S.2d 491 ; see Eschbach v. Eschbach , 56 N.Y.2d 167, 171–172, 451 N.Y.S.2d 658, 436 N.E.2d 1260 ; Matter of Supangkat v. Torres , 101 A.D.3d at 890, 954 N.Y.S.2d 915 ).
Where, as here, a party seeks permission to relocate in the context of a petition seeking an initial custody determination, the strict application of the factors relevant to a relocation petition is not required (see Matter of Williams v. Bryson , 167 A.D.3d 1021, 91 N.Y.S.3d 169 ; Matter of Alvarado v. Cordova , 158 A.D.3d 794, 71 N.Y.S.3d 566 ). Rather, the relocation is but one factor among many for the Family Court to consider in determining what is in the best interests of the child (see Matter of Alvarado v. Cordova , 158 A.D.3d at 794–795, 71 N.Y.S.3d 566 ). "The weighing of these ... factors requires an evaluation of the testimony, character, and sincerity of all the parties involved. Generally, such an evaluation can best be made by the Family Court, which had direct access to the parties and witnesses, and, therefore, deference is accorded to the Family Court's findings in this regard" ( Matter of Feery v. Feury , 168 A.D.3d 729, 730, 92 N.Y.S.3d 146 ; see Prohaszka v. Prohaszka , 103 A.D.3d 617, 958 N.Y.S.2d 508 ).
Here, the Family Court's determination to award the parties joint legal custody of the child with physical custody to the father has a sound and substantial basis in the record (see Matter of Sahadath v. Andaverde , 145 A.D.3d 731, 732–733, 43 N.Y.S.3d 421 ; Prohaszka v. Prohaszka , 103 A.D.3d 617, 958 N.Y.S.2d 508 ; Matter of Galanos v. Galanos , 28 A.D.3d 554, 816 N.Y.S.2d 90 ). Contrary to the mother's contention, a review of the court's decision indicates that it gave careful consideration to all relevant factors (see Matter of Galanos v. Galanos , 28 A.D.3d 554, 816 N.Y.S.2d 90 ).
The mother's remaining contentions are without merit.
CHAMBERS, J.P., ROMAN, COHEN and CHRISTOPHER, JJ., concur.