Opinion
02-14-2024
In the Matter of Jaclyn M. NIEVES, respondent, v. Harry MEDINA, appellant.
Amy L. Colvin, Huntington, NY, for appellant. Carol J. Lewisohn, Woodmere, NY, for respondent. Leslie S. Lowenstein, Woodmere, NY, attorney for the child.
Amy L. Colvin, Huntington, NY, for appellant.
Carol J. Lewisohn, Woodmere, NY, for respondent.
Leslie S. Lowenstein, Woodmere, NY, attorney for the child.
ANGELA G. IANNACCI, J.P., JOSEPH J. MALTESE, HELEN VOUTSINAS, CARL J. LANDICINO; JJ.
DECISION & ORDER
In a proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 6, the father appeals from an order of the Family Court, Nassau County (Joy M. Watson, J.), dated May 10, 2023. The order, without a hearing, granted the mother’s petition for sole legal and residential custody of the subject child and, in effect, denied the father’s oral application for parental access.
ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
[1, 2] "The determination of appropriate parental access is entrusted to the sound discretion of the Family Court, and such determination will not be set aside unless it lacks a sound and substantial basis in the record" (Matter of Walker v. Sterkowicz-Walker, 203 A.D.3d 1167, 1168, 163 N.Y.S.3d 447; see Matter of Colon v. Roggeman, 194 A.D.3d 1042, 1042-1043, 144 N.Y.S.3d 616). Generally, parental access determinations should be made after a full evidentiary hearing to ascertain the best interests of the child (see S.L. v. J.R., 27 N.Y.3d 558, 563, 36 N.Y.S.3d 411, 56 N.E.3d 193; Matter of Alcantara v. Garcia, 180 A.D.3d 1038, 1039, 120 N.Y.S.3d 406). However, this right is not absolute and a hearing is not required where undisputed facts are before the court (see S.L. v. J.R., 27 N.Y.3d at 564, 36 N.Y.S.3d 411, 56 N.E.3d 193; Matter of Alcantara v. Garcia, 180 A.D.3d at 1039, 120 N.Y.S.3d 406).
[3] Contrary to the father’s contention, a hearing was not required under the particular circumstances of this case. It was undisputed that the terms of the father’s probation prohibited him from being in the presence of the subject child until 2028. As such, the undisputed facts before the Family Court enabled it, without a hearing, to make a provident determination that it was in the best interests of the child to award sole legal and residential custody to the mother without providing parental access to the father (see Matter of Romero-Flores v. Hernandez, 214 A.D.3d 882, 883, 185 N.Y.S.3d 288).
The father’s remaining contentions are without merit.
IANNACCI, J.P., MALTESE, VOUTSINAS and LANDICINO, JJ., concur.