Opinion
09-30-2016
Tamra J. WERNER, Formerly known as Tamra J. Kenney, Plaintiff–Appellant, v. Kraig H. KENNEY, Defendant–Respondent.
Inclima Law Firm, PLLC, Rochester (Charles P. Inclima of Counsel), for Plaintiff–Appellant. Joan de R. O'Byrne, Rochester, for Defendant–Respondent. Paul B. Watkins, Attorney for the Child, Fairport.
Inclima Law Firm, PLLC, Rochester (Charles P. Inclima of Counsel), for Plaintiff–Appellant.
Joan de R. O'Byrne, Rochester, for Defendant–Respondent.
Paul B. Watkins, Attorney for the Child, Fairport.
PRESENT: SMITH, J.P., PERADOTTO, DeJOSEPH, TROUTMAN, AND SCUDDER, JJ.
MEMORANDUM: In this post-divorce modification and enforcement action, plaintiff mother appeals from an order that modified the judgment of divorce, which incorporated the custody provisions of the parties' Separation and Property Settlement and “Opting Out” Agreement, by awarding sole custody of the parties' child to defendant father, with visitation to the mother. We affirm. Contrary to the mother's contention, we conclude that the father met his burden of establishing a change in circumstances “ ‘since the time of the stipulation’ ” sufficient to warrant an inquiry into whether a change in custody is in the child's best interests (Matter of Maracle v. Deschamps, 124 A.D.3d 1392, 1392, 1 N.Y.S.3d 694 ; see Matter of Tuttle v. Tuttle, 137 A.D.3d 1725, 1725, 28 N.Y.S.3d 755 ). Here, the record supports Supreme Court's determination that the continued deterioration of the parties' relationship and their inability to coparent constitutes the requisite change in circumstances (see Matter of York v. Zullich, 89 A.D.3d 1447, 1448, 932 N.Y.S.2d 637 ; Matter of Ingersoll v. Platt, 72 A.D.3d 1560, 1561, 899 N.Y.S.2d 517 ).
Contrary to the mother's further contention, we conclude that the court's decision properly set forth the grounds for its determination and that the determination is supported by a sound and substantial basis in the record (see Matter of Saletta v. Vecere, 137 A.D.3d 1685, 1686, 28 N.Y.S.3d 522 ). “It is well settled ... that [a] concerted effort by one parent to interfere with the other parent's contact with the child is so inimical to the best interests of the child ... as to, per se, raise a strong probability that [the interfering parent] is unfit to act as custodial parent” (Matter of Marino v. Marino, 90 A.D.3d 1694, 1695, 935 N.Y.S.2d 818 [internal quotation marks omitted] ). Here, the record supports the court's conclusions that the mother interfered with the father's relationship with the child and that her unfounded allegations of domestic violence against the father, some of which were made in the presence of the child, render her unfit to be a custodial parent (see Matter of Perez v. Sepulveda, 21 A.D.3d 558, 559, 799 N.Y.S.2d 903 ). “Although the court must consider the effects of domestic violence in determining the best interests of the child[ ],” the mother failed to prove her allegations by a preponderance of the evidence (Matter of Miller v. Jantzi, 118 A.D.3d 1363, 1363–1364, 987 N.Y.S.2d 745 ). We therefore see no reason to disturb the court's custody determination (see Matter of Lewis R.E. v. Deloris A.E., 37 A.D.3d 1092, 1093, 828 N.Y.S.2d 925 ).
We agree with the mother that the court's delay in making a determination was unreasonable, but reversal or remittal in this case is not required inasmuch as the court's decision is supported by the record (see Hanway v. Hanway, 208 A.D.2d 499, 500, 617 N.Y.S.2d 54 ).
We have considered the mother's remaining contentions and conclude that they are without merit.
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.