X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Sarah S. Holt, Conflict Defender, Rochester (Fabienne N. Santacroce of Counsel), for Respondent-Appellant. Julie Cianca, Public Defender, Rochester (Timothy S. Davis of Counsel), for Petitioner-Respondent. Maureen N. Polen, Rochester, Attorney for the Child. Appeal from an order of the Family Court, Monroe County (Julie A. Gordon, R.), entered February 18, 2022, in a proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 6. The order, inter alia, awarded petitioner sole legal custody and primary physical custody of the subject child. It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs. Memorandum: In this proceeding pursuant to article 6 of the Family Court Act, respondent mother appeals from an order that, inter alia, granted petitioner father sole legal custody and primary physical custody of the subject child. We reject the mother’s contention that summary reversal is required where 47 minutes of testimony could not be transcribed due to an audio recording malfunction. Preliminarily, by failing to object to the method used for reconstructing that testimony and failing to allege that the testimony was not properly reconstructed, the mother failed to preserve for our review “any claim of appellate prejudice” as a result thereof (Matter of China Fatimah S., 272 AD2d 138, 138 [1st Dept 2000], lv denied 95 NY2d 769 [2000]) and, in any event, summary reversal is not required where, as here, “[t]he record, including the minutes of [the] reconstruction hearing . . . , is adequate for meaningful appellate review” (Matter of Regina A., 43 AD3d 725, 726 [1st Dept 2007]; see e.g. Wagner v. Wagner, 217 AD3d 1509, 1510 [4th Dept 2023]). Contrary to the mother’s further contention, while Family Court did not make an express finding of a change in circumstances, upon our own independent review of the matter (see Matter of Guillermo v. Agramonte, 137 AD3d 1767, 1768 [4th Dept 2016]), we conclude that the father established the requisite change in circumstances. We also conclude that, contrary to the mother’s contention, the court did not err in awarding custody of the subject child to the father. It is well settled that ” ‘a court’s determination regarding custody . . . , based upon a first-hand assessment of the credibility of the witnesses after an evidentiary hearing, is entitled to great weight and will not be set aside unless it lacks an evidentiary basis in the record’ ” (Matter of DeVore v. O’Harra-Gardner, 177 AD3d 1264, 1266 [4th Dept 2019]). Here, we perceive no basis to disturb the court’s credibility assessment and factual findings, and we conclude that its custody determination is supported by a sound and substantial basis in the record (see id.).

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
May 23, 2024
London

Celebrate outstanding achievement in law firms, chambers, in-house legal departments and alternative business structures.


Learn More
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More

Associate attorney position at NJ Immigration Law firm: Leschak & Associates, LLC, based in Freehold, NJ, is looking for a full time ass...


Apply Now ›

Company Description CourtLaw Injury Lawyers is an established Personal Injury Law Firm with its primary office located in Perth Amboy, New J...


Apply Now ›

Black Owl Recruiting is looking for a number of qualified applicants to fill positions for a highly reputable client. Recent experience work...


Apply Now ›
04/29/2024
The National Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›