Father established a pattern of the mother violating the prior custody order. Dickes v. Johnston, 182 N.Y.S.3d 470 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023)

The case of Dickes v. Johnston, decided in 2023, revolves around a custody dispute between the respondent-petitioner mother and petitioner-respondent father. The Family Court, in response to the father’s supplemental petition, modified the existing custody order to increase his parenting time with the child.

In New York, modifying a custody arrangement requires proof of a substantial change in circumstances affecting the child’s best interests. Courts prioritize stability and consider factors like parental fitness, cooperation, and adherence to existing orders. The petitioner must show the change warrants a review in the child’s best interests. The court independently assesses the record, ensuring any modification aligns with the child’s welfare and is not punitive. This standard emphasizes the need for a significant shift in circumstances to justify altering established custody arrangements.

Note that n this case, the child is represented by an AFC- Attorney for a the Child. An Attorney for the Child (AFC) is an attorney appointed by the court to represent the child’s legal interests in custody and visitation cases. The AFC serves as the child’s advocate, offering an independent voice to express the child’s wishes and preferences. This role is crucial in situations where the child’s interests might conflict with those of the parents or when there are complex issues involved. The AFC investigates the case, interviews the child, and presents the child’s viewpoint in court, helping ensure that the child’s well-being is a central consideration in legal proceedings.

Background
The case originated in July 1990 with a separation agreement between the parents, granting joint custody, with the father as the primary custodian. In September 1991, the mother initiated legal proceedings, deviating from the agreement and seeking sole custody. After a five-day hearing, the court awarded sole custody to the father, deeming it in the child’s best interests. The mother and the AFC now contest a subsequent modification in the father’s favor.

Issue
The central issue in this case is whether the father adequately proved a change in circumstances justifying an inquiry into modifying the existing custody order. The mother and the AFC argue that the court did not expressly find such a change.

Holding
The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the Family Court’s order, stating that, while the court did not explicitly determine a change in circumstances, an independent review of the record revealed extensive findings supporting such a change. The court held that the father established a pattern of the mother violating the prior custody order, justifying the modification in the child’s best interests.

Discussion
The mother’s contention that the father failed to prove a change in circumstances was deemed waived, as she herself alleged such a change in her petition. Despite the lack of an express determination by the Family Court, the Appellate Division independently reviewed the record, concluding that the father convincingly showed the mother’s pattern of violating the custody order. The court emphasized its trust in the trial court’s assessment of witness credibility.

The Appellate Division also rejected the argument that the modification was punitive, emphasizing that the adjustment aimed at the child’s best interests rather than punishing the mother or rewarding the father. The court found a sound and substantial basis in the record to support the increased parenting time for the father.

The Appellate Division affirmed the Family Court’s decision, highlighting the demonstrated change in circumstances and the subsequent modification as an effort to prioritize the child’s best interests. The case underscores the courts’ commitment to balancing parental rights with the paramount consideration of the child’s well-being in custody matters.