New York Family Law Blog

Published on: January 20, 2020

In the Absence of Allegations of Misrepresentation or Fraud the Court Will Not Vacate An Acknowledgement of Paternity – M.H. v. S.S., 2017 NY Slip Op 50373(U) (N.Y. Fam. Ct. 2017)

by Stephen Bilkis

While a DNA test will show almost definitively (90-99% accuracy) whether a man is the father of a child, in New York there are other ways to establish paternity. One way is by signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP). Both parents must sign the document, it must be witnessed, and it must be filed with the Office of Vital Records/Corrections Unit. Typically, parents file the document soon after the child is born, but it can be completed any time after the birth up until the child is 21 years old. Once an Acknowledgement of Paternity is filed, the father is considered the legal father of the child and has both the legal rights and obligations of a father. This means that the father is responsible for financially supporting the child and can be required to pay child support. It also means that the father is entitled to have access to the child and can petition for custody or visitation.

In M.H. v. S.S., the mother and father of the child were living together at the child the time was born. They signed an Acknowledgement of Paternity the day after the child was born. Eight months later, the relationship ended, and the mother moved. She then filed a petition for custody. She was eventually awarded sole legal and physical custody. The father was granted visitation. Two years later, the father filed a petition to enforce visitation. In the petition he acknowledged that he was the father of the child. The mother then filed a petition against the father for child support. Interestingly, the very next month, expressing doubts as to whether he was the child’s father, the presumed father filed a petition to vacate the Acknowledgement of Paternity.

Once an Acknowledgement of Paternity has been filed, it is difficult to overturn. The petitioner seeking to vacate an Acknowledgement of Paternity must allege that he signed it based on fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct.

Published on: January 13, 2020

In Two Paternity Cases The Court Applied The Doctrine of Equitable Estoppel – Seth P. v. Margaret D., 2011 N.Y. Slip Op. 9648 (N.Y. App. Div. 2011)

by Stephen Bilkis

In paternity cases in New York, there is a doctrine referred to as “equitable estoppel.” Typically, the doctrine is applied in instances where a man has held himself out to be a child’s father and later seeks to deny paternity or to disprove paternity through DNA testing. In such cases, it has been established that it is not in the best interests of the child to disturb the father-child relationship that the putative father has established or to disturb the financial support that the putative father has provided. Thus, the father is stopped from denying paternity.

In the case of Seth P. v. Margaret D., it is the father who petitioned the court to stop the mother from denying that he is the father of her twins. The mother of the children was married to another man at the time that she had a sexual relationship with the petitioner. For the first 8-9 years of the children’s lives, the mother allowed the petitioner visitation. She treated him as if he was the father of the children and allowed him to develop a relationship with the children. In 2008 the mother changed her behavior and stopped allowing the petitioner access to the children. In other words, she stopped treated him as if he was the father of the children. It is unclear as to why the mother’s behavior changed. As a result of the mother denying the petitioner access to the children, the putative father petitioned the court to establish paternity. Using the doctrine of equitable estoppel, the court adjudicated that the petitioner was the children’s legal father.

This case is notable because the court adjudicated the petitioner to be the father of the children even though the mother was married to another man at the time the children were born. Typically, if a mother is married when her child is born, her husband is deemed the father of the child, regardless of whether he was the biological father of the child. However, because for several years the mother effectively acknowledged that the petitioner was the father of the children by allowing him to establish a parent-child relationship with each of the children, the presumption was essentially rebutted by the actions of the mother and the petitioner.

Published on: January 13, 2020

Court Orders Supervised Visitation Where Unsupervised Visitation Would Be Detrimental To The Child- Spencer v. Killoran, 2017 NY Slip Op 991 (N.Y. App. Div. 2017)

by Stephen Bilkis

In this case the Family Court was asked to determine whether to modify a visitation order to give the mother unsupervised visitation with her children.

In New York, visitation with a child is typically unsupervised. This means that the non-custodial parent is generally permitted time alone with the child and is free to do whatever he or she chooses to do with the child as long as it is not in violation of the custody order. If, however, the court determines that it is not safe for the child to spend time alone with the parent, then the court will order supervised visitation. Family Court will order supervised visitation when it determines that the child may be in danger if alone with the parent. For example, if the parent is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, the court would likely require supervised visitation. If the parent has physically abused the child, the court may not want the parent to be alone with the child. Also, supervised visitation may be required if there is a concern that the parent may abduct the child.

In Spencer v. Killoran the mother did not have custody of her children. When the children were 6 years old, the court awarded custody to the cousins of the mother because of the mother’s abuse of alcohol. Three years later, the mother requested access to her children in the form of visitation. Not entirely convinced that the mother had stopped abusing alcohol, the court entered an order allowing the mother unsupervised scheduled visitation with her children with the stipulation that she was monitored daily for alcohol use for a period of 6 months. On two dates during the 6-month period, the mother tested positive for alcohol use. The cousins petitioned the court to modify the visitation schedule to require the mother to have only supervised visits. The court so ordered. However, the court did not set a supervised visitation schedule, and instead directed that the visitation would be as the mother and cousins agreed. The mother appeals, arguing that the court erred in modifying the previous visitation order.

Published on: January 6, 2020

Grandparent Visitation Terminated Due To Change In Circumstances – Matter of Wilson v. McGlinchey, 2 N.Y.3d 375 (N.Y. 2004)

by Stephen Bilkis

Grandparents often feel that they have an absolute right to see their grandchildren, even if the parents of the children do not want the grandparents involved. While children often benefit from having relationships with their grandparents and other extended family members, grandparents do not automatically have a legal right to do. Only parents have a legal right to custody of their children. A parent’s access to their children will only be limited or denied if it is shown to be in the best interests of the children. Grandparents do not have a similar right.

In Matter of Wilson v. McGlinchey, the New York Court of Appeals considered whether the visitation rights of grandparents should have been terminated. The mother of the child had been estranged from her parents, the grandparents of the child, well before the child was born. When the child was 4 months old, the grandparents petitioned Family Court for visitation. The child’s parents were vehemently against it. However, the parties eventually reached a visitation agreement such that the grandparents were permitted 8 hours per month with the child. The agreement was incorporated into a Family Court order.

Several months after the order was established, the parents filed a petition with Family Court to terminate visitation between their daughter and the grandparents. The parents alleged that circumstances had changed such that visitation with the grandparents was no longer in the best interests of the child. The parents noted that the visitations did not go well, that she had difficulties getting the grandparents to leave after visitation, and that the visitations upset the child. The Family Court denied the parents’ petition to discontinue the grandparent visitation, and the parents appealed.

Published on: December 8, 2019

Court Decides Whether to Grant Father Unsupervised Parental Access- Gonzalez v. Santiago, 167 A.D.3d 885 (N.Y. App. Div. 2018)

by Stephen Bilkis

In this case the Family Court was asked to determine whether to grant a father unsupervised visitation with his child because he lost his job and could not to afford the fees associated with supervised visitation.

The parents of the child were never married. Their relationship ended when the child was 6 months old, and the mother accused the father of domestic violence and received an order of protection. Both parents petitioned for custody. The Family Court awarded the mother custody and the father 4 hours of weekly unsupervised visitation. A few months later the mother petitioned the court for a modification to the custody order, alleging that the father had harmed the child. The court changed the father’s access to 4 hours per week of professionally supervised visitation. The order required that the father pay the expense associated with the supervised visitation.

A few months later the father petitioned the court for another modification of the custody order, asking that his access be changed back to unsupervised as he had lost his job and was not able to afford to pay the fees associated with the supervised visitation. In denying the father’s petition the Family Court noted that according to the father’s own testimony, even before he lost his job he had difficulty paying the supervised visitation expenses. Thus, when he lost his job, there was not a true change in circumstances as required for the court to consider modifying a custody arrangement. The father appealed.

Published on: December 8, 2019

Visitation Interference May Result in Suspension of Child Support Obligation – Vasquez v. Powell, 111 A.D.3d 754 (N.Y. App. Div. 2013)

by Stephen Bilkis

In this case the Family Court considered whether interference with visitation was a reason to stop paying child support and whether it would cancel child support arrears. The father was awarded custody of the child and the mother visitation. The mother was also required to pay child support to the father. She complained that the father was not complying with the visitation schedule. She argued that she should not have to pay child support if she was not getting access to the child as outlined in the custody order.

The court takes interference with visitation very seriously. When the court issues a custody order, both parents must follow it. This means that the custodial parent must deliver the child to the non-custodial parent at the time and place agreed upon. Willful failure to do so is illegal. If this happens occasionally, the court will likely only chastise the parent and warn him or her to comply with the order. If it happens repeatedly, the court will view it as willful and take steps to ensure that the order is followed. One remedy may be suspending the obligation of the non-custodial parent to pay child support.

In Vasquez, the mother filed a petition to hold the father in civil contempt for violating an order of visitation. As part of the relief sought, the mother requested that her obligation to pay child support be suspended. She also requested that the court cancel her child support arrears. While the court noted that it has the discretion to suspend child support payments for violations of an order of visitation, it also made it clear that the court would not have the authority to cancel arrearages. It further noted that in this case there was no evidence that the father actively interfered with the mother’s visitation. The evidence showed that at times the child did not want to take advantage of the scheduled visitation, and the father did not force the child.

Published on: November 8, 2019

Grandmother Requests Visitation Rights – E.S. v. P.D., 863 N.E.2d 100 (N.Y. 2007)

by Stephen Bilkis

In this appeals court case, the court considered whether the Supreme Court properly awarded a grandmother visitation rights with her grandson pursuant to New York Domestic Relations Law § 72(1).

Under New York’s Domestic Relations Law, when a grandparent seeks visitation, the court must first determine whether the grandparent has standing to seek visitation. In order for the grandparent to have standing, either or both of the child’s parents must be deceased, or the circumstances must warrant equitable intervention of the court. If standing is established, then it is up to the grandparent to establish why visitation is in the best interests of the child.

The court will look at a number of factors in determining whether grandparent visitation is appropriate. For example, the court will consider the relationship between the grandparent and the child and will weigh heavily a close relationship.

Published on: November 8, 2019

Court Denies Petition to Set Aside an Acknowledgment of Paternity – Merritt v. Allen, 99 A.D.3d 1006 (N.Y. App. Div. 2012)

by Stephen Bilkis

In this case the court was asked to set aside an acknowledgement of paternity, direct a paternity test, and discontinue child support payments. The mother responded by filing a motion to dismiss the petition. Not surprisingly, the court denied the petitioner’s request and granted the mother’s motion to dismiss.

Typically establishing paternity is only an issue if the child is born to unmarried parents. If the parents are married when the child is born, the husband of the mother is deemed the legal father of the child. This is the case even if there is reason to suspect that another man is the biological father. If the parents are not married, there are a few ways to establish paternity. One way is to get a DNA test which will indicate whether or not a man is the biological father of the child. Another way is for both parents to sign a document called an “Acknowledgement of Paternity.” The form requires that the parents agree on the paternity of the child. There is not requirement that the parents take a DNA test to confirm paternity. Thus, if there is a question about paternity, it is a good idea to get a DNA test and to not simply sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity.

Once an Acknowledgement of Paternity is signed and filed, it is legally binding. The father will have both the legal rights and obligations of a father, including the obligation of paying child support until the child is emancipated. The father will also have the right to seek custody or visitation. This is the case regardless of whether or not the man who signs the form is actually the biological father. Once paternity is established through the Acknowledge of Paternity form and child support established, it is very difficult to reverse. New York has an interest in ensuring that children are cared for. It is in the best interest of a child to have two parents financially responsible for raising the child and to have two parents emotionally care for the child. Thus, once a man comes forward and acknowledges that he is a child’s father and starts to pay child support, the court is reluctant to reverse it.

Published on: October 8, 2019

Court Will Suspend Visitation Where It Has Been Detrimental to the Child’s Mental State – Lupo v. Rainsford, 162 A.D.3d 1032 (N.Y. App. Div. 2018)

by Stephen Bilkis

In this case a father appealed a decision of the Family Court to suspend his visitation. The original custody order followed the parents’ divorce. The father was granted visitation. The order was later modified requiring that the father’s parental access had to occur in a public place. The mother again petitioned the court to modify the custody order, further restricting the father’s access to the child. The Family Court granted the mother’s petition and suspended the father’s access altogether. The father appealed.

When the Family Court issues a final custody order, it will only change it if the circumstances have significantly changed, as a custody order is issued only after the court has carefully considered substantial testimony and evidence. Often there is testimony from medical professionals. When appropriate the child will testify and give his or her preference. The goal of Family Court is always to facilitate healthy relationships between the child and both parents, and works with both parents to make sure that they each get to spend a significant amount f time with the child. However, each case is different. Ultimately, the child court will take all of the information presented and make a custody decision based on what is in the best interests of the child. In some cases that may mean that it is necessary to modify the order so that the visitation is restricted.

Circumstances that would warrant a change to a custody order include a change in the lifestyle of the household, such as a new job that requires the parent to be absent often. Substance abuse or violence in the household would require a modification as it is not in the best interests of the child to be in a dangerous environment. If a parent experiences physical or mental health problems such that he or she would have difficulties caring for the child or such that the child would be in danger, the court would consider modifying the custody order. Of course, the court will consider the preference of the child, particularly when the child gets older.

Published on: October 8, 2019

Right of Biological Mother to Seek Custody of Children She Surrendered – Beverly L. v. James H. (In re Custody/Visitation Proceeding), 2016 NY Slip Op 26243 (N.Y. Fam. Ct. 2016)

by Stephen Bilkis

The issue before the court is whether a parent who adopted out her children had the right to seek custody of them upon learning that the children were being sexually abused by the adoptive father.

The petitioner voluntarily surrendered her parental rights to her three children, 2 daughters and a son. As part of the post-surrender agreement, the mother retained the right to visit with the children, and she did so regularly. The three children were subsequently adopted. A few years after the adoption, Biological Mother found out that the children were not living in a safe environment. One of her daughters was being sexually abused by Adoptive Father. The other daughter was being sexually abused by an unrelated person. The son was being bullied in the adoptive home. In response, Biological Mother sought custody of the children. Adoptive Father admitted that he sexually abused one of the daughters and was in jail. Adoptive Mother filed a motion opposing Biological Mother’s petition, arguing that she had no standing to file for custody. Adoptive Mother also stated that she wanted to keep the children and that she was divorcing the adoptive father. In addition, the attorney representing the children opposed Biological Mother’s petition for custody.

The question before the court is whether a biological mother who previously surrendered her children has standing to bring an Article 6 custody petition against the children’s adoptive parents in a case where the adoptive father has admitted to sexually abusing one of the children.