MATTER OF COUTSOUKIS v. Samora

• Citation: 265 A.D.2d 482,697 N.Y.S.2d 118
• Parties: In the Matter of PHOTIUS COUTSOUKIS, Appellant,<BR>v.<BR>SUSAN SAMORA, Respondent. (Proceeding No. 1.)<BR>In the Matter of PHOTIUS COUTSOUKIS, Appellant,<BR>v.<BR>SUSAN SAMORA, Respondent. (Proceeding No. 2.)<BR>In the Matter of PHOTIUS COUTSOUKIS, Appellant,<BR>v.<BR>SUSAN SAMORA, Respondent. (Proceeding No. 3.)
• Decision Date: 18 October 1999
• Court: New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

265 A.D.2d 482

697 N.Y.S.2d 118

In the Matter of PHOTIUS COUTSOUKIS, Appellant,

v.SUSAN SAMORA, Respondent. (Proceeding No. 1.)

In the Matter of PHOTIUS COUTSOUKIS, Appellant,

v.SUSAN SAMORA, Respondent. (Proceeding No. 2.)

In the Matter of PHOTIUS COUTSOUKIS, Appellant,

v.SUSAN SAMORA, Respondent. (Proceeding No. 3.)

Decided October 18, 1999.

S. Miller, J. P., Sullivan, Altman and McGinity, JJ., concur.

Ordered that the orders are affirmed, with one bill of costs.

Contrary to the father's contention, the Family Court did not err in dismissing his petition for a change of custody without first conducting a hearing (see, Matter of Ann C. v Debra S., 221 AD2d 338; Matter of Wolfer v Dame, 207 AD2d 898, 899). A parent who seeks a change of custody is not automatically entitled to a hearing but must make some evidentiary showing sufficient to warrant a hearing (see, David W. v Julia W., 158 AD2d 1). Here, the Family Court, which had a familiarity with the history of the case, properly determined that the father failed to make a showing sufficient to warrant a hearing (see, Teuschler v Teuschler, 242 AD2d 289, 290; Matter of Miller v Lee, 225 AD2d 778, 779).

The father's remaining contentions are without merit.