McLean v Simpson

• Citation: 82 A.D.3d 1101,918 N.Y.S.2d 896
• Parties: In the Matter of Jermaine A. McLEAN, appellant, v. Sharalee Kaye SIMPSON, respondent.
• Decision Date: 22 March 2011
• Court: New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

918 N.Y.S.2d 896 82 A.D.3d 1101 In the Matter of Jermaine A. McLEAN, appellant, v. Sharalee Kaye SIMPSON, respondent. Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York. March 22, 2011.

Cheryl Charles Duval, Brooklyn, N.Y., for appellant.

Kenneth M. Tuccillo, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., for respondent.

Lewis S. Calderon, Jamaica, N.Y., attorney for the child.

In a visitation proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 6, the father appeals from an order of the Family Court, Queens County (Fitzmaurice, J.), dated January 8, 2010, which, without a hearing, denied the petition.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

"[T]he determination of visitation is within the sound discretion of the hearing court based upon the best interests of the child, and its determination will not be set aside unless it lacks a substantial basis in the record" ( Matter of Kachelhofer v. Wasiak, 10 A.D.3d 366, 366, 780 N.Y.S.2d 290 [citation omitted]; see Matter of Morales v. Bruno, 29 A.D.3d 1001, 816 N.Y.S.2d 536; Matter of Marcial v. Sullivan, 296 A.D.2d 551, 745 N.Y.S.2d 911; see also Friederwitzer v. Friederwitzer, 55 N.Y.2d 89, 447 N.Y.S.2d 893, 432 N.E.2d 765; Koppenhoefer v. Koppenhoefer, 159 A.D.2d 113, 116, 558 N.Y.S.2d 596).

"Absent exceptional circumstances, some form of visitation with the noncustodial parent is always appropriate" ( Matter of Franklin v. Richey, 57 A.D.3d 663, 664, 869 N.Y.S.2d 187 [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Matter of Grisanti v. Grisanti, 4 A.D.3d 471, 473, 772 N.Y.S.2d 700; Matter of Bradley v. Wright, 260 A.D.2d 477, 686 N.Y.S.2d 327). "While it is true that a parent's incarceration does not, by itself, render visitation inappropriate, visitation will be denied where there is substantial evidence that such visitation would be detrimental to the child" ( Matter of Morales v. Bruno, 29 A.D.3d at 1001, 816 N.Y.S.2d 536 [citations omitted]; see Matter of Marcial v. Sullivan, 296 A.D.2d 551, 745 N.Y.S.2d 911).

"Generally, visitation should be determined after a full evidentiary hearing to determine the best interests of the child. A hearing is not necessary, however, where the court possesses adequate relevant information to make an informed determination of the child's best interest" ( Matter of Franklin v. Richey, 57 A.D.3d at 665, 869 N.Y.S.2d 187 [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Rosenberg v. Rosenberg, 60 A.D.3d 658, 874 N.Y.S.2d 237; Matter of Potente v. Wasilewski, 51 A.D.3d 675, 676, 857 N.Y.S.2d 658; Marcial v. Sullivan, 296 A.D.2d 551, 745 N.Y.S.2d 911).

Here, there is a substantial basis in the record to support a finding that visitation with the father would not be in the child's best interests at this time ( see Matter of Franklin v. Richey, 57 A.D.3d at 665, 869 N.Y.S.2d 187; Potente v. Wasilewski, 51 A.D.3d at 676, 857 N.Y.S.2d 658; Matter of Perez...