Opinion
March 4, 1993
Appeal from the Supreme Court, New York County (Diane A. Lebedeff, J.).
Permanent custody having been initially awarded to defendant mother ( 172 A.D.2d 398), a change should not be made except upon a showing that she is "unfit or perhaps less fit" to continue as custodian, making a change necessary in order to insure the welfare of the children (Obey v. Degling, 37 N.Y.2d 768, 770; David W. v. Julia W., 158 A.D.2d 1; see also, Friederwitzer v Friederwitzer, 55 N.Y.2d 89, 94; Matter of Rodolfo "CC" v. Susan "CC", 37 A.D.2d 657). The trial court's determination as to custody, where, as here, the appropriate legal standards were employed, is entitled to due deference (David W. v. Julia W., supra, at 6).
Many of the issues plaintiff father raises were fully considered by the court in the original custody award, and neither the mother's previous frustration of the father's visitation, which was sanctioned by holding her in contempt, nor her cohabitation with her purported fiance, ipso facto, require a change in custody. In addition, it must be shown that the children were adversely affected (see, Gagliardo v. Gagliardo, 151 A.D.2d 720, 721; Matter of Feldman v. Feldman, 45 A.D.2d 320). The Law Guardian that was appointed at the father's request determined that the children are happy and well adjusted in their mother's home in Florida, and that there was no evidence that they suffered any emotional or physical harm. The same factors that were found to support the original award remain compelling, and the circumstances now raised by the father do not indicate a need for change.
Concur — Sullivan, J.P., Wallach, Kupferman, Kassal and Rubin, JJ.