Opinion
2012-03-16
In the Matter of Daniel B. HARDER, Jr., Petitioner–Appellant, v. Nicole B. PHETTEPLACE, Respondent–Respondent.
D.J. & J.A. Cirando, Esqs., Syracuse (John A. Cirando of Counsel), for Petitioner–Appellant. Keliann M. Elniski, Ellicottville, for Respondent–Respondent.
D.J. & J.A. Cirando, Esqs., Syracuse (John A. Cirando of Counsel), for Petitioner–Appellant. Keliann M. Elniski, Ellicottville, for Respondent–Respondent. Emily A. Vella, Attorney for the Child, Springville, for Olivia H.
PRESENT: SMITH, J.P., FAHEY, LINDLEY, AND MARTOCHE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
Petitioner father appeals from an order denying his amended petition seeking to modify a prior visitation order. Contrary to the father's contention, we conclude that the Court Attorney Referee (Referee) properly denied the amended petition. “An order of visitation cannot be modified unless there has been a sufficient change in circumstances since the entry of the prior order which, if not addressed, would have an adverse effect on the children's best interests” ( Matter of Neeley v. Ferris, 63 A.D.3d 1258, 1259, 880 N.Y.S.2d 740; see Matter of Taylor v. Fry, 63 A.D.3d 1217, 1218, 880 N.Y.S.2d 721). Contrary to the father's contention, he failed to demonstrate such a change in circumstances.
We reject the father's further contention that the Referee erred in directing that visitation be therapeutically supervised. “Generally, a [referee]'s determination regarding custody and visitation issues, based upon a first-hand assessment of the credibility of the witnesses after an evidentiary hearing, is entitled to great weight and will not be set aside unless it lacks an evidentiary basis in the record ... We see no basis to disturb the [Referee]'s determination inasmuch as it was based on the [Referee]'s credibility assessments of the witnesses and is supported by a sound and substantial basis in the record” ( Matter of Krug v. Krug, 55 A.D.3d 1373, 1374, 865 N.Y.S.2d 450 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Matter of Dubuque v. Bremiller, 79 A.D.3d 1743, 913 N.Y.S.2d 855). We note in particular that the father failed to establish that he had fully complied with the preconditions to visitation that were set forth in the prior order, to which he stipulated.
Finally, we also reject the father's contention that the Referee erred in reiterating a condition from the prior order that directed the father, before unsupervised visitation would be permitted, to undergo a further evaluation by a psychologist who had previously evaluated him. The Referee's reiteration of that condition in the prior order “clearly does not constitute an impermissible requirement of participation in therapy as a condition to applying for visitation” ( Zafran v. Zafran, 28 A.D.3d 753, 756, 814 N.Y.S.2d 669; see Family Ct. Act § 251[a]; cf. Shuchter v. Shuchter, 259 A.D.2d 1013, 688 N.Y.S.2d 323).
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.