Opinion
2013-11-19
In re LIZA P., Petitioner–Respondent, v. KEVIN P., Respondent–Appellant.
Iannuzzi and Iannuzzi, New York (John N. Iannuzzi of counsel) for appellant. Leslie S. Lowenstein, Woodmere, for respondent.
Iannuzzi and Iannuzzi, New York (John N. Iannuzzi of counsel) for appellant. Leslie S. Lowenstein, Woodmere, for respondent.
MAZZARELLI, J.P., SAXE, MOSKOWITZ, DeGRASSE, GISCHE, JJ.
Order, Family Court, Bronx County (James E. d'Auguste, J.), entered on or about February 29, 2012, which granted petitioner mother custody of the subject child, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The Family Court properly determined that it had jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Domestic Relations Law § 76(1)(b). Florida could not have jurisdiction because, although it was the child's home state at the time the proceeding commenced, neither the child nor either party resided there. Furthermore, the mother and child resided in New York and had a family network here, and substantial evidence was available in this state regarding the child's care.
Although respondent father commenced a proceeding in Florida prior to the commencement of the New York proceeding, Family Court correctly found that Florida could not have jurisdiction in substantial conformity with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act because neither the child nor the parties were residing there ( seeDomestic Relations Law § 76[1][a] ). In any event, having learned of the Florida proceeding, the court fulfilled its obligation pursuant to Domestic Relations Law § 76–e by attempting to communicate with the Florida court ( see Vanneck v. Vanneck, 49 N.Y.2d 602, 610–611, 427 N.Y.S.2d 735, 404 N.E.2d 1278 [1980];cf. Cynthia Marie S. v. Allen Wayne L., 228 A.D.2d 249, 643 N.Y.S.2d 569 [1st Dept.1996] ).
We have considered the father's remaining contentions and find them unavailing.