Opinion
2019–03777 Docket Nos. V–561–10, V–562–10
07-08-2020
In the Matter of Patricia MACKAUER, Appellant, v. Glen MEYERS, et al., Respondents.
Patricia Mackauer, Staten Island, NY, appellant pro se. Scott M. Schwartz, Staten Island, NY, for respondent Luann Cipoletti. Janet E. Sabel, New York, N.Y. (Dawne A. Mitchell, Amy Hausknecht, and Siri Kagan of counsel), attorney for the children.
Patricia Mackauer, Staten Island, NY, appellant pro se.
Scott M. Schwartz, Staten Island, NY, for respondent Luann Cipoletti.
Janet E. Sabel, New York, N.Y. (Dawne A. Mitchell, Amy Hausknecht, and Siri Kagan of counsel), attorney for the children.
WILLIAM F. MASTRO, J.P., HECTOR D. LASALLE, FRANCESCA E. CONNOLLY, PAUL WOOTEN, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER
In related proceedings pursuant to Family Court Act article 6, the maternal grandmother appeals from an order of the Family Court, Richmond County (Peter F. DeLizzo, J.), dated March 6, 2019. The order, without a hearing, in effect, granted the application of the children, inter alia, pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7) to dismiss the maternal grandmother's petitions to modify an order of visitation dated January 10, 2017.
ORDERED that the order dated March 6, 2019, is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
A party seeking a modification of an existing visitation agreement has the burden of showing a subsequent change in circumstances, so that modification is required to protect the best interests of the child (see Matter of Newton v. McFarlane , 174 A.D.3d 67, 76, 103 N.Y.S.3d 445 ; Henrie v. Henrie , 163 A.D.3d 927, 928, 79 N.Y.S.3d 691 ; Matter of Feliciano v. King , 160 A.D.3d 854, 855, 74 N.Y.S.3d 342 ; Matter of Miller v. Shaw , 160 A.D.3d 743, 744, 74 N.Y.S.3d 70 ). A party is not automatically entitled to a hearing, but rather must make some evidentiary showing of a change in circumstances demonstrating a need for a change in visitation in order to ensure the child's best interests (see Henrie v. Henrie , 163 A.D.3d at 928, 79 N.Y.S.3d 691 ). "In determining whether such a change has occurred, the court should consider the totality of the circumstances" ( Matter of Newton v. McFarlane , 174 A.D.3d at 77, 103 N.Y.S.3d 445 ). Here, the maternal grandmother failed to make the requisite evidentiary showing of a change in circumstances sufficient to warrant a hearing (see id. ; Henrie v. Henrie , 163 A.D.3d at 928, 79 N.Y.S.3d 691 ; Matter of Perez v. Richmond , 148 A.D.3d 904, 48 N.Y.S.3d 611 ). Accordingly, we agree with the Family Court's determination to grant, without a hearing, the application of the children, inter alia, pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7) to dismiss the maternal grandmother's petitions to modify a prior order of visitation. The maternal grandmother's remaining contentions are without merit.
MASTRO, J.P., LASALLE, CONNOLLY and WOOTEN, JJ., concur.