Opinion
2012-06-15
In the Matter of Bonnie L. MINEO, Petitioner–Appellant, v. Thomas A. MINEO, Respondent–Respondent.
Denis A. Kitchen, Williamsville, for Petitioner-appellant. Patricia M. McGrath, Attorney for the Child, Lockport, for Thomas M., V.
Denis A. Kitchen, Williamsville, for Petitioner-appellant. Patricia M. McGrath, Attorney for the Child, Lockport, for Thomas M., V.
PRESENT: SMITH, J.P., FAHEY, CARNI, SCONIERS, AND MARTOCHE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
Family Court erred in granting the motion of respondent father, made at the close of petitioner mother's proof, seeking dismissal of the petition in which the mother sought an order permitting her to change the school district in which the parties' child was enrolled, from the Grand Island School District to the Kenmore–Tonawanda School District. Under the terms of their separation agreement, which was incorporated but not merged into the judgment of divorce, the parties agreed, inter alia, that “the child [would] not be removed from the Grand Island [S]chool [D]istrict without the expressed written consent of the [father].” “ ‘While that provision in the [separation] agreement is a relevant factor to consider in determining the child's best interests, it is not dispositive’ ” ( Petroski v. Petroski, 24 A.D.3d 1295, 1296–1297, 808 N.Y.S.2d 852;see Matter of Tropea v. Tropea, 87 N.Y.2d 727, 741 n. 2, 642 N.Y.S.2d 575, 665 N.E.2d 145;Carlson v. Carlson, 248 A.D.2d 1026, 1028, 670 N.Y.S.2d 297). “Considering the facts in the light most favorable to [the mother], accepting her proof as true and affording her every favorable inference that reasonably could be drawn therefrom” (Matter of Stone v. Wyant, 8 A.D.3d 1046, 1047, 778 N.Y.S.2d 816;see Matter of Zito v. Pfohl, 302 A.D.2d 918, 753 N.Y.S.2d 914), we conclude that the mother met her initial burden on the petition ( see Stone, 8 A.D.3d at 1047, 778 N.Y.S.2d 816;see also Matter of Bobroff v. Farwell, 57 A.D.3d 1284, 1286, 870 N.Y.S.2d 559;Carlson, 248 A.D.2d at 1027–1028, 670 N.Y.S.2d 297;cf. Petroski, 24 A.D.3d at 1296–1297, 808 N.Y.S.2d 852;see generally Tropea, 87 N.Y.2d at 738–742, 642 N.Y.S.2d 575, 665 N.E.2d 145). Thus, the court erred in granting the father's motion to dismiss the petition at the close of the mother's proof.
In view of the statement of the father's attorney made on the record that he would not have presented evidence at trial had the court denied his motion, we turn to the issue whether the mother established by the requisite preponderance of the evidence that the proposed relocation was in the child's best interests ( see Tropea, 87 N.Y.2d at 741, 642 N.Y.S.2d 575, 665 N.E.2d 145;Rauch v. Keller, 77 A.D.3d 1409, 1410, 907 N.Y.S.2d 900). Although the court did not engage in that analysis, the record is sufficient for this Court to do so ( see Matter of Brian C., 32 A.D.3d 1224, 1225, 821 N.Y.S.2d 712,lv. denied7 N.Y.3d 717, 827 N.Y.S.2d 688, 860 N.E.2d 990). “In the exercise of our independent power of factual review” ( id.), we conclude that the mother established as a matter of law that the best interests of the parties' child would be served by granting the petition ( see Tropea, 87 N.Y.2d at 741, 642 N.Y.S.2d 575, 665 N.E.2d 145). Here, the record strongly suggests that the relocation would enhance the lives of the mother and the child financially inasmuch as it would alleviate the mother's burden of transporting the child to and from Grand Island Schools or, in the alternative, finding new housing on Grand Island, and would enable the mother to increase her efforts to obtain employment ( see Matter of Scialdo v. Cook, 53 A.D.3d 1090, 1092, 862 N.Y.S.2d 238;cf. Matter of Seyler v. Hasfurter, 61 A.D.3d 1437, 877 N.Y.S.2d 722). Moreover, there is no indication that the quality of the education provided by the Kenmore–Tonawanda School District is inferior to that of the Grand Island School District ( see Bobroff, 57 A.D.3d at 1286, 870 N.Y.S.2d 559;Carlson, 248 A.D.2d at 1028, 670 N.Y.S.2d 297), nor is there evidence that the father's access to the child would be affected by the change in school districts ( cf. Tropea, 87 N.Y.2d at 742, 642 N.Y.S.2d 575, 665 N.E.2d 145). Indeed, the primary issue in this case is whether the child may be educated in the Kenmore–Tonawanda School District rather than the Grand Island School District, and by granting the petition at this juncture the child will be able to enroll in the Kenmore–Tonawanda School District at the beginning of the 2012–2013 school year.
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously reversed on the law and facts without costs, the motion is denied, and the petition is granted.