Opinion
1256 CAF 13-01035
11-21-2014
In the Matter of Kimberly E. REINHARDT, Petitioner–Respondent, v. Willie T. HARDISON, Respondent–Appellant.
Robert J. Gallamore, Oswego, for Respondent–Appellant.
Robert J. Gallamore, Oswego, for Respondent–Appellant.
PRESENT: CENTRA, J.P., FAHEY, CARNI, SCONIERS, and VALENTINO, JJ.
Opinion
MEMORANDUM:Respondent father appeals from an order confirming the determination of the Support Magistrate that he willfully violated an order of child support and sentencing him to a term of incarceration of 60 days. We reject the father's contention that petitioner mother failed to meet her burden of presenting prima facie evidence of his willful violation. “[P]roof that [the father] has failed to pay support as ordered alone establishes [the mother's] direct case of willful violation, shifting to [the father] the burden of going forward” (Matter of Powers v. Powers, 86 N.Y.2d 63, 69, 629 N.Y.S.2d 984, 653 N.E.2d 1154 ). Contrary to the father's further contention, he failed to meet his burden inasmuch as he failed to present competent medical evidence to support his testimony that mental health problems interfered with his ability to obtain gainful employment to meet his child support obligation (see Matter of Yamonaco v. Fey, 91 A.D.3d 1322, 1323, 937 N.Y.S.2d 787, lv. denied 19 N.Y.3d 803, 2012 WL 1538619 ), nor did he establish that he made reasonable efforts to obtain such employment (see Matter of Christine L.M. v. Wlodek K., 45 A.D.3d 1452, 1452–1453, 846 N.Y.S.2d 849 ).
The father failed to preserve for our review his contention that the Support Magistrate improperly assisted the mother with her testimony and was biased against him (see Matter of Gina C. v. Augusto C., 116 A.D.3d 478, 479, 983 N.Y.S.2d 261, lv. denied 23 N.Y.3d 905, 2014 WL 2609512 ; Matter of Sheenagh O'R. v. Sean F., 50 A.D.3d 480, 482–483, 858 N.Y.S.2d 103 ). Finally, we reject the father's contention that he was denied effective assistance of counsel inasmuch as he did not “ ‘demonstrate the absence of strategic or other legitimate explanations' for counsel's alleged shortcomings” ( People v. Benevento, 91 N.Y.2d 708, 712, 674 N.Y.S.2d 629, 697 N.E.2d 584 ; see Matter of Elijah D. [Allison D.], 74 A.D.3d 1846, 1847, 902 N.Y.S.2d 736 ).
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.