Failure to Hold a Hearing on Mother’s Petition for Custody and Failure to Inform Father of Right to Counsel Required Reversal of Custody Determination

The Second Department determined Family Court’s failure to hold a hearing to determine the mother’s petition for custody, and the Court’s failure to advise the father that he had the right to counsel, required reversal of the grant of custody to the mother.  In the Matter of Savoca v Bellofatto, 2012-02935, Docket No V-22033-11, Second Dept 3-6-13