Not Enough Evidence Before Family Court to Make Custody Determination

In remitting the matter to Family Court for a hearing in a custody proceeding with controverted allegations, the Second Department noted that, although a hearing is not always required, there was not enough evidence before the court for an informed determination in this case:

” [A]s a general rule, it is error as a matter of law to make an order respecting custody based upon controverted allegations without the benefit of a full hearing'”…. ” Since the court has an obligation to make an objective and independent evaluation of the circumstances, a custody determination should be made only after a full and fair hearing at which the record is fully developed'”…. However, ” it is not necessary to conduct such a hearing where the court already possesses sufficient relevant information to render an informed determination in the child’s best interest'” … .Under the circumstances of this case, the Family Court lacked sufficient information to render an informed determination as to the best interests of the subject children … . Matter of Labella v Murray, 2013 NY Slip Op 05076, 2nd Dept 7-3-13