DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO MODIFY THE CUSTODY ARRANGEMENT RAISED DISPUTED FACTS; THE MOTION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED WITHOUT A HEARING (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined disputed factual issues required a hearing on defendant’s motion to modify the custody arrangement:
“In order to modify an existing custody arrangement, there must be a showing of a subsequent change of circumstances so that modification is required to protect the best interests of the child” … . “Custody determinations should generally be made only after a full and plenary hearing” … . “A party seeking a change in [parental access] or custody is not automatically entitled to a hearing” … . However, “where ‘facts material to the best interest analysis, and the circumstances surrounding such facts, remain in dispute,’ a hearing is required” … . Silla v Silla, 2021 NY Slip Op 07571, Second Dept 12-29-21
