Case ID: ad3d_91/html/1323-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of Ricardo L. Smith, Respondent, v Teeohmbaye S. Ince, Appellant.
    [937 NYS2d 654]
   Memorandum: Respondent mother appeals from an order that granted sole legal custody and primary physical custody of the parties’ child to petitioner father, with visitation to the mother. We affirm. Following a hearing, Family Court determined that the father has a strong bond with the child and is better suited to provide a stable home to the child (see generally Fox v Fox, 177 AD2d 209, 211-212 [1992]). The court also determined that neither the mother nor the maternal grandmother was a credible witness and that, in the event that it awarded custody to the mother, she would continue to undermine the father’s relationship with the child. “[T]he court’s assessment of the credibility of the witnesses is entitled to great weight, and the court was entitled to credit the testimony of the father over that of the mother” and the maternal grandmother (Matter of Kobel v Holiday, 78 AD3d 1660 [2010]; see Matter of Danielle S. v Larry R.S., 41 AD3d 1188 [2007]). Contrary to the contention of the mother, we conclude that there is a sound and substantial basis in the record for the court’s determination that an award of sole custody to the father is in the best interests of the child (see Matter of Deborah E.C. v Shawn K., 63 AD3d 1724, 1725 [2009], lv denied 13 NY3d 710 [2009]; Matter of Jeremy J.A. v Carley A., 48 AD3d 1035 [2008]; Matter of Angel M.S. v Thomas J.S., 41 AD3d 1227 [2007]). Present— Smith, J.E, Fahey, Garni, Sconiers and Gorski, JJ.