Court Opinion

ID: 5969589
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-13 07:31:10.048471+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:48:27.413517
License: Public Domain

Case held, decision reserved and matter remitted to Erie County Family Court for further proceedings in accordance with the following Memorandum: In this paternity proceeding, the Judicial Hearing Officer failed to set forth the basis for his finding that petitioner did not meet her burden to prove respondent’s paternity by clear and convincing evidence. Petitioner was physically separated, but not divorced, from her husband when the child was conceived. The evidence bearing on lack of access by petitioner’s husband and the sharp conflict in the evidence submitted by petitioner and respondent presented questions of credibility for the trier of fact. Where questions of credibility are at issue, findings of fact are essential for meaningful appellate review (Matter of Joan S. v Ronald B., 71 AD2d 606). We, therefore, remit the matter to Family Court to make findings of fact. (Appeal from Order of Erie County Family Court, Trost, J.H.O.—Paternity.) Present—Denman, P. J., Pine, Law-ton, Doerr and Boehm, JJ.