Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
IN RE: SIMON J. and Others, Dependent Children Under the Age of Eighteen Years, etc., Marie J., Respondent-Appellant, Family Support Systems Unlimited, Inc., Petitioner-Respondent.
Order, Family Court, Bronx County (Allen Alpert, J.), entered on or about January 6, 2006, which denied respondent mother's motion to vacate orders of disposition entered on or about October 19, 2005 (Simon J., Timothy W., William, J.) and on or about October 31, 2005 (Antoinette W.) which, upon her defaults, terminated her parental rights to the subject children upon findings of permanent neglect, and committed custody and guardianship of the children to petitioner agency and the Commissioner of Social Services of the City of New York for the purpose of adoption, unanimously affirmed, without costs. Appeal from the aforementioned dispositional orders unanimously dismissed, without costs.
No appeal lies from the dispositional orders entered on default (CPLR 5511; see Matter of Kimberly Carolyn J., 37 A.D.3d 174, 829 N.Y.S.2d 71 [2007] ). Vacatur of the default orders was properly denied inasmuch as respondent failed to establish a reasonable excuse for her failure to appear at the fact-finding and dispositional hearings (see Matter of Menesha B., 306 A.D.2d 22, 759 N.Y.S.2d 662 [2003] ) and a meritorious defense to the petition alleging permanent neglect (Matter of Wesley Antonio C., 268 A.D.2d 299, 702 N.Y.S.2d 34 [2000] ). The uncontroverted evidence, consisting of agency progress notes, which were properly admitted into evidence (see Matter of “Baby Girl” Q., 14 A.D.3d 392, 787 N.Y.S.2d 328 [2005], lv. denied 5 N.Y.3d 704, 801 N.Y.S.2d 1, 834 N.E.2d 780 [2005] ), showed clearly and convincingly that despite the agency's diligent efforts (see Matter of Star Leslie W., 63 N.Y.2d 136, 142-144, 481 N.Y.S.2d 26, 470 N.E.2d 824 [1984] ), respondent permanently neglected the subject children. The progress notes establish that respondent failed during the statutorily relevant period to meet any of her service plan goals, i.e., to complete domestic violence and individual counseling, regularly visit with her children, obtain suitable housing, and secure a source of income, and thus failed to plan for her children's future (see Social Services Law § 384-b [7] [a] ). A preponderance of the evidence established that it was in the subject children's best interests that respondent's parental rights be terminated so as to free the children for adoption by their respective foster mothers (see Matter of Kristen Simone V., 30 A.D.3d 174, 815 N.Y.S.2d 561 [2006] ).
Respondent's remaining arguments are unavailing.
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Decided: May 10, 2007
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)