IN RE: YVETTE F. (2019)

Order, Family Court, New York County (Gail A. Adams, Referee), entered on or about September 4, 2018, which, after a hearing, denied petitioner mother's petition to modify a custody order and granted her liberal visitation, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

It is well established that to modify a custody order, there must have been a sufficient change of circumstances and a showing that the change would be in the best interests of the child (see Matter of Jose M.C. v. Liliana C., 150 A.D.3d 514, 514, 55 N.Y.S.3d 21 [1st Dept. 2017].  Here, the mother has not provided support for any of the allegations in the petition.  Although she contends that she has transformed her life to the extent that there has been a sufficient change of circumstances, she has not provided documentary evidence to substantiate her claim of entering into and completing a drug rehabilitation program.  In fact, the mother admitted to using drugs during the pendency of the proceeding, and thus has failed to establish a change of circumstances in this vein (see Matter of Paul P. v. Tonisha J., 149 A.D.3d 409, 50 N.Y.S.3d 375 [1st Dept. 2017] ).  Regardless, any changes that the mother made to her own life did not amount to a sufficient change of circumstances to warrant a change of custody (see e.g. Matter of Walter C. v. Jovanka F., 58 A.D.3d 537, 870 N.Y.S.2d 787 [1st Dept. 2009] ).

Furthermore, the record shows that respondent father has had custody of the child since she was five years old, and has proved himself to be a committed parent who is involved with her education and recreational activities and meets her daily needs without any assistance from the mother.  Conversely, the mother admitted to not having contact with the child, other than sporadic telephone calls, for more than five years.  The mother did not provide evidence showing that the father was unfit, or that his continued custody would not be in the child's best interests.  The mother also admitted to the court that she intended to move back to Georgia if she were to be granted custody, which would not be in the child's best interests under the circumstances.