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IN RE: Genara LOPEZ, appellant, v. Juan R. INFANTE, respondent.
In a child custody proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 6, the mother appeals from an order of the Family Court, Nassau County (Eisman, J.), dated August 10, 2007, which, without a hearing, dismissed, with prejudice, her petition to modify a prior order, inter alia, awarding custody of two of the parties' children to the father.
ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
Where possible, custody should be established on a long term basis, “at least so long as the custodial parent has not been shown to be unfit, or perhaps less fit, to continue as the proper custodian” (Obey v. Degling, 37 N.Y.2d 768, 770, 375 N.Y.S.2d 91, 337 N.E.2d 601; see Jackson v. Jackson, 31 A.D.3d 386, 817 N.Y.S.2d 501). Moreover, where parents enter into an agreement concerning custody, it will not be set aside unless there is a sufficient change in circumstances since the time of the stipulation and unless the modification of the custody agreement is in the best interests of the child (see Smoczkiewicz v. Smoczkiewicz, 2 A.D.3d 705, 706, 770 N.Y.S.2d 101). A noncustodial parent seeking a change of custody is not entitled to a hearing without making some evidentiary showing sufficient to warrant a hearing (see Matter of Bauman v. Abbate, 48 A.D.3d 679, 680, 850 N.Y.S.2d 921; DiVittorio v. DiVittorio, 36 A.D.3d 848, 849, 829 N.Y.S.2d 193; McNally v. McNally, 28 A.D.3d 526, 527, 816 N.Y.S.2d 98). Here, the mother failed to make such a showing.
The mother's remaining contentions are without merit.
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Decided: October 21, 2008
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.
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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.
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