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IN RE: Trevor SMITH, appellant, v. Joanne WOOD, respondent.
In a custody proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 6, the father appeals, as limited by his notice of appeal and brief, from so much of an order of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (Joseph, J.), dated December 9, 2005, as, upon granting his petition for a change of custody of the parties' children, directed him to provide a residence for the mother and pay expenses related thereto, and awarded visitation to the maternal grandmother and the maternal aunt.
ORDERED that the order is reversed insofar as appealed from, on the law, with costs.
Upon granting the father's petition for a change of custody, the Supreme Court erred in directing the father to provide a residence for the mother and pay expenses related thereto. The parties were never married, the children will no longer be residing with the mother, and this relief was never requested by the mother. Moreover, the Supreme Court erred in awarding visitation to the maternal grandmother and the maternal aunt, since neither relative was a party to this proceeding, and neither applied for such relief (see Nir v. Nir, 172 A.D.2d 651, 568 N.Y.S.2d 452; see also Martinez v. Dushko, 7 A.D.3d 584, 585, 775 N.Y.S.2d 907; Matter of McAteer v. Condon, 296 A.D.2d 412, 744 N.Y.S.2d 891).
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Decided: March 06, 2007
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.
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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.
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