IN RE: Patricia SIDOTI (2000)

In a proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 5 to establish paternity, Miguel Velez appeals from an order of the Family Court, Westchester County (Jamieson, J.), dated January 4, 2000, which denied his motion to vacate an order of filiation of the same court (Hochberg, H.E.), dated June 22, 1998.

ORDERED that on the court's own motion, the appellant's notice of appeal is treated as an application for leave to appeal, and leave to appeal is granted (see, CPLR 5701[c]);  and it is further,

ORDERED that the order is affirmed;  and it is further,

ORDERED that the respondent is awarded one bill of costs.

The Family Court properly denied the appellant's motion to vacate the order of filiation as the Hearing Examiner properly advised him of his statutory rights before he admitted to paternity of the subject child (see, Matter of McLeod v. Emanuel, 268 A.D.2d 434, 702 N.Y.S.2d 312;  see, Matter of Smith v. Wamsley, 265 A.D.2d 663, 696 N.Y.S.2d 296;  Matter of Marianne R. v. Richard C., 150 A.D.2d 378, 379, 540 N.Y.S.2d 535).   Moreover, the appellant's admission was knowing and voluntary (see, Matter of McLeod v. Emanuel, supra).

MEMORANDUM BY THE COURT.