Decided on January
16, 2003
Nardelli,
J.P., Andrias, Williams, Marlow, JJ.
1949 In re Proceeding, etc.,
[*1]Linton A.,
Petitioner-Respondent,
v
Mena C., Respondent-Appellant. Mary
Ellen Sweeney, Law Guardian for the Children.
Mary Jane Sclafani
George E. Reed, Jr.
Pro Se
Order, Family Court, New York County
(Elizabeth Barnett, Referee), entered on or about June 8, 2001, which granted
petitioner-father's application to modify custody and transferred sole custody
of the parties' two children from respondent-mother to petitioner-father,
unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The Family Court properly considered the
totality of the circumstances subsequent to the parties' judgment of divorce,
which contained a custody stipulation giving custody of the children to
respondent-mother. The court correctly concluded that it was in the best
interests of the children to change
custody to petitioner-father (see Friederwitzer v Friederwitzer,
55 NY2d 89, 95-96). Those circumstances included problems with the children's
clothing and with their physical appearance, the mother's financial and obvious
emotional difficulties, her vindictive and rude attitude toward the father's
new wife, the mother's interference with and indifference toward the father's
visitation rights, the mother's repeated attempts to damage the children's
relationship with their father, and her proven lack of cooperation with the
father concerning the children's medical care and education. There is no basis
for disturbing the court's credibility determinations, which are supported by
the record. [*2]
We have considered appellant's other
arguments and find them unavailing.
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER
OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.
ENTERED: JANUARY 16, 2003
CLERK