In the Matter of Stephen Coakley, Respondent,
v.
Kim Goins, Appellant.
SUPREME COURT OF NEW YORK, APPELLATE DIVISION, SECOND DEPARTMENT
May 5, 1997, Submitted
June 16, 1997, Decided
Coakley v. Goins
240 A.D.2d 573; 659 N.Y.S.2d 75
JUDGES: Bracken, J. P., Rosenblatt, Thompson and Krausman, JJ., concur.
OPINION
Ordered that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
In adjudicating custody and visitation rights, the most important factor for the court to consider is the best interests of the child (see, Eschbach v Eschbach, 56 NY2d 167; Matter of Schmidt v Schmidt, 234 AD2d 465), which requires an evaluation of the "totality of the circumstances" ( Friederwitzer v Friederwitzer, 55 NY2d 89, 95). Since the trial court's custody determination is largely dependent upon an assessment of the credibility of the witnesses and upon the character, temperament, and sincerity of the parents, its determination should not be disturbed unless it lacks a sound and substantial basis in the record (see, Schmidt v Schmidt, supra; Kuncman v Kuncman, 188 AD2d 517).
Upon our review of the record, we are satisfied that the Family Court's award of custody to the father has a sound and substantial basis in the record. Although the court-appointed psychologist took note of the strong bond between the mother and child, she voiced concern over certain lapses in the mother's judgment. Furthermore, the record demonstrates that the child has thrived in the care of the father and members of his family since he obtained temporary custody in 1994, and both the psychologist and law guardian recommended that the father retain custody. Under these circumstances, we decline to disturb the Family Court's custody award.
Bracken, J. P., Rosenblatt, Thompson and Krausman, JJ., concur.
The case of Coakley v. Goins is provided as part of a free educational service by J. Douglas Barics, attorney at law, for reference only. Cases such as Coakley v. Goins may be overruled by subsequent decisions, different judicial departments may have different controlling case law, and the level of the court deciding each case will determine whether it is controlling law or not. Coakley v. Goins is presented here to help illustrate how the law works in general, but for specific legal matters, an attorney should be consulted.
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