Won Affirmance On Behalf Of Adoptive Parents And Dismissal Of Biological Mother’s Petition For Visitation.
Matter of Georgianna N. v Carmen V., 156 AD3d 535 (1st Dept 2017)
In this petition for visitation by the biological grandmother of the children for visitation with her grandchildren who had been adopted by my clients, the First Department accepted my argument that Family Court properly dismissed the petition for visitation by the maternal grandmother as not in the subject children’s best interests. The Court accepted my argument that my client, the adoptive mother testified that the children came into her care when they were one month old and three years old, respectively and that at the time of her testimony, the grandmother had not seen the children in approximately three years and had no existing relationship with them, nor did they ask about her. Additionally, the children have significant behavioral and emotional issues, which are being addressed by the adoptive parents, a behavioral specialist, and a school therapist, who have implemented a highly structured program, which includes constant supervision in both the home and at school. The Court accepted my argument that the record strongly supports Family Court’s determination that introducing grandparent visitation into the children’s lives would significantly disrupt their routines, would be detrimental to their progress, and would present a risk of regression to their previous behavior.