It is not uncommon to see visitation arrangements involving a very young child. While family lawyers can plan for many different situations, not everything can be planned for or predicted. What happens to such arrangements when the child gets older?
In a recent case of Sett v. Balcom, 64 A.D.3d 934 (3rd Dept. 2009), the Appellate Division, Third Department, had to address issues related to visitation arrangements put in place when the child was a year old. Initially, the father has granted two-hour Sunday visitation to the mother’s residence, and the mother received sole custody. The order also permitted unsupervised and additional visitation but only at the mother’s sole discretion. As the child was now 5 years old, the father brought a modification petition, prompted by the mother’s persistent refusals to permit expanded visitation, and sought joint custody and increased visitation, including overnight visitation.
Following a fact-finding hearing at which both parties testified, Family Court denied the father’s request for joint custody but granted him additional visitation, including overnight visitation.
The Appellate Division held that sound and substantial basis found in the record to support the Family Court’s decision to modify visitation on the ground that the petitioner made sufficient showing of a change in circumstances warranting modification to promote the child’s best interests. Initial restrictions on father’s visitation stemmed from child’s young age at time and father not having meaningful contact with daughter. At the time the modification petition was brought, the father was gainfully employed, involved in a stable relationship, lives in home with bedroom for child and enjoys cordial relationship with mother and extended family. Moreover, when the mother was asked about her objections to increased visitation, the mother’s only stated concern was that the child might be uncomfortable. The mother never voiced any concern about the father’s ability to parent or the child’s safety in his presence. Moreover, again when asked, she raised only two minor concerns about his home, one of which was that it lacked toys. The mother also conceded that the child should have a close relationship with the father and that they played well together during visits.
According to the Appellate Division, nothing in the record—including potential reticence typical of a young child—revealed that expanded visitation would be harmful or detrimental to the child.
Therefore, if you are dealing with a custody and visitation arrangement that entered when the child was young, that arrangement might be ripe for modification. If you believe that a change would be appropriate, discuss your situation with an experienced family law attorney.