Vetrano v. Vetrano

177 A.D.3d 890

115 N.Y.S.3d 104

In the Matter of Michael L. VETRANO, Appellant,

v.Candy F. VETRANO, Respondent.

2019–00505

Docket No. F–2498–18/18B

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.

Submitted - October 17, 2019

November 20, 2019

Jonathan Tatun, Islip Terrace, NY, for appellant.

CHERYL E. CHAMBERS, J.P., LEONARD B. AUSTIN, HECTOR D. LASALLE, BETSY BARROS, JJ.

DECISION & ORDER

In a proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 4, the father appeals from an order of the Family Court, Suffolk County (David A. Morris, J.), dated December 12, 2018. The order denied the father's objections to an order of the same court (Darlene Jorif–Mangane, S.M.) dated October 25, 2018, which, after a hearing, and upon findings of fact dated October 25, 2018, dismissed his petition for a downward modification of his child support obligation.

ORDERED that the order dated December 12, 2018, is reversed, on the law, without costs or disbursements, the father's objections are granted, the order dated October 25, 2018, is vacated, the petition is reinstated, and the matter is remitted to the Family Court, Suffolk County, for a new hearing on the petition and a new determination thereafter.

The parties, who were divorced by a judgment entered October 1, 2014, have one child together. The judgment, which incorporated but did not merge the terms of a stipulation of settlement dated May 14, 2014, awarded the mother sole custody of the child and directed the father to pay child support in the amount of $1,238 bimonthly. In June 2018, the father filed a petition for a downward modification of his child support obligation, alleging that he was wrongfully terminated from his employment and had made diligent efforts to obtain comparable employment, that three years had passed since the judgment of divorce was entered, and that his income had decreased by more than 15% and the mother's income had increased by more than 15% since entry of the judgment. After a hearing, in an order dated October 25, 2018, the Support Magistrate dismissed the petition, determining that the father failed to demonstrate that he lost his employment through no fault of his own and that his account of his finances was incredible. The Family Court denied the father's objections to the Support Magistrate's order, and the father appeals.

The party seeking modification of an order of child support has the burden of establishing the existence of a substantial change in circumstances warranting the modification (see Matter of Baumgardner v. Baumgardner , 126 A.D.3d 895, 896, 6 N.Y.S.3d 90 ; see also Family Ct Act § 451 ). In determining whether there has been a change in circumstances warranting modification of a parent's child support obligation, the court must consider several factors, including " ‘the increased needs of the children, the increased cost of living insofar as it results in greater expenses for the children, a loss of income or assets by a parent or a substantial improvement in the financial condition of a parent, and the current and prior lifestyles of the children’ " ( Matter of Fantel v. Stamatatos , 59 A.D.3d 717, 718, 875 N.Y.S.2d 497, quoting Shedd v. Shedd , 277 A.D.2d 917, 918, 715 N.Y.S.2d 132 ; see Matter of Brescia v. Fitts , 56 N.Y.2d 132, 141, 451 N.Y.S.2d 68, 436 N.E.2d 518 ). In addition, the court may modify an order of child support where three years have passed since the order was entered, last modified or adjusted, or where there has been a change in either party's gross income by 15% or more since the order was entered, last modified, or adjusted (see Family Ct Act § 451[3][b][i], [ii] ). A reduction in income shall not be considered as a ground for modification unless it was involuntary and the party has made diligent attempts to secure employment commensurate with his or her education, ability, and experience (see Family Ct Act § 451[3][b][ii] ). " ‘Deference should be given to credibility determinations of the Support Magistrate, who was in the best position to evaluate the credibility of the witnesses on this point’ " ( Matter of Valverde v. Owens , 160 A.D.3d 753, 755, 71 N.Y.S.3d 374, quoting Matter of Hezi v. Hezi , 141 A.D.3d 587, 588, 34 N.Y.S.3d 592 ).

...