Matter of A.K. v P.C.

Holding The Appellate Division affirmed the Family Court’s award of sole legal and physical custody to the mother, finding that visitation with the father was not in the child’s best interests due to prior family offenses and the father’s lack of accountability. The court also noted that the child’s expressed wish against visitation was properly considered as a factor in the best interests analysis.

The court’s words

There is a sound and substantial basis in the record for Family Court's determination that visitation with the father would not be in the best interests of the subject child

2026 NY Slip Op 06005, at the official text

The father's persistent denial that he did anything wrong, his claim that it was the mother who had hurt him, his denial of anger issues, and his failure to participate in abusive partner intervention and anger management programs further support the court's determination

2026 NY Slip Op 06005, at the official text

the court properly took into consideration the nine-year-old child's expressed wish, in an in-camera interview, not to have any visitation with the father

2026 NY Slip Op 06005, at the official text