PENN v. PENN

Ordered that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.

In determining whether to modify a custody arrangement to which the parties voluntarily agreed, the principal issue before the court is whether a change in circumstances warrants a modification in the best interests of the child ( see DiVittorio v DiVittorio, 36 AD3d 848; Smoczkiewicz v Smoczkiewicz, 2 AD3d 705, 706; Matter of Gaudette v Gaudette, 262 AD2d 804, 805). Here, the Family Court, upon appointing a law guardian and a forensic evaluator, and after conducting an evidentiary hearing, determined that it was not in the children's best interests to modify the parties' voluntary joint custody arrangement so as to award the mother sole custody. Contrary to the mother's contention, the Family Court's determination has a sound and substantial basis in the record, and we find no reason to disturb it ( see Walker v Walker, 289 AD2d 225).