MATTER OF THAYER v. ENNIS

It is hereby ORDERED that the amended order so appealed from be and the same hereby is unanimously affirmed without costs.

Memorandum:

Family Court did not abuse its discretion in modifying the judgment of divorce by granting respondent's cross petition seeking sole custody of the youngest child of the parties. The relationship of the parties had deteriorated to such an extent that joint custody was no longer feasible and thus respondent established a "change in circumstances [that] reflects a real need for change to ensure the best interest[s] of the child" ( Matter of Irwin v. Neyland, 213 A.D.2d 773; see, Matter of Hilliard v. Peroni, 245 A.D.2d 1107, 1108; see generally, Braiman v. Braiman, 44 N.Y.2d 584, 589-590; Matter of Buffy E. v. Lance C., 227 A.D.2d 903, 904). Although we disagree with the court that petitioner is not fit to be the custodial parent, we nevertheless conclude that petitioner is less fit than respondent ( see, Matter of Quarantillo v. Grainge, 272 A.D.2d 994; Fox v. Fox, 177 A.D.2d 209, 211) in view of the overt hostility of petitioner and her husband toward respondent and petitioner's lack of cooperation with respect to respondent's visitation with the child. The court's determination that the best interests of the child are served by awarding respondent sole custody is entitled to great deference ( see, Eschbach v. Eschbach, 56 N.Y.2d 167, 173) and will not be disturbed where, as here, it has a sound and substantial basis in the record ( see, Matter of Green v. Mitchell, 266 A.D.2d 884).