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MATTER OF RITZ v. OTERO

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department.
Oct 28, 1999

ORDERED that the order, as amended, is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

The natural right of visitation jointly enjoyed by the noncustodial parent and the child is more precious than any property right (see, Resnick v. Zoldan, 134 A.D.2d 246 ; Biamby v. Biamby, 114 A.D.2d 830 ), and it may not be denied absent a showing of exceptional circumstances (see, Kozak v. Kozak, 111 A.D.2d 842 ;Daghir v. Daghir, 82 A.D.2d 191 ). There is no evidence that the father is an abusive or unfit parent whose visitation must be supervised. Therefore, the order of the Family Court appears to be in the best interests of the child and should not be disturbed.

The mother's remaining contentions are without merit.

O'BRIEN, J.P., SANTUCCI, ALTMAN, and KRAUSMAN, JJ., concur.