A New York appellate court has reversed a previous custody ruling involving Alexia Dossantos and Robert Rinck II, affecting their child’s living arrangements. The decision, made on June 17, 2026, by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, comes after Dossantos sought to relocate with their child from Florida to New York. The court's ruling emphasizes the importance of assessing the child's best interests, leading to a new hearing on the matter.
The case stems from a dispute over custody arrangements following the couple's separation. Dossantos and Rinck, who were never married, share one child. In March 2019, they entered into a consent order that granted them joint legal custody. Under this agreement, Dossantos was awarded residential custody, while Rinck was granted specific parental access rights. However, the dynamics changed when the family moved to Florida in the summer of 2022.
In March 2023, Dossantos returned to New York with their child and filed a petition to modify the 2019 custody order, seeking permission to relocate with the child. In response, Rinck filed his own petition, requesting primary residential custody of the child in Florida. The Family Court in Nassau County held a hearing on these petitions and issued a ruling on June 28, 2024. This ruling denied Dossantos's request to move and granted Rinck primary custody if Dossantos did not return to Florida.
The Appellate Division, which included judges Colleen D. Duffy, Lara J. Genovesi, Deborah A. Dowling, and James P. McCormack, reviewed the case and found that new developments had emerged since the Family Court's June 2024 order. The court noted that the attorney for the child presented information during oral arguments that indicated the previous record was insufficient to determine whether the Family Court's decision still aligned with the child’s best interests.
The court ruled, "The record on appeal is insufficient to review whether the Family Court's determination is still in the best interests of the child." As a result, the appellate court reversed the June 2024 order and sent the case back to the Family Court for an expedited hearing and a new determination of both parties' petitions. The court did not express any opinion on what the appropriate determination should be.
This ruling has significant implications for Dossantos and Rinck, as it allows for a fresh examination of their custody arrangements. The court emphasized that the best interests of the child remain the paramount concern in custody disputes, which requires a thorough evaluation of all circumstances surrounding the case.
The reversal of the custody decision means that Dossantos will have another opportunity to argue her case for relocating with the child. It also highlights the court's recognition of the evolving nature of family situations and the need to reassess custody arrangements as circumstances change. The decision underscores the importance of ensuring that the child's welfare is at the forefront of custody considerations.
Moving forward, the Family Court in Nassau County will conduct an expedited hearing to reassess the custody petitions. This process will involve gathering new evidence and possibly hearing from additional witnesses to determine the best living arrangement for the child. The court's order also stipulates that both parties must continue to comply with the terms of the previous decision until a new determination is made.
The case could potentially be appealed again, depending on the outcome of the new hearing in Family Court. If either party disagrees with the new ruling, they may seek further review from the appellate court. Additionally, there are no related cases pending that were mentioned in the court's opinion, but the evolving nature of custody disputes often leads to new developments.