A New York court recently ruled on a contentious custody dispute between Lisa F. and Gregory F., affecting their two children. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York decided on July 2, 2026, to uphold prior orders from Family Court that dismissed multiple petitions filed by Lisa F. against Gregory F. The court's decision comes after a series of allegations and counter-allegations regarding parenting time and family offenses.
The case, known as Matter of Lisa F. v. Gregory F. (CV-25-1108), highlights the complexities of custody arrangements and the legal challenges parents face in family court. The ruling is significant as it addresses the ongoing issues of custody and visitation rights that can deeply impact the lives of children involved.
Lisa F. and Gregory F. are the parents of two children, born in 2016 and 2019. The couple had previously reached a consent order in July 2024, which granted Lisa sole legal and physical custody of the children. Under this order, Gregory was allowed daytime parenting time on three weekends each month. However, the order stipulated that his overnight parenting time would be reinstated only after he secured suitable housing and met other conditions related to communication and evaluations for substance abuse and mental health.
The dispute escalated when, on December 26, 2024, Lisa filed a petition alleging that Gregory violated the custody order by not exercising his parenting time during the Christmas holiday. She sought to suspend his parenting time altogether, citing concerns about his criminal conduct, housing instability, and transportation issues. In response, Gregory filed his own petition claiming that Lisa had denied him parenting time and communication with the children, as well as failing to inform him about their school and medical appointments.
After a fact-finding hearing, Family Court found that both parents had violated the custody order. The court awarded Gregory make-up parenting time and dismissed Lisa's petitions. Lisa subsequently appealed the decision, arguing that she had demonstrated a change in circumstances that warranted a modification of the custody order.
The court ruled that Lisa failed to prove a significant change in circumstances since the July 2024 order. The judges noted that much of her evidence related to issues that were already known and addressed in the prior order. The court stated, "The mother failed to meet her burden to demonstrate the requisite change in circumstances since entry of the July 2024 order so as to warrant revisiting the children's best interests."
The judges involved in this ruling included Garry, P.J., Fisher, Mackey, Corcoran, and Ryba, JJ. They emphasized that Lisa's concerns about Gregory's behavior had been consistent since 2021 and did not constitute a material change that would justify altering custody arrangements.
Additionally, the court found that Lisa had knowingly denied Gregory his court-ordered parenting time and communication with the children, which constituted a violation of the custody order. The ruling stated, "The mother admitted that she had knowingly denied the father parenting time and communication with the children after the Christmas parenting time dispute in December 2024."
As for the family offense petition filed by Lisa, the court determined that she did not provide sufficient evidence to support her claims against Gregory. Lisa alleged harassment and stalking based on Gregory's social media posts and a confrontation that occurred at her residence. However, the court concluded that the evidence did not substantiate her claims, stating that the social media post was a single communication and did not constitute a threat of physical contact.
The ruling has significant implications for both parents and their children. It reinforces the importance of adhering to court orders regarding custody and visitation. The court's decision also emphasizes that allegations must be supported by clear evidence to warrant changes in custody arrangements. This ruling may serve as a precedent for similar cases involving custody disputes, particularly in instances where both parents have previously agreed to specific terms.
Looking ahead, Lisa may consider appealing the decision to a higher court, although the court did not indicate any immediate grounds for such an appeal. The case highlights the ongoing challenges parents face in navigating custody disputes and the legal complexities involved in family law.
Details were not available in the court filing regarding any potential related cases or further actions that may arise from this ruling. However, the outcome of this case is likely to impact future custody arrangements and the handling of similar disputes in New York.