Pieri v. Rider

Order unanimously affirmed without costs. Memorandum: A custody determination depends to a great extent upon the trial court’s assessment of the credibility of the witnesses and upon the assessments of the character and temperament of the parties (Skolnick v Skolnick, 142 AD2d 570). As such, the factual findings of the trial court in a custody matter are accorded great deference (Matter of Kennedy v Kennedy, 156 AD2d 834, 835; Skolnick v Skolnick, supra). A custody determination should not be disturbed unless it lacks a sound and substantial basis in the record or is contrary to the weight of…