Flynn-Stallmer v. Stallmer
Petitioner Susannah Flynn-Stallmer appealed three orders: two from Family Court concerning child custody awarded to respondent Timothy J. Stallmer, and one from Supreme Court denying her motion to vacate the Family Court order on grounds of judicial recusal. Family Court awarded custody to the father, Timothy J. Stallmer, finding it in the children's best interest after weighing various factors including the parents' stability, work records, and the father's supportive extended family, while also considering the mother's inconsistencies and extramarital relationship. The appeals court affirmed Family Court's custody decision, finding it supported by the record and that the court did not improperly rely on matters outside the record or err in denying the mother's motion to present additional testimony. Finally, the Supreme Court's denial of the mother's application to set aside the custody order due to alleged judicial disqualification was affirmed, as the court found no familial relationship between the Family Court Judge and the respondent that would mandate recusal under Judiciary Law § 14, and the Judge's disclosure of a tenuous past tie did not reflect bias.