Matter of Kevin B. v Zovania B.
2018 NY Slip Op 01242 [158 AD3d 555]
February 22, 2018
Appellate Division, First Department
Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.
As corrected through Wednesday, March 28, 2018


[*1]
 In the Matter of Kevin B., Appellant,
v
Zovania B., Respondent, et al., Respondent.

Law Office of Bruce A. Young, New York (Bruce A. Young of counsel), for appellant.

Leslie S. Lowenstein, Woodmere, for respondent.

Karen P. Simmons, The Children's Law Center, Brooklyn (Laura Solecki of counsel), attorney for the child.

Orders, Family Court, Bronx County (Tracey A. Bing, J.), entered on or about January 4, 2017, which dismissed petitioner's petition for visitation with the subject child with prejudice, granted respondent mother's motion to dismiss and sua sponte granted summary judgment in favor of the mother, unanimously modified, on the law, to vacate the grant of summary judgment, and to grant the motion to dismiss without prejudice, and otherwise affirmed, without costs.

Family Court correctly determined that petitioner lacks standing to pursue his claim for visitation with the child, as he failed to plead that he is the child's biological grandfather or legal grandparent through adoption (see e.g. Matter of B.S. v B.T., 148 AD3d 1029, 1030 [2d Dept 2017]).

The Court of Appeals' decision in Matter of Brooke S.B. v Elizabeth A.C.C. (28 NY3d 1 [2016]) does not compel a different result, as the Court expressly stated that its decision "addresses only the ability of a person to establish standing as a parent" (id. at 28 [emphasis added]).

However, under the circumstances, the court did not adequately give notice to the parties that it was treating the motion to dismiss as one for summary judgment (see Nonnon v City of New York, 9 NY3d 825, 827 [2007]).

We have considered petitioner's remaining arguments, including those regarding equitable estoppel and waiver, and find them unavailing. Concur—Renwick, J.P., Andrias, Kapnick, Gesmer, Moulton, JJ.