FCA § 652

§ 652. Jurisdiction over applications to fix custody in matrimonial actions on referral from supreme court. (a) When referred from the supreme court to the family court, the family court has jurisdiction to determine, with the same powers possessed by the supreme court, applications to fix temporary or permanent custody and applications to modify judgments and orders of custody or visitation in actions and proceedings for marital separation, divorce, annulment of marriage and dissolution of marriage. Applications to modify judgments and orders of custody may be granted by the family court under this section only upon the showing to the family court that there has been a subsequent change of circumstances and that modification is required.

(b) In the event no such referral has been made and unless the supreme court provides in the order or judgment awarding custody or visitation in an action for divorce, separation or annulment, that it may be enforced or modified only in the supreme court, the family court may: (i) determine an application to enforce the order or judgment awarding custody or visitation, or (ii) determine an application to modify the order or judgment awarding custody or visitation upon a showing that there has been a subsequent change of circumstances and modification is required.

(c) In any determination of an application pursuant to this section, the family court shall have jurisdiction to determine such applications, in accordance with subdivision one of section two hundred forty of the domestic relations law, with the same powers possessed by the supreme court, and the family court's disposition of any such application is an order of the family court appealable only under article eleven of this act.