Opinion ID: 1707176
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the trial court erred in transferring custody to the appellee.

Text: ¶ 19. The appellant next argues that there is no evidence presented regarding any change of material circumstances on which to force a change of custody. She argues that there is nothing in the record to indicate that she abused, mistreated, neglected or failed to meet any of the needs of Kristina. ¶ 20. Appellee argues that the finding of the mother to be in wilful contumacious contempt of court was enough to warrant a change in custody. Appellee contends that the Chancellor's ruling was based on the best interest of the child and was not simply an effort to punish Mercedes. This Court does not agree. ¶ 21. This Court has held on numerous occasions that before a chancellor modifies a custody order, there must be a showing of material or substantial changes in circumstances since the issuance of the last order. See Bredemeier v. Jackson, 689 So.2d 770 (Miss.1997). In the ordinary modification proceeding, the non-custodial party must prove: (1) that a substantial change in circumstances has transpired since issuance of the custody decree; (2) that this change adversely affects the child's welfare; and (3) that the child's best interests mandate a change of custody. Bubac v. Boston, 600 So.2d 951, 955 (Miss.1992). A chancellor's finding of fact on such a matter will not be set aside or disturbed on appeal unless the finding is manifestly wrong or is not supported by substantial credible evidence. Polk v. Polk, 589 So.2d 123, 129 (Miss.1991). It is similarly so whether the fact be found expressly or by necessary implication, and whether the finding relates to an evidentiary fact or an ultimate fact. Spain v. Holland, 483 So.2d 318, 320 (Miss.1986). In considering whether there has been such a change in circumstances, the totality of the circumstances should be considered, Id. Even though under the totality of the circumstances a change has occurred, the court must separately and affirmatively determine that this change is one which adversely affects the children. Id. Id. at 775; See also Kavanaugh v. Carraway, 435 So.2d 697, 700 (Miss.1983); Cheek v. Ricker, 431 So.2d 1139, 1143 (Miss.1983); O'Neal v. Warden, 345 So.2d 610, 612 (Miss. 1977). Further this Court said in Marascalco v. Marascalco , [p]ut another way, a change of circumstances which does not adversely affect the welfare of the child would, as a matter of law, be an immaterial change. Marascalco v. Marascalco, 445 So.2d 1380, 1382 (Miss.1984) ( citing Albright v. Albright, 437 So.2d 1003, 1005 (Miss.1983)). ¶ 22. In the case at bar there was almost no mention of Kristina's best interest in the Chancellor's ruling. The record is completely devoid of any change in circumstances since the last order (1989) entered by the court, granting John custody of Kristina for nine (9) months, material, substantial or otherwise. While this Court will not set aside a chancellor's finding of fact on such a matter as custody unless the finding is manifestly wrong or is not supported by substantial credible evidence, in the present case there was no finding of evidence, credible or otherwise. ¶ 23. In Marascalco, supra, this Court said that [i]n our modification cases, as in original awards of custody, we never depart from our `polestar consideration: the best interest and welfare of the child.' Id. at 1382. In considering child custody modification cases, the chancellors must necessarily allow full and complete proof with respect to all circumstances and conditions directly and indirectly related to the care and custody of the children, existing, first, at the time of the original decree of divorce, and, second, at the time of the modification hearing. Id. The judge in the case sub judice did not require any proof from either plaintiff or counsel for defendant regarding the care and custody of Kristina. This Court further placed the burden of inquiring into the circumstances surrounding the child's well-being on the chancellor. At that hearing the chancellor is directed to inquire into the circumstances of the children at this time and to determine whether the present custody arrangement is in their best interests. The chancellor, of course, is empowered to make such decree as may be appropriate by reference to the facts and circumstances disclosed at such a hearing. Id. ¶ 24. The Chancellor had before him no evidence regarding Kristina's well being and no evidence as to which parent should have custody, and there was no showing of material change in circumstances sufficient to warrant a modification of custody from Mercedes to John. It does not stand to reason that Kristina's best interests place her in the custody of a man she seldom has seen, who lives in a state in which she has never lived or visited. ¶ 25. Kristina who was thirteen (13) years old at the time of this hearing, has not seen her father in eleven (11) years, since she was two (2) years old. She has never met his wife. There was no evidence of abuse, neglect or mistreatment of any kind by Mercedes. There was no evidence which passes the test of when this Court views a modification of custody favorably. The record in this case is completely devoid of any findings of fact other than that Mercedes was in contempt of the court belowa fact which says nothing about Kristina and whether or not she is being properly cared for. ¶ 26. Because there was no showing of material change in circumstances, the trial judge was in error in ordering a change of custody from Mercedes to John and for this reason this issue is found to have significant merit requiring reversal. Issue III, dealing with the discontinuation of child support, and Issue IV which relates to the granting of attorneys fees in favor of the plaintiff/father are issues which become moot following a finding by this Court that this case should be reversed. Because a thorough analysis of the case law and statutes surrounding Issues I and II require this Court to reverse and render the decision of the lower court, there is no discussion of those issues except to reverse and render the actions of the court below.