Opinion ID: 1649659
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: whether the trial court erred in its application and analysis of the albright factors.

Text: ¶ 15. In child custody cases, the polestar consideration is the best interest of the child, and this must always be kept paramount. Sellers v. Sellers, 638 So.2d 481, 485 (Miss.1994). To help guide us to a proper determination as to custody, the court considers the following factors in determining the child's best interests: (1) age, health and sex of the child; (2) a determination of the parent that has had the continuity of care prior to the separation; (3) which has the best parenting skills and which has the willingness and capacity to provide primary child care; (4) the employment of the parent and responsibilities of that employment; (5) physical and mental health and age of the parents; (6) emotional ties of parent and child; (7) moral fitness of the parents; (8) the home, school and community record of the child; (9) the preference of the child at the age sufficient to express a preference by law; (10) stability of home environment and employment of each parent and other factors relevant to the parent-child relationship. Albright v. Albright, 437 So.2d 1003, 1005 (Miss.1983). While the Albright factors are extremely helpful in navigating what is usually a labyrinth of interests and emotions, they are certainly not the equivalent of a mathematical formula. Determining custody of a child is not an exact science. ¶ 16. In the case sub judice, the chancellor made on-the-record findings for each Albright factor and obviously weighed the concerns of both parties. However, Belinda contends that in his analysis, the chancellor was manifestly in error in making certain findings which were not supported by substantial evidence, as well as failing to make findings which were supported by the evidence. Furthermore, Belinda contends that the chancellor erred specifically in failing to find a preference for her with regard to the age and sex of Lauren, in effect abandoning the tender years doctrine. Therefore, it is appropriate that we briefly revisit the chancellor's analysis of each Albright factor to see if he committed manifest error.