Opinion ID: 2571641
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Magistrate Erred By Ordering A Custodial Reversion Clause.

Text: A custodial reversion clause is a clause of a custody order which states that custody will change, or revert, from one parent to the other, automatically, upon the happening of an event or the occurrence of a condition. I would find that the magistrate erred by ordering custodial reversion if Ms. Roberts moved from the Mini-Cassia area. The magistrate's custodial reversion clause was never subjected to the BIOC test; rather, it was an arbitrary and punitive threat intended as a mechanism through which to enforce the other provisions of the magistrate's order. Contempt proceedings, not custodial reversion clauses, are the proper method through which to enforce custody orders. See, e.g., Blakely v. Blakely, 100 Idaho 107, 594 P.2d 145 (1979). Even if it is argued that the magistrate relied on the BIOC test to justify the custodial reversion clause at the time he issued his opinion, custodial reversion clauses should be found invalid. The custody status of a child should not change automatically with the removal of a parent from his or her present location. In re Marriage of Seitzinger, 333 Ill.App.3d 103, 111, 266 Ill.Dec. 720, 727, 775 N.E.2d 282, 289 (2002). See also Carter v. Kratzenberg, 209 A.D.2d 990, 991, 619 N.Y.S.2d 456, 456 (1994); Wilson v. Wilson, 12 Va.App. 1251, 1255-56, 408 S.E.2d 576, 579 (1991); Emerick v. Emerick, 5 Conn. App. 649, 659, 502 A.2d 933, 938 (1985); Hovater v. Hovater, 577 So.2d 461, 463 (Ala.Civ. App.1990) (holding a custodial reversion clause invalid even when agreed upon by the parties in the parenting agreement). This is the case because custody reversion clauses are clearly speculative and amount to no more than conjecture concerning what might be in the best interest of the child in the indefinite future. Korn v. Korn, ___ So.2d ___, ___, 2003 WL 164234 at  (Ala.Civ. App.2003). Instead, courts should consider whether changing custody meets the BIOC test only upon a showing of an actual, permanent and substantial change in circumstances that may warrant a change in custody. See, e.g., Brownson, 134 Idaho at 63, 995 P.2d at 830 (stating the long-standing rule that the burden is on the party seeking a custody modification to show a permanent and substantial change in circumstances before the court will address the request on its merits). Enforcing custody reversion clauses allows potentially antiquated court orders to eclipse present reality. Therefore, we should hold the custodial reversion clause invalid. Thus, I would vacate and remand this case in order for the magistrate to consider whether a significant change in circumstances warrants considering a change in custodial parent and, if so, whether such a change would satisfy the BIOC test. Sadly, this case exemplifies the justification for finding custodial reversion clauses invalid. Though not part of the record on appeal, at oral argument the parties informed this Court that Ms. Roberts and her two children moved from the Mini-Cassia area to Boise two years ago. The children are in school in the Boise area and both parties agree that the children are well adjusted. Because of this appeal, the magistrate has not enforced the custodial reversion clause. Now, by upholding the custody reversion clause, this Court jeopardizes the children's living arrangements. The children may be forced to again relocate and live with their father. If this happens, it will result solely from an arbitrary and punitive clause of the magistrate's opinion stating that Ms. Roberts would have to decide if she wants to stay in the Mini-Cassia area with custody of the children, or move and allow the defendant to have custody. This said nothing about the children's best interest when the magistrate issued his order and says no more about it today.