Opinion ID: 1695409
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: was the award of custody to sandra williams against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, based upon the same testimony on which the chancellor and the special master based their previous decisions to award custody to james williams?

Text: The standard of review in child custody cases is quite limited. A chancellor must be manifestly wrong, clearly erroneous, or applying an erroneous legal standard in order for this Court to reverse. See, e.g., Chamblee v. Chamblee, 637 So.2d 850, 860 (Miss. 1994). This Court will affirm decisions of the chancellor, whenever based on credible evidence. Id. James argues Albright v. Albright, 437 So.2d 1003 (Miss. 1983) criteria in order to have this Court reconsider the chancellor's decision. In addition, James asserts that the mother's alleged psychological coaching supports an award of the children to himself. See Newsom v. Newsom, 557 So.2d 511, 516 (Miss. 1990). However, his argument overlooks the fact that the chancellor found persuasive expert testimony indicating coaching occurring while the children were in James' custody. Furthermore, credible evidence supports the chancellor's findings. The chancellor clearly followed Albright criteria in making his findings on the record. The chancellor noted that Sandra had greater willingness and capacity to learn proper parenting skills. Expert testimony in the record supported this finding, which indicated Sandra had a willingness to be a better parent. In addition, the chancellor found that James' psychological profile, in addition to programming occurring during James' custody, was persuasive in awarding permanent custody to Sandra. As stated above, programming by one parent is a valid factor in awarding custody. Newsom, 557 So.2d at 516. James' psychological makeup, as a potential detriment to the children, was certainly a valid factor to consider when awarding permanent custody. Albright v. Albright, 437 So.2d 1003, 1005 (Miss. 1983); see also Newsom v. Newsom, 557 So.2d 511, 517 (Miss. 1990) (holding apparent instability as factor in changing child custody). The chancellor noted that James was more morally fit, presumably because of Sandra's incident of adultery. This factor was not determinative to the chancellor. The chancellor is correct in not making this factor alone determinative, as this Court has held that an act of adultery is only one factor in determining child custody. Carr v. Carr, 480 So.2d 1120, 1123 (Miss. 1985). James also argues that since temporary custody went to him, a change in circumstances is necessary to award Sandra permanent custody. However, this Court has previously held that such a burden of proof is unnecessary where permanent custody of the child is not involved. Sistrunk v. McKenzie, 455 So.2d 768, 770 (Miss. 1984). Although visitation rights, as opposed to temporary custody here, was at issue in Sistrunk, this Court holds that the same principle applies here as well. This type activity has not continued. Since credible evidence and proper legal adherence by the chancellor underlies this ruling, this issue is affirmed.