Opinion ID: 2587730
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Superior Court's Findings of Fact

Text: Initial custody determinations in non-divorce disputes are governed by AS 25.20.060. [3] When faced with a custody dispute pursuant to AS 25.20.060, a superior court shall award custody based on the best interests of the children according to the nine factors described in AS 25.24.150(c). At the time the superior court considered this case, these factors were: [4] (1) the physical, emotional, mental, religious, and social needs of the child; (2) the capability and desire of each parent to meet these needs; (3) the child's preference if the child is of sufficient age and capacity to form a preference; (4) the love and affection existing between the child and each parent; (5) the length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity; (6) the desire and ability of each parent to allow an open and loving frequent relationship between the child and the other parent; (7) any evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, or child neglect in the proposed custodial household or a history of violence between the parents; (8) evidence that substance abuse by either parent or other members of the household directly affects the emotional or physical well-being of the child; (9) other factors that the court considers pertinent.[ [5] ] Pursuant to AS 25.20.060, the superior court applied these factors to determine the best interests of Julian and Carmen. The court entered findings on each of these factors, placing the most emphasis on the ability of each parent to care for the children and the children's need for stability.
The superior court concluded that the children especially need stability, a reprieve from violence, and a cessation of inter-parent strife: Both children need stability, both children need parents they can rely on to meet their needs and support for [Julian's] academic situation, Special Ed. They need to be away from violence, away from conflict between the parents or between either of the parents and the grandmother.
While the superior court believed that both parents love their children and desire to care for them, it concluded that neither is presently able to care for them. Naomi is currently unemployed, without housing, and lacking in emotional stability. Elton is also unemployed but his other shortcomings are less tractable. According to the superior court, Elton has a pattern of abandoning his responsibilities and his family, exhibiting marginal judgment, and suffering from serious mental illness that requires treatment occupying the majority of his mental and emotional resources. The superior court believed that Naomi will be capable of caring for Julian and Carmen once she gets back on her feet. For Elton, on the other hand, there are structural limits on what he can do taking care of these two children as a primary care giver.
The superior court concluded that Julian and Carmen were not sufficiently mature to form a preference for either parent. [6] At the urging of the custody investigator, however, the superior court noted that the children are decidedly in favor of being parented by the mother in Florida. Carmen, in particular, is afraid of being parented by Elton.
In its written findings, the superior court found love between both parents and the children. In its oral findings, the superior court noted that Carmen stated that she does not really know her father.
The superior court found that Arletta has been the strongest source of stability and continuity in the children's lives: [I]f [Arletta] weren't here, this situation could not possibly have worked even as well as it has for the past four years. The children also have extended family in the Anchorage area and have formed close attachments to Arletta's two young children.
The superior court found that each parent is equal in this regard.
While the court found that there is no evidence of present or recent domestic violence by [Elton] in its findings of fact, it noted in its oral findings that Elton beat Naomi in the past and doesn't understand that [in] this society, domestic violence is unacceptable. The superior court found no domestic violence issues with respect to [Naomi]. It noted, however, that Lance, Naomi's former boyfriend and the father of her other children, was arrested last year for domestic violence against Naomi. The court determined that there is no evidence of child abuse by either parent.
The court found no current substance abuse by either parent. In its oral findings, the court noted that Elton apparently had a cocaine and alcohol problem sometime in the past. It seems to be under acceptable control now.