Opinion ID: 2587730
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Superior Court's Custody Order

Text: Faced with these difficult facts, the superior court determined that [this] situation is best met with a rough maintenance of the status quo. At trial, the superior court repeatedly asked Elton if a shared custody arrangement with Arletta could be worked out. In the end, the superior court granted sole legal custody to Naomi but awarded shared physical custody to Arletta and Elton because of Naomi's temporary inability to care for the children. Ultimately, the superior court expected that Naomi would get back on her feet and request physical custody: If and when [Naomi] obtains a stable job, housing, and the emotional stability needed to support a family of four, she may [move] this Court to prove such factors. If [Naomi] does so, this Court will allow the children to move to Florida to live with her so that she has physical custody of her children. The order allocated physical custody between Arletta and Elton based on Arletta's work schedule. The children stay with Elton from Monday morning until Thursday morning and during the day on weekends. Though the children spend roughly half of every week with Elton, the order granted Arletta the full financial benefits of physical custody  such as child support, tax benefits, and control of permanent fund dividends. Elton appeals both the award of legal custody to Naomi and the award dividing physical custody between himself and Arletta. Naomi and Arletta have not participated in this appeal.