Opinion ID: 2340395
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Superior Court Must Consider The Best Interests Of The Children Under AS 25.24.150(c).

Text: Justin demonstrated that a substantial change in circumstances would occur when he moved out of state. Thus, he has met the threshold requirement for modification of custody. [9] And the superior court must give full consideration to the best interests of the children before entering an order modifying custody. Alaska Statute 25.20.110(g) and AS 25.24.150(c) identify nine factors that the superior court must consider in its best-interests inquiry. The superior court has some leeway in determining what factors it considers pertinent. [10] Nevertheless, the statute requires the superior court to consider each of the enumerated factors unless the court concludes, in light of the facts of a particular case, that certain factors have no bearing on the child's well-being. [11] When we review a custody modification order, we must determine whether the superior court gave due consideration to each of the pertinent statutory factors. Because the superior court in this case found no change of circumstances, it did not address certain statutory factors, such as the children's needs, each parent's ability to meet those needs, and the love and affection existing between the children and each parent. Thus, we remand this case for the superior court to address the statutory best-interests factors, as it deems necessary, in light of the facts of this case.