Opinion ID: 2539002
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: It Was Error To Order Temporary Joint Legal Custody and Shared Physical Custody After Finding Eggener Has a History of Domestic Violence Without Addressing the Presumption Against Custody in AS 25.24.150(g).

Text: In 2004 the legislature added several subsections to the child custody statute, AS 25.24.150. [11] One of the additions, subsection (g), creates a rebuttable presumption against awarding sole or joint legal or physical custody to a parent who `has a history of perpetrating domestic violence against the other parent.' [12] Under AS 25.24.150(h), another 2004 addition to the child custody statute, [a] parent has a history of perpetrating domestic violence if the parent caused serious physical injury during a domestic violence incident or has engaged in more than one incident of domestic violence. [13] Alaska Statute 25.24.150(g)'s presumption against custody may be overcome if a parent with a history of domestic violence: completes an intervention program for batterers, when reasonably available; does not engage in substance abuse; and the child's best interests require that parent's participation as a custodial parent. . . . [14] If the presumption is not overcome, AS 25.24.150(g) prohibits awarding the perpetrating parent any type of custody. [15] Here the trial court found Eggener has a history of domestic violence but failed to address AS 25.24.150(g)'s presumption against custody. We have explained that the path charted in subsection .150(g)-(i) must be followed when a court finds one parent has a history of domestic violence. [16] The trial court's custody awards cannot be sustained, and we therefore vacated the trial court's award of temporary joint legal custody and shared physical custody to Eggener, along with the 4/3, 3/4 shared physical custody schedule. We do not reach Wee's challenge to the court's deferral of final legal custody because without a finding that Eggener overcame the presumption against custody, he has no right to any type of custody. Wee has sole legal and primary physical custody of the child, although Eggener may move for a change in custody if he can overcome the statutory presumption against custody. [17]