Opinion ID: 2371945
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: rsa 461-a:5, iii

Text: The petitioner next argues that, collateral estoppel notwithstanding, the court erred when, despite the prior finding of abuse against the respondent, it awarded sole parental decision-making responsibility under RSA 461-A:5, III to him. Specifically, she argues that the court was required to award sole decision-making power to her because of the prior finding of abuse. We disagree. When determining matters of custody, a trial court's overriding concern is the best interest of the child. In the Matter of Hampers & Hampers, 154 N.H. ___, ___, 911 A.2d 14, 21 (2006). In doing so, the trial court has wide discretion, and we will not overturn its determination except where there has been an unsustainable exercise of discretion. This means that we review the record only to determine whether it contains an objective basis to sustain the trial court's discretionary judgment. The trial court's determination in any custody case depends to a large extent upon the firsthand assessment of the credibility of witnesses, as well as the character and temperament of the parents, and the findings of the trial court are binding upon this court if supported by the evidence. Id. at 21-22 (quotations and citations omitted). Pursuant to RSA 461-A:4 (Supp.2006), the trial court formulated a parenting plan for the parties because communication between them was not possible. The trial court found that the petitioner remained terrified of the Respondent for events which did not occur and the Respondent [was] mistrustful of the Petitioner since he [had] already been subjected to the criminal justice system as a result of Petitioner's unfounded allegations. When devising a parenting plan relating to decision-making responsibility under RSA 461-A:5, there is a presumption that joint decision-making responsibility is in the best interest of the child unless there has been a finding of abuse. RSA 461-A:5. RSA 461-A:5, III provides: Where the court finds that abuse as defined in RSA 173-B:1, I has occurred, the court shall consider such abuse as harmful to children and as evidence in determining whether joint decision-making responsibility is appropriate. In such cases, the court shall make orders for the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities that best protect the children or the abused spouse or both. If joint decision-making responsibility is granted despite evidence of abuse, the court shall provide written findings to support the order. The trial court, however, found that no abuse had occurred. While the court acknowledged that the Derry Family Division had made such a finding, the statute is not triggered by a finding of another court that abuse has occurred. The statute applies only when the court responsible for allocating parental rights finds that abuse has occurred. It is clear from the context that the court making orders for the allocation of parental rights must be the same court that makes the finding of abuse. Here, that court was the Portsmouth Family Division, which found that no abuse occurred. Accordingly, RSA 461-A:5, III did not apply. The court considered the testimony of the guardian ad litem that the respondent should have sole decision-making responsibility, the parties' inability to communicate, the behavior of the parties and the child's stability and normalcy. Because there is evidence in the record to support the trial court's determination regarding decision-making responsibility, we cannot say that the court's exercise of discretion was unsustainable.