Opinion ID: 2218667
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Compelling reasons to separate the siblings.

Text: Debra argues that the best interests of the child require compelling reasons to separate siblings. She argues that the trial court failed to set out compelling reasons to separate D.J. and his half sister Tina, and that no such reasons exist. Delwyn claims that the trial court properly found that it was in D.J.'s best interests to grant custody to him. We have held that the best interests of the child require compelling reasons to separate siblings. Adam v. Adam, 436 N.W.2d 266 (S.D.1989); Mayer v. Mayer, 397 N.W.2d 638 (S.D.1986). Compelling reasons are necessary to separate even half-siblings. Adam, supra ; Mayer, supra . In Mayer, we stated: The evidence shows that the trial court gave no consideration to the profound effects of ending Jennifer's valuable relationship with her sister. Nor did it provide any persuasive rationale for splitting them up. Justice requires that society exercise its moral duty to insure that children in a family enjoy the right to remain together, to share each others lives, and to grow up together, until such time as necessity and the welfare of the children, itself, requires their separation.... For the trial court to conclude that it was in Jennifer's best interest to award custody to Frederick without adequate findings regarding such a crucial consequence of the custody arrangement, requires reversal. (citations omitted). Id. at 644. In this case the trial court made a single reference to D.J.'s relationship with Tina, stating that there was testimony the two got along. There are no other references to either Tina or Cody in the findings of fact, conclusions of law or in the memorandum opinion which was incorporated by reference. The court failed to make any findings whether compelling reasons existed to separate the children. Delwyn distinguishes the present case from Mayer in that the separated sisters in Mayer were only two years apart in age and had grown up together in a close relationship. He argues that while D.J. grew up with Tina, there are seven years separating the children, as Tina is fourteen and D.J. only seven. He claims that under these circumstances compelling reasons are unnecessary to separate the children. Mayer is a bright line rule which requires compelling reasons to separate siblings, regardless of their ages and relationships. However, the ages and relationships of the siblings are factors in determining whether compelling reasons exist to separate them. Adam, supra ; Andersen v. Andersen, 399 N.W.2d 363 (S.D.1987). The failure to consider whether compelling reasons exist to separate the siblings as part of the best interests of the child requires reversal and remand of the custody issue. The trial court should reconsider the best interests of D.J. in light of whether compelling reasons exist to separate D.J. from his half sister, Tina, and his half brother, Cody. [2]