Opinion ID: 2003290
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: whether the trial court abused its discretion in awarding primary custody of child to father, subject to a custody sharing arrangement between parents.

Text: Stone argues that the trial court abused its discretion in granting Sobolik primary custody of Christy, claiming there is evidence in the record which supports that Sobolik had used physical force and intimidation against Stone in the past. Stone claims that the weight of the evidence indicates that she is the more responsible party. SDCL 30-27-19 provides in part: In awarding the custody of a minor ... the court or judge is to be guided by the following considerations: (1) By what appears to be for the best interests of the child in respect to its temporal and its mental and moral welfare;... (2) As between parents adversely claiming the custody ... neither parent shall be given preference over the other in determining custody. In cases such as this, the trial court must give primary consideration to the child's best interests and welfare. Pribbenow v. Van Sambeek, 418 N.W.2d 626 (S.D.1988); Garnos v. Garnos, 376 N.W.2d 571 (S.D. 1985); Hanks v. Hanks, 296 N.W.2d 523 (S.D.1980) aff'd after remand 344 N.W.2d 856 (S.D.1983); Hoaas v. Hoaas, 75 S.D. 55, 59 N.W.2d 254 (1953). In our review of the trial court's decision pertaining to child custody, we cannot substitute our judgment for that of the trial court unless there has been a clear abuse of discretion. Prentice v. Prentice, 322 N.W.2d 880 (S.D.1982); Hanks, supra . Stone further argues that the best interests of Christy would be met if both parties were equally vested with parental authority. However, it should be noted that at the trial court level Stone solely requested primary custody (subject to a child custody sharing arrangement). She has never, until this appeal, requested joint legal custody with custody sharing. A review of the record reveals that the trial court's factual findings and decisions were supported by the evidence and there was no abuse of discretion. During the years that Stone was involved with Sobolik, and for some years prior to that, she was experiencing uncertainty in her life. During a time frame of less than four years, Stone was engaged to three different men and all three engagements were subsequently broken. One of her former fiances was permitted to live in her basement apartment prior to, during, and after her engagement to Sobolik, and even while she was engaged to a second fiance. It appears that Stone's two children may have been left alone over night on occasion and that Sobolik assisted Stone with the discipline of the older child. There is no doubt that Stone cares for her children and does her best to properly provide for them; however, the trial court found that Sobolik had the character qualities and background which made him a more stable influence in Christy's life. Sobolik was securely employed and appeared to be a loving, concerned father. Testimony revealed he was religious and had a well-kept home. Although we have serious reservations regarding the custodial arrangement (i.e. weekly exchange of child), especially when looking into the future, we cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion in deciding that primary custody in the father was in the best interests of Christy's temporal, mental, and moral welfare. [2] Garnos, supra . According to the court's judgment, final decisions are to be shared. It is only when the parties do not agree that Sobolik makes the final decision. Finally, custody is always reviewable by the court in the event appropriate circumstances warrant.