Opinion ID: 2117648
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Joint CustodyIs It Appropriate in This Case?

Text: We now turn to the custody question before us: Whether trial court's award of joint custody is in the best interests of the Burham children? Their best interests are, of course, the first and governing consideration. Iowa R.App.P. 14(f)(15). In reaching this determination, it is our duty to examine the entire record de novo. In re Marriage of Moorhead, 224 N.W.2d 242, 244 (Iowa 1974). While we accord weight to the trial court's findings of fact because the trial judge heard and observed the witnesses firsthand, we are not bound by them. In re Marriage of Snyder, 241 N.W.2d 733, 733 (Iowa 1976); In re Marriage of Callahan, 214 N.W.2d 133, 136 (Iowa 1974); Iowa R.App.P. 14(f)(7) (as amended in 1977). At trial the custody of the parties' two daughters was bitterly contested. Because it would serve no useful purpose, we will refrain from spreading upon these pages the attacks made by each party as to the character and fitness of the other. Suffice it to say, neither appears to be as deficient as accused by the other, nor as worthy of custody as self-proclaimed. Trial court, in its decree, observed: It is very plain from the record that the parents are better people than their conduct of recent years would indicate. In fashioning a joint and alternating custodial arrangement, trial court was attempting to salvage from the marital chaos some stability for the children and also afford them the benefit of the companionship and aid of both parents. Trial court reasoned: It becomes apparent that these fine young daughters need the full devotion of both parents to their best interests for the next six years. It is very doubtful that either parent can supply the emotional support the children need, afflicted as both parents are with myopia so severe as to disable these persons, at least temporarily, in their several roles as father and mother of the children. In this Court's view Susan and Mary Lee need the shared strength they get from each other in their familiar community among friends of longstanding in order to nurture and complete their development into good citizens during these next few years. However, the home atmosphere was described at trial by a clinical psychologist as having taken on the flavor of an `armed camp.' The battle rages on in the arguments advanced in this appeal, and both parties reject the feasibility of joint custody. A mutual acceptance of joint custody and the ability to reach shared decisions in the children's best interests, the second and third tests for joint custody suggested above, are imperative. As stated in Dodd, 93 Misc.2d at 647, 403 N.Y.S.2d at 405, The most ardent professional proponents of joint custody assume cooperation between parents and agreement about child rearing practices as basic requirements for joint custody. (Footnote omitted.) Because this case plainly fails the second and third tests, it also likely fails the sixth, which requires that the children not suffer emotionally or psychologically from joint custody. Braiman, 44 N.Y.2d at 590, 407 N.Y. S.2d at 451, 378 N.E.2d at 1021, observed, As a court-ordered arrangement imposed upon already embattled and embittered parents, accusing one another of serious vices and wrongs, [joint custody] can only enhance familial chaos. Consequently, we believe that joint custody is, as both parties have asserted, untenable in this situation. Despite our conclusion that joint custody is not workable in this case, this court henceforth will have no opposition to joint custody arrangements, either by stipulation or decree, which meet substantially those tests that we have set forth in division II.