Opinion ID: 2587730
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The superior court granted sole legal custody to Naomi.

Text: Elton argues that the award of sole legal custody to Naomi was a legal fiction and that the superior court actually awarded [Arletta] . . . custody of both [Julian] and [Carmen]. Elton claims that the court invested Arletta with all of the rights and incidents of child custody, even though Naomi was named the nominal legal custodian. We read this as an argument that the superior court granted legal custody, as well as physical custody, to Arletta. Consequently, Elton claims that the superior court violated Evans because it failed to make the factual findings necessary for awarding custody to a non-parent over the objections of a parent. Though we have some misgivings regarding Naomi's practical ability to exercise legal custody over her children from Orlando, [16] we accept the superior court's statement that it awarded sole legal custody to Naomi. The essential feature of legal custody is the discretion to make major decisions regarding a child's upbringing. [17] These decisions include choices regarding education, health care, morals, and religion. [18] Elton argues that the court awarded full custody to Arletta because (1) the custody order prohibited Naomi from assuming physical custody for at least one school year, (2) Naomi may elect to leave the children in the current arrangement until their majority, and (3) the court awarded Arletta the financial benefits that accompany primary physical custody. We are not convinced that these features of the custody award demonstrate that Arletta possesses full custody, that is, legal as well as physical custody, because they did not invest Arletta with discretion to make major decisions. Requiring the children to remain in Anchorage with Arletta and Elton for one school year does not transfer decision-making authority from Naomi to Arletta. This aspect of the custody order restricts Naomi's discretion but it does not grant Arletta any authority. The possibility that the current arrangement could last indefinitely also does not affect Naomi's authority. Even if Arletta physically cares for Julian and Carmen until their majority, Naomi still retains the right to make the major decisions affecting their lives. The superior court's boarding school analogy aptly captures the dynamic of these circumstances. Like a parent who has placed her child in boarding school, it becomes more difficult for Naomi to ensure that her preferences regarding her children's education, discipline, morality, and religious instruction are carried out. This difficulty, however, does not deprive her of the right to make such decisions. We also note that Elton's first two arguments are unpersuasive in light of the fact that he shares physical custody. Under the custody award, Elton cares for the children from Monday morning until Thursday morning and during the day on weekends. The requirement that the children remain in Anchorage for one school year and the possibility that the current arrangement could last indefinitely actually increase Elton's ability to affect the children's health, education and welfare. Elton's final contention, that Arletta's receipt of the financial benefits of custody shows that Arletta possesses full custody, is likewise unpersuasive. Child support is meant to benefit the child by financially assisting the party providing child care. [19] Likewise, tax breaks are meant to offset actual child care costs. These financial benefits are appropriately granted to the person who the custody order contemplates will provide child care. Consequently, assigning these benefits to Arletta does not imply that she holds legal as well as physical custody; it only reflects that she bears the financial burdens of physical custody. [20] On the other hand, control of the children's permanent fund dividends may fall within the authority that corresponds to legal custody. Even so, in this case the ability to control permanent fund dividends is a relatively small intrusion on Naomi's ultimate discretion.