Opinion ID: 1230804
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Formalities of the Transfer of Temporary or Permanent Custody

Text: Much of the controversy in this case centers upon the language of the document prepared by the lawyer for the Overfields. The affidavit executed and delivered by the appellant did transfer custody of her children to her parents, but it also created in its wake a torrent of uncertainty and contention as to the duration of the custodial change. In order to avoid such uncertainty and ambiguity in the future, a few simple rules can guide the bench and bar of this State. If a natural parent intends to voluntarily transfer permanent custody of a child to a third person, then the document effecting that transfer should expressly provide that it is the intention of the parent to permanently transfer the custody of the child to the third person. If a natural parent intends to voluntarily transfer temporary custody of a child to a third person, then the document effecting the transfer should expressly provide that it is the intention of the parent to temporarily transfer custody to the third person. In the unlikelihood that the scrivener of a document voluntarily transferring the custody of a child between a parent and a third person fails to express any intention as to the duration of the custodial change, it shall be presumed that the transfer is temporary, and the burden of proof shall be upon the third person to prove by clear and convincing evidence, either intrinsic or extrinsic, that it was the intention of the parent to transfer permanent custody of the child to the third person. [9]