Opinion ID: 831418
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: relevance of statutory best interest factors

Text: I agree that in child custody disputes where the established custodial environment would not be modified, a trial court need not state its factual findings and conclusions regarding any statutory best interest factor that is irrelevant to the specific important decision under review. Further, I agree that requiring trial courts to evaluate best interest factors that are plainly irrelevant to a specific decision distracts from the overriding focus in any child custody disputenamely, what is in the child's best interest. Consequently, I concur with the general approach set forth by the majority, but I emphasize that this approach is limited to those cases in which the proposed important decision would not modify the child's established custodial environment. [11] An established custodial environment exists if over an appreciable time the child naturally looks to the custodian in that environment for guidance, discipline, the necessities of life, and parental comfort. MCL 722.27(1)(c). The Legislature has instructed courts to consider [t]he age of the child, the physical environment, and the inclination of the custodian and the child as to permanency of the relationship in analyzing whether the custodian and child share an established custodial environment. Id. In child custody disputes between parents, the best interests of the child control. MCL 722.25; see Ireland v. Smith, 451 Mich. 457, 466, 547 N.W.2d 686 (1996) (In all events, however, the best interests of [the child], not of [the parents], are central.). The Legislature has stated that the sum total of 12 factors provides the basis for courts to consider, evaluate, and determine whether an important decision is in the best interests of the child. MCL 722.23. [12] After carefully considering the whole situation, a trial court may determine that certain factors are plainly irrelevant to the particular decision before the court. In such cases, a trial court not only must state its factual findings and conclusions regarding each relevant best interest factor on the record, but it also must expressly state its conclusion regarding the irrelevance of any remaining factors. See Parent v. Parent, 282 Mich.App. 152, 156-157, 762 N.W.2d 553 (2009). By distinguishing applicable and inapplicable best interest factors in child custody disputes where the established custodial environment would not be modified, a trial court can create a sufficient record for meaningful appellate review while focusing its analysis on the important decision at issue and how that decision will affect the welfare of the child. Accordingly, I concur with this aspect of the majority opinion.