Opinion ID: 2465213
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Superior Court Trial And Post-Trial Orders

Text: Superior Court Judge Michael A. MacDonald conducted a three-day trial in September 2009 and heard extensive testimony about Dante's needs, Michael's and Joanna's parenting behaviors, and other circumstances affecting Dante's development. In addition to the facts discussed above, the court heard testimony about Joanna's relationship history; problems at the end of Joanna's and Michael's marriage; Joanna's close relationships with her daughters' paternal grandmothers; and Michael's plans to enroll in parenting classes. Following the trial, the superior court awarded Joanna primary physical custody during the school year, setting out a schedule for summer and holiday visitation with Michael. The court concluded that Michael had legitimate reasons for moving to New Jersey. But the court did not accept the custody investigator's recommendation that Dante should move to New Jersey with Michael, noting both the father and the custody investigator overstate the relationship between the father and son when they characterize it as primary and the mother's as secondary. According to the court, Dante had primary bonds of love and affection with both parents, each parent was able to care for him, and it would be desirable to maintain custody with either parent. In awarding primary custody to Joanna, the court reasoned that Joanna was the more experienced parent, better able to provide for Dante's needs (particularly his need to maintain his sibling relationships) and more willing to facilitate Dante's relationship with Michael. Michael appeals the superior court's custody modification order. He has stayed in the Fairbanks area pending this appeal and filed a motion for interim custody. On December 28, 2009, Judge MacDonald held a hearing on this motion. [3] He concluded that as long as Michael lives in Fairbanks, there has been no change of circumstances that requires modification and the pre-modification custody arrangement will remain in effect.