Opinion ID: 2824865
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Earlier Custody Proceedings2

Text: Andrea C. and Marcus K. are the divorced parents of two children, Daniel and Bryson.3 Since their divorce, Andrea and Marcus have engaged in a contentious custody battle. Although Marcus originally received only supervised visitation with the children because he had a history of domestic violence,4 Marcus enjoyed primary physical custody and shared legal custody immediately prior to the custody modification at issue in this appeal. This significant shift in custody appears to have been the result of two factors. First, Marcus rebutted the domestic violence presumption, making it possible for the superior court to award him physical and legal custody. Second, the superior court had increasing concerns regarding Andrea’s parenting. For example, in 2006 the court noted that both parents had “emotionally abused” the children, but that Marcus had made “great strides in his ability to deal with [the] confrontation and stress associated with divided parenting.” The court described Andrea as “the primary person that continually subjects the children to emotional abuse” and believed she was unable to 2 We discuss the history of this custody dispute in some detail to provide relevant context. 3 At the time of the 2012 custody modification from which Andrea appeals, Daniel was eleven years old and Bryson was eight years old. 4 AS 25.24.150(g). A parent who has a history of perpetrating domestic violence is subject to a rebuttable presumption against an award of physical or legal custody. Id. A parent has a history of perpetrating domestic violence when “during one incident of domestic violence, the parent caused serious physical injury or . . . the parent has engaged in more than one incident of domestic violence.” AS 25.24.150(h). -2- 7027 recognize her shortcomings as a parent. The court later characterized Andrea as “controlling” and “manipulative.” In a related 2007 proceeding, the superior court took evidence regarding an interaction between Andrea and Daniel, which the court described as “disturbing.” A custody investigation ordered in a 2010 modification proceeding also raised concerns regarding Andrea’s relationship with Daniel, noting, “[I]t is clear there is a serious problem between Mother and [Daniel]. [Daniel’s] escalating behavior and verbal abuse towards Mother is a concern as well as Mother’s sometimes inappropriate responses.” The superior court attempted to address these issues by ordering Andrea to complete a parenting class in 2006. And in 2007, in response to the “disturbing” interaction between Andrea and Daniel, the court ordered her to take an anger management class. Andrea failed to complete either requirement for several years and was eventually held in contempt. It appears Andrea may have completed the anger management course and started the parenting class in 2010.