Opinion ID: 1791331
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: was there sufficient evidence for the chancellor to grant grandparent visitation?

Text: ¶ 10. This Court, in Martin v. Coop, 693 So.2d 912 (Miss.1997), outlined ten factors that are to be considered by a chancellor in making a determination regarding grandparent visitation: In determining the amount of visitation that grandparents should be granted in this situation, some guidelines by this Court may be helpful. As always, the best interest of the child must be the polestar consideration. The visitation should be less than that which would be awarded to a non-custodial parent, unless the circumstances overwhelming dictate that that amount of visitation is in the best interest of the child, and it would be harmful to the child not to grant it. The following factors should be considered by the chancery court in determining grandparent visitation, and no one should be weighed more heavily than the others. 1. The amount of disruption that extensive visitation will have on the child's life. This includes disruption of school activities, summer activities, as well as any disruption that might take place between the natural parent and the child as a result of the child being away from home for extensive lengths of time. 2. The suitability of the grandparents' home with respect to the amount of supervision received by the child. 3. The age of the child. 4. The age, and physical and mental health of the grandparents. 5. The emotional ties between the grandparents and the grandchild. 6. The moral fitness of the grandparents. 7. The distance of the grandparents' home from the child's home. 8. Any undermining of the parent's general discipline of the child. 9. Employment of the grandparents and the responsibilities associated with that employment. 10. The willingness of the grandparents to accept that the rearing of the child is the responsibility of the parent, and that the parent's manner of child rearing is not to be interfered with by the grandparents. As stated before, none of these factors should receive more weight in the chancellor's analysis than any other. These factors are further not all-inclusive. The chancellor should weigh all circumstances and factors he feels to be appropriate. Id. at 916. ¶ 11. Derek and Rachelle contend that the chancellor did not properly consider the Martin factors as they believe that many of them were not addressed during the hearing. They point to Gray v. Gray, 745 So.2d 234, 238 (Miss.1999), where this Court held that a chancellor's failure to follow enumerated guidelines is manifest error when specific findings of fact corresponding to such guidelines is required. Derek and Rachelle also assert that the information presented at the hearing was not sufficient for the chancellor to rule in favor of West and that such a ruling was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. ¶ 12. West claims that the Martin factors were properly addressed at the trial court level and that the chancellor's decision was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. West advances that the chancellor after hearing testimony and observing the demeanor of the witnesses chose who to believe. West cites Voda v. Voda, 731 So.2d 1152, 1155 (Miss. 1999), where this Court stated that it is presumed on appeal that the chancellor has taken all factors into consideration. (citing Tanner v. Tanner, 481 So.2d 1063, 1064 (Miss.1985)). ¶ 13. We conclude that the chancellor did not speak to the best interest of Zack and that several factors set forth in Martin were not adequately addressed. First and foremost, this Court has repeatedly held that in matters regarding child custody and visitation the best interest of the child is of paramount importance. Martin clearly sets forth this standard prior to outlining the factors to be considered in a grandparent visitation matter. Martin at 916. In awarding West visitation the chancellor stated the following: The Court finds that from prior testimony and testimony presented today that this grandmother was relied upon during the hard times, and at the present time the parents want to push her aside and treat her as an outsider. It is obvious to the Court they want to break the relationship between the grandchild and the grandmother ... I think that the invitation to Mrs. West that was extended by testimony today by Mr. Morgan and Mrs. Morgan for Mrs. West to come to their homes for visitation is meaningless. It is evident to this Court that if in fact she did come to either of their homes, the visitation would be denied or it would be such a hostile environment that visitation could not be carried out. There is no indication from the chancellor's statement, or anywhere else in the record, that the best interests of Zack were considered by the chancellor in making her decision. Instead, it appears that the chancellor was more concerned with the best interests of West. This alone is grounds for reversal. ¶ 14. Also, several of the Martin factors were not sufficiently addressed by the chancellor. As the chancellor did not articulate her findings regarding the Martin factors this Court is left with the task of reviewing the record to see what testimony is applicable to these factors. This Court finds that factors 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 10 were improperly considered or inadequately addressed by the chancellor. A brief analysis of each of these factors follows: