Opinion ID: 1708111
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Other Factors Relevant to the Parent-Child Relationship.

Text: ¶ 18. Although this factor affords chancellors the opportunity to discuss other factors not already covered in the other Albright factors, this chancellor chose to solely rely on Barbara's affair. After determining that Barbara exhibited good parenting skills and possessed the capacity to properly provide and care for her minor child, as previously discussed in the third factor, the chancellor nevertheless stated that he believed that certain aspects of Barbara's personal life would hinder her ability to serve as a her minor child's primary care giver. The chancellor's findings as to Barbara on these two factors are woefully inconsistent in that the chancellor on the one hand found that Barbara exhibited good parenting skills and had the capacity to provide for the care of the minor child, but on the other hand found that he doubted her ability to serve as the primary custodian of her minor daughter because of her bizarre action. The chancellor failed to mention the support Barbara received from her family, William's interference with Barbara's time with their minor child, or any other relevant factor not contained in the other factors. He again reiterated the actions of Barbara's extra-marital affair and the doubt this cast on her ability to serve as the primary custodian of her minor daughter. The chancellor noted his concern of her repeating this action in the future. Therefore, the chancellor concluded, based on the above findings, that it would be in the best interest of the minor child for William to have primary legal custody of the minor child. The chancellor then awarded extensive visitation rights to Barbara by granting her three weekends a month beginning on Thursday afternoon and ending on Sunday evening. ¶ 19. After a thorough review of the record, we find without doubt that the chancellor relied heavily on the fact the Barbara had an affair, thus placing too much weight on one Albright factor. From his consideration of the Albright factors, the chancellor found two in favor of William (moral fitness and other relevant factors) and one in favor of Barbara (continuity of care prior to the separation). The remaining factors were found to be neutral. This Court has held that although it could not be said that the chancellor's conclusion regarding the application of the Albright factors was so lacking in evidentiary support as to be manifest error, the absence of specific findings prevented affirming the lower court with the confidence that the best result was reached. Hayes v. Rounds, 658 So.2d 863, 865 (Miss.1995). A similar situation presents itself today. While the chancellor analyzed the applicable factors, he did not do so with specificity, assigning very few to a particular parent. If, as Albright indicates, one factor should not outweigh another, the chancellor erred by determining the case on the basis of Beth's moral fitness, when upon review, Beth clearly wound up with more factors weighing in her favor. Albright, 437 So.2d at 1005. Hollon, 784 So.2d at 951-52. ¶ 20. We must remember what this Court stated in Albright [m]arital fault should not be used as a sanction in custody awards. 437 So.2d at 1005. In today's case, the chancellor granted William a divorce from Barbara on the ground of adultery. The chancellor in this case indeed sanctioned Barbara by denial of custody of her daughter because of her marital faultadultery. Of the various Albright factors considered by the chancellor, a reading of the record, including the chancellor's detailed 13-page opinion and judgment, can leave no doubt that Barbara's adultery, whether it be categorized as moral fitness or the catch-all other factors under Albright, caused Barbara to be denied custody of her minor daughter.