Opinion ID: 2588274
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Did the magistrate abuse its discretion in awarding Justin primary physical custody of Megan?

Text: Melissa argues that the magistrate abused his discretion when applying the factors listed in Idaho Code § 32-717. [3] That statute sets forth relevant, non-exhaustive factors to aid in making a child custody determination. Brownson v. Allen, 134 Idaho 60, 995 P.2d 830 (2000). The trial judge has wide discretion when weighing these and other relevant factors. Id. Melissa argues that the magistrate should have weighed Justin's mental condition more heavily against awarding him primary physical custody because he will require medications for the rest of his life to control his condition. She argues that, in contrast, there was no evidence that she suffers from a mental condition. The magistrate considered the evidence in the record and found that Justin's mental illness does not affect his parenting ability. That finding is supported by substantial and competent evidence. Therefore, the magistrate did not abuse his discretion in failing to weigh Justin's mental illness against awarding him primary physical custody. Melissa also argues that the magistrate did not properly apply IDAHO CODE § 32-717B. [4] She argues that there will be significant periods of time during which she will not have contact with Megan. The statute provides that there is a presumption that joint custody is in the best interests of a minor child. `Joint custody' means an order awarding custody of the minor child ... to both parents and providing that physical custody shall be shared by the parents in such a way as to assure the child . . . of frequent and continuing contact with both parents. IDAHO CODE § 32-717B(1) (1996). Joint physical custody does not mean that the parents have physical custody of the child for equal periods of time, nor does it mean that the child should alternate back and forth between the parents for specified periods of time. IDAHO CODE § 32-717B(2) (1996). The actual amount of time the child spends with each parent is to be determined by the trial court. Id. In this case, Melissa chose to move from Idaho to Michigan. The practical effect of her move is to limit the amount of time that she can spend with Megan. The magistrate implicitly found that it would not be in Megan's best interests to spend six months each year with each parent. It was therefore necessary to award primary physical custody [5] to one parent. Each parent has strengths and weaknesses, and it would do no good to recount all of the allegations of misconduct they made against each other. The magistrate had to decide which parent Megan would be with most of the time. Except in cases where a parent is unfit, those decisions are never easy. The magistrate considered all relevant factors and determined that the scales tipped in favor of awarding primary physical custody of Megan to Justin. That determination does not mean that Melissa is not a fit parent, nor does it mean that Justin is a perfect parent. It simply means that, considering all relevant factors, the magistrate concluded that it was in Megan's best interests for Justin to have primary physical custody. The magistrate also ordered that if the parties could not agree otherwise, Justin should have physical custody approximately eighty percent of the time. An abuse of discretion occurs when there is not sufficient evidence to support the court's finding regarding the best interests of the child. Brownson v. Allen, 134 Idaho 60, 995 P.2d 830 (2000). Melissa has not shown that the magistrate abused his discretion in awarding physical custody.