Opinion ID: 1554036
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Whether the court erred in awarding custody of Alex to Rusty.

Text: ¶ 18. Finding that the chancery court properly exercised jurisdiction over this case, we next turn to Vicki's argument that the chancellor erred in awarding custody of Alex to Rusty. Vicki raises three arguments: (1) that the court erred in finding a material change in circumstances as to Alex; (2) that the court failed to make any findings that the change in circumstances had an adverse effect upon Alex; and (3) the chancellor's findings under the Albright analysis were not supported by substantial evidence, were manifestly wrong, or clearly erroneous. Finding no manifest error, we affirm the judgment of the chancellor. ¶ 19. The law on custody modification is well established. [A] non-custodial party must prove [that]: (1) there has been a substantial change in circumstances affecting the child; (2) the change adversely affects the [child's] welfare; and (3) a change in custody is in the best interest of the child. Johnson v. Gray, 859 So.2d 1006, 1013 (Miss.2003) (citing Bredemeier v. Jackson, 689 So.2d 770, 775 (Miss.1997)). A modification of custody is warranted in the event that the moving parent successfully shows that an application of the Albright factors reveals that there had been a material change in those circumstances which has an adverse effect on the child and modification of custody would be in the child's best interest. Id. (citing Sanford v. Arinder, 800 So.2d 1267, 1272 (Miss.Ct.App.2001)). When determining whether modification is necessary, all evidence shall be viewed in light of the totality of the circumstances. Weigand v. Houghton, 730 So.2d 581, 585 (Miss.1999) (citing Ash v. Ash, 622 So.2d 1264, 1266 (Miss.1993)).
¶ 20. Vicki argues that the chancellor erred in finding that there had been a material change in circumstances regarding Alex's care. The chancellor found the following to be a material change in circumstances adversely affecting Alex: Vicki's violation of the July 2006 order when she removed Alex from his father's care and took him to Texas; Alex's excessive absences from school; Vicki's lack of cooperation with the guardian ad litem; Vicki's failure to properly discipline Alex; and Vicki's allowing Kim and her boyfriend to share a bedroom while she had Alex's custody. Each finding will be discussed individually below.