Court Opinion

ID: 9532726
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:24:18.759368+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:49.563983
License: Public Domain

SIMPSON, Justice
(dissenting).
The holding transferring custody of the infant Jacqueline Green from the mother to her paternal grandparents impresses me as at total variance with the recognized principles governing such cases. Therefore, with respect to that part of the opinion, I respectfully dissent.
Custody was awarded to 'her mother when the child was one year old and she has resided with her mother or her maternal grandparents almost continuously since that time, though she has visited her paternal grandparents. She is now eight years old and there is nothing to indicate the lack of fitness on the part of the mother to retain custody. Indeed, the evidence shows that she has remarried, established a home and intends that the child live with her and from aught appearing is entirely a fit and proper person to rear her young child.
The holding of this court has been that before the custody of a small child will be transferred from the mother where it has been reposed, unless there are changed conditions for the worse, the evidence must satisfactorily establish that s'he is not a fit and suitable person to have custody. Gresham v. Gresham, 248 Ala. 393, 27 So.2d 876.
And the unfitness which would deprive a parent of the right to custody of a child must be positive and not merely comparative or speculative and must be shown by clear and satisfactory proof, the burden of proof being on the person contesting the parent’s right to such custody. Chandler v. Whatley, 238 Ala. 206, 189 So. 751.
It is a well-nigh universal concept that a child of tender years, especially a daughter, requires the care and attention of her mother and that the mother rather even than the father is generally regarded as the proper custodian if a fit person in that respect. McGregor v. McGregor, 257 Ala. 232, 58 So.2d 457.
It seems clear to me that to wrenoh t'he child from her present permanent status with her mother and ¡her mother’s parents, which has been of long standing, and place her in custody of others in a different locale, regardless of the affection which the paternal grandparents might bestow upon her, would be definitely against the best interest of the child.
I, therefore, wish to register this dissent.
LAWSON, J., concurs.