Court Opinion

ID: 9722795
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 09:50:43.124705+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:40.255037
License: Public Domain

T. G. Kavanagh, P. J.
(dissenting). There is no doubt that the question in custody disputes must be resolved by a determination of what is best for the child.
The statutory provision for maternal custody may be ignored when the determination is made that the *152best interest of the child requires a contrary award. Such determination, however, may not be arbitrary or capricious.
Here the court simply said that he felt it was to the best interest of the child to remain where he is. He did not ascribe any reasons for this feeling.
This conclusion may indeed be sound but good practice requires that the evidence upon which the conclusion is based must be indicated and the reasons for ignoring the statute spelled out so that we may assay the order for abuse of discretion.
I would remand for the purpose of completing the record before approving or disapproving the custody award.