Court Opinion

ID: 9558880
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 17:18:17.684526+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:09:38.932253
License: Public Domain

HALL, Justice
(dissenting):
Although the record contains no formal findings of fact and conclusion of law, the evidence presented appears to support the trial judge’s apparent conclusion that defendant’s lifestyle, both economic and moral, is somewhat inferior to that of the plaintiff. However, the record is devoid of any evidence whatsoever as to the effect, if any, of defendant’s lifestyle upon the best interests of Jimmy. Thus, it becomes further apparent that the trial judge simply drew a broad inference, without any evidence in support thereof, that the defendant’s lifestyle did, in fact, adversely affect the best interests of her son.
In light of the highly equitable nature of custody proceedings, I deem it an injustice to base an order changing custody on such a broad inference standing alone. Particularly is this so in further light of the content of the psychological reports ordered by the court which support a contrary inference or conclusion.
The clinical report pertaining to Jimmy is anything but critical of defendant’s parenting ability. This is evidenced by the following conclusion excerpted therefrom:
... Parents of hyperactive children often get more criticism than they deserve. If ■ anything, Jimmy’s mother (since she has been the primary parent) deserves credit for “hanging in there” day after day and maintaining as many positive feelings as she has. Certainly Jimmy has not had perfect parenting, but in all likelihood much positive input has failed to get through because of Jimmy’s own filtering system.
In his psychological evaluation report pertaining to the parents (including the step-mother), the examiner candidly char*514acterized them as not being “of the personality type which would be able to relate warmly to the boy.” Nevertheless, he made a benign recommendation of custody change which he rationalized in the following manner:
While both William and Debbie Nielsen profess to have not articulated any kind of a philosophy of child rearing, it seems to this examiner that .they could be trained and aided considerably by some family and parent counseling to the point where they would learn how to be effective disciplinarians and parents. The Mormon philosophy of strong family ties is one which would provide an environment in which Jimmy could thrive. Furthermore, the financial stability of William, and what appears to be a solid future, is a factor in this recommendation. Whatever the boys [sic] needs are, it is more likely that he would be able to financially provide for them in the future, whereas Sherry is living on limited resources at the moment, and does not seem to have a history which would support an ability to find a job and hold it for any extended period of time.
In contrast to the foregoing, where a change of custody is sought, the law is well established as stated in Robinson v. Robinson :1'
Notwithstanding the desires and contentions of the parties, the welfare of the children is one of the primary concerns of the courts. [Citation omitted.] In that regard important considerations are the facts that at the time of the divorce they were awarded to the father where they have since resided; and they have known no other home. Where the custody has been determined and the children appear to be comparatively well adjusted and happy, they should not be compelled to change their home unless there appears some substantial reason for doing so. Other circumstances being equal, this requirement would not be satisfied by the mere fact that economic circumstances may be better with the other spouse.
In regard to the relative economic status of the parties, it is of note that for a period of some four years plaintiff failed to visit or support his son in any way, be it financially, morally, spiritually, emotionally, or otherwise. Such total lack of support could not but have been other than a substantial cause of the present circumstances defendant finds herself in and is not to be condoned by permitting it to be now used as a weapon against her. Furthermore, however wonderful it would be for all children to be reared in financial utopia, and however likely it is that the economic lot of any child, whether rich or poor, might be enhanced in a richer household, the reality of the matter is that child custody is not to be changed on that ground alone.
In regard to the immoral conduct of the defendant, such behavior is not to be considered in a vacuum. Again, the focus must be upon the best interests of the child, and in the absence of a showing of an adverse effect upon those interests, a basis for a change of custody is not made out. As this Court stated the matter in Stuber v. Stuber:2
The fact that she lived with a man whom she expected to marry, although censurable, does not in and of itself make her an unfit and improper person to have the custody of her child.
I am compelled to conclude that there is an insufficient basis in the evidence to warrant the entry of an order changing custody, the effect of which is to deprive Jimmy of the only home he has ever known. I would therefore reverse.

. 15 Utah 2d 293, 391 P.2d 434 (1964).

. 121 Utah 632, 244 P.2d 650 (1952).