Court Opinion

ID: 9655017
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 18:58:00.329633+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:15.565659
License: Public Domain

C. J. Falahee, J.
(concurring). I join with Judge Allen in affirming the trial court. Our review of the trial court’s decision is governed by MCL 722.28; MSA 25.312(8):
"To expedite the resolution of a child custody dispute *22by prompt and final adjudication, all orders and judgments of the circuit court shall be affirmed on appeal unless the trial judge made findings of fact against the great weight of evidence or committed a palpable abuse of discretion or a clear legal error on a major issue.”
Although much of the evidence in the trial court was favorable to plaintiff-appellant, and the trial judge indicated that by stating that she had cared for Amanda through "thick and thin”, I cannot say that his decision was against the great weight of the evidence, or that there was an abuse of discretion. I find this to be a close case. My sympathy is with the plaintiff-appellant, however, the trial judge had the opportunity to observe the parties and witnesses which is always beneficial. This being a difficult case for the trial judge, that could have been helpful in making his decision. This Court does not have the benefit of seeing and observing the witnesses.
I find that the trial court should be affirmed.