Court Opinion

ID: 6732273
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:13:59.389296+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:40.683247
License: Public Domain

BROCK, Chief Judge.
Plaintiff assigns as error that there is not sufficient evidence to support the findings and conclusions of the trial judge that plaintiff is presently unfit to have custody of Timmy Joe Tucker and that the best interests of said minor will be served by awarding his custody to his older brother. We disagree. We think in this case the evidence supports the findings and the findings support the action taken by the trial judge.
“As a general rule at common law and under our own decisions, parents have the legal right to the custody of their children. (Citation omitted.) ‘This right is not absolute, and it *651may be interfered with or denied but only for the most substantial and sufficient reasons, and is subject to judicial control only when the interests and welfare of the children clearly require it.’ (Citations omitted.)” Thomas v. Pickard, 18 N.C. App. 1, 4, 195 S.E. 2d 339, 342 (1973).
At the time of entry of the original order in August 1973 awarding custody of the minor to plaintiff, there was nothing before the court to indicate that it would not be for best interest and welfare of the minor for plaintiff to have custody. At the present time there is nothing before the court to suggest that plaintiff is morally unfit to have custody of her son. But moral fitness is not the only consideration, and a finding of moral unfitness of a parent is not always a prerequisite to the court’s denying custody to the parent.
Since the original custody order in August 1973, the circumstances and relationships of all the interested parties have deteriorated to the point that the facts now portray an unfortunate and pathetic situation. The father has continually disregarded the orders of the court and has been adjudged in contempt several times. The mother, admittedly, is unable to discipline or control her son. He will not remain in her home and has developed complete disrespect for her love and authority. Although it may be, as the mother contends, that the father has taught their son to disrespect, to disobey, and to do as he pleases, nevertheless the fact is clear that the mother is presently unable to exercise effective supervision and control over the actions and conduct of her son. These circumstances present to the court substantial and sufficient reasons for the court to take action, and present a situation where the best interests and welfare of the child clearly require removing custody of the child from his mother.
The older married brother of the minor, to whom custody was awarded by the order appealed from, has, along with his wife, exhibited admirable concern for the welfare of the minor, and is able and willing to supply a stable homelife for him. The minor has exhibited love and respect for his older brother and has expressed his desire and willingness to live with him. It appears to us that Judge Alexander exercised sound judicial discretion in resolving this difficult custody controversy.
 Although we affirm the basic resolution of the custody problem, we find error in two respects. First, the order leaves the question of visitation rights to be determined in the dis*652cretion of Clarence Michael Tucker and his wife, the persons to whom custody of the minor was awarded. The visitation rights, if any, should be determined and controlled by the court. See In re Custody of Stancil, 10 N.C. App. 545, 179 S.E. 2d 844 (1971). That portion of the order appealed from which vests the determination of visitation rights in the parties to whom custody of the minor was awarded is vacated, and the cause will be remanded for a determination by the court of such visitation rights as are appropriate. Second, the trial court awarded custody of the minor to persons who are not parties to this action. See In re Custody of Branch, 16 N.C. App. 413, 192 S.E. 2d 43 (1972). The cause will be remanded with directions that the trial court issue the necessary notices and orders to make Clarence Michael Tucker and his wife parties to this action to the end that the court has effective jurisdiction over their persons.
Affirmed in part.
Remanded with instructions.
Judge Britt concurs.