Court Opinion

ID: 9678430
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 06:19:40.204727+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:04.506382
License: Public Domain

JOHNSON, Judge
(specially concurring).
While the current law of Iowa requires trial court to deny respondent’s request for joint custody because “petitioner does not agree to joint custody and the parties have demonstrated that they are unable to communicate with each other and give priority to the welfare of the children,” In re Marriage of Burham, 283 N.W.2d 269, 275 (Iowa 1980), I feel compelled to address this issue. In my opinion, the power to veto joint custody currently accorded either parent serves the best interests of neither the children nor the parents. Joint legal custody certainly does not require each party to have physical custody of the children for any fixed percentage of the time. In my opinion, it means that each parent legally has the rights and responsibilities associated with parenthood in lieu of reducing a noncustodial parent’s role to that of a favorite, visiting relative.
Where, as here, the court finds each parent is a fit and proper person to have custody, especially when geographical proximity is favorable, I believe the law should presume that joint custody is in the children’s *151best interests. Noncommunicative parents should be required to make every reasonable effort, through professional counselling if necessary, to establish a mature attitude of cooperation as adults mutually dedicated to their minor children’s welfare. Except in the most extreme cases, a failure to reach a functional relationship of cooperation should raise serious doubts as to either parent’s ability to minister effectively to the children’s welfare. However, because
we are bound by the law as given, I would affirm trial court’s award of custody to petitioner.
OXBERGER, C. J., joins in this special concurrence.