Court Opinion

ID: 9587603
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:24:13.60894+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:05:06.084025
License: Public Domain

MARTONE, Justice,
concurring in the judgment.
I write separately to note again that this father’s unwed status does not affect the statutory standard for a finding of abandonment. See my concurring opinion in In re Pima County Juvenile Action No. S-114487, 179 Ariz. 86, 101, 876 P.2d 1121, 1136 (1994). His marriage to the mother would not have insulated him from an adverse finding under AR.S. § 8-546(A)(l). Marital status, in a proper case, can be relevant to the factual question of intent, as measured objectively and not subjectively, but the legal standard for abandonment under the statute is the same for all parents, wedded or otherwise.
The trial judge applied the correct legal standard, without any reference to marital status. I join the court in affirming his judgment.