Court Opinion

ID: 9758598
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 23:37:56.934613+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:53.327951
License: Public Domain

HOFFMAN, Judge,
concurring and dissenting:
Appellant contends that the custody award of his two children to appellee, their mother, was erroneous because the lower court incorrectly applied the doctrine of tender years and refused to allow the maternal grandparents to testify on appellant’s behalf with regard to living conditions. I agree with the Majority that the case must be remanded for a custody award based on the best interests of the children. Commonwealth ex rel. Spriggs v. Carson, 470 Pa. 290, 368 A.2d 635 (1977) (plurality opinion); Commonwealth ex rel. Myers v. Myers, 468 Pa. 134, 360 A.2d 587 (1976). However, I also believe that the lower court erred in refusing to permit the maternal grandparents to testify.
*314Because of the special nature of custody cases and the paramount importance of the child’s best interests, the hearing court must evaluate all circumstances which may affect its determination. Testimony regarding living conditions may certainly reveal circumstances affecting the award of custody, especially when the maternal grandparents present such testimony on the father’s behalf. The Majority concludes that appellant has waived the lower court’s error by failing to object to the excluded testimony. However, as our Court held in Gunter v. Gunter, 240 Pa.Super. 382, 361 A.2d 307 (1976) the contention that appellant waived a lower court error by failing to object to it mistakes the nature of a custody hearing. The sole purpose of a custody hearing is a determination of what is in the best interests of the child; all other considerations are subordinate. Commonwealth ex rel. Parikh v. Parikh, 449 Pa. 105, 296 A.2d 625 (1972); Commonwealth ex rel. Holschuh v. Holland-Moritz, 448 Pa. 437, 292 A.2d 380 (1972).
Accordingly, on remand I would instruct the lower court to evaluate the best interests of the children after consideration of all relevant factors, including the grandparents’ testimony.
PRICE and SPAETH, JJ., join in this concurring and dissenting opinion.