Court Opinion

ID: 9701616
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 22:27:33.780696+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:02:34.469780
License: Public Domain

WICKERSHAM, Judge,
concurring:
I agree with the well-considered opinion of my colleague Phyllis W. Beck. I hesitate to reverse trial judges in custody cases particularly when the trial judge, the Honorable *431Joseph S. Walko, has written such a thoughtful and complete opinion as he did. I believe, however, that the lower court opinion has two flaws that warrant reconsideration.
First, Judge Walko based his decision in part on his belief that Paul will be better off with his father’s new family than with his mother alone. The lower court observes: “This type family unit has been traditionally favored over the type comprised of Cindy [Paul’s mother] and Paul.” I cannot imagine how labeling a family arrangement “traditionally favored” assists analysis of what will further the best interests of the child. The trial judge is virtually raising a presumption here and presumptions are now disfavored in custody cases. In fairness to the trial judge, he does add that the traditional family unit will serve Paul’s best interests, yet this does not correct the basic error of substituting a formula for analysis.
Second, Judge Walko did not adequately consider the effect of taking Paul away from his mother, who has been his primary caretaker most of his life. The trial judge decided that both parties are fit parents; because both parents are fit the judge used other criteria—most notably the physical environment of the father’s home—to make his award of custody. In such a close case I believe more consideration must be given to continuity of care in the child’s life than access to a fishing pond, woods and a blackberry patch. See lower ct. op. at 12.
I agree with Judge Beck that where both natural parents are fit to care for a child of tender years, the trial court must give positive consideration to the parent who has been the primary caretaker. That continuity of care can be decisive is made plain in Hugo v. Hugo, 288 Pa. Super. 1, 430 A.2d 1183 (1981).
[T]his court has long recognized that the removal of a young child from his environment is a factor whieh bears on its emotional well being. In re Custody of Phillips, 260 Pa.Super. 402, 408, 394 A.2d 989, 992 (1978); Commonwealth ex rel. Children’s Aid Society v. Gard, 362 Pa. 85, 97, 66 A.2d 300, 306 (1949). Therefore, continued resi*432dence of children with one parent may be controlling. Commonwealth ex rel. Children’s Aid Society v. Gard, supra; Commonwealth ex rel. Cutler v. Cutler, 246 Pa.Super. 82, 88, 369 A.2d 821, 824 (1977). Commonwealth ex rel. Kraus v. Kraus, 185 Pa.Super. 167, 138 A.2d 225 (1958).
Id., 288 Pa.Superior at 6-7, 430 A.2d at 1185.
In Pamela J. K. v. Roger D. J., 277 Pa.Super. 579, 589-90, 419 A.2d 1301, 1307 (1980), this court held:
Given, however, Juliet’s long residence in appellant’s household, it was not enough for the lower court to assure itself of appellee’s and Les’s fitness to have Juliet with them. The court was further required to consider the advantages and risks of a change in custody. This court has noted the importance to a child’s development of a stable relationship with an established parental figure and a known physical environment. Haraschak v. Haraschak, 268 Pa.Super. 173, 407 A.2d 886 (1979); Tomlinson v. Tomlinson, 248 Pa.Super. 196, 374 A.2d 1386 (1977); Sweeney v. Sweeney, 241 Pa.Super. 235, 361 A.2d 302 (1976); Gunter v. Gunter, 240 Pa.Super. 382, 361 A.2d 307 (1976). ‘There can be no question that stability is important to a child’s welfare, and that in deciding who should have custody of the child it will therefore always be essential to consider how long the child has spent with [the parties].’ In re Hernandez, 249 Pa.Super. 274, 296-297, 376 A.2d 648, 660 (1977). A child above the age of two may become strongly attached to those who stand in a parental relationship and who has [sic] tenderly cared for her, Commonwealth ex rel. Cutler v. Cutler, 246 Pa.Super. 82, 89, 369 A.2d 821, 824 (1977), so that to break the bonds of affection “ ‘may result not only in the child’s unhappiness, but also in its physical injury.’ ” Commonwealth ex rel. Kraus v. Kraus, 185 Pa.Super. 167, 175, 138 A.2d 225, 229 (1958), quoting Commonwealth ex rel. Children’s Aid Society v. Gard, 362 Pa. 85, 66 A.2d 300 (1949). Because of the child’s need for stability in the early years, it is frequently wise to delay a change of custody until the child is older. McCourt v. Meyers, 268 Pa.Super. 152, 407 A.2d 875 (1979). (footnote omitted)
*433See also, In Interest of Tremayne Quame Idress R., 286 Pa.Super. 480, 493-94, 429 A.2d 40, 47 (1981).
Therefore, I agree the case warrants reconsideration.