Court Opinion

ID: 9721433
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 08:59:16.033983+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:25.821844
License: Public Domain

Boslaugh, J.,
dissenting.
The trial court found that the petitioner, the natural mother, had forfeited her preferential right to the custody of Lawrence William Marcus and awarded the custody to Mr. and Mrs. James D. Huffman. Mrs. Huffman is the paternal grandmother of Lawrence. The majority opinion holds the evidence insufficient to sustain that finding and awards the custody to the petitioner.
The record in this case leaves much to be desired. This may be due in part to the fact that the petition was filed on September 1, 1970, while the respondents were in Arkansas on vacation. The respondents returned to Nebraska on September 20, 1970. The alias writ was served on Mrs. Huffman on September 23, 1970. The hearing commenoed on October 6, 1970.
The petitioner’s case consists entirely of her testimony. The respondent’s case is largely the testimony of James D. Huffman. His testimony is corroborated in part by testimony of the other witnesses called by the respondents. It is significant that the trial court who saw and heard the testimony of the petitioner found against her.
The petitioner has a history of what might be described as serious instability. She freely admitted that she had lived with her former husband, the father of Lawrence, before they were married, and had married Richard Townsend in Mexico before her divorce was final. She claimed a misunderstanding of the terms, of her California divorce, but continued to use the name Marcus long after the marriage in Mexico. As I view the record, the evidence sustains the finding of the trial court.
The record indicates that Lawrence, when first brought to Nebraska, appeared to be nervous and insecure. Dur*807ing the time that he has been with the respondents this condition has gradually improved and he now appears to be well adjusted and a normal child. The result of our decision in this case is to return Lawrence to an environment that is less than satisfactory. I do not agree that this satisfies his need for a stable environment and a secure family relationship.
Spencer, J., joins in this dissent.