Court Opinion

ID: 9791452
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:10:59.311408+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:36.412304
License: Public Domain

Mr. Chief Justice PARKER,
dissenting.
Judge Harnsberger correctly stated the rule applicable in the present case when in Laughton v. Laughton, 71 Wyo. 506, 259 P.2d 1093, 1095, 43 A.L.R.2d 351, he said, “Where it is contended that due to changed conditions a previous decree should be modified in the interest of the child so as to better provide for its welfare, the burden is upon the party alleging it, to prove that such change has in fact occurred, and that it warrants a modification.” An examination of the record in the present case discloses that there were disagreements and *724quarrels between the parties as to the efforts of the father to exercise the right of visitation. Nevertheless, he stated unequivocally when pressed that he had been allowed to see the child every time he went to Casper for that purpose. On some occasions he was not permitted this privilege immediately, but there is no proof that he had made adequate preliminary arrangements, and it certainly could not be reasonably expected that a child under all circumstances should be given to a parent instanter. There was no showing that the welfare of the child would be served by her being taken by the father. On the contrary, it was apparent that he had made no intelligent plans or preparations for her during the time that she would be in his custody. As to the two-week vacation period, he said he would take her to his sister-in-law in California, but there was no evidence that the sister-in-law was qualified, able, or willing to have the child. His idea of getting acquainted with his four-year-old daughter on shorter periods when she would be with him was to take her to the movies.
A divorce decree, particularly one relating to the custody of a child, is a serious arrangement, issued by a court after a hearing upon the merits, and it should not be altered except for compelling reasons, which are not present here.
I would reverse the decree (order) of modification.