holding “[c]hild custody disputes should not be decided solely on a listing of faults ascribed to one parent or on the petty and often extraneous quarrels between former spouses[,]” but rather utilize “a balanced and systemic approach” under the best interests standard
How later courts described this case
- holding “[c]hild custody disputes should not be decided solely on a listing of faults ascribed to one parent or on the petty and often extraneous quarrels between former spouses[,]” but rather utilize “a balanced and systemic approach” under the best interests standard
- outlining several factors to govern a trial court’s best-interests custody determination in the absence of specific factors mandated by statute
- delineating traditional child custody factors
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
SABERS, Justice
(concurring in result).
[¶ 39.] I concur in result of a reversal and remand for a new hearing because siblings, even half siblings, should not be separated absent compelling reasons. Here, it appears that there are no compelling reasons to separate these half siblings. Mayer v. Mayer, 397 N.W.2d 638, 642 (S.D.1986) (citations omitted).