The applicant father brought a motion to change a prior custody order that had granted custody of the child to the mother.
At the time of the hearing, the 16‑year‑old child had been residing with the father under interim orders and wished to remain in his care and continue attending his current school.
Evidence from the Office of the Children’s Lawyer supported the child’s expressed preference and indicated no interference by the father with the child’s relationship with the mother.
The court held that the child’s wishes, maturity, and stability supported a final order granting custody to the father, with access to the mother subject to the child’s concerns.
The court also indicated that the mother should pay child support but lacked sufficient financial disclosure to determine the amount.
