Gifford v. Gifford

The case arises from divorce proceedings between the wife and Ian Gifford (husband). After a trial, a judge in the Probate and Family Court made extensive findings of fact, entered a judgment of divorce nisi, and awarded sole legal and physical custody of the couple’s three children to the husband, with visitation for the wife. The same day, the judge entered an emergency order authorizing the local police department to gain access to the marital home by force, if necessary, so that the husband could pick up the children, who had been living there with the wife during the divorce proceedings.…