Nichols

Father appeals from an order denying his motion to modify a California decree of dissolution. He moved to change custody of the parties’ eleven-year-old daughter from mother to him, to terminate his duty to pay support and order mother to pay .support and to award mother specific visitation. The dispositive issue is whether the court erred in refusing to take the testimony of the child. We reverse and remand.

At the close of father’s case in chief, he asked the trial judge to interview the parties’ daughter. The judge declined to do so at that time, stating, “If I deem that it is advisable, I…