Starkeson v. Starkeson

*79GRIMES, J.

The issue before us in this divorce case is whether the trial court abused its discretion in awarding custody of a minor child, then age four-and-a-half years, to the mother. We find no abuse of discretion.

In September 1976, after an informal separation of approximately nine months, the plaintiff filed this libel for divorce. The defendant entered a cross-libel, and both parties requested custody of their minor child, Ellen Rebecca, who had been living with the defendant in the marital home during the separation. The parties stipulated to all matters except custody. After a hearing…