Ex Parte Beckham

When the circuit court divorced Sheila and Walter Beckham, it gave Walter custody of their two minor daughters. Sheila appealed; the Court of Civil Appeals affirmed. We granted certiorari review. The facts are sufficiently set out in the opinion of the Court of Civil Appeals. Beckham v. Beckham,643 So.2d 1370 (Ala.Civ.App. 1993).

The primary issue on certiorari review is whether the trial court erred in admitting and considering a report by a court-appointed psychologist, James F. Chudy, Ph.D., containing psychological evaluations of the parties. Dr. Chudy's report was submitted to the court…