In Re the Marriage of Croley

Thomas Croley appeals the nonunanimous reversal of a trial court decree awarding him custody of his three children. The Court of Appeals is reversed and the judgment of the trial court is reinstated.

Thomas and Elizabeth Croley were married in 1966. They had two natural children and adopted a third child. In October 1975, the Croleys separated and Thomas sought a dissolution of the marriage. The children were ages 8, 6 and 4 at the time of the dissolution proceeding.

Following a 1 1/2-day bench trial, dissolution was granted and custody of the children, as well as possession of the family home,…