J.S. v. C.C.

This case arises out of the parties’ dispute over the custody of their child, Sapphire.1 A judge in the Probate and Family Court granted joint legal custody of Sapphire to the defendant (mother) and the plaintiff (father), and physical custody to the mother, subject to the father’s right of visitation; the judge also ordered the father to pay child support in the amount of $1,000 per week, as well as various expenses related to the child. In addition, the judge ordered the father to pay a portion — $100,000 — of the mother’s attorney’s fees.

The father has appealed, arguing that (1) the judge…