Matter of Adoption of DaCosta

Mother appeals from an order denying her petition for modification of the decree dissolving her marriage to father to allow and specify her visitation rights with their minor son and also from the decree of adoption of the child by father’s present wife. The petitions were consolidated for hearing in the trial court and remain consolidated in this appeal. On de novo review, we reverse and remand.

The child who is the subject of this proceeding was born in 1973 at Van Nuys, California. Mother and father separated in 1975, and both initially continued to reside in the Van Nuys area. Until mother…