Debra P. v. Laurence S.

OPINION

BOLGER, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

At the trial call for this child custody case, the superior court suggested that the parties could introduce evidence regarding an interim custody order at the next hearing, so that they would have more time to reach a final settlement. Then, during the next hearing, both parties expressed some uncertainty about the purpose of the hearing. However, at the conclusion of the hearing, the court made findings to support a final custody judgment. We conclude that this procedure violated the mother's right to due process of law. We therefore reverse and remand…