Paschall v. Paschall

BALEY, Judge.

“The welfare of the child in controversies involving custody is the polar star by which the courts must be guided in awarding custody.” In re Moore, 8 N.C. App. 251, 253-54, 174 S.E. 2d 135, 137; accord, Stanback v. Stanback, 270 N.C. 497, 155 S.E. 2d 221; Hinkle v. Hinkle, 266 N.C. 189, 146 S.E. 2d 73. Frequently a determination of what represents the best welfare of the child is a most difficult decision. The trial court has the opportunity to observe all parties and evaluate the living, breathing evidence which sometimes appears differently in cold print. If the evidence…