In re the Marriage of McDole

James McDole seeks review of a Court of Appeals decision reversing a child custody modification order which had been entered in his favor. We grant review, reverse the Court of Appeals, and reinstate the trial court's decision.

James and Cynthia McDole (now Hatch) married in 1986. Each had children from a prior marriage. A son, Joseph, was bom to McDole and Hatch in January 1987. They separated a little more than a year later, in March 1988.

A dissolution decree was entered in November 1988. McDole and Hatch had each sought primary residential care of Joseph. The court found each parent was…