Lyddy v. Lyddy

This matter involves two consolidated appeals, the first from the family court’s order granting defendant mother sole parental rights and responsibilities over the parties’ child after plaintiff father absconded with the child and failed to appear for the final divorce hearing, and the second from the court’s order denying his motion to reopen the divorce proceedings. Father challenges the court’s decision to go forward in his absence, contends that the court failed to assess the evidence fairly and make objective findings, and farther faults the court for denying his motion to reopen without…