Barker v. Barker

By Judge Melvin R. Hughes, Jr.

There was a hearing last week on the parties’ cross-petitions for the custody of two children, aged six and eight. After taking evidence, the court took the matter under advisement for two reasons: (1) to read the home study reports made available at the hearing and (2) to determine the law applicable to a contest between a nonparent and a parent for custody when there has been a previous determination of custody in favor of a nonparent who is not presently seeking custody.

Norma Walpole, the maternal grandmother, was given custody of the children (Christopher and…