Coil v. Coil

The basic issue on this appeal is: did the trial court abuse its discretion in changing the custody of the 12-year-old son of the parties from the mother (plaintiff) to the father ?

Defendant is an enlisted noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force, having been in that branch of the military service for some 19 years. In 1959 he was assigned to duty overseas. He returned in June 1961. Upon his return, his wife, who had continued to live in Oxnard with their son during his absence, filed suit for divorce. The case was heard as a default and an interlocutory decree was granted…