In Re the Marriage Paradis

This is an appeal by the mother of a seven-year-old boy from an order modifying a joint custody decree. We reverse and reinstate the original order.

Deanne and John Paradis were married in 1973. Their only child, Matthew, was born in 1977. They divorced in 1980. The couple’s settlement agreement and the District Court’s decree provided for joint legal and physical custody: while young, Matthew was to spend six months of the year with each parent; upon entering school, Matthew was to spend the school year with Deanne and the summer with John.

Both John and Deanne have remarried. Several months…