Ireland v. Smith

Plaintiff appeals as of right in Docket No. 177431 from a circuit court order changing custody of the parties’ daughter to defendant. Defendant has filed a cross appeal. In a consolidated appeal, Docket No. 182369, plaintiff also appeals by leave granted an order of the chief judge of the circuit court denying plaintiff’s motion for disqualification of the trial judge. Numerous amici curiae briefs have been filed and considered. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for further proceedings.

On April 22, 1991, plaintiff gave birth to a daughter. At the time, both plaintiff and…