Flaherty v. Smith

This case involves a custody dispute between a 7-year-old child’s stepfather and maternal grandmother. Following the death of the child’s mother, plaintiff stepfather sought and was granted temporary custody. A custody hearing was subsequently held, at the conclusion of which the trial court granted immediate custody of the child to defendant grandmother. This Court granted a stay pending appeal.

On review, we are limited to a determination of whether the trial court made findings of fact against the great weight of evidence, committed a palpable abuse of discretion, or committed a clear legal…