Dees v. Dees

There is no legal area in which the trial court has more responsibility than in deciding custody matters.

On the limitations inherent in the review of custody placement orders by trial courts, this court has conceded that “The written record does not afford us an opportunity to see and hear the attitudes, demeanors and appearances of the parties and other witnesses” 2 and concluded “The credibility of witnesses and the weight of the testimony [in custody hearings] is best determined by the trial court.” 3 As a general proposition, it follows that great weight is to be given to fact findings…