Abby D., Appellant v. Sue Y. and Todd Y., Appellees

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed the superior court’s denial of Abby D.’s motion to modify custody, holding that the trial court’s custody decree was a final, permanent award to the grandparents and that Abby failed to demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances warranting a hearing. The Court also clarified that the biological‑parent preference (Turner) does not apply in a modification proceeding after a permanent non‑parent custody award, and that alleged visitation interference alone does not justify a custody change.