Darcey Geldermann, Appellant and Cross-Appellee v. Matthew Geldermann, Appellee and Cross-Appellant.

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed orders awarding the father primary physical custody during the school year, requiring the mother to pay child support effective November 1, 2015, and continuing joint legal custody. The court held that the parties' changed circumstances justified modifying physical custody, that the mother had adequate notice and opportunity to be heard despite the absence of a formal Alaska custody-modification motion, and that a formally served custody-modification motion based on an existing de facto custody change could establish the effective date for modified child support. The court also held that continuing joint legal custody was not an abuse of discretion despite communication difficulties.