Regina C., N/k/a Regina S. v. Michael C.

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed the modification transferring sole legal and primary physical custody from Regina to Michael. It held that Regina received adequate notice that custody would be addressed at the show-cause hearing, that the court did not abuse its discretion by declining to continue the hearing after counsel withdrew, and that Michael qualified as a lawful custodian for purposes of the custodial-interference statute. The court also upheld the finding that Regina intentionally kept the children outside Alaska for a protracted period. Justice Carney, dissenting, agreed with the custody transfer but would have held that Regina could not commit custodial interference because she was the children's lawful custodian.