Paul E., Petitioner/appellant v. Courtney F., Respondent/appellee.

Summary

The court held that a family court may restrict a sole legal decision-maker's authority only when the restriction is necessary to prevent the child's physical endangerment or significant emotional impairment, and the restriction must be narrowly tailored to that harm. The family court exceeded that authority by selecting the child's therapist and gender expert and imposing related directives without sufficient findings or evidence that the father's unrestrained decision-making would cause the required harm. The court also held that the professional-advice statute and family-law procedural rule did not independently authorize the appointments.