Noland v. Yost

Summary

The court held that the district court’s order was a final, appealable order because it conclusively terminated the appellant’s opportunity to litigate custody and parenting time with the child, and postponing review could irretrievably impair those rights. Reviewing for plain error, the court held that a fit natural parent does not have an absolute right to unilaterally terminate an established in loco parentis relationship with a stepparent. The court reversed the relevant portion of the order and remanded for further proceedings to determine whether the relationship should continue in the child’s best interests.