Sarah D. v. John D.
Annotate this CaseSarah D. and John D. separated shortly after their daughter turned three. Each claimed that the other was abusive, and obtained a short-term domestic violence protective order after they separated. The parties later stipulated to a mutual no-contact order but violated it by continuing a sporadic romantic relationship. Sarah requested interim attorney’s fees. After the superior court denied her request, Sarah consented to her lawyer’s withdrawal. Sarah and John then agreed to a property settlement. Before litigating custody Sarah again requested interim attorney’s fees and twice filed continuance motions requesting time to obtain counsel. Her motions were denied, and she appeared pro se throughout a four-day custody trial. John’s parents helped pay for his lawyer, and he was represented at all times. Over Sarah’s objections, John’s father was allowed to intervene as a party for visitation purposes. The trial court awarded shared physical and sole legal custody to John and gave John’s father unspecified visitation during John’s custodial time. Sarah appealed the court’s denials of her requests for an interim fee award, trial continuances, and to compel a witness's attendance at trial. She also appealed the court’s orders granting the grandfather intervention and visitation and the court’s domestic violence finding and custody decision. Upon review, the Supreme Court vacated the order granting the grandfather visitation and otherwise affirmed all but the custody decision, remanding for more detailed findings and conclusions on domestic violence issues.
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