Section 9.11 Parenting Skills

• Library: Family Law (2019 Supp)

D. (§9.11) Parenting Skills

In Farley v. Farley, 51 S.W.3d 159 (Mo. App. S.D. 2001), the court awarded physical custody to the mother after finding that, before separation, the mother, while working full time, performed all the traditional household duties, including taking care of all of the child’s medical needs. In reaching this conclusion, the court stated that, in determining the best interests of the child, it evaluated the past and present conduct of the parties as a way to determine the priorities of the parents. Id.

But see Wennihan v. Wennihan, 452 S.W.3d 723 (Mo. App. W.D. 2015), in which the court noted the trial court is not required to place much weight on a spouse’s change in behavior...