{ "id": 723309, "name": "Kim Marie JARAMILLO, Petitioner, v. Francisco Filimon JARAMILLO, Respondent", "name_abbreviation": "Jaramillo v. Jaramillo", "decision_date": "1991-12-24", "docket_number": "No. 19324", "first_page": "57", "last_page": "71", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "113 N.M. 57" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "823 P.2d 299" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M.", "id": 8835, "name": "Supreme Court of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "424 So.2d 1228", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "So. 2d", "case_ids": [ 9552029 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1230" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/so2d/424/1228-01" ] }, { "cite": "400 Pa.Super. 174", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Pa. Super.", "case_ids": [ 888187 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "186", "parenthetical": "custodial parent has initial burden of showing that move is likely to significantly improve quality of life for that parent and children" }, { "page": "440", "parenthetical": "custodial parent has initial burden of showing that move is likely to significantly improve quality of life for that parent and children" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/pa-super/400/0174-01" ] }, { "cite": "334 N.W.2d 393", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 10674908 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "399" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nw2d/334/0393-01" ] }, { "cite": "505 P.2d 14", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "15-16", "parenthetical": "in absence of clear showing to contrary, custodial parent's decision to move should be presumed to have been made in children's best interests" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "31 Colo.App. 485", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Colo. App.", "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "487-88", "parenthetical": "in absence of clear showing to contrary, custodial parent's decision to move should be presumed to have been made in children's best interests" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "436 N.Y.S.2d 862", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.2d", "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "865-66", "parenthetical": "\"exceptional circumstances\" must be shown to justify child's removal from jurisdiction" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "418 N.E.2d 377", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "380-81", "parenthetical": "\"exceptional circumstances\" must be shown to justify child's removal from jurisdiction" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "52 N.Y.2d 170", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.2d", "case_ids": [ 1101295 ], "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "175-76", "parenthetical": "\"exceptional circumstances\" must be shown to justify child's removal from jurisdiction" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ny-2d/52/0170-01" ] }, { "cite": "365 A.2d 716", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "144 N.J.Super. 352", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.J. Super.", "case_ids": [ 864752 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nj-super/144/0352-01" ] }, { "cite": "365 A.2d 27", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "30" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "144 N.J.Super. 200", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.J. Super.", "case_ids": [ 864702 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "206" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nj-super/144/0200-01" ] }, { "cite": "408 N.E.2d 37", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "40", "parenthetical": "only \"superficial showing\" need be made that move is consistent with child's best interests" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "41 Ill.Dec. 691", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. Dec.", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "694", "parenthetical": "only \"superficial showing\" need be made that move is consistent with child's best interests" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "86 Ill.App.3d 341", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3184636 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "345-46", "parenthetical": "only \"superficial showing\" need be made that move is consistent with child's best interests" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/86/0341-01" ] }, { "cite": "405 U.S. 645", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 11723248 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "requiring that unwed father be given hearing on his fitness as parent before state could take custody of his children upon mother's death" }, { "parenthetical": "requiring that unwed father be given hearing on his fitness as parent before state could take custody of his children upon mother's death" }, { "parenthetical": "requiring that unwed father be given hearing on his fitness as parent before state could take custody of his children upon mother's death" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/405/0645-01" ] }, { "cite": "434 U.S. 246", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6181961 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "Georgia statute requiring only mother's consent for adoption of illegitimate child did not violate father's due process rights when father had not sought custody of child and proposed adoption kept child in existing family unit" }, { "parenthetical": "Georgia statute requiring only mother's consent for adoption of illegitimate child did not violate father's due process rights when father had not sought custody of child and proposed adoption kept child in existing family unit" }, { "parenthetical": "Georgia statute requiring only mother's consent for adoption of illegitimate child did not violate father's due process rights when father had not sought custody of child and proposed adoption kept child in existing family unit" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/434/0246-01" ] }, { "cite": "463 U.S. 248", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6193882 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "holding that Due Process Clause does not protect an unwed father's interest in personal contact with child when father fails to develop a relationship with child" }, { "parenthetical": "holding that Due Process Clause does not protect an unwed father's interest in personal contact with child when father fails to develop a relationship with child" }, { "parenthetical": "holding that Due Process Clause does not protect an unwed father's interest in personal contact with child when father fails to develop a relationship with child" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/463/0248-01" ] }, { "cite": "549 P.2d 1190", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "case_ids": [ 10471980 ], "year": 1976, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1200", "parenthetical": "in dispositive phase of dependency-and-neglect proceeding to award custody of minors to state agency, placing burden of proof either on parent or on agency is inappropriate" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/p2d/549/1190-01" ] }, { "cite": "112 Wis.2d 70", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Wis. 2d", "case_ids": [ 8673889 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "74-75" }, { "page": "650-51" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/wis-2d/112/0070-01" ] }, { "cite": "436 A.2d 299", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "303", "parenthetical": "declining to impose presumption for or against nonresident parent" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "181 Conn. 622", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Conn.", "case_ids": [ 1952669 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "627-28", "parenthetical": "declining to impose presumption for or against nonresident parent" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/conn/181/0622-01" ] }, { "cite": "25 Vill.L.Rev. 752", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "Vill. L. Rev.", "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "782", "parenthetical": "\"Evidentiary rules are changing to accommodate the best interests standard. The burden of proof in custody cases is now shared by both contesting parents.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "293 Pa.Super. 18", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Pa. Super.", "case_ids": [ 175713 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "24", "parenthetical": "\"The point is simply that two parents bear an equal burden.\"" }, { "page": "972", "parenthetical": "\"The point is simply that two parents bear an equal burden.\"" }, { "page": "28" }, { "page": "974", "parenthetical": "\"The litigants should simply be put on an equal footing at the outset, and then the entire realm of facts and circumstances which are relevant to determining who is the best custodial parent should be considered.\" (Cercone, J., concurring)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/pa-super/293/0018-01" ] }, { "cite": "301 Pa.Super. 36", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Pa. Super.", "case_ids": [ 193227 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "40-42", "parenthetical": "brackets in original" }, { "page": "1324-25", "parenthetical": "brackets in original" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/pa-super/301/0036-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 N.M. 549", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2747988 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1968, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "551" }, { "page": "972" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/79/0549-01" ] }, { "cite": "108 N.M. 240", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1592754, 1592820 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "243-44", "parenthetical": "discussing effect of presumption in light of revised Rule 301" }, { "page": "176-77", "parenthetical": "discussing effect of presumption in light of revised Rule 301" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/108/0240-01", "/nm/108/0240-02" ] }, { "cite": "707 F.2d 582", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 1862115, 3642547 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "595" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/707/0582-01", "/us-app-dc/227/0385-01" ] }, { "cite": "455 U.S. 745", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 11307633 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "753", "parenthetical": "requiring stringent standards for termination of parental rights" }, { "page": "1394", "parenthetical": "requiring stringent standards for termination of parental rights" }, { "parenthetical": "requiring stringent standards for termination of parental rights" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/455/0745-01" ] }, { "cite": "390 U.S. 570", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6174728 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1968, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "581", "parenthetical": "omission and brackets in original" }, { "page": "1216", "parenthetical": "omission and brackets in original" }, { "parenthetical": "omission and brackets in original" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/390/0570-01" ] }, { "cite": "105 N.M. 373", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1598965 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "376" }, { "page": "7" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/105/0373-01" ] }, { "cite": "6 U.C.Davis L.Rev. 181", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "U.C. Davis L. Rev.", "year": 1973, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "12 Rutgers L.J. 341", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "Rutgers L.J.", "year": 1981, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "51 Fordham L.Rev. 489", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "Fordham L. Rev.", "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "1985 Ariz.St.L.J. 1", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "Ariz. St. L.J.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "24 J.Fam.L. 625", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "J. Fam. L.", "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "314 U.S. 160", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6138434 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1941, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "177-81", "parenthetical": "Douglas, J., concurring" }, { "page": "168-70", "parenthetical": "Douglas, J., concurring" }, { "parenthetical": "Douglas, J., concurring" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/314/0160-01" ] }, { "cite": "383 U.S. 745", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6175527 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "757-59" }, { "page": "1177-79" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/383/0745-01" ] }, { "cite": "452 U.S. 412", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 1313916 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "418-19" }, { "page": "2439-40" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/452/0412-01" ] }, { "cite": "394 U.S. 618", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6177874 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1969, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "629-31", "parenthetical": "\"[A]ll citizens [have the right to] be free to travel throughout the length and breadth of our land uninhibited by statutes, rules, or regulations which unreasonably burden or restrict this movement.\"" }, { "page": "1328-29", "parenthetical": "\"[A]ll citizens [have the right to] be free to travel throughout the length and breadth of our land uninhibited by statutes, rules, or regulations which unreasonably burden or restrict this movement.\"" }, { "parenthetical": "\"[A]ll citizens [have the right to] be free to travel throughout the length and breadth of our land uninhibited by statutes, rules, or regulations which unreasonably burden or restrict this movement.\"" }, { "page": "631" }, { "page": "1329" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/394/0618-01" ] }, { "cite": "388 N.W.2d 3", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 10650821 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "5" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nw2d/388/0003-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 N.M. 697", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2738241 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1968, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "700" }, { "page": "806" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/79/0697-01" ] }, { "cite": "328 Pa.Super. 154", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Pa. Super.", "case_ids": [ 607457 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "157", "parenthetical": "\"It is well-established that the sole criterion in child custody decisions is the best interests and welfare of the child.\"" }, { "page": "939", "parenthetical": "\"It is well-established that the sole criterion in child custody decisions is the best interests and welfare of the child.\"" }, { "page": "158", "parenthetical": "\" '[O]nce a substantial change has been established [(the party seeking modification having the burden of proof" }, { "page": "940", "parenthetical": "\" '[O]nce a substantial change has been established [(the party seeking modification having the burden of proof" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/pa-super/328/0154-01" ] }, { "cite": "374 N.W.2d 705", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 10653187 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "711" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nw2d/374/0705-01" ] }, { "cite": "271 Cal.Rptr. 389", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. Rptr.", "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "391", "parenthetical": "\"The primary concern in a custody dispute is the best interests of the child.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "221 Cal.App.3d 1575", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2343399 ], "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1580", "parenthetical": "\"The primary concern in a custody dispute is the best interests of the child.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/cal-app-3d/221/1575-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 N.M. 304", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2716225 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1960, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "305", "parenthetical": "\"the welfare of the child is the primary consideration\"" }, { "page": "124", "parenthetical": "\"the welfare of the child is the primary consideration\"" }, { "page": "305" }, { "page": "124" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/67/0304-01" ] }, { "cite": "81 N.M. 277", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5366591 ], "weight": 6, "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "279", "parenthetical": "referring to \"the universal rule that the best interests of the child are paramount\"" }, { "page": "556", "parenthetical": "referring to \"the universal rule that the best interests of the child are paramount\"" }, { "page": "279" }, { "page": "556" }, { "page": "279" }, { "page": "556" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/81/0277-01" ] }, { "cite": "769 P.2d 731", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "108 N.M. 197", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "108 N.M. 319", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1592760 ], "weight": 8, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "322-23" }, { "page": "356-57" }, { "page": "322-23" }, { "page": "356-57" }, { "page": "323" }, { "page": "357", "parenthetical": "\"[A]s a general rule, the non-custodial parent's right to visitation should not prevent the custodial parent from moving when the reasons for the move are legitimate and the best interests of the children will be served by accompanying the custodial parent.\"" }, { "page": "324" }, { "page": "358", "parenthetical": "burden is on party seeking modification to overcome presumption in favor of reasonableness of original decree" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/108/0319-01" ] }, { "cite": "110 N.M. 336", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 716942 ], "weight": 19, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "340" }, { "page": "1032" }, { "page": "339-40" }, { "page": "1031-32" }, { "page": "338" }, { "page": "1030" }, { "page": "339-40" }, { "page": "1031-32" }, { "page": "339" }, { "page": "1031" }, { "page": "340" }, { "page": "1032" }, { "page": "339-40" }, { "page": "1031-32" }, { "page": "340" }, { "page": "1032" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/110/0336-01" ] }, { "cite": "748 S.W.2d 422", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 11961315 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "423" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/sw2d/748/0422-01" ] }, { "cite": "538 A.2d 830", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "223 N.J.Super. 303", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.J. Super.", "case_ids": [ 367546 ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nj-super/223/0303-01" ] }, { "cite": "107 N.M. 159", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1597234 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "162-63" }, { "page": "539-40" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/107/0159-01" ] }, { "cite": "94 N.M. 81", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1573112 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1980, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/94/0081-01" ] }, { "cite": "50 N.M. 349", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1577092 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1947, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "351", "parenthetical": "modification of custody decree" }, { "page": "917", "parenthetical": "modification of custody decree" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/50/0349-01" ] }, { "cite": "83 N.M. 787", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5336899 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "788", "parenthetical": "modification of custody decree" }, { "page": "675", "parenthetical": "modification of custody decree" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/83/0787-01" ] }, { "cite": "85 N.M. 112", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2769768 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1973, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "113-14", "parenthetical": "modification of custody decree" }, { "page": "880-81", "parenthetical": "modification of custody decree" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/85/0112-01" ] }, { "cite": "98 N.M. 468", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1582435 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "470", "parenthetical": "modification of child support" }, { "page": "1383", "parenthetical": "modification of child support" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/98/0468-01" ] }, { "cite": "394 U.S. 618", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6177874 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1969, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "631" }, { "page": "1329" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/us/394/0618-01" ] }, { "cite": "388 N.W.2d 3", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 10650821 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "6" }, { "page": "6" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nw2d/388/0003-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 N.M. 304", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2716225 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1960, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "305" }, { "page": "124" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/67/0304-01" ] }, { "cite": "81 N.M. 277", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5366591 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "279" }, { "page": "556" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/81/0277-01" ] }, { "cite": "769 P.2d 731", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "108 N.M. 197", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "108 N.M. 319", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1592760 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "322-23" }, { "page": "356-57" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/108/0319-01" ] }, { "cite": "110 N.M. 336", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 716942 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "340" }, { "page": "1032" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nm/110/0336-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1816, "char_count": 55824, "ocr_confidence": 0.762, "pagerank": { "raw": 3.402938545501169e-07, "percentile": 0.8775567610312416 }, "sha256": "91077c8ba061cd853285eb9666cc1d7b453ccb44854675fee985f2af639e2754", "simhash": "1:528ef9e3108285e4", "word_count": 9119 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:27:24.348281+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "RANSOM, C.J., and FRANCHINI and FROST, JJ., concur.", "BACA, J., dissents." ], "parties": [ "Kim Marie JARAMILLO, Petitioner, v. Francisco Filimon JARAMILLO, Respondent." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION\nMONTGOMERY, Justice.\nWe granted certiorari to review the following question arising under the Constitution of the United States and involving an issue of substantial public interest: Does placing the burden of proof upon a joint custodial parent to show that a proposed relocation is in the child\u2019s best interest impose unconstitutional restrictions upon the relocating parent\u2019s right to travel? Although our answer to this question is generally favorable to the petitioner\u2019s contentions, we decline to go as far as have some courts by creating a presumption in favor of the relocating parent\u2019s right to remove the child from the local jurisdiction and imposing a burden on the resisting parent to show that the proposed relocation will be contrary to the child\u2019s best interests. Nor, however, do we recognize a presumption in favor of the resisting parent, placing a burden on the relocating parent to show that the move will be in the child\u2019s best interests.\nThe court of appeals, in the decision here under review, Murphy v. Jaramillo, 110 N.M. 336, 795 P.2d 1028 (Ct.App.1990), stated that in joint custody cases the burden is on the party seeking to relocate to show that the relocation is in the best interests of the child. Id. at 340, 795 P.2d at 1032. We disagree with this statement, although we agree generally with other statements in the court\u2019s opinion, reviewed below, to the effect that the nonrelocating parent should not be placed at a disadvantage by having to show that a proposed move will be mimical to the child\u2019s best interests. Because we conclude that the trial court properly determined where the best interests of the child lay under the facts of this case and the court of appeals incorrectly set aside that determination, we reverse the court of appeals and remand to the district court with instructions to reinstate its order revising the parties\u2019 parenting plan and permitting the mother to move with the child to another state.\nI. FACTS AND ISSUES\nWe refer to the parties as did the court of appeals in its opinion. Mother, Kim Marie Jaramillo, and Father, Francisco Filimon Jaramillo, were divorced in September 1987 by a decree of the District Court of Dona Ana County, New Mexico. In connection with their divorce, the parties entered into a stipulation, approved by the court as part of its decree, relating to the custody of their minor child Monica, then age three, and providing that they would share joint legal custody of their daughter. The stipulation also set out the details of a parenting plan providing for Monica\u2019s \u201cphysical custody\u201d after the divorce and containing other provisions regarding her religious upbringing, schooling, medical care, and financial support. In general, the parenting plan provided that Monica was to reside with Mother each week, except during periods when she resided with Father, which periods basically consisted of alternate weekends, Wednesday of each week, certain specified holidays (including Father\u2019s birthday) each year, and several weeks during each summer. As the trial court found in the present proceeding, Monica did well under this joint custody arrangement, with Mother having \u201cprimary physical custody\u201d and Father exercising frequent and extensive visitation.\nThe trial court also found that Monica was a well-adjusted, normally developing, bright, happy four-year-old child, who was bonded to both parents and who had been psychologically, emotionally, and physically nurtured by both parents. The court found that Mother was the primary psychological, emotional, and nurturing parent for Moni-, ca.\nThe proceeding in which the court made these findings had been initiated in September 1988, after Mother informed Father that she planned to move with Monica from the city in which all three of them then lived, Las Cruces, New Mexico, to the state of New Hampshire, where her parents lived and where she believed she could find steadier and more remunerative employment. Upon being so advised, Father petitioned the court to prevent Mother from moving Monica. Several months later, Father made plans to move from Las Cruces to his home town, Socorro, New Mexico, about 150 miles from Las Cruces. He thereupon requested the court to modify the earlier custody decree to award primary physical custody of Monica to him, so that he could live with his extended family in Socorro and obtain new employment there. The court treated the case as presenting cross-motions for change of custody and heard evidence at two hearings in May and June of 1989.\nAt trial, the psychologist who had evaluated Monica and her parents testified that Monica identified with her mother as her primary caretaker and that it was in Monica\u2019s best interest that her primary residence remain with Mother, whether that residence was in New Hampshire or New Mexico. He also testified that an altered schedule of visitation for Father, including an extended summer visit plus holiday visits during the school year, would allow Monica to maintain and develop a relationship with him.\nIn its July 27, 1989 order, which contained findings of fact and conclusions of law, the court continued joint legal custody in both parents. With respect to Monica\u2019s \u201cphysical custody\u201d \u2014 i.e., her residence\u2014 the court ordered that physical custody with Mother should continue. The court found that there would be real economic advantages and potential educational advantages for Mother and for Monica from Mother\u2019s moving to and accepting a job in New Hampshire, where her parents lived. The court found that Mother\u2019s motives for moving to New Hampshire were legitimate and acceptable and made the all-important finding that it was in the best interest of Monica that Mother remain as her primary custodial parent. The court also found that there was no evidence that a move by Monica to Socorro with Father would be better for her than a move to New Hampshire and that no evidence had been presented to show adverse effects upon Monica if she accompanied Mother to New Hampshire.\nThe court also made certain findings in favor of Father \u2014 namely, that he had remained current in his support obligations; had exercised visitation with Monica on every possible occasion; had remarried, completed his educational goals, and desired to return to his family home in Socorro to be close to his family; that his desire to move to Socorro was part of a well-thought-out plan which began when he moved to Las Cruces to begin his education, but with the ultimate goal of returning to Socorro; that he had taken Monica to Socorro on numerous occasions, enabling her to become familiar with the Socorro area and close to his extended family; that Monica had no substantial contacts with New Hampshire and that her move to that state would change her way of life from that of a close-knit Hispanic family to a nuclear eastern family and would amount to a major difference in the way Monica would be raised in future years; and that New Mexico was Monica\u2019s home state and she had never lived anywhere else.\nIn its conclusions of law, the court, while continuing \u201cprimary physical custody\u201d of Monica in Mother, awarded Father \u201cliberal visitation rights,\u201d including but not limited to all reasonable times when he was in New Hampshire, ten consecutive weeks in the summer, and every other Christmas during the time Monica was on Christmas vacation.\nFather appealed this order to the court of appeals, contending primarily that the trial court had erred by favoring mother with the same presumption that a sole custodian enjoys in terms of such a custodian\u2019s right to relocate and take the child with her. See Newhouse v. Chavez, 108 N.M. 319, 322-23, 772 P.2d 353, 356-57 (Ct.App.1988), cert. denied, 108 N.M. 197, 769 P.2d 731 (1989). Father thus maintained that the trial court had improperly shifted the burden of proof to him to show a substantial change of circumstances and what was in the child\u2019s best interest. The court of appeals agreed, reversed the trial court\u2019s order, and remanded for a new determination of what was in the child\u2019s best interest. Murphy, 110 N.M. at 339-40, 795 P.2d at 1031-32.\nOn certiorari, Mother contends that the court of appeals\u2019 decision unconstitutionally burdens her right to travel and impermissibly frustrates the statutory presumption in favor of joint custody by increasing the likelihood that divorcing parents will avoid joint custody arrangements and strive instead for sole custody in each parent. Father defends the court\u2019s decision, contending that it encourages, rather than discourages, divorcing parents to enter into joint custody arrangements, and arguing that conferring on Mother a presumption in favor of relocation unfairly burdens him with the requirement of showing that a proposed move will be contrary to the child\u2019s best interests. We agree in part with each party\u2019s contentions but conclude that this record provides no reason to upset the trial court\u2019s determination as to where Monica\u2019s best interests lay. Accordingly, we remand to the district court for reinstatement of its order.\nII. THE GOVERNING LEGAL PRINCIPLES\nA. Joint Custody\nWe begin our analysis by distinguishing the present case, which involves the issue of relocation in a joint custody situation, from previous New Mexico decisions, which involved the same issue but in situations in which one parent had sole custody of the child. In the latter context, a sole custodian seeking to relocate with a child is entitled to a presumption under, inter alia, Newhouse v. Chavez that the move is in the best interests of the child, and the burden is on the noncustodial parent to show that the move is against those interests or motivated by bad faith on the part of the custodial parent. Newhouse, 108 N.M. at 322-23, 772 P.2d at 356-57. Here, the trial court determined that in cases of joint legal custody the parent having primary physical custody is treated as the custodial parent for purposes of relocating and therefore receives the benefit of the Newhotise presumption. Murphy, 110 N.M. at 338, 795 P.2d at 1030. Although this presumption may apply in sole custody arrangements \u2014 a question not before us \u2014 we think the court of appeals was correct in stating that the trial court\u2019s use of this analogy in joint custody situations was inappropriate.\nNew Mexico law presumes that joint custody is in the best interest of a child in an initial custody determination. NMSA 1978, \u00a7 40-4-9.1(A) (Repl.Pamp.1989). Once joint custody has been decreed, it is not to be terminated unless there has been a substantial and material change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the child, such that joint custody is no longer in the child\u2019s best interests. Id. The \u201cbest interests\u201d criterion, of course, is the lodestar for determining a custody award, under both statute and case law in New Mexico, and probably in all other jurisdictions in this country. See, e.g., \u00a7 40-4-9(A) (custody of minor under age fourteen to be determined in accordance with child\u2019s best interests); Garcia v. Garcia, 81 N.M. 277, 279, 466 P.2d 554, 556 (1970) (referring to \u201cthe universal rule that the best interests of the child are paramount\u201d); Urzua v. Urzua, 67 N.M. 304, 305, 355 P.2d 123, 124 (1960) (\u201cthe welfare of the child is the primary consideration\u201d). See also, e.g., Fingert v. Fingert, 221 Cal.App.3d 1575, 1580, 271 Cal.Rptr. 389, 391 (1990) (\u201cThe primary concern in a custody dispute is the best interests of the child.\u201d); Pikula v. Pikula, 374 N.W.2d 705, 711 (Minn.1985) (\u201cThe guiding principle in all custody cases is the best interests of the child.\u201d); Hartman v. Hartman, 328 Pa.Super. 154, 157, 476 A.2d 938, 939 (1984) (\u201cIt is well-established that the sole criterion in child custody decisions is the best interests and welfare of the child.\u201d).\nOur statutes define \u201cjoint custody\u201d as an order of the court awarding custody of a child to two parents. Subsection 40-4-9.1(L)(3). \u201cCustody\u201d is defined by Subsection 40-4-9.1(L)(2) as the authority and responsibility to make major decisions in a child\u2019s best interests in the areas of residence, medical and dental treatment, education or child care, religion, and recreation. Thus, under the statute, both parents have custody of the child and both participate equally in making decisions affecting the child\u2019s interests. However, joint custody does not imply an equal division of the child\u2019s time between the parents or an equal division of financial responsibility for the child. Subsection 40-4-9.1(L)(3). We believe that the designation of one parent as \u201cprimary physical custodian\" under a court-approved parenting plan in a joint custody situation simply means that the child resides with that parent more than half the time. In other respects, the voice of each parent with respect to the child\u2019s \u201ccustody\u201d \u2014 his or her residence, medical and dental treatment, education, etc. \u2014 is equal to the other\u2019s. Consequently, one parent\u2019s status as primary physical custodian has no particular significance and should not entitle that parent to the benefit of the Newhouse presumption.\nTherefore, we agree with the court of appeals that the trial court erred in its conclusion of law that in cases of joint legal custody the parent having primary physical custody is treated as the custodial parent for purposes of relocation. This does not mean, however, that the court of appeals was correct in reversing the trial court. Although the latter court may have used, in part, an incorrect legal standard in assessing the presumption favoring Mother and the corresponding burden on Father, it does not follow that the trial court\u2019s decision continuing joint legal custody in both parents, continuing primary physical custody in Mother, and permitting Mother to move to New Hampshire with her daughter, was necessarily incorrect. A lower court\u2019s decision will be affirmed on review if that decision was correct, even though the court may have used an incorrect rationale in arriving at its result. Scott v. Murphy Corp., 79 N.M. 697, 700, 448 P.2d 803, 806 (1968). We shall return below to the question whether, notwithstanding this erroneous conclusion of law, the trial court\u2019s decision should nonetheless be affirmed.\nB. Constitutional Considerations\nAfter dealing with the issue just discussed \u2014 Mother\u2019s status as \u201cprimary physical custodian\u201d and the inappropriateness of favoring her with the procedural advantages afforded a sole custodian \u2014 the court of appeals discussed the presumptions and burdens of proof that should apply in joint custody cases in which one of the parents seeks to relocate and take the child with him or her. Murphy, 110 N.M. at 339-40, 795 P.2d at 1031-32. Before embarking on this discussion, the court approved the holding in Sydnes v. Sydnes, 388 N.W.2d 3 (Minn.Ct.App.1986) (presumption favoring a parent with sole custody does not extend to cases in which parents have joint legal and physical custody and are equally involved with the child\u2019s care), and adopted the principle enunciated in that case as the law in New Mexico. 110 N.M. at 339, 795 P.2d at 1031.\nThe court\u2019s syllabus in Sydnes reads as follows: \u201cWhen parents have been granted joint legal and physical custody and neither is the primary caretaker, the parent petitioning for permission to remove the children to another country has the burden of establishing that such a move would be in the children\u2019s best interests.\u201d Sydnes, 388 N.W.2d at 5. We disagree with the court of appeals that this should be the rule in New Mexico. If the word \u201cstate\u201d is substituted for \u201ccountry\u201d and we ignore the fact that in this case the trial court found that Mother was Monica\u2019s primary caretaker, what emerges from the Sydnes syllabus is the proposition that a parent who wishes to relocate to another state has the burden of establishing that such a move will be in the child\u2019s or children\u2019s best interests. As we shall now discuss, we believe that allocating burdens and presumptions in this context does violence to both parents\u2019 rights, jeopardizes the true goal of determining what in fact is in the child\u2019s best interests, and substitutes procedural formalism for the admittedly difficult task of determining, on the facts, how best to accommodate the interests of all parties before the court, both parents and children.\nCiting Sydnes, the court of appeals articulated this statement as the law generally applicable in relocation cases involving joint custody: \u201c[O]rdinarily, in joint custody cases, the burden is on the party seeking to relocate to show that the relocation is in the best interests of the child.\u201d 110 N.M. at 340, 795 P.2d at 1032. We agree with Mother that placing this burden on the relocating parent and favoring the resisting parent with a corresponding presumption that relocation is not in the child\u2019s best interest unconstitutionally impairs the relocating parent\u2019s right to travel. This right is so deeply ingrained in American constitutional law that it certainly needs no elaboration by this Court. See, e.g., Shapiro v. Thompson, 394 U.S. 618, 629-31, 89 S.Ct. 1322, 1328-29, 22 L.Ed.2d 600 (1969) (\u201c[A]ll citizens [have the right to] be free to travel throughout the length and breadth of our land uninhibited by statutes, rules, or regulations which unreasonably burden or restrict this movement.\u201d); Jones v. Helms, 452 U.S. 412, 418-19, 101 S.Ct. 2434, 2439-40, 69 L.Ed.2d 118 (1981); United States v. Guest, 383 U.S. 745, 757-59, 86 S.Ct. 1170, 1177-79, 16 L.Ed.2d 239 (1966); Edwards v. California, 314 U.S. 160, 177-81, 62 S.Ct. 164, 168-70, 86 L.Ed. 119 (1941) (Douglas, J., concurring). Commentators have widely discussed the implications of this right with respect to a relocating parent\u2019s right to move from one state to another without the constraints imposed by the risk that he or she will lose custody of his or her child. See generally, e.g., P. Raines, Joint Custody and the Right to Travel: Legal and Psychological Implications, 24 J.Fam.L. 625 (1985-86); A. Spitzer, Moving and Storage of Postdivorce Children: Relocation, the Constitution and the Courts, 1985 Ariz.St.L.J. 1; Note, A Proposed \u201cBest Interests\u201d Test for Removing a Child From the Jurisdiction of the Noncustodial Parent, 51 Fordham L.Rev. 489 (1982); Note, Residence Restrictions on Custodial Parents: Implications for the Right to Travel, 12 Rutgers L.J. 341 (1981); Note, Restrictions on a Parent\u2019s Right to Travel in Child Custody Cases: Possible Constitutional Questions, 6 U.C.Davis L.Rev. 181 (1973).\nIn New Mexico, the protection afforded the right to travel in the child-custody context has been explicitly recognized by both this Court and the court of appeals. See Garcia v. Garcia, 81 N.M. at 279, 466 P.2d at 556 (\u201c[W]e do not agree that the fact the parent with custody is a non-resident or about to become one, for whatever reason, alters the universal rule that the best interests of the child are paramount; that if those interests are best served by being with the mother, even though outside this jurisdiction, removal should be permitted.\u201d); Newhouse v. Chavez, 108 N.M. at 323, 772 P.2d at 357 (\u201c[A]s a general rule, the non-custodial parent\u2019s right to visitation should not prevent the custodial parent from moving when the reasons for the move are legitimate and the best interests of the children will be served by accompanying the custodial parent.\u201d); Alfieri v. Alfieri, 105 N.M. 373, 376, 733 P.2d 4, 7 (Ct.App.1987) (\u201cIn Garcia, the New Mexico Supreme Court confirmed the \u2018best interests of the child\u2019 rule, but recognized that the right of a custodial parent to relocate should not be interfered with except where the move would clearly be contrary to the child\u2019s welfare.\u201d) (dictum). As Father points out, these New Mexico cases all involved sole custody situations, but we perceive no reason why the principle that a parent\u2019s right to relocate should not be burdened by an adverse presumption should be any different in the joint custody situation. And, of course, it makes no difference that the parent who wishes to relocate is not prohibited outright from doing so; a legal rule that operates to chill the exercise of the right, absent a sufficient state interest to do so, is as impermissible as one that bans exercise of the right altogether. See Shapiro, 394 U.S. at 631, 89 S.Ct. at 1329 (\u201cIf a law has \u2018no other purpose ... than to chill the assertion of constitutional rights by penalizing those who choose to exercise them, then it [is] patently unconstitutional.\u2019 \u201d (quoting United States v. Jackson, 390 U.S. 570, 581, 88 S.Ct. 1209, 1216, 20 L.Ed.2d 138 (1968) (omission and brackets in original)).\nBy the same token, we believe that the other parent\u2019s right to maintain his or her close association and frequent contact with the child should be equally free from any unfavorable presumption that would place him or her under the burden of showing that the proposed removal of the child would be contrary to the child\u2019s best interests. \u201c[F]reedom of personal choice in matters of family life is a fundamental liberty interest.\u201d Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 753, 102 S.Ct. 1388, 1394, 71 L.Ed.2d 599 (1982) (requiring stringent standards for termination of parental rights). This freedom of personal choice includes \u201cthe freedom of a parent and child to maintain, cultivate, and mold their ongoing relationship.\u201d Franz v. United States, 707 F.2d 582, 595 (D.C.Cir.1983) (requiring showing of a compelling state interest when divorced parent\u2019s access to child was to be terminated pursuant to Federal Witness Protection Program). One commentator, after an extensive review of the psychological literature, apparently prefers the right of the noncustodial parent to maintain his or her contact with the child over the right of the other parent to relocate. She concludes:\nIt is rarely in the child's best interest to change geographical locations subsequent to a divorce, regardless of the fact that the parent with whom the child is primarily residing may feel more self-satisfied after the move. The child suffers not only the loss of the remaining parent but also significant environmental changes * * *. The remaining parent suffers the loss of day-to-day contact with her child and, very probably, the loss of personal self-esteem * * *.\n* * * [P]arents should not be allowed to remove the children from the marital jurisdiction unless it is clear that such a move is in the children\u2019s best interest * * *. [S]uch moves should seldom be granted since the psychological detriment to the children and the remaining parent caused by such a move is rarely justified.\nRaines, supra at 656. In other words, according to Professor Raines, there should be a presumption that the move will be contrary to the child\u2019s best interest, and the burden should be on the relocating parent to prove that the move will promote that interest.\nWe think that such a presumption is potentially just as inimical to the child\u2019s best interests as the opposite presumption favoring the relocating parent and burdening the resisting parent with the requirement that he or she prove that the move would be contrary to the child\u2019s best interests. Neither presumption, except by happenstance, serves the statutory goal in Section 40-4-9 of determining and implementing the best interests of the child. Professor Raines\u2019s presumption prefers the interest of the remaining parent to that of the relocating parent; the opposite presumption reverses the preferences assigned to these interests. Both presumptions are subject to the following criticism leveled by the United States Supreme Court several years ago at \u201cprocedure by presumption\u201d:\nProcedure by presumption is always cheaper and easier than individualized determination. But when, as here, the procedure forecloses the determinative issues of competence and care, when it explicitly disdains present realities in deference to past formalities, it needlessly risks running roughshod over the important interests of both parent and child. It therefore cannot stand.\nStanley, 405 U.S. at 656-57, 92 S.Ct. at 1215 (citations omitted).\nC. Presumptions and Burdens\nUnder our Rules of Evidence, a presumption imposes on the party against whom it is directed the burden of going forward with evidence to rebut or meet the presumption, but it does not shift to that party the burden of proof in the sense of the risk of nonpersuasion, which remains upon the party on whom it was originally cast. SCRA 1986, 11-301; see Mortgage Inv. Co. v. Griego, 108 N.M. 240, 243-44, 771 P.2d 173, 176-77 (1989) (discussing effect of presumption in light of revised Rule 301). When parents are operating under a joint custody arrangement and one of them seeks to alter the arrangement, it makes perfectly good sense to impose a presumption in favor of the parent who wishes to continue to operate under the joint custody decree and to place on the party wishing to change the decree the burden to produce evidence that the arrangement is no longer workable and needs to be changed. See Newhouse, 108 N.M. at 324, 772 P.2d at 358 (burden is on party seeking modification to overcome presumption in favor of reasonableness of original decree). Considerations of res judicata and our statutory presumption in favor of joint custody militate against altering the decree absent a substantial and material change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the child since entry of the joint custody order. See \u00a7 40-4-9.1(A). But beyond this presumption in favor of an existing joint custody arrangement, further presumptions for or against the relocating parent and the one who remains behind only frustrate achievement of the ultimate goal of determining the arrangement that will best serve the child\u2019s interests.\nIn the typical bipolar model of adversary litigation \u2014 in which one party\u2019s interests are pitted against those of the opposing party \u2014 the use of presumptions and the assignment of burdens of proof probably effectuate, in most instances, the relevant policy goals involved in determining who wins and who loses. When, however, the interests of a third party (or parties \u2014 the children) are not only significantly affected by the outcome of the litigation but indeed are paramount in determining that outcome, placing on one party the burden of establishing that his or her interests are the ones that should be vindicated can subordinate the interests of the third party\u2014 who may be absent and may not even be represented \u2014 in the clash over the other two parties\u2019 competing hopes and desires. Accepting for purposes of discussion the court of appeals\u2019 formulation of the applicable burden in litigation over a custody arrangement (burden on the relocating party to show that the relocation is in the child's best interests), suppose the relocating party fails to carry that burden? Should the court\u2019s decision, by something akin to default, favor the resisting party? The result of this will be that the resisting party will be awarded custody or will prevail in his or her proposed modification of the joint custody arrangement. Can the court, or anyone else, say with any confidence that this result will be in the child\u2019s best interest?\nThe \u201crisk of nonpersuasion\u201d referred to in Rule 301 is exactly that \u2014 the risk that, if the court is not persuaded by the evidence adduced by the party against whom a presumption is directed (assuming that party bears the burden of proof), that party will lose and the other party will prevail. It is a familiar rule in New Mexico that the refusal of a trial court to adopt a finding requested by the party who has the burden of proof on an issue operates as a finding against the party with the burden and in favor of the opposing party. E.g., Gallegos v. Wilkerson, 79 N.M. 549, 551, 445 P.2d 970, 972 (1968). Thus, if the court of appeals\u2019 presumption is the law, the trial court\u2019s failure to be persuaded, and consequent refusal to find, that relocation will be in the child\u2019s best interest means that the resisting party wins the lawsuit and, again by default, acquires custody of the child or adoption of the parenting plan he or she proposes, even though that result may be inconsistent with the child\u2019s best interests.\nD. Equal Footing\nThe parties in this case were subject to a decree of joint custody. When Mother decided to move to New Hampshire and take Monica with her, she notified Father of this proposed change, as she was required to do by Subsection 40-4-9.1(J)(4)(a). The parties thereafter were free to attempt to resolve any disagreement over the proposed move by employing any of the methods specified in Subsection 40-4-9.1(J)(5) (agreement; counseling, conciliation, or mediation; binding arbitration; reference to a third party such as a special master; etc.). If none of these methods was successful, either party could invoke a decision by the district court \u2014 the ultimate resort specified in Subsection 40-4-9.1(J)(5)(g). At that point, after a hearing, the court\u2014 perhaps with the assistance of professional evaluation under SCRA 1986, 11-706 (providing for court-appointed experts), or a special master appointed under SCRA 1986, 1-053 (Cum.Supp.1991) (providing for such appointments), or a guardian ad litem appointed under Section 40-4-8 \u2014 had to decide whether to terminate joint custody and award sole custody to one parent or the other or to continue joint custody and adopt a revised parenting plan. See \u00a7\u00a7 40-4-9.1(A), (F), & (J). If the court chose the latter alternative and necessary aspects of the parenting plan were contested, it was mandated either to accept the plan proposed by one of the parties or to combine and revise those plans as it might deem necessary in the child\u2019s best interests. Subsection 40-4-9.1(F).\nIn the same or analogous circumstances, courts in other jurisdictions have adopted the rule that neither party is under a burden to prove which arrangement will best promote the child\u2019s interests; both parents share equally the burden of demonstrating how the child\u2019s best interests will be served. See Hartman v. Hartman, 328 Pa.Super. 154, 158, 476 A.2d 938, 940 (1984) (\u201c \u2018[O]nce a substantial change has been established [(the party seeking modification having the burden of proof)], both natural parents share equally the burden of demonstrating with which parent the child\u2019s best interests will be served.\u2019 \u201d (quoting Daniel K.D. v. Jan M.H., 301 Pa.Super. 36, 40-42, 446 A.2d 1323, 1324-25 (1982) (brackets in original)); Commonwealth ex rel. Michael R. v. Robert R.R., 293 Pa.Super. 18, 24, 437 A.2d 969, 972 (1981) (\u201cThe point is simply that two parents bear an equal burden.\u201d); id. at 28, 437 A.2d at 974 (\u201cThe litigants should simply be put on an equal footing at the outset, and then the entire realm of facts and circumstances which are relevant to determining who is the best custodial parent should be considered.\u201d (Cercone, J., concurring)); E. Bertin & V. Klein, Pennsylvania\u2019s Developing Child Custody Law, 25 Vill.L.Rev. 752, 782 (1979-80) (\u201cEvidentiary rules are changing to accommodate the best interests standard. The burden of proof in custody cases is now shared by both contesting parents.\u201d). See also Presutti v. Presutti, 181 Conn. 622, 627-28, 436 A.2d 299, 303 (1980) (declining to impose presumption for or against nonresident parent); Pamperin v. Pamperin, 112 Wis.2d 70, 74-75, 331 N.W.2d 648, 650-51 (Ct.App.1983) (each party bears equal burden to show that award of custody to that party is in child\u2019s best interests); cf. In re S.D., Jr., 549 P.2d 1190, 1200 (Alaska 1976) (in dispositive phase of dependency-and-neglect proceeding to award custody of minors to state agency, placing burden of proof either on parent or on agency is inappropriate).\nWe adopt this procedure for relocation disputes in New Mexico. As noted above, either party can initiate a proceeding to alter an existing custody arrangement on the ground that a substantial and material change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the child has occurred or is about to occur, and the party seeking such change has the burden to show that the existing arrangement is no longer workable. In almost every case in which the change in circumstances is occasioned by one parent\u2019s proposed relocation, the proposed move will establish the substantiality and materiality of the change. It then becomes incumbent on the trial court to consider as much information as the parties choose to submit, or to elicit further information on its own motion from the sources mentioned above or such other sources as the court may have available, and to decide what new arrangement will serve the child\u2019s best interests. In such a proceeding, neither parent will have the burden to show that relocation of the child with the removing parent will be in or contrary to the child\u2019s best interests. Each party will have the burden to persuade the court that the new custody arrangement or parenting plan proposed by him or her should be adopted by the court, but that party\u2019s failure to carry this burden will only mean that the court remains free to adopt the arrangement or plan that it determines best promotes the child\u2019s interests.\nIII. OUR DISPOSITION\nIn light of the foregoing principles, we think that reversal of the district court\u2019s order was not called for. While the court relied in part on an erroneous conclusion of law \u2014 that Mother\u2019s status as primary physical custodian under the joint custody decree entitled her to the presumption available to a sole custodian in choosing her and the child\u2019s place of residence\u2014 we see no indication that the trial court applied this erroneous conclusion in a manner prejudicial to Father\u2019s rights. The court did find that no evidence had been presented to show that Monica\u2019s moving to Socorro with Father would be better for her than moving to New Hampshire with Mother or that there would be any adverse effects upon Monica from accompanying Mother to New Hampshire. To that extent, the court can be said to have ruled that Father failed to meet his burden to produce evidence to rebut a presumption favoring Mother\u2019s proposed relocation. However, nothing appears in the court\u2019s decision to indicate that placing this burden on Father influenced the court\u2019s determination that Monica\u2019s best interests would be served by accompanying her mother to New Hampshire. There is no indication that the court relied upon a presumption favoring Mother\u2019s move in finding, as it did, based upon competent and substantial evidence, that there would be real economic advantages and potential educational advantages for Monica (as well as for Mother) in moving to New Hampshire, where Mother\u2019s parents lived and where Mother had an available job in her parents\u2019 doughnut shop. For all practical purposes, the parties were placed on an \u201cequal footing,\u201d with neither party having the burden to prove where Monica\u2019s best interests lay. The court received evidence from both parties and from other witnesses and found that Mother was the primary psychological, emotional, and nurturing parent for Monica and that it was in Monica\u2019s best interests to remain with Mother as the primary custodial parent (which we interpret to mean the parent with whom Monica would reside the majority of the time and who would have periods of responsibility greater in length than those allocated to Father under the court\u2019s revised parenting plan).\nIn all of this we can find no error. Accordingly, the court of appeals\u2019 decision is reversed and the cause is remanded to the district court with instructions to reinstate its order of July 27, 1989.\nIT IS SO ORDERED.\nRANSOM, C.J., and FRANCHINI and FROST, JJ., concur.\nBACA, J., dissents.\n. As contemplated by NMSA 1978, Subsections 34-5-14(B)(3) & (4) (Repl.Pamp.1990).\n. The term \"visitation\u201d is something of a misnomer in joint custody situations, because under the joint custody statute it really applies only to the \"period of time available to a noncustodial parent, under a sole custody arrangement, during which a child resides with or is under the care and control of the noncustodial parent.\u201d NMSA 1978, \u00a7 40-4-9.1(L)(8) (Repl.Pamp.1989) (emphasis added).\n. Under the principles discussed in this opinion, the Newhouse presumption may be open to some question, involving as it does a preference in favor of a relocating parent and a disadvantage burdening the noncustodial parent who remains behind. However, this case does not present an issue of the continued vitality of the Newhouse presumption, and we express no opinion thereon. There will be time enough to review that issue if and when it arises in a case properly presenting it. Our opinion is limited to the procedures to be followed in terminating or revising a joint custody arrangement.\n. The term \u201cprimary physical custody\u201d is not contained in Section 40-4-9.1, although the phrase \"physical custody\u201d appears in two of the subsections in the section. See \u00a7 40-4-9.1(H) (access to records and information shall not be denied to parent who is not child\u2019s physical custodial parent); \u00a7 40-4-9.1(J)(4)(e) (child\u2019s recreational activities during parents' marriage should continue thereafter, regardless of which parent has physical custody). See also \u00a7 40-4-11.1(D)(2) (\u201cbasic visitation\u201d for purposes of computing support means custody arrangement whereby one parent has physical custody and other parent has visitation less than thirty percent of time); \u00a7 40-4-11.1(D)(5) (\"split responsibility\u201d means custody arrangement whereby each parent has physical custody of at least one of parties\u2019 children); \u00a7 40-4-11.1(F) (adjustments for physical custody in computing support to be made as specified in subsection).\nIn our view, the term \"physical custody\" is synonymous with other terms used in Section 40-4-9.1, including the term \u201cresidence,\" Section 40-4-9.1(L)(2), and, importantly, the term \u201cperiod of responsibility.\u201d See \u00a7 40-4-9.1(F) (parenting plan is to include division of child\u2019s time and care into periods of responsibility for each parent); \u00a7 40-4-9.1(J)(l) (under joint custody award, each parent is to have significant, well-defined periods of responsibility for child); \u00a7 40-4-9.1(L)(6) (\"period of responsibility\u201d means a specified period of time during which parent is responsible for providing for child\u2019s physical, developmental, and emotional needs, including decision making required in daily living).\n. See also Lehr v. Robertson, 463 U.S. 248, 103 S.Ct. 2985, 77 L.Ed.2d 614 (1983) (holding that Due Process Clause does not protect an unwed father\u2019s interest in personal contact with child when father fails to develop a relationship with child); Quilloin v. Walcott, 434 U.S. 246, 98 S.Ct. 549, 54 L.Ed.2d 511 (1978) (Georgia statute requiring only mother\u2019s consent for adoption of illegitimate child did not violate father\u2019s due process rights when father had not sought custody of child and proposed adoption kept child in existing family unit); Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U.S. 645, 92 S.Ct. 1208, 31 L.Ed.2d 551 (1972) (requiring that unwed father be given hearing on his fitness as parent before state could take custody of his children upon mother\u2019s death).\n. Some courts have adopted this presumption and apply it with varying degrees of stringency. E.g., In re Marriage of Burgham, 86 Ill.App.3d 341, 345-46, 41 Ill.Dec. 691, 694, 408 N.E.2d 37, 40 (1980) (only \"superficial showing\u201d need be made that move is consistent with child\u2019s best interests); D\u2019Onofrio v. D\u2019Onofrio, 144 N.J.Super. 200, 206, 365 A.2d 27, 30 (Ch.Div.) (\"real advantage\" to custodial parent and child must be shown to justify removal), aff\u2019d per curiam, 144 N.J.Super. 352, 365 A.2d 716 (App.Div.1976); Weiss v. Weiss, 52 N.Y.2d 170, 175-76, 418 N.E.2d 377, 380-81, 436 N.Y.S.2d 862, 865-66 (1981) (\"exceptional circumstances\u201d must be shown to justify child's removal from jurisdiction). Other courts have adopted a presumption favoring the relocating parent\u2019s decision to move. E.g., Bernick v. Bernick, 31 Colo.App. 485, 487-88, 505 P.2d 14, 15-16 (1972) (in absence of clear showing to contrary, custodial parent\u2019s decision to move should be presumed to have been made in children\u2019s best interests); Auge v. Auge, 334 N.W.2d 393, 399 (Minn.1983) (adopting presumption favoring removal).\n. As to both options, see Subsection 40-4-9.1(G).\n. But see Gruber v. Gruber, 400 Pa.Super. 174, 186, 583 A.2d 434, 440 (1990) (custodial parent has initial burden of showing that move is likely to significantly improve quality of life for that parent and children).\n. We do not hold that a proposed relocation constitutes a substantial and material change in circumstances as a matter of law, but it is difficult to imagine an instance in which a proposed relocation will not render an existing parenting plan or custody-and-visitation arrangement unworkable. As the court of appeals noted, \"a distant relocation by one parent will inevitably trigger a change of circumstances \u2014 the inability of the parties to implement their parenting agreement.\u201d Murphy, 110 N.M. at 339-40, 795 P.2d at 1031-32.\n.We do not mean to suggest that the child\u2019s best interest is the only factor that the court should consider. While some jurisdictions do appear to adopt the child\u2019s best interest as the sole consideration in custody matters, e.g., Griffin v. Griffin, 424 So.2d 1228, 1230 (La.Ct.App.1982), in New Mexico the best interest of the child is the primary or predominant consideration. Urzua, 67 N.M. at 305, 355 P.2d at 124; Garcia, 81 N.M. at 279, 466 P.2d at 556. The respective interests of the parents are relevant, for reasons we have already outlined in this opinion, and should be considered by the court; but the interests of the child take precedence over any conflicting interest of either parent.\n. We acknowledge the theoretical possibility, suggested in the dissent, that the court might have regarded the evidence as evenly balanced in favor of and against the impact of the move on Monica\u2019s best interests, and that the court\u2019s erroneous presumption in Mother's favor tipped the scales in her direction. However, our review of the evidence convinces us that the court was primarily influenced by the substantial evidence as to where Monica\u2019s best interests lay. We think it would disserve the interest of judicial economy and Monica\u2019s interest in resolution of this protracted custody dispute to remand this matter for reassessment of the evidence in light of the principles set out in this opinion.\n. In the particular circumstances of this case, the court of appeals held that, because Father intended to move to Socorro while Mother intended to move to New Hampshire, the parties on remand would stand on an equal footing when the court redetermined the best interests of the child. Murphy, 110 N.M. at 340, 795 P.2d at 1032. As we have indicated, however, this \u201cequal footing\" stance \u2014 the absence of a burden to prove that a proposed move will be in the child\u2019s best interests and the similar absence of a burden to prove the opposite \u2014 obtains, even though only one of the parents may be intending to relocate.", "type": "majority", "author": "MONTGOMERY, Justice." }, { "text": "BACA, Justice\n(dissenting).\nI write separately for several reasons and respectfully dissent. The effect of the majority opinion is to negate the presumption of joint custody that our legislature has expressed as public policy in New Mexico. In addition, the majority incorrectly determines that requiring a custodial parent to remain in the state unconstitutionally burdens her right to travel. Further, even under the majority\u2019s reasoning, this case should be remanded to the trial court for a further determination of the minor child\u2019s best interest.\nI agree with the majority that custody determinations should be based on the best interest of the minor child. NMSA 1978, \u00a7 40-4-9 (1989 Repl.Pamp.); Garcia v. Garcia, 81 N.M. 277, 279, 466 P.2d 554, 556 (1970); Urzua v. Urzua, 67 N.M. 304, 305, 355 P.2d 123, 124 (1960). The New Mexico Legislature has established a presumption that, at least initially, joint custody is in the best interest of a child. NMSA 1978, \u00a7 40-4-9.1 (1989 Repl.Pamp.). The presumption that joint custody is in the best interest of the child continues unless \u201cthere has been a substantial and material change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the child, since the entry of the joint custody order.\u201d Id. This presumption in favor of joint custody reflects the public policy that a child\u2019s best interests will best be served by active involvement of both parents. The presumption also seeks to preserve the parental rights of both parents without favoring one parent to the other parent\u2019s detriment.\nThe court\u2019s prior decisions have placed the burden of showing a change in circumstances sufficient to modify ah existing decree on the party seeking modification. Smith v. Smith, 98 N.M. 468, 470, 649 P.2d 1381, 1383 (1982) (modification of child support); Specter v. Specter, 85 N.M. 112, 113-14, 509 P.2d 879, 880-81 (1973) (modification of custody decree); Davis v. Davis, 83 N.M. 787, 788, 498 P.2d 674, 675 (1972) (modification of custody decree); Edington v. Edington, 50 N.M. 349, 351, 176 P.2d 915, 917 (1947) (modification of custody decree). Implicit in these decisions and our statutory scheme is the idea that the original custody arrangement was, and continues to be, in the child\u2019s best interest. NMSA 1978, \u00a7 40-4-9.1(A). The presumption then requires the moving party to prove that the modified custody arrangement is in the child\u2019s best interests. Schuermann v. Schuermann, 94 N.M. 81, 607 P.2d 619 (1980). The majority today retreats from this rule and substitutes a rule that places an equal burden on both parties to show that the best interests of the child would be served by their respective parenting plan after one party has decided to abrogate an existing, successful joint custody decree. The majority opinion rationalizes this result by stating that the equal burdens approach places each party on \u201cequal footing\u201d in the custody determination.\nThe effect of the majority opinion on the facts of this case is to abolish the legislative preference for joint custody and replace this preference with a scheme of joint legal custody and split physical custody. This custody arrangement is joint custody in name only and fails to retain many of the characteristics of joint custody as described by the statute. I believe that a parent remaining in New Mexico will have difficulty in carrying out his or her statutory responsibilities and exercising his or her statutory rights, NMSA 1978, \u00a7 40-4-9.1, when the child resides in New Hampshire or any similarly distant location. Moreover, the terms used to define the father\u2019s rights in the instant case are not consistent with joint custody; rather, the terms used by the trial court indicate that it viewed the custody arrangement more as a sole custody arrangement with \u201cvisitation\u201d granted to the father. While joint custody does not require an equal division of physical custody, NMSA 1978, \u00a7 40-4-9.1(L), it contemplates a sharing of physical custody in which each parent has a defined \u201cperiod of responsibility\u201d when he or she is responsible for providing for the child\u2019s physical, emotional, and developmental needs. Id. This \u201cperiod of responsibility\u201d differs substantially in duration and quality from \u201cvisitation,\u201d a term reserved for sole custody arrangements. Id. Moreover, as the majority recognizes, the term \u201cprimary physical custody\u201d is not defined by the statute, Majority Opinion at 62 n. 4, 823 P.2d at 304 n. 4, and is inconsistent with a grant of joint custody. I believe that a joint custody arrangement that allows one parent to move the child a significant distance from the other parent\u2019s location may no longer be a true joint custody arrangement.\nIn addition, I cannot agree with the majority that placing the burden of proof on the party seeking the modification would require a court to grant custody that would not be in the best interests of the child. The majority implies that if the burden is placed on the relocating party and that party fails to carry the burden, the result is akin to a default favoring the resisting party. This result, contends the majority, means that the resisting party gains custody even though the move is not in the best interest of the child. Majority Opinion at 65-66, 823 P.2d at 307-308.\nEven if a relocating party is able to prove that an impending move is a sufficient change of circumstances to justify considering a modification of the custody arrangement, this does not imply, as the majority opinion suggests, that the move is in the child\u2019s best interests, without more. An award of joint custody means that the trial court was satisfied (1) that both parents are fit; (2) that each parent has established a relationship with the child that is beneficial to the child; (3) that both parents desire continued involvement with the child; and (4) that the parents are able to communicate and cooperate in promoting the child\u2019s best interest. Sanchez v. Sanchez, 107 N.M. 159, 162-63, 754 P.2d 536, 539-40 (Ct.App.1988). In addition, as the court below recognized in the instant case,\n[o]ne factor to be considered in deciding whether to modify custody is the child\u2019s adjustment to his home, school, and community. See \u00a7 40-4-9. Factors stressing stability and continuity of care and environment are of particular importance to younger children. See Schuermann v. Schuermann; Sydnes v. Sydnes [, 388 N.W.2d 3, 6 (Minn.App.1986)]. Thus, ordinarily, in joint custody cases, the burden is on the party seeking to relocate to show that the relocation is in the best interests of the child.\nMurphy v. Jaramillo, 110 N.M. 336, 340, 795 P.2d 1028, 1032 (Ct.App.1990). Consideration of these factors leads me to believe that the party attempting to relocate should retain the burden of proof that the move is in the child\u2019s best interest. Sydnes v. Sydnes, 388 N.W.2d 3, 6 (Minn.App.1986); Christopher-Frederickson v. Christopher, 223 N.J.Super. 303, 538 A.2d 830 (App.Div.1988); Seessel v. Seessel, 748 S.W.2d 422, 423 (Tenn.1988). As the majority recognizes, this burden need not be an onerous one. Majority Opinion at 64 n. 6, 823 P.2d at 306 n. 6 and cases cited therein.\nNor am I persuaded in this case that the mother\u2019s right to travel would be unconstitutionally abridged by enforcing the initial joint custody arrangement and requiring her to either remain in New Mexico or leave her child with the child\u2019s father. As the majority recognizes, if the state has a sufficient interest it may limit the right of a person to travel. Majority Opinion at 64, 823 P.2d at 306 (citing Shapiro v. Thompson, 394 U.S. 618, 631, 89 S.Ct. 1322, 1329, 22 L.Ed.2d 600 (1969)). Here, there are at least two compelling state interests that justify a limitation on the mother\u2019s right to travel. First, the state has a compelling interest in insuring that a custody determination be based on the best interests of the child. This best interest is served by a true joint custody arrangement as presumed by the legislature. Second, the state has a compelling interest in protecting the parental rights of both parents. Because the state has compelling and continuing interests in custody arrangements, I see no constitutional prohibition against requiring the mother to meet her burden of proof as it pertains to the child\u2019s best interests. If the burden is not met then the mother must either continue to reside in New Mexico or grant sole custody of the child to the father.\nIn light of the legislatively created presumption that joint custody is in the child\u2019s best interests and the foregoing discussion, I would remand with instructions to the court to consider the presumption in favor of the original custody arrangement and to reweigh the evidence in light of that presumption and/or to take further testimony.\nEven if I agreed with the majority\u2019s adoption of an \u201cequal burden\u201d on each party, I would find it necessary to remand this case to the trial court for a further determination of the best interest of the child. The trial court incorrectly applied the presumption from Newhouse v. Chavez, 108 N.M. 319, 322-23, 772 P.2d 353, 356-57 (Ct.App.1988), cert. denied, 108 N.M. 197, 769 P.2d 731 (1989), and, in effect, required the father, as the \u201cnoncustodial\u201d parent, to prove that the move was not in the child\u2019s best interest. When the father failed to meet this burden, the trial court granted custody to the mother.\nIn this case, the record is equally balanced in favor of each party. For instance, the trial court found that Monica is \u201cnurtured, psychologically, emotionally, and physically by both parents.\u201d Further, the trial court found that \u201c[b]oth parents have contributed equally to the physical raising of Monica and she is bonded to both. \u201d In addition, the trial court found that Monica \u201chas no substantial contacts with New Hampshire\u201d and that \u201ca move ... to New Hampshire would be a change in her way of life ... that will amount to a major difference in the way that Monica will be raised in future years.\u201d Finally, the trial court found that Monica was familiar with the Socorro area and \u201cis close to the [father\u2019s] extended family and has made numerous friends in the Socorro area.\u201d The record contains substantial evidence to support these findings. I believe that the trial court awarded custody of Monica to her mother, at least in part, because of its erroneous reliance on the Newhouse presumption. I do not believe that the \u201cinterest of judicial economy,\u201d Majority Opinion at 68 n. 11, 823 P.2d at 310 n. 11, is sufficient to override the father\u2019s interest in being placed on an \u201cequal footing\u201d with the mother in this custody determination. Id. at 68, 823 P.2d at 310. Thus, even under the majority\u2019s formulation, this case should be remanded to the trial court for further findings and a final determination of Monica\u2019s best interest.\nFor the above reasons, I respectfully dissent.\n. The majority states that \u201c[wjhen parents are operating under a joint custody arrangement and one of them seeks to alter the arrangement, it makes perfectly good sense to impose a presumption in favor of the parent who wishes to continue to operate under the joint custody decree and to place on the party wishing to change the decree the burden to produce evidence that the arrangement is no longer workable and needs to be changed.\u201d Majority Opinion at 65, 823 P.2d at 307 (emphasis added). This is not the correct standard. As discussed in the text of this dissent, the correct standard requires the moving party to prove a change of circumstances, not merely to produce evidence that a change has in fact occurred.\n. As discussed above, a term such as \"noncustodial parent\u201d has no place where joint custody is granted because, under a true joint custody arrangement, each parent is a \"custodial\u201d parent during his or her respective \"period of responsibility.\"\n. Other findings also support the father\u2019s position. For example, the trial court found that the father was current in his financial, medical, and educational obligations to Monica. He had exercised visitation on \"every possible occasion ... including times when he had to take off from work or change his plans to enable him to care for [Monica]. He \"has re-married, has completed his educational goals, and desires to return to [his] family home in Socorro.\u201d This move was \"part of a well thought out plan.\u201d", "type": "dissent", "author": "BACA, Justice" } ], "attorneys": [ "Reeves, Chavez, Greenfield, Acosta & Walker, Charlotte Greenfield, Las Cruces, for petitioner.", "Hubert & Hernandez, Beverly Single-man, Las Cruces, for respondent." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "823 P.2d 299\nKim Marie JARAMILLO, Petitioner, v. Francisco Filimon JARAMILLO, Respondent.\nNo. 19324.\nSupreme Court of New Mexico.\nDec. 24, 1991.\nRehearing Denied Jan. 16, 1992.\nReeves, Chavez, Greenfield, Acosta & Walker, Charlotte Greenfield, Las Cruces, for petitioner.\nHubert & Hernandez, Beverly Single-man, Las Cruces, for respondent." }, "file_name": "0057-01", "first_page_order": 95, "last_page_order": 109 }