Adam and Irene are the unmarried parents of four-year-old Diane. Adam and Irene met in college and began living together upon graduation. Adam is African-American; Irene is white. Diane was born one year after they moved in together. Just after Diane turned four, Adam and Irene separated. Each wants to have sole physical and sole legal custody of Diane. Since the separation, Irene has cared for Diane, with only a few visits from Adam. Adam, however, is upset about two recent events. First, he is concerned because Irene has just joined a new-age religion that requires door-to-door selling by its members. Second, Irene has a live-in boyfriend.

 

1. How will a court decide which parent should have custody? 

2. Because Adam is African-American, he asks the court to grant him custody so that Diane can be raised in his culture. How will the court rule on this request?

3. In the custody dispute, how will a court rule on a request by Adam that he be granted custody because Irene will involve Diane in the new religion?

4. In the custody dispute, how will a court rule on a request by Adam that he be granted custody because of Irene's live-in boyfriend?

5. Irene requests that the court ask Diane with whom she would like to live. How will the court rule on this request?