While relatively (and blessedly) out-of-the-ordinary, some disputes that involve children – whether from a long-term marriage that ended amicably or a brief tryst that blew up almost as soon as it started – can result in endless years of fighting over just about everything imaginable.
Take, for instance, the case of an estranged Florida couple, Heather Hironimus and Dennis Nabus, who reportedly had a six-month relationship that produced a son named Chase, now 4 years of age. And who have been arguing over every issue possible in the years since his birth.
The most high-profile of those is whether Chase should be circumcised – a medical procedure, often performed in the days or weeks after males have been born, in which the foreskin of the penis is surgically removed. Some families choose to have this done to their sons for religious reasons; others cite cultural reasons or even potential health concerns.
The dispute between the couple pits the mother, who opposes circumcision of the boy, against the father, who favors the procedure.
When Chase was born, the father sued for partial custody, and the couple hammered out a parenting plan that spelled out a number of specifics, including whom the boy would address as mommy and daddy. And also what would happen to his penis. The document specified that both parents had agreed to the circumcision. When it came time to actually go forward with the procedure, however, the mother balked, as she had done some research on the subject.
According to court filings, the father has said that circumcision is “[j]ust the right thing to do.” The mother has said, “To me, it’s not worth it to put my son’s life at risk for a cosmetic procedure.”
So far, judges have ruled in favor of the father, which suggests that the surgery will probably happen. However, the case has drawn attention from so-called intactivists, who oppose circumcision.
A district court ruled in the father’s favor, and the Fourth District Court of Appeal declined to overturn the lower court’s decision.
As can be imagined, the case will have long-lasting implications, not just for those who have allied with either side of the issue, but most importantly, for the child. It is always important in family law matters to deal with every issue that impacts the child’s best interests. This requires considerable legal expertise. Please feel free to contact one of our family law specialists to see if we can be of help.
