In Re the Matter Of: Robert J. Nicaise, Jr., Petitioner/appellee v. Aparna Sundaram, Respondent/appellant.

Summary

The court held that joint legal decision-making authority does not become sole legal decision-making merely because one parent receives final authority over specified issues if the parents cannot agree. The statutory scheme preserves joint authority, subject to a superior tie-breaking right on designated matters, and permits the non-final parent to retain legal decision-making rights. The court vacated portions of the court of appeals' opinion and affirmed the family court's order.