Branch vs. Thompson

In this case, the minor children of the parties have been declared dependent and neglected in juvenile court, and custody was awarded to Mother. Subsequently, the parties were divorced in circuit court, and Mother was awarded custody and Father was ordered to pay child support. Mother filed a petition in circuit court to hold Father in contempt for his failure to pay child support, and Father filed a cross petition seeking, among other things, to change custody. At the conclusion of an evidentiary hearing, the circuit court awarded custody of the children to Father. Mother has appealed, and we vacate the order changing custody because of lack of subject matter jurisdiction.