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Child lived with Parent and Grandmother until Parent entered a 14-month military deployment. During the deployment, Parent signed a temporary guardianship allowing Grandmother to care for Child. Parent sent money monthly, video-called Child several times each week, and returned on schedule. Grandmother enrolled Child in school, took Child to medical appointments, and became Child's primary daily caregiver during the deployment.
When Parent returned, Parent sought to resume full custody and offered Grandmother regular visitation. Grandmother filed for custody, arguing that Child is bonded to Grandmother and that remaining in Grandmother's home would be in Child's best interests. Parent has safe housing, stable employment, and no history of abuse or neglect. The state permits third-party custody only when the legal parent is unfit or extraordinary circumstances justify overriding the parent's custody right.
Discuss whether Grandmother may obtain custody over Parent's objection and whether any visitation or transition order may be appropriate.