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Rather, the master should employ the best-interests-of-the-child standard according to the guidelines we announced in Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 436-37 (1973), to determine which parent should be awarded physical custody Thus, the master is placed in essentially the same position as if making an initial custody award, “where the court is called upon to consider the relative abilities of both parents to promote the welfare of the child, and where the court mus

Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 437, 309 A.2d 151, 153 (1973).

Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 436-37, 309 A.2d 151, 152-53 (1973) (paramount and controlling consideration in initial determination of custody is the overall welfare of the child).

With respect to this determination, the “paramount and controlling consideration is the overall welfare of the child[ ] involved.” 124 N.H. at 142, 467 A.2d at 250 (citing Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 436, 309 A.2d 151, 152 (1973)).

The parties stipulated that modifications of physical custody of their children would be governed by the best interests of the child standard of Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 309 A.2d 151 (1973) rather than the stricter standard of Perreault v. Cook, 114 N.H. 440, 322 A.2d 610 (1974), which requires a showing that there is a strong possibility of harm to the child if he remains with the custodial parent.

Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 309 A.2d 151 (1973).

Perreault v. Sullivan, 124 N.H. at 42, 466 A.2d at 938; see Provencal v. Provencal, 122 N.H. 793, 799, 451 A.2d 374, 378 (1982) (initial custody determination); Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 437, 309 A.2d 151, 153 (1973) (initial custody determination); 3 C. Douglas, New Hampshire Practice, Family Law § 235 (1982); cf. RSA 463:14 (a minor above the age of 14 may elect any person for his guardian).

Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 436, 309 A.2d 151, 152 (1973).

Del Pozzo, v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 309 A.2d 151 (1973).

8, 264 A.2d 244 (App. Div. 1970); see also Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 437, 309 A.2d 151, 153 (1973).

[the] children.” Furthermore, “[t]he paramount and controlling consideration [in awarding custody] is the overall welfare of the children involved.” Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 436, 309 A.2d 151, 152 (1973); see Brauch v. Shaw, 121 N.H. 562, 569, 432 A.2d 1, 5 (1981); Chasan v. Mintz, 119 N.H. 865, 867, 409 A.2d 787, 788 (1979).

In cases involving a custody determination between married parents, “[t]he paramount and controlling consideration is the overall welfare of the children involved.” Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 436, 309 A.2d 151, 152 (1973); Lemay v. Lemay, 109 N.H. 217, 218, 247 A.2d 189, 190 (1968).

Starkeson v. Starkeson, 119 N.H. 78, 80, 397 A.2d 1043, 1045 (1979); Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 437, 309 A.2d 151, 153 (1973).

Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 309 A.2d 151 (1973).

...” The statute requires the court to base its custody award solely on the best interests of the child; it accords no presumptive validity to the temporary custody award authorized by RSA 458:16 IV (Supp. 1977) (“Temporary Orders”).

Forde v. Sommers supra; Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 309 A.2d 151 (1973).

Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 309 A.2d 151 (1973); H. Clark, Law of Domestic Relations § 17.7 (1968); Watson, The Children of Armageddon: Problems of Custody Following Divorce, 21 Syracuse L. Rev. 55 (1969).

Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 309 A. 2d 151 (1973).

While Del Pozzo v. Del Pozzo, 113 N.H. 436, 309 A.2d 151 (1973), laid down guidelines for the trial court in initial custody orders, Perreault v. Cook supra established limitations on the exercise of discretion where a change of custody is sought.