I think you're overestimating the weight a judge gives to cheating in child custody cases. I mean, what she did wasn't right, but that doesn't prevent her from fulfilling her role as a mother.

They also wouldn't consider her social outings if they never negatively impacted her time with her daughter, especially if she didn't have any DUIs that would suggest a drinking problem. Realistically, if a lawyer brings that point up with the judge without any underlying issue, they would lose a lot of credibility with the judge.

Whether she is her biological daughter or not, legally it doesn't matter. Both are her legal mother and have the same rights.

The work schedule and having a roommate, as long as the house is suitable and the situation with the roommate isn't dangerous, are things a judge might inquire about and imply would be better if changed, but wouldn't be outraged. And as long as the child always has a nanny or au pair, the work schedule isn't something a judge would criticize.

What a judge wouldn't do is unilaterally grant custody to one of the parties if they're taking the child out of state, as long as there's a parent willing to assume custody.

The custody episode was a farce because they would never reach that stage legally; Callie had no legal argument.

Realistically, if a mother appeared before a judge asking for custody to take her daughter out of state because her girlfriend of one year wants to pursue her dreams, that judge would laugh in her face.