Lisa Baushke v. Eric Miller (mem. dec.) ( 2017 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any Feb 22 2017, 5:54 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK
Indiana Supreme Court
the defense of res judicata, collateral Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE
Heidi J. Cintron Robert J. Palmer
Center for Legal Justice May • Oberfell • Lorber
Elkhart, Indiana Mishawaka, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Lisa Baushke, February 22, 2017
Appellant-Respondent, Court of Appeals Case No.
20A04-1606-JP-1225
v. Appeal from the Elkhart Superior
Court
Eric Miller, The Hon. Stephen R. Bowers,
Appellee-Petitioner. Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
20D02-1305-JP-233
Bradford, Judge.
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Case Summary
[1] Appellant-Respondent Lisa Baushke (“Mother”) and Appellee-Petitioner Eric
Miller (“Father”) are the parents of D.M., who was born on April 5, 2012. At
the time of D.M.’s birth, Mother and Father were in a relationship and living
together. On June 17, 2013, Mother and Father entered into a joint stipulation
awarding the parties joint legal and physical custody of D.M. Sometime in
2015, the relationship deteriorated, and Mother moved out of their shared
home, taking D.M. with her. Mother and Father both sought custody of D.M.
On March 30, 2015, the trial court appointed a Guardian Ad Litem (“GAL”).
[2] The trial court conducted an evidentiary hearing on January 5, 2016 and
January 13, 2016. On May 3, 2016, the trial court issued an order awarding
Father sole legal and physical custody of D.M., subject to Mother’s right to
parenting time. The trial court also ordered that D.M. receive counseling. The
trial court, however, did not address child support at that time and asked that
the parties exchange information necessary to calculate child support. On
appeal, Mother1 raises the following restated issues: whether there is evidence to
support the trial court’s order modifying custody; and whether the trial court
should have set two effective dates for the child support obligation, from
January 21, 2015 to May 20, 2016 and May 20, 2016 going forward. Father
also raises the following issue on appeal: whether the case should be remanded
1
Mother did not submit an appendix with her appellate brief.
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to the trial court to consider an award of appellate attorney’s fees in favor of
Father. Because there was sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s
findings regarding the custody modification, we affirm the trial court’s order.
We will not rule on the issue regarding child support as we lack jurisdiction
over that particular issue. Additionally, we decline to remand the case back for
a determination regarding Father’s fees because the facts of this case do not rise
to the level to merit the award of appellate attorney’s fees.
Facts and Procedural History
[3] The trial court’s order instructs us to the underlying facts and procedural history
leading to this appeal:
[Mother] gave birth to D.M. on April 5, 2012. [Father] filed a
Petition [t]o Establish Paternity on May 24, 2013. On June 17,
2013, the parties submitted a joint stipulation awarding the
parties joint legal custody over their son, D.M., with no
designation of primary physical custody. At the time the
stipulation was entered into, the parties resided together. By
early 2015, the relationship between the parties had deteriorated
leading to their separation. Both sought custody of D.M. The
court on March 30, 2015, appointed attorney Pauline Micholas
as Guardian Ad Litem. The conflict between the parties has
been unabated since that time. There have been multiple
contempt filings and requests to modify the parenting time
arrangement.
****
There is no evidence in this case that the child has been cared for
by a de facto custodian. D.M. is a four-year old boy, who loves
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both of his parents, and who appears to enjoy a generally positive
relationship with both. The wishes of the parents offer no
meaningful guidance to the Court in deciding this case. Each
parent wants full custody of D.M. Each parent would prefer that
the other parent was not in the picture. . . .
When the parties appeared for a hearing on August 31, 2015,
they advised the Court that they had reached a stipulation
addressing Father’s pending motions. Unfortunately, Mother
was unwilling to sign the written stipulation when it was
prepared. The conflict between the parties continued
accompanied by the filing of additional contempt pleadings, a
request for a psychological evaluation of Mother, and disputes
over where the child would attend preschool.
The Court conducted an extensive evidentiary hearing on
January 5, 2016, and January 13, 2016. Following the
evidentiary hearing, the Court was asked to address the lack of
cooperation between the parties. In response the court ordered
the parties to engage in a high conflict parenting class, and to
engage the child in therapy. . . .
Appellee’s App. Vol. II, pp. 18-19.
[4] On May 3, 2016, the court issued the following order which provides, in part,
as follows:
After considering the evidence and the arguments made by the
parties in light of the history of this case, the Court finds that
joint legal custody is inappropriate. The Court further finds [that
it] is in the best interest of the child to be placed in the care and
custody of his Father, subject to Mother’s right to parenting time
as set out in this Order. The Court grants Mother parenting time
alternate weekends from 6:00 PM on Friday until 6:00 PM on
Sunday. Mother is also awarded one (1) overnight of parenting
time each week. Mother is responsible for taking the child to his
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regular preschool during her midweek parenting time periods.
The Court directs that holidays and other special times with the
child be divided as provided in the Indiana Parenting Time
Guidelines. Both parties are ordered to comply with the
provisions of the Parenting Time Guidelines calling for
additional parenting opportunities to be offered to the
noncustodial parent. The parties are encouraged to make
adjustments to the parenting schedule to reasonably
accommodate the respective schedules of the parties. Any such
adjustment[s] are to be made in advance, in writing, and, except
in cases of emergencies, a reasonable time before the scheduled
parenting time. Although other may be used to provide
transportation of D.M. in order to change custody of the child,
communication should be directly between the parties. The
stepmother’s direct contact with Mother should be limited.
Appellee’s App. Vol. II, pp. 20-21.
[5] On appeal, Mother raises the following restated issues: whether the trial court
abused its discretion when it modified custody of the minor child, D.M. and
whether the trial court should have set two effective dates for the child support
obligation. Father also raises the issue of whether the case should be remanded
to the trial court to consider an award of appellate attorney’s fees in his favor.
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Discussion and Decision 2
I. Standard of Review
[6] “When reviewing judgments with findings of fact and conclusions of law,
Indiana’s appellate courts ‘shall not set aside the findings or judgment unless
clearly erroneous, and due regard shall be given to the opportunity of the trial
court to judge the credibility of the witnesses.’” Best v. Best, 941 N.E.2d 499,
502 (Ind. 2011) (quoting Ind. Trial Rule 52(A)). “Appellate judges are not to
reweigh the evidence nor reassess witness credibility, and the evidence should
be viewed most favorably to the judgment.” Id. Findings are not considered
clearly erroneous unless “the record contains no facts to support them either
directly or by inference.” Id.Appellate deference to the determinations of our trial court
judges, especially in domestic relations matters, is warranted
because of their unique, direct interactions with the parties face-
to-face, often over an extended period of time. Thus enabled to
assess credibility and character through both factual testimony
and intuitive discernment, our trial judges are in a superior
position to ascertain information and apply common sense,
particularly in the determination of the best interests of the
involved children.
Id.2
Mother raises another issue on appeal: whether the trial court erred in calculating the number of parenting
time days that Father lost. There is evidence to support the trial court’s determination that Mother interfered
with approximately 82 days of Father’s parenting time. Moreover, even if the court’s determination was not
accurate, the outcome of the case would not have changed as there is ample evidence to support the trial
court’s decision to award Father sole legal and physical custody.
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II. Whether the Trial Court Erred in Granting Father Sole
Legal and Primary Custody
[7] Mother challenges the trial court’s modification of legal and physical custody
on the ground that there was no evidence to support that such decision was in
the best interest of the child. Specifically, Mother argues that the trial court
disregarded the evidence that she presented regarding her ability to parent her
child, the GAL’s report did not reflect the totality of the circumstances and
should have been disregarded by the court, the trial court improperly found that
Father was emotionally stable, and the trial court improperly considered the
fact that Father entered into a mentor-mentee relationship to help him become
a better father and person. In support of her assertions, Mother points to
various items of evidence that she believes favor her position and disfavor that
of Father. Based upon the content of her arguments, Mother is not arguing that
there is no evidence to support the trial court’s decision, but rather she is
asserting that the trial court improperly weighed and evaluated the evidence.
[8] “[O]n appeal it is not enough that the evidence might support some other
conclusion, but it must positively require the conclusion contended for by the
appellant before there is a basis for reversal.” Kirk v. Kirk, 770 N.E.2d 304, 307
(Ind. 2002). “We cannot weigh the evidence but must consider it in a light
most favorable to the judgment.” Best, 941 N.E.2d at 503. Moreover, “[a]n
appellate court may not substitute its own judgment for that of the trial court if
any evidence or legitimate inferences support the trial court’s judgment.” Id.
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The court made extensive findings in its order supporting its decision to award
Father with sole legal and physical custody of D.M.:
Mother has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. . . . The
court finds that on at least one occasion, Mother called the
paternal grandmother and expressed “I am going to hurt myself
[or] my children.” When grandmother arrived at the [Mother’s]
home a short time later, [Mother] left in her car, returning hours
later. When [Mother] returned to her home she remained distant
and unengaged with [D.M.]. In short, the Mother has evidence
of a mental instability that makes her a potential threat to the
welfare of the child.
In addition to her mental health issues, Mother has demonstrated
poor judgment at a number of levels. Her insistence on changing
the child’s preschool even though the change resulted in
unnecessarily interfering with the child’s sleep is just one
example. It is clear to the Court that the decision to enroll the
child in a daycare where Mother was working on a part-time
basis was motivated by Mother’s [self-interest] rather [than] the
best interests of the child. Mother’s action unnecessarily
interfered with the child’s normal routine. Mother compounded
the problem by making negative comments to the child about the
original preschool. More deeply concerning is the fact that
Mother suggested that he should not “use the potty”, not only
causing embarrassment to the child but jeopardizing his ability to
stay at the original preschool. . . .
****
Notwithstanding the dismal state of the relationship between the
parties, both parties enjoy a good relationship with their son.
The evidence presents a picture of two parents who loathe one
another, but adore their son. The evidence also is overwhelming
that the child loves his parents and wants to spend time with both
of them. The child also enjoys positive relationship[s] with
members of the extended family of each parent. Father has
remarried, and the child has a strong positive relationship with
his stepmother. The fact that the child is socially well-adjusted is
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further supported by the positive reports from the child’s
preschool.
After considering the evidence and the arguments made by the
parties in light of the history of this case, the Court finds that
joint legal custody is inappropriate. The Court further finds [that
it] is in the best interest of the child to be placed in the care and
custody of his Father, subject to Mother’s right to parenting time
as set out in this Order. . . .
Appellee’s App. Vol. II, pp. 19-20.
[9] The trial court made these findings, in part, after considering the GAL’s report.
In the report, the GAL reported hearing from multiple sources that Mother and
Father are incapable of parenting D.M. together without extreme conflict and
drama. Several of the witnesses that the GAL interviewed also expressed
concern over the level of care that D.M. receives while he is in Mother’s care.
Specifically, witnesses mentioned concerns regarding whether Mother is
capable of making sure “the child eats properly, wears clothes and shoes that fit,
or teach him things.” Appellee’s App. Vol. II, p. 25. “[Mother] doesn’t usually
follow through with things.” Appellee’s App. Vol. II, p. 26. Another witness
also voiced concerns that “[Mother] will not cooperate with [Father] to get the
child the medical treatment that he needs.” Appellee’s App. Vol. II, p. 27.
Based upon the witnesses’ comments and observations, the GAL concluded
that Father is the most stable and reliable parent who will make sure all of
D.M.’s needs are met. The trial court made its determination regarding custody
after two evidentiary hearings and reading the GAL’s report. Based upon the
extensive information reviewed by the court, sufficient findings were made to
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support the trial court’s decision to award Father sole legal and physical
custody of D.M., subject to Mother’s right to parenting time.
III. Whether this Court has Jurisdiction to Address Child
Support
[10] Mother argues that the trial court should have set two effective dates for the
child support obligation. Father, however, argues that this court does not have
jurisdiction to address this issue as there is not a final order nor is there an order
that falls within the categories of valid interlocutory appeals. The trial court’s
order appears to anticipate additional action by both Mother and Father prior
to the trial court’s entering an order addressing child support and the effective
dates for the child support.
The Indiana Court of Appeals has jurisdiction in all appeals from
final judgements. A final judgment is one which disposes of all
claims as to all parties . . . . A final judgment disposes of all
issues to all parties, thereby ending the particular case and
leaving nothing for future determination. Whether an order is a
final judgment governs our subject matter jurisdiction, and it can
be raised at any time by any party or by the court itself.
Bacon v. Bacon, 877 N.E.2d 801, 804 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007) (internal citations
omitted). As stated above, the order at issue does not dispose of any claims
regarding child support, therefore, we cannot address the issue regarding child
support unless it is an appealable interlocutory order.
An interlocutory order is one made before a final hearing on the
merits and requires something to be done or observed but does
not determine the entire controversy. The Indiana Court of
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Appeals has jurisdiction over appeals of interlocutory orders
under Rule 14. An interlocutory order may be appealed if the
trial court certifies its order and the Court of Appeals accepts
jurisdiction over the appeal.
Id. (internal citations and quotations omitted). No such certification and
acceptance occurred in the present case. However, certain interlocutory orders
may be appealed as a matter of right under Indiana Appellate Rule 14.
“Appeals from interlocutory orders must be expressly authorized, and that
authorization must be strictly construed.” Id. The order with respect to child
support does not fall within any category of an interlocutory appeal as of right.
Due to the fact that there is not a final order with respect to child support,
Mother did not seek certification to file a discretionary interlocutory appeal, nor
does the order with respect to child support qualify for an interlocutory appeal
as of right, we do not have jurisdiction to rule on any issue regarding child
support.
IV. Whether Father Should Be Awarded His Appellate
Attorney’s Fees
[11] Father argues that the case should be remanded to the trial court for
consideration of an award of appellate attorney’s fees. “The Court may assess
damages if an appeal . . . is frivolous or in bad faith. Damages shall be in the
Court’s discretion and may include attorneys’ fees.” Ind. Appellate Rule 66(E).
However, our discretion is limited to “instances when an appeal is permeated
with meritlessness, bad faith, frivolity, harassment, vexatiousness, or purpose of
delay.” Boczar v. Meridian St. Found., 749 N.E.2d 87, 95 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001)
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(internal citation and quotations omitted). “In general, we are cautious to
award attorney fees because of the potentially chilling effect the award may
have upon the exercise of the right to appeal.” Holland v. Steele, 961 N.E.2d
516, 528 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012). Although we have not ruled in favor of Mother,
we decline to remand the case back to the trial court for purposes of considering
an award of appellate attorneys’ fees because there is no evidence of frivolity,
bad faith, or any other instance that would give rise to such an award.
[12] We affirm the trial court’s order regarding the custody modification and decline
to remand the case for a determination regarding Father’s appellate attorney’s
fees.
Vaidik, C.J., concurs.
Brown, J., concurs in result with opinon.
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IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Lisa Bauschke, Court of Appeals Case No.
20A04-1606-JP-1225
Appellant-Respondent,
v.
Eric Miller,
Appellee-Petitioner.
Brown, Judge, concurring in the result.
[13] I concur with the majority’s conclusion to affirm the trial court’s order
regarding custody modification and to decline to remand the case for a
determination regarding Father’s appellate attorney fees. I write separately
regarding the majority’s conclusion that we do not have jurisdiction to rule on
the child support issue raised by Mother. Slip op. at 11. In its order, the trial
court ordered the parties to exchange information necessary to recalculate child
support, submit a child support obligation worksheet to the court within fifteen
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days if possible, and it set the date “that the modification of child support
[would] take effect” as May 20, 2016. Appellee’s Appendix Vol. II at 21. On
appeal, Mother argues that she “filed a motion for modification of child support
on January 21, 2015 and the court never issued an even temporary order as the
parties attempted to work through the issues” and that the “court should have
set two effective dates for child support to be calculated, January 21, 2015 thru
May 20, 2016 and May 20, 2016 going forward.” Appellee’s Brief at 27.
[14] The Indiana Supreme Court recently explained in In re Matter of D.J. v. Dep’t of
Child Servs., No. 02S03-1610-JC-548 (Ind. Feb. 7, 2016), that even where a
court’s order does not amount to a final judgment or qualify as an interlocutory
order under Ind. Appellate Rule 14, “timeliness is not a prerequisite to invoking
appellate jurisdiction.” Slip. op. at 5. The Court restated the observation as
follows: “the reviewing court is not deprived of jurisdiction if the notice is
untimely—meaning belated or premature. The only two prerequisites under
our appellate rules are (i) the trial court must have entered an appealable order,
and (ii) the trial clerk must have entered the notice of completion of clerk’s
record on the CCS.” Id. at 5-6. In this case, the court stated in its order that
modification would take effect as of May 20, 2016. The parties do not dispute
that the trial clerk entered the notice of completion of clerk’s record on the
CCS. Under these circumstances, I do not believe that a jurisdictional issue
exists.
[15] Generally, “[a] trial court has discretion to make a modification of child
support relate back to the date the petition to modify is filed, or any date
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thereafter.” Becker v. Becker, 902 N.E.2d 818, 820 (Ind. 2009). Mother
challenges the court’s decision to set the modification’s effective date for May
20, 2016 rather than January 21, 2015, the date she filed her Verified Petition
for Custody, Child Support Modification and to Establish Parenting Time. A
court’s ruling regarding modification of child support is reviewable for an abuse
of discretion. In re Guardianship of R.M.M., 901 N.E.2d 586, 588 (Ind. Ct. App.
2009). However, Mother fails to cite to the record or develop a cogent
argument regarding this issue. The portion of her argument discussing this
issue consists of three sentences, none of which are supported by citations to the
record or authority, and she has not included her verified petition among the
filed documents for review. Mother has thus waived her argument. See Loomis
v. Ameritech Corp., 764 N.E.2d 658, 668 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002) (holding argument
waived for failure to cite authority or provide cogent argument), reh’g denied,
trans. denied.
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