Tye Darrell Moellers v. Kayla Mae Sindelar ( 2015 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 14-1361
Filed April 8, 2015
TYE DARRELL MOELLERS,
Petitioner-Appellee,
vs.
KAYLA MAE SINDELAR,
Respondent-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Winneshiek County, John
Bauercamper, Judge.
Kayla Sindelar appeals the district court’s denial of her petition for
modification of a stipulated decree. AFFIRMED.
Thais Ann Folta until withdrawal, Patrick A. Ritter of Elwood, O’Donohoe,
Braun & White, L.L.P., Cresco, for appellant.
Laura J. Parrish of Miller, Pearson, Gloe, Burns, Beatty & Parrish, P.L.C.,
Decorah, for appellee.
Considered by Vogel, P.J., and Doyle and McDonald, JJ.
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MCDONALD, J.
Kayla Sindelar appeals the district court’s judgment and decree denying
her petition to modify a stipulation regarding custody, visitation, and support. On
appeal, Kayla contends the district court erred in concluding she had not proved
a substantial change in circumstances prerequisite to modification of the prior
decree. Our review of equity actions is de novo. See Iowa R. App. P. 6.907; In
re Marriage of Melton, 256 N.W.2d 200, 205 (Iowa 1977). “We give weight to the
findings of the district court, particularly concerning the credibility of witnesses;
however, those findings are not binding upon us.” In re Marriage of McDermott,
827 N.W.2d 671, 676 (Iowa 2013).
I.
Kayla and Tye Moellers were in a long-term relationship but never
married. They had one child together, P.M. After the parties’ relationship ended,
they entered into a stipulated decree regarding custody, visitation, and support.
The stipulated decree was filed in December 2011. P.M. was one and one-half
years old at the time the decree was filed. The parties agreed to joint legal
custody and shared physical care of P.M. The parties initially agreed for Tye to
have custody of P.M. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other weekend.
Over the course of time, the parties informally modified the physical care
arrangement on several occasions and ultimately agreed to alternate weeks to
create greater stability in P.M.’s routine. Exchanges now occur at school or day
care on Mondays.
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In July 2013, Kayla filed a petition for modification, seeking physical care
of P.M. and requesting that Tye have visitation with P.M. one day per week and
every other weekend. She also sought economic relief consistent with the
sought-after change in the physical care arrangement. The district court
concluded Kayla did not prove a substantial change in circumstances necessary
to modify the decree. Kayla timely filed this appeal.
II.
Changing physical care of a child is one of the most significant
modifications that can be undertaken in family law matters. See In re Marriage of
Thielges, 623 N.W.2d 232, 236 (Iowa Ct. App. 2000). The party requesting
modification must first establish a substantial change in material circumstances.
A substantial change in circumstances is one that is more or less permanent, not
contemplated by the court when the decree was entered, and that affects the
child's welfare. See In re Marriage of Frederici, 338 N.W.2d 156, 158 (Iowa
1983); Thielges, 623 N.W.2d at 238. After establishing a substantial change in
circumstances, the party seeking modification must also establish the ability to
minister more effectively to the needs of the child. See Frederici, 338 N.W.2d at
158. This is a “heavy burden,” and rightly so. See Thielges, 623 N.W.2d at 235–
37; In re Marriage of Rosenfeld, 524 N.W.2d 212, 213 (Iowa Ct. App. 1994). To
promote stability in the child’s life, our courts have concluded that “once custody
of children has been determined, it should be disturbed only for the most cogent
reasons.” Dale v. Pearson, 555 N.W.2d 243, 245 (Iowa Ct. App. 1996).
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Kayla first argues there has been a breakdown in communication between
the parties that renders the joint physical care arrangement unworkable. “Even
though the parents are not required to be friends, they owe it to the child to
maintain an attitude of civility, act decently toward one another, and
communicate openly with each other.” In re Marriage of Bolin, 336 N.W.2d 441,
447 (Iowa 1983). Thus, an important consideration in whether a joint physical
care arrangement should continue is whether the parents can communicate
civilly and effectively to parent the child. See In re Marriage of Hansen, 733
N.W.2d 683, 698-99 (Iowa 2007); In re Marriage of Walton, 577 N.W.2d 869, 870
(Iowa Ct. App. 1998) (finding joint physical care no longer appropriate where
parents could not cooperate or communicate).
While there is some evidence in the record to support a finding that
communication between the parties is sometimes strained, we conclude Kayla
failed to establish a breakdown of communication constituting a substantial
change in circumstances. See, e.g., In re the Marriage of Schilling, No. 10–0615,
2010 WL 4485814, at *2 (Iowa Ct. App. Nov. 10, 2010) (finding no breakdown in
communication because co-parents were talking on the phone almost every day
about the care of their son). Many of the parties’ strained telephone
conversations involve situations in which Kayla telephoned Tye and discussed
personal issues unrelated to P.M. Tye admitted to occasionally losing his temper
during these calls. The frequency of those calls has decreased. The greater
weight of the evidence shows the parties can and do effectively communicate
about issues regarding P.M. Many of the parties’ prior communication problems
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have lessened now that the parties are alternating care of P.M. every week
rather than every several days. The parties agree they still speak frequently
regarding P.M. Kayla agreed at a family meeting held in August 2013, after the
filing of this petition, that the parties have the ability co-parent. Further, there is
no showing that the strained communications negatively affect the welfare of the
child. See In re Marriage of Berns, No. 13-0013, 2013 WL 4009678, at *3 (Iowa
Ct. App. Aug. 7, 2013) (“The parties’ inability to communicate alone is not
enough, there must be a showing that the lack of communication affects the
welfare of the child or that the child will have superior care if physical care is
granted to just one parent.”); Marriage of Hamilton, No. 13-1497, 2004 WL
902399, at *2 (Iowa Ct. App. Apr. 28, 2004) (affirming denial of modification
where “record supports the conclusion that, except as it relates to communicating
with one another, both parties continue to be active, involved and loving parents
who more than adequately meet their children’s physical, psychological, and
emotional needs”).
Kayla also argues Tye’s loss of respect for her and hostility toward her
constitutes a substantial change in circumstances. See Iowa Code § 598.41(2013) (providing that when considering what custody arrangement is in the best
interests of the child the court is to consider “[w]hether each parent can support
the other parent's relationship with the child”); In re Marriage of Crotty, 584
N.W.2d 714, 716 (Iowa Ct. App. 1998) (“Iowa courts do not tolerate hostility
exhibited by one parent to the other.”). Kayla cites several instances of
disrespect in support of her argument. On one occasion, Kayla testified, she
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called Tye, and he answered the call by asking “why the fuck are you calling
me?” She asked him if he had time to talk, and Tye replied “not to talk to you”
and hung up. Kayla also testified that Tye avoids meeting with her and that Tye
requested to speak with P.M.’s day care teacher outside of Kayla’s presence.
We conclude the alleged conduct does not constitute a substantial change
in circumstances. We do not in any way condone Tye’s conduct, but the
examples cited by Kayla appear isolated. Further, there is not any indication that
the conduct has interfered with the child’s relationship with Kayla. It is the
“[d]iscord between parents that has a disruptive effect on children’s lives” that
creates a substantial change in circumstance. See Melchiori v. Kooi, 644
N.W.2d 365, 368 (Iowa Ct. App. 2002); see also Marriage of Berns, 2013 WL
4009678, at *3; Marriage of Hamilton, 2004 WL 902399, at *2. If this type of
conduct were to persist or escalate to the extent it negatively impacted the ability
of the parents’ to raise this child, it could rise to the level of a substantial change
in circumstances.
Kayla argues Tye’s alcohol use has endangered P.M. and amounts to a
substantial change in circumstances. Criminal conduct and alcohol abuse can
constitute a substantial change in circumstances. See In re Marriage of
LeGrand, 495 N.W.2d 118, 120 (Iowa Ct. App. 1992). There is evidence in the
record that Tye abused alcohol and that this alcohol abuse created a risk of harm
to P.M. On June 23, 2013, Tye was charged with operating while intoxicated
(“OWI”), second offense. The record shows that on the evening before the
offense date, Tye was drinking with friends. He did not drive home that night but
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instead got a ride. The next morning, Tye drove himself to pick up P.M. Tye
believed that he was sober and was able to drive. After the exchange, with P.M.
in the car, Tye was pulled over by a police officer. Kayla was still in the area,
approached the officer, and requested that the officer perform a breath test on
Tye. Tye had blood alcohol content of .13 at approximately 8:30 a.m. He
ultimately was convicted of OWI as a second offense.
This incident is very troubling, and whether it constitutes a substantial
change in material circumstances presents a close question. Ultimately we
affirm the judgment of the district court. “Our precedent cautions us to exercise
care in judging a parent based on activities which take place during a particular
time frame. Instead, a better picture of a parent can be found by viewing the total
circumstances, and putting isolated events into perspective.” Buschbom v.
French, No. 07-1036, 2008 WL 680404, at *3 (Iowa Ct. App. Mar. 14, 2008).
When put into perspective, Tye’s conduct appears isolated. As a result of this
incident, the Department of Human Services (“DHS”) opened a child abuse
investigation. DHS determined this was an isolated event and unlikely to
reoccur, and DHS did not place Tye in the child abuse registry. While this was a
second offense, the prior offense was more than ten years ago when Tye was a
young man. Since this incident Tye has complied with all court orders. He
completed his substance abuse evaluation and treatment. Tye has worked with
a counselor for ongoing treatment to prevent any situation like this happening
again. He maintained his employment and was able to arrange transportation for
the child. The isolated conduct coupled with Tye’s corrective action distinguishes
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this case from others finding a substantial change in circumstances related to
substance abuse. Cf. In re Marriage of Crow, Nos. 0-790, 99-1993, 2001 WL
195206, at *2 (Iowa Ct. App. Feb. 28, 2001) (affirming denial of modification
where mother was arrested with methamphetamine and stating “our decision not
to change the physical care arrangement is ultimately based on [the mother’s]
recognition of the consequences should she not comply with the conditions of
probation”), with LeGrand, 495 N.W.2d at 120 (affirming modification where
father had serious criminal record and long history of alcohol abuse); Marriage of
Pals, No. 11-0177, 2011 WL 4578461, at *2 (Iowa Ct. App. Oct. 5, 2011)
(affirming modification where parent with physical care relapsed for a period of
nine months and placed children at risk of harm) ; Buschbom, 2008 WL 680404,
at *3 (affirming modification where mother relapsed, used alcohol for two years,
lost her job, and placed son in danger while driving under the influence);
Marriage of Bode, No. 05-0817, 2005 WL 3116134, at *6 (Iowa Ct. App. Nov. 23,
2005) (affirming modification where mother abused alcohol, was convicted of
second OWI during modification proceeding, but refused to seek treatment).
Although we have addressed each of Kayla’s main contentions in serial
fashion, we have considered the effect of the combination of these
circumstances. See In re Marriage of Michael, 839 N.W.2d 630, 635-39 (Iowa
2013) (considering relevant factors in combination); In re Marriage of Chmelicek,
480 N.W.2d 571, 575 (Iowa Ct. App. 1991) (setting forth analysis where
combined effect of several circumstances may constitute a material and
substantial change in circumstances). We think this a close case. The primary
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considerations in support of our conclusion are the facts do not yet demonstrate
a long term or permanent change in circumstances detrimental to the child’s
welfare and the parents have demonstrated an ability to co-parent over a
substantial period of time.
III.
We have considered each of the parties’ contentions in full. For the
reasons set forth above, we affirm the judgment of the district court.
AFFIRMED