Angela Young v. Bethel Young ( 2022 )


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  •             If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
    revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.
    STATE OF MICHIGAN
    COURT OF APPEALS
    ANGELA YOUNG,                                                      UNPUBLISHED
    December 22, 2022
    Plaintiff-Appellant,
    v                                                                  No. 362014
    Arenac Circuit Court
    BETHEL YOUNG,                                                      Family Division
    LC No. 19-014088-DM
    Defendant-Appellee.
    Before: HOOD, P.J., and JANSEN and K. F. KELLY, JJ.
    PER CURIAM.
    In this custody case, plaintiff, Angela Young, appeals as of right the trial court’s order
    denying her motion for sole legal custody and relocation of her minor children. Angela was
    previously married to defendant, Bethel Young, and they have two children together, BY and AY.
    We vacate the denial of Angela’s requests for sole legal custody and to change her children’s
    domicile and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
    I. BACKGROUND
    This appeal arises from Angela’s motion for sole legal custody of BY and AY and to
    change their domicile. Angela and Bethel share two minor children: BY, born in 2012, and AY,
    born in 2014. Angela and Bethel divorced in 2019. The judgment of divorce awarded the parties
    joint legal custody, with Angela having physical custody of both children.
    In March 2022, Angela moved for change of domicile and change in legal custody. At the
    time, Angela was employed as a traveling nurse based in Detroit where she was paid $33 an hour
    and had to obtain health insurance on the market. At the hearing on Angela’s motion, she testified
    that she had been offered a job in Montana that paid $55 an hour and had a full benefit package.
    Angela, who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), also testified that her desire to
    move was also based on her belief that Montana’s climate and elevation would slow the
    progression of her illness. She testified that she had secured the necessary financing to purchase
    a 142-acre property in Montana on which she hoped to operate a horse farm. Finally, Angela was
    excited by the opportunity to participate in guided hunting and fishing trips.
    -1-
    The motion hearing was on May 19, 2022. At the time of the hearing, Bethel by his own
    admission had not seen the children since April 2021. At the time, Bethel was entitled to regularly
    scheduled supervised parenting times, but he repeatedly failed to participate. There was
    conflicting evidence regarding whether Angela had made efforts to frustrate Bethel’s ability to
    secure a parenting-time supervisor, but it was undisputed that Bethel never filed motions regarding
    this issue. It was likewise undisputed that before Bethel stopped seeing the children Angela would
    regularly contact the police and Child Protective Services (CPS) to make allegations against Bethel
    that were ultimately unsubstantiated.
    Much of the testimony revolved around Aaron Rettelle, who Angela described as her friend
    and roommate; Angela testified that they were not in a romantic relationship, and there was no
    evidence to dispute this. Rettelle was Angela’s primary babysitter, and as such, he was routinely
    left alone with the children. Angela intended for Rettelle to accompany her to Montana where he
    would continue to fill the same role. Rettelle, however, has an extensive history of child abuse
    and domestic violence involving his other children and previous romantic partners. Angela was
    aware of and acknowledged Rettelle’s history with CPS as well as his criminal record. Despite
    this knowledge, however, she stated that she took his word that none of the allegations made
    against him were true and that he was the repeated victim of false accusations. The court, which
    appeared to have some independent knowledge or history with Rettelle, was alarmed by Angela’s
    dismissive attitude toward Rettelle’s history of violence and by her willingness to accept his
    version of events.
    At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court denied Angela’s request for sole legal
    custody and her request to relocate. Rettelle’s continued presence in the life of Angela and the
    children played a major role in the court’s analysis, particularly with respect to custody. This
    appeal followed.
    II. LEGAL CUSTODY
    Angela argues that the trial court erroneously denied her motion for a change of custody
    because it relied on facts not in evidence. We conclude, however, that the trial court erred for a
    different reason: it failed to follow the proper framework for analyzing a request for a change of
    custody and, based on its statements on the record, should not have even reached analysis of the
    best-interest factors.
    A. STANDARDS OF REVIEW
    MCL 722.28 provides that when reviewing a lower court order in a custody dispute, “all
    orders and judgments of the circuit court shall be affirmed on appeal unless the trial judge made
    findings of fact against the great weight of evidence or committed a palpable abuse of discretion
    or a clear legal error on a major issue.” This statute “distinguishes among three types of findings
    and assigns standards of review to each.” Dailey v Kloenhamer, 
    291 Mich App 660
    , 664; 
    811 NW2d 501
     (2011) (quotation marks and citation omitted). Factual findings “are reviewed under
    the ‘great weight of the evidence’ standard.” 
    Id.
     “A finding of fact is against the great weight of
    the evidence if the evidence clearly preponderates in the opposite direction.” Pennington v
    Pennington, 
    329 Mich App 562
    , 570; 
    944 NW2d 131
     (2019). “Questions of law are reviewed for
    clear legal error. A trial court commits clear legal error when it incorrectly chooses, interprets, or
    -2-
    applies the law.” 
    Id.
     (quotation marks and citation omitted). “Discretionary rulings, such as to
    whom custody is awarded, are reviewed for an abuse of discretion. An abuse of discretion exists
    when the trial court’s decision is palpably and grossly violative of fact and logic.” Dailey, 291
    Mich App at 664-665 (quotation marks, citations, and alteration omitted).
    B. LAW AND ANALYSIS
    Here, the trial court made a clear legal error. The trial court stated that it was “not sure”
    there had been a change of circumstances that warranted revisiting the custody decision. Despite
    this finding, the trial court proceeded to determine that there was an established custodial
    environment with Angela, but denied her request because it was not in her children’s best interests
    to change custody. This was error.
    In Michigan, the Child Custody Act, MCL 722.21 et seq., “ ‘applies to all circuit court
    child custody disputes and actions, whether original or incidental to other actions.’ ” Pierron v
    Pierron, 
    486 Mich 81
    , 85; 
    782 NW2d 480
     (2010), quoting MCL 722.26(1). In Griffin v Griffin,
    
    323 Mich App 110
    , 118-120; 
    916 NW2d 292
     (2018), this Court provided a summary of the relevant
    framework for analyzing a request to change custody:
    When a parent moves for a change of custody, he or she must first establish
    that there is a change of circumstances or proper cause to revisit the custody
    decision. If that threshold is satisfied, the trial court must determine whether the
    child has an established custodial environment. Where no established custodial
    environment exists, the trial court may change custody if it finds, by a
    preponderance of the evidence, that the change would be in the child’s best
    interests. However, where an established custodial environment does exist, a court
    is not to change the established custodial environment of a child unless there is
    presented clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child.
    Stated differently, to determine the best interests of the children in child custody
    cases, a trial court must consider all the factors delineated in MCL 722.23(a)-(l)
    applying the proper burden of proof, and the proper burden of proof is based on
    whether or not there is an established custodial environment. [Quotation marks,
    citations, and footnotes omitted.]
    Under this framework, before the court may determine whether there exists an established
    custodial environment and analyze the best-interest factors, the moving party must first establish
    that there is a change of circumstances or proper cause that warrants revisiting the custody
    decision. See Stoudemire v Thomas, ___ Mich App ___, ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2022) (Docket No.
    360441); slip op at 4 (“[W]hen seeking to modify a custody or parenting-time order, the moving
    party must first establish proper cause or a change of circumstances before the court may proceed
    to an analysis of whether the requested modification is in the child’s best interests.”); Shann v
    Shann, 
    293 Mich App 302
    , 305; 
    809 NW2d 435
     (2011), citing MCL 722.27(1)(c) (“A trial court
    may only consider a change of custody if the movant establishes proper cause or a change in
    circumstances.”); Corporan v Henton, 
    282 Mich App 599
    , 603; 
    766 NW2d 903
     (2009) (“[A] party
    seeking a change in the custody of a child is required, as a threshold matter, to first demonstrate to
    the trial court either proper cause or a change of circumstances.”). “[P]roper cause means one or
    more appropriate grounds that have or could have a significant effect on the child’s life to the
    -3-
    extent that a reevaluation of the child’s custodial situation should be undertaken.” Vodvarka v
    Grasmeyer, 
    259 Mich App 499
    , 511; 
    675 NW2d 847
     (2003). To establish proper cause to revisit
    a custody order, the party seeking to change custody must
    prove by a preponderance of the evidence the existence of an appropriate ground
    for legal action to be taken by the trial court. The appropriate ground(s) should be
    relevant to at least one of the twelve statutory best interest factors, and must be of
    such magnitude to have a significant effect on the child’s well-being. [Id. at 512.]
    Regarding a “change of circumstances,” the Vodvarka Court stated:
    [T]o establish a “change of circumstances,” a movant must prove that, since the
    entry of the last custody order, the conditions surrounding custody of the child,
    which have or could have a significant effect on the child’s well-being, have
    materially changed. Again, not just any change will suffice, for over time there will
    always be some changes in a child’s environment, behavior, and well-being.
    Instead, the evidence must demonstrate something more than the normal life
    changes (both good and bad) that occur during the life of a child, and there must be
    at least some evidence that the material changes have had or will almost certainly
    have an effect on the child. This too will be a determination made on the basis of
    the facts of each case, with the relevance of the facts presented being gauged by the
    statutory best interest factors. [Id. at 513-514.]
    The trial court noted that “the current order is joint legal and joint physical custody” but
    that there was a “subsequent order” that limited Bethel’s “visitation and add[ed] some conditions.”
    It further noted that it appeared that Bethel had “satisfied to some extent” those conditions “but
    perhaps not to the full extent.” The trial court stated that “since that hearing, frankly, I’m not sure
    that there has been a change in circumstances.” It then stated that, “[r]egardless,” it would address
    the best-interest factors. After doing so, it denied Angela’s request to change custody.
    The trial court failed to follow the proper framework for analyzing a motion for change of
    custody. The trial court was first required to determine whether there was a change of
    circumstances or proper cause to revisit the custody decision. See Griffin, 323 Mich App at 118-
    119; Shann, 293 Mich App at 305; Corporan, 
    282 Mich App at 603
    . All it stated in this regard
    was it was “not sure that there has been a change in circumstances.” Beyond this statement, the
    court did not delve further into what constituted a change of circumstances. Its decision was also
    devoid of any reference to proper cause that warranted revisiting the custody decision. This
    threshold—whether there exists a change in circumstances or proper cause to revisit the custody
    decision—must be satisfied before proceeding to analyze any other aspect of the request to change
    custody. See Griffin, 323 Mich App at 118-119. Because the trial court did not first decide
    whether there existed a change in circumstances or proper cause to revisit the custody decision,
    the trial court erred in proceeding to further address respondent’s request to change custody.
    On remand, the trial court should take care to follow the proper framework for deciding
    such a request. See Griffin, 323 Mich App at 118-120. Specifically, the trial court should first
    address and adequately explain whether there is a change of circumstances or proper cause to
    revisit the custody decision. If it finds that there is no such change or cause, its inquiry must end
    -4-
    there. If, however, it finds that there was a change of circumstances or proper cause to revisit the
    custody decision, it must then address the existence of an established custodial environment. See
    MCL 722.27(1)(c) (“The custodial environment of a child is established if over an appreciable
    time the child naturally looks to the custodian in that environment for guidance, discipline, the
    necessities of life, and parental comfort.”). If the trial court again finds that there was an
    established custodial environment,1 it may then consider whether there is clear and convincing
    evidence that a change of custody is in the children’s best interests. See Griffin, 323 Mich App at
    119. If it concludes, however, that there was no established custodial environment, the court may
    change custody if it finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the change would be in the
    children’s best interests. See id.
    Although we decline to address the court’s analysis of the best-interest factors at present
    in light of the trial court’s failure to properly follow the framework for analyzing a request for
    change of custody, we are mindful of Angela’s contention that the trial court improperly relied on
    facts about Rettelle that were not in evidence. We agree that some of the trial court’s statements
    about Rettelle are concerning. The fact that the court may have had experience with Rettelle
    outside the context of the instant judicial proceeding should not have factored into, or influenced,
    its decision regarding Angela’s motion to change custody. See Cain v Dep’t of Corrections, 
    451 Mich 470
    , 497; 
    548 NW2d 210
     (1996) (indicating that it must be shown that a trial judge has an
    actual bias that was personal and extrajudicial in nature, meaning the bias had its origins in events
    or sources outside the judicial proceeding).2 To be sure, there may be valid concerns about
    Rettelle’s past. But when evaluating whether that past justifies denying Angela’s request for a
    change of custody, the court must rely solely on facts and evidence in the record.3
    III. CHANGE OF DOMICILE
    Angela argues that the trial court abused its discretion by denying her motion to change
    domicile. Because the trial court made several clear legal errors by improperly considering,
    1
    The trial court’s explanation for its conclusion that the established custodial environment was
    with Angela was brief: “[T]here is clearly [an] established custodial relationship with the
    mother.” On remand, if the trial court reaches this point, it should more adequately explain its
    conclusions regarding the established custodial environment, including whether there existed
    such an environment with Bethel also. See Ritterhaus v Ritterhaus, 
    273 Mich App 462
    , 471; 
    730 NW2d 262
     (2007) (“[A] custodial environment can be established in more than one home.”).
    2
    There are “objective and reasonable perceptions” that the trial judge may have either “a serious
    risk of actual bias impacting the due process rights of a party” or “failed to adhere to the
    appearance of impropriety standard set forth in Canon 2 of the Michigan Code of Judicial
    Conduct.” MCR 2.003(C)(1)(b). To be safe, on remand, the trial judge should address the issue
    of disqualification.
    3
    Had the court wished to take judicial notice of Rettelle’s criminal record or other facts related
    to him, it should have informed the parties and given them the opportunity to object. See MRE
    201.
    -5-
    interpreting, and applying the D’Onofrio4 factors, we vacate this order and remand for additional
    fact-finding.
    A. STANDARDS OF REVIEW
    The trial court’s decision on a motion for a change of domicile is reviewed for abuse of
    discretion. Rains v Rains, 
    301 Mich App 313
    , 324; 
    836 NW2d 709
     (2013). “An abuse of discretion
    is found only in extreme cases in which the result is so palpably and grossly violative of fact and
    logic that it evidences a perversity of will or the exercise of passion or bias.” 
    Id.
     (quotation marks
    and citations omitted).
    B. LAW AND ANALYSIS
    This Court has explained the required process for deciding a motion for a change of
    domicile:
    A motion for a change of domicile essentially requires a four-step approach.
    First, a trial court must determine whether the moving party has established by a
    preponderance of the evidence that the factors enumerated in MCL
    722.31(4) . . . support a motion for a change of domicile. Second, if the factors
    support a change in domicile, then the trial court must then determine whether an
    established custodial environment exists. Third, if an established custodial
    environment exists, the trial court must then determine whether the change of
    domicile would modify or alter that established custodial environment. Finally, if,
    and only if, the trial court finds that a change of domicile would modify or alter the
    child’s established custodial environment must the trial court determine whether
    the change in domicile would be in the child’s best interests by considering whether
    the best-interest factors in MCL 722.23 have been established by clear and
    convincing evidence. [Rains, 301 Mich App at 325.]
    The trial court found that the factors enumerated in MCL 722.31, also known as the
    D’Onofrio factors, did not support Angela’s motion. MCL 722.31(4) provides in relevant part:
    Before permitting a legal residence change [of more than 100 miles] the
    court shall consider each of the following factors, with the child as the primary
    focus in the court’s deliberations:
    (a) Whether the legal residence change has the capacity to improve the
    quality of life for both the child and the relocating parent.
    (b) The degree to which each parent has complied with, and utilized his or
    her time under, a court order governing parenting time with the child, and whether
    4
    D’Onofrio v D’Onofrio, 144 NJ Super 200; 
    365 A2d 27
     (1976).
    -6-
    the parent’s plan to change the child’s legal residence is inspired by that parent’s
    desire to defeat or frustrate the parenting time schedule.
    (c) The degree to which the court is satisfied that, if the court permits the
    legal residence change, it is possible to order a modification of the parenting time
    schedule and other arrangements governing the child’s schedule in a manner that
    can provide an adequate basis for preserving and fostering the parental relationship
    between the child and each parent; and whether each parent is likely to comply with
    the modification.
    (d) The extent to which the parent opposing the legal residence change is
    motivated by a desire to secure a financial advantage with respect to a support
    obligation.
    (e) Domestic violence, regardless of whether the violence was directed
    against or witnessed by the child.
    “[T]he statutory language requiring a court to ‘consider’ the factors under MCL 722.31(4) . . . does
    not require the court to specifically delineate its findings with regard to each factor . . . .” Yachcik
    v Yachcik, 
    319 Mich App 24
    , 37; 
    900 NW2d 113
     (2017). Rather, the court is required “to carefully
    think about, take into account, or assess each factor, but there is no indication that a trial court is
    required to take further action, such as making explicit findings on the record.” Id.
    1. FACTOR (A)
    The trial court made a clear legal error because it failed to consider the impact that the
    move would have on Angela’s quality of life.
    The trial court was not persuaded by the evidence that Angela’s proposed move would
    have the capacity to improve the general quality of life for Angela and her children. It stated that
    it “[p]otentially . . . could be the case” but it did not believe “adequate evidence” was presented on
    this issue. It indicated there was not yet a “full-fledged job offer” and it was conditioned on Angela
    being qualified as a nurse, a condition that “ha[d] not yet been met.” The trial court also found
    that the job offer “seem[ed] too far vague [sic: far too vague],” and that if there actually was a
    “strict fixed offer” with information about salary and benefits, it would be “easy to get that in
    writing to present to the court. And it wasn’t.” The trial court also “question[ed]” the “prospects”
    of Angela obtaining a “horse farm and hundreds of acres” of land. The trial court was not “satisfied
    that [the move to Montana] will improve the quality of life for the children.”
    MCL 722.31(4)(a), however, requires consideration of the likely capacity for the proposed
    move to improve the quality of life for both the child and the relocating parent. Although, under
    Yachcik, the trial court was not necessarily required to specifically articulate its findings under
    each factor, it still must carefully assess each factor. See Yachcik, 319 Mich App at 37. The court
    had to determine whether the proposed move had the potential to improve the quality of life for
    Angela and her children. The court acknowledged that the move could “[p]otentially” improve
    the children’s quality of life, and expressed doubts regarding the likely capacity for that
    improvement.
    -7-
    The trial court’s analysis was deficient, however, because it failed to consider whether the
    move would improve Angela’s quality of life. Under MCL 722.31(4)(a), trial courts must consider
    the potential for improvement in the quality of life for the children and the relocating parent. In
    addition to testifying about her new job offer and the horse farm, Angela also testified that the
    climate in Montana would slow the progression of her MS compared to the climate in Michigan.5
    She also testified that in Montana she would have the opportunity to do guided hunting and fishing
    trips. The trial court’s findings on this factor only addressed Angela’s testimony about her
    potential job and new home, but did not touch on other testimony related to additional benefits to
    the proposed move.
    We defer to the trial court on issues of credibility, Brown v Brown, 
    332 Mich App 1
    , 9; 
    955 NW2d 515
     (2020), and many of its findings were based on credibility. The trial court, nonetheless,
    clearly erred when it focused solely on an improvement to the lives of the children, rather than
    also addressing whether the proposed move had the capacity to improve Angela’s life. On remand,
    the court shall consider the evidence discussed above, and it shall then determine whether it is so
    skeptical of Angela’s testimony that there is not a likely capacity for improvement in the quality
    of life of the children and relocating parent.
    2. FACTOR (B)
    Regarding MCL 722.31(4)(b), the trial court’s analysis was erroneous because it failed to
    make findings pertaining to the parties’ compliance with and utilization of the governing parenting
    time order, and because it erroneously considered Bethel’s motivation for opposing Angela’s
    motion.
    The first half of this factor requires a trial court to analyze whether the parties have
    complied with the parenting time order and whether the parties have utilized their parenting time.
    See MCL 722.31(4)(b). There is no indication that the trial court considered this aspect of the
    second D’Onofrio factor. This omission is significant. The evidence suggested that this portion
    of the factor may have weighed in favor of the move because Bethel had not exercised any of his
    parenting time since April 2021—more than a year before the motion hearing. The second half of
    this factor required the court to consider whether the party seeking relocation (Angela) was
    motivated by a desire to frustrate the parenting schedule. See 
    id.
     The court found that Angela’s
    desire to relocate was driven by “genuine” motives. The court, however, then discussed Bethel’s
    motivation for opposing the relocation. Upon concluding that his motives were likewise
    “genuine,” the court essentially concluded that this canceled out any weight that could have been
    accorded to Angela. This was not the correct analytical framework. Under MCL 722.31(4)(b),
    the trial court should have considered the motive of the relocating parent only. Bethel’s motivation
    for opposing the move was irrelevant to this factor.
    On remand, the court shall make findings pertaining to the parties’ compliance with and
    utilization of the current order governing parenting time. Additionally, to determine whether
    5
    We do not take a position on whether this claim is medically accurate. In this case, the claim
    was not supported by any evidence other than Angela’s own testimony.
    -8-
    Angela’s desire to move is motivated by the opportunity to frustrate the current parenting time
    schedule, the court shall consider Angela’s motives only.
    3. FACTOR (C)
    Regarding MCL 722.31(4)(c), the trial court’s analysis was erroneous because it failed to
    address whether it was possible to construct a parenting time schedule which would preserve
    Bethel’s relationship with his children. It also erred because it failed to consider this issue in the
    context of Bethel’s failure to make any effort to cultivate a relationship with his children, or
    whether the parties were likely to comply with a modified schedule.
    The trial court explained its findings under this factor as follows:
    Next, court [sic] must be satisfied that there be a realistic opportunity for
    visitation in lieu of weekly parent pattern [sic] which may provide an adequate basis
    for preserving and fostering a parental relationship. Well, Montana is a far, far long
    way away. I haven’t really been provided with a proposed parenting time schedule
    that would, that would satisfy reasonable parenting time. It hasn’t been presented
    in the, in the plan. So, I’ve considered that factor. I am, at this time denying the
    move.
    There are three problems with the court’s findings under this factor. First, the court stated
    that it “must be satisfied that there be a realistic opportunity for visitation . . . .” This was not an
    accurate statement of the law; rather, the court needed to assess whether the parenting time order
    could be modified in such a way that the relationship between Bethel and his children could be
    preserved. MCL 722.31(4)(c). The proper inquiry focuses on whether there would be “a realistic
    opportunity to preserve and foster the parental relationship previously enjoyed by the
    nonrelocating parent.” McKimmy v Melling, 
    291 Mich App 577
    , 584; 
    805 NW2d 615
     (2011)
    (quotation marks and citation omitted). Instead of doing this, the court simply observed that
    Montana is far away and that Angela did not propose a parenting time schedule “that would satisfy
    reasonable parenting time.”
    Second, the court failed to acknowledge crucial context concerning Bethel’s relationship
    with the children: he had not seen them in more than a year. The fact that Montana is far away
    from Michigan may not be as critically important when it comes to preserving a relationship that
    already involves no physical visitation. This Court has recognized that “[t]he separation between
    a parent and a child can be diminished by the use of modern communication technology.”
    McKimmy, 291 Mich App at 583 (quotation marks and citation omitted). Given Bethel’s failure
    to exercise his parenting time for the 13 months preceding the hearing, modern communication
    technology might preserve or possibly improve Bethel’s relationship with the children. Moreover,
    Angela testified that she would be willing to pay for a portion of her children’s flights to Michigan
    so they could visit Bethel, which the court failed to acknowledge.
    Finally, this factor also required the court to consider whether the parties would comply
    with any potential modifications. The court did not consider this at all. There was evidence
    suggesting that if either party would not comply, it was Bethel. Not only did he chronically fail to
    -9-
    exercise parenting time, he also admittedly disobeyed court orders pertaining to counseling and
    parenting classes.
    On remand, the court shall reassess this factor by determining the possibility of
    constructing a parenting schedule that would allow Bethel to preserve his relationship with his
    children. The court shall also consider the likelihood of each party complying with a modified
    parenting time schedule.
    4. FACTORS (D) AND (E)
    The court did not make any findings pertaining to factors (d) or (e). Although the court
    was not obligated to make explicit findings for each factor, it was required “to carefully think
    about, take into account, or assess each factor.” Yachcik, 319 Mich App at 37. There is nothing
    in the record suggesting that the court in any way considered these factors.6 Although it may, but
    need not, make explicit findings for these factors, on remand, the court should indicate, at a
    minimum, that it considered these factors as required. See id.
    IV. CONCLUSION
    We vacate the trial court’s order denying Angela’s requests for sole legal custody and for
    a change of domicile, and remand to the trial court for additional proceedings consistent with this
    opinion. We retain jurisdiction in order to facilitate appellate review of the proceedings on remand.
    /s/ Noah P. Hood
    /s/ Kathleen Jansen
    /s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly
    6
    The trial court considered domestic violence in the context of Angela’s motion to change
    custody, finding that the situation with Rettelle warranted that factor favoring Bethel. To the
    extent the trial court also relied on these findings for its findings regarding domestic violence
    related to the request for change of domicile, it should have articulated this, otherwise there is no
    indication that it considered domestic violence in relation to the request to change domicile.
    -10-
    Court of Appeals, State of Michigan
    ORDER
    Noah P. Hood
    Angela Young v Bethel Young                                                     Presiding Judge
    Docket No.     362014                                                         Kathleen Jansen
    LC No.         19-014088-DM                                                   Kirsten Frank Kelly
    Judges
    Pursuant to the opinion issued concurrently with this order, this case is REMANDED for
    further proceedings consistent with the opinion of this Court. We retain jurisdiction.
    Proceedings on remand in this matter shall commence within 28 days of the Clerk’s
    certification of this order, and they shall be given priority on remand until they are concluded. As stated
    in the accompanying opinion, (1) we vacate the order denying the motion for legal custody, and remand
    this case for the trial court to address the threshold issue of wether proper cause or a change in
    circumstances exists to allow the court to revisit the issue of legal custody, and (2) we vacate the order
    denying the motion for change of domicile, and femand this case fir further findings reardibg the factors
    enumerated in MCL 722.31. On remand the court should address the potential disqualification or
    disclosure issues identified in the opinion. The proceedings on remand are limited to these issues.
    The parties shall promptly file with this Court a copy of all papers filed on remand. Within
    seven days after entry, appellant shall file with this Court copies of all orders entered on remand.
    The transcript of all proceedings on remand shall be prepared and filed within 21 days after
    completion of the proceedings.
    _______________________________
    Presiding Judge
    December 22, 2022