ENGY ABDELKADER VS. AHMED ISLAME HOSNY (FM-13-0390-11, MONMOUTH COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) ( 2021 )


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  •                                 NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
    APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
    This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
    internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
    SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
    APPELLATE DIVISION
    DOCKET NO. A-1816-19
    ENGY ABDELKADER,
    Plaintiff-Appellant,
    v.
    AHMED ISLAME HOSNY,
    Defendant-Respondent.
    _________________________
    Submitted May 3, 2021 – Decided June 2, 2021
    Before Judges Messano and Hoffman.
    On appeal from the New Jersey Superior Court,
    Chancery Division, Family Part, Monmouth County,
    Docket No. FM-13-0390-11.
    Engy Abdelkader, appellant pro se.
    Laufer, Dalena, Jensen, Bradley & Doran, LLC,
    attorneys for respondent (Michelle A. Benedek-Barone,
    of counsel and on the brief).
    PER CURIAM
    This post-judgment dispute is before us a second time. In our prior
    opinion, we set out the salient facts regarding the parties' marriage, separation,
    divorce, plaintiff's unilateral relocation to Virginia with the parties' son, A.H.
    (Alec), Alec's return to New Jersey in his father's custody, and plaintiff's
    ultimate return to New Jersey.1 Abdelkader v. Hosny, No. A-1666-16 (App.
    Div. July 26, 2018). The parties are intimately familiar with those details, and
    we need not repeat them again except as necessary to resolve the issues now
    presented. Ultimately, we dismissed plaintiff's appeal as moot but concluded
    "there [were] sufficient changes in the circumstances of [Alec]'s life to warrant
    a plenary hearing at which the judge shall determine what custodial arrangement
    now serves [the child's] best interests." Id. at 9 (citing N.J.S.A. 9:2-4).
    The plenary hearing took place before Judge Michael A. Guadagno, now
    retired on recall, during eight court sessions commencing on August 5, 2019. 2
    On December 12, 2019, he entered an order that: continued defendant as the
    parent of primary residence (PPR); left unchanged a prior order fixing plaintiff's
    1
    We use initials and a pseudonym for the child pursuant to Rule 1:38-3(d)(3).
    2
    Prior to his retirement, Judge Guadagno was the trial judge who entered the
    parties' 2011 final judgment of divorce (JOD), which incorporated their property
    settlement agreement (PSA). He was not involved in the post-judgment orders
    that were the subjects of plaintiff's first appeal.
    A-1816-19
    2
    child support obligation; appointed a parenting coordinator with significant
    authority and with costs borne equally by the parties; and required the parties to
    enroll Alec, then almost ten-years old, "in therapy consistent with the findings"
    in the judge's extensive written decision.
    Plaintiff now appeals asserting errors regarding certain procedural aspects
    of the plenary hearing, Judge Guadagno's consideration of the evidence adduced
    at the hearing, and his ultimate decision to designate defendant as PPR. Plaintiff
    urges us to reverse the order and remand again for another hearing before a
    different judge. We address each of plaintiff's contentions below. We find them
    unpersuasive and affirm.
    I.
    Both parties are attorneys, and plaintiff has represented herself throughout
    the proceedings following our remand.3          At the first case management
    conference in August 2018, Judge Sheedy established a discovery schedule
    including dates for the retention of experts. Defendant declined any request to
    hire a joint expert and hired Dr. Sharon Ryan Montgomery to conduct a best-
    interests evaluation. Dr. Elise Landry had prepared a custody neutral assessment
    3
    The pre-plenary hearing proceedings were conducted by the presiding judge
    of the Family Part, Kathleen A. Sheedy.
    A-1816-19
    3
    (CNA) during the earlier litigation when plaintiff relocated to Virginia with
    Alec. After a second case management conference, Judge Sheedy entered an
    order requiring plaintiff to retain Landry "to prepare an update of her 2016
    report."
    Disputes regarding parenting time erupted, along with other issues, and a
    flurry of motion practice commenced. In November, Judge Sheedy ordered
    plaintiff to "pay the full amount for an updated assessment with Dr. Landry."
    A new round of motions led to the judge's December 14, 2018 order (the
    December 2018 order) and a forty-nine page written opinion in which she again
    denied plaintiff's request for modification of her child support without prejudice,
    but also reserved the issue for the plenary hearing, at which "[t]he [c]ourt will
    hear arguments as to the child support and income imputation issues . . . and will
    calculate child support . . . after that time." The order continued plaintiff's then-
    current child support of $130 per week to be paid through probation.
    The December 2018 order also denied several requests made by defendant
    regarding   plaintiff's   alleged   support   arrearages,   payment     for   Alec's
    extracurricular activities and other financial issues, reserving them for the
    plenary hearing.    Judge Sheedy denied defendant's request that she recuse
    herself. Finally, the December 2018 order required both parties and Alec to
    A-1816-19
    4
    meet with Landry in January for preparation of an updated CNA. We denied
    defendant's request to seek emergent relief from the December 2018 order.
    Landry issued an updated CNA in January 2019. We discuss the report
    and her testimony below, but, for the moment, it suffices to note that Landry
    forwarded the report directly to the court, requested a protective order issue, and
    suggested that neither party receive a copy nor share its contents with Alec.
    However, Landry suggested that defendant's expert receive a copy to "fully
    address[] the concerns" noted.4 Judge Sheedy entered a protective order barring
    report's dissemination to anyone other than the parties and their attorneys.
    There was apparent confusion because plaintiff was initially told she
    could only come to chambers to review Landry's report even though it had been
    sent to defense counsel. In any event, plaintiff received the report at a March
    29, 2019 case management conference and well in advance of the hearing.
    Prior to that conference, on March 5, 2019, Landry wrote to Judge Sheedy,
    noting plaintiff's representation that the judge referred to Landry "on the record"
    as plaintiff's expert. 5 Landry stated she was ethically prohibited from serving as
    4
    Ultimately, Montgomery never reviewed the updated CNA.
    5
    We have only been provided with the transcripts from the plenary hearing
    before Judge Guadagno.
    A-1816-19
    5
    both a party's expert and CNA analyst. She had explained this when first
    contacted by plaintiff and provided plaintiff with names of other psychologists
    in the area. Landry said that plaintiff "never once expressed that she considered
    me her expert and . . . explained that she had not retained an independent expert
    because of financial concerns." On April 3, 2019, plaintiff sent a letter to Judge
    Sheedy, noting Landry's ethical reservations and her concerns over Alec's well-
    being. Plaintiff urged the court "to take appropriate measures to protect the
    parties' child beyond the mere issuance of a protective order."
    At the initial hearing before Judge Guadagno, plaintiff objected to the
    judge's stated intention to interview Alec in chambers. The judge initially
    reserved decision but ultimately did conduct the interview, as we explain below.
    Judge Guadagno also addressed defense counsel's objection to plaintiff referring
    to Landry as a "[c]ourt-appointed expert." He noted that CNAs are done "in
    order [for the court] to have an expedited input" but they "fall[] short of a full-
    blown custody evaluation." The judge noted he would consider any report
    admitted into evidence and "give them the appropriate weight," but "putting
    names on them as the [c]ourt expert or defendant['s] expert or plaintiff's expert
    . . . doesn't really move the ball forward."
    A-1816-19
    6
    Plaintiff testified, as did her mother and Landry. Defendant testified, as
    did Montgomery, defendant's brother, two of defendant's neighbors, and one of
    Alec's babysitters. We discuss as necessary the testimony and Judge Guadagno's
    specific findings and conclusions based on the evidence adduced at the hearing
    in the context of plaintiff's specific points on appeal.
    II.
    It is well-established that "[w]e grant substantial deference to a trial
    court's findings of fact and conclusions of law, which will only be disturbed if
    they are manifestly unsupported by or inconsistent with the competent, relevant
    and reasonably credible evidence." N.H. v. H.H., 
    418 N.J. Super. 262
    , 279 (App.
    Div. 2011) (quoting Crespo v. Crespo, 
    395 N.J. Super. 190
    , 193–94 (App. Div.
    2007)). This is particularly so where the evidence is largely testimonial and
    rests on the judge's credibility determinations. Gnall v. Gnall, 
    222 N.J. 414
    , 428
    (2015). In addition, we particularly "recogniz[e] the court's 'special jurisdiction
    and expertise in family matters.'" Thieme v. Aucoin-Thieme, 
    227 N.J. 269
    , 282–
    83 (2016) (quoting Cesare v. Cesare, 
    154 N.J. 394
    , 413 (1998)). However, "[a]
    more exacting standard governs our review of the trial court's legal
    conclusions[,] . . . [which] we review . . . de novo." 
    Id.
     at 283 (citing D.W. v.
    R.W., 
    212 N.J. 232
    , 245–46 (2012)).
    A-1816-19
    7
    A.
    Plaintiff contends in Points One, Three and Four that Judge Guadagno
    erred because he: "consistently refused to enforce the [PSA]"; misapplied the
    best-interests of the child standard and "cherry[-]picked evidence" to support
    the result; and abused his discretion by interviewing Alec and relying on the
    child's answers as "dispositive," despite conclusions in Landry's report about
    Alec's deteriorating emotional state and her recommendation that the court
    appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) for the child.6
    (i)
    The PSA focused almost entirely on custody and parenting time.           It
    provided for the parties to share legal custody and designated plaintiff as PPR.
    The parties were permitted to make "ordinary day-to-day decisions" about Alec's
    "daily routines" when he was in their custody, but they were required to consult
    6
    Plaintiff does not specifically challenge that portion of Judge Guadagno's
    order maintaining her child support obligation at the same level. She mentions
    only in passing that Judge Guadagno did not address the issue, even though
    Judge Sheedy had reserved resolution of plaintiff's earlier motion for
    modification until completion of the plenary hearing. An issue not briefed on
    appeal is deemed waived. Pullen v. Galloway, 
    461 N.J. Super. 587
    , 595 (App.
    Div. 2019) (citing N.J. Dep't of Env't Prot. v. Alloway Twp., 
    438 N.J. Super. 501
    , 505 n.2, (App. Div. 2015)); see also Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Indus. Ass'n
    v. Christie, 
    418 N.J. Super. 499
    , 508 (App. Div. 2011) (noting cursory
    discussion of an issue in a brief is improper).
    A-1816-19
    8
    each other and could not act unilaterally on any "matters of importance"
    concerning Alec's health, education, religion, and general welfare. In addition
    to detailed parenting time provisions, the PSA provided for a right of first refusal
    in the event either parent was unavailable to care for Alec during their parenting
    time, whereby the other parent could give notice of their intent to care for Alec,
    rather than using a "third-party caregiver." The parties would share equally the
    transportation responsibilities associated with parenting time, but if defe ndant
    exercised additional parenting time, he would be responsible for "transportation
    both ways." Significantly, the PSA provided that neither parent could relocate
    with Alec outside of New Jersey without the consent of the other parent or an
    order of the court.
    Most significantly, plaintiff contends Judge Guadagno ignored the PSA's
    designation of her as PPR.       Plaintiff correctly notes that our courts have
    recognized the contractual nature of PSAs, and that they "should be enforced
    according to the original intent of the parties." J.B. v. W.B., 
    215 N.J. 305
    , 326
    (2013) (citing Pacifico v. Pacifico, 
    190 N.J. 258
    , 265–66 (2007)). Essentially,
    she contends that although she moved to Virginia with her son in violation of
    the PSA, and that ultimately resulted in defendant having custody of Alec in
    New Jersey since December 2016, see Abdelkader, slip op. at 4, Judge
    A-1816-19
    9
    Guadagno should have enforced the terms of the PSA and re-designated her as
    PPR.
    "The touchstone for all custody determinations has always been 'the best
    interest[s] of the child.'" Faucett v. Vasquez, 
    411 N.J. Super. 108
    , 118 (App.
    Div. 2009) (alteration in original) (quoting Kinsella v. Kinsella, 
    150 N.J. 276
    ,
    317 (1997)). "Parties cannot by agreement relieve the court of its obligation to
    safeguard the best interests of the child." P.T. v. M.S., 
    325 N.J. Super. 193
    , 215
    (App. Div. 1999) (citing In re Baby M., 
    109 N.J. 396
    , 418 (1988)). "A custody
    arrangement adopted by the trial court, whether based on the parties' agreement
    or imposed by the court, is subject to modification based on a showing of
    changed circumstances, with the court determining custody in accordance with
    the best interests standard of N.J.S.A. 9:2-4." Bisbing v. Bisbing, 
    230 N.J. 309
    ,
    322 (2017). Changed circumstances that affect the child's welfare are sufficient
    to order a plenary hearing and possibly modify any prior agreement or order
    regarding these issues. Hand v. Hand, 
    391 N.J. Super. 102
    , 105 (App. Div.
    2007) (citations omitted).
    Our prior opinion determined that plaintiff's initial relocation to Virginia
    and the multiple relocations of Alec resulted in a "whirlwind of changed
    circumstances" in his young life that made a plenary hearing necessary.
    A-1816-19
    10
    Abdelkader, slip op. at 8–9. Judge Guadagno was free to consider the evidence
    at that hearing and enter an order designating which parent would serve as PPR,
    guided solely by what was in Alec's best interests and without regard to the terms
    of the PSA. Plaintiff's contention requires no further discussion. R. 2:11-
    3(e)(1)(E).
    Seen through this prism, plaintiff's claims that Judge Guadagno refused to
    enforce other terms of the PSA, including her "right of first refusal" to parenting
    time, the PSA's prohibition against unilateral decision making and the equal
    sharing of transportation costs, fall by the wayside.
    Other than ordering that defendant would remain Alec's PPR, the judge
    left it to the parenting coordinator "to aid the parties in monitoring their existing
    parenting plan." Judge Guadagno only discussed plaintiff's right of first refusal
    and defendant's unilateral decision making in the context of making findings and
    weighing the statutory best interest factors, see N.J.S.A. 9:2-4(c). In doing so,
    he signaled his agreement with Judge Sheedy's December 2018 order regarding
    the right of first refusal.
    The December 2018 order granted plaintiff's request for modification of
    the existing parenting time schedule and provided her with additional time with
    Alec. Judge Sheedy, however, rejected plaintiff's request that defendant provide
    A-1816-19
    11
    her with forty-eight hours advanced notice whenever he intended to have a
    "third-party caregiver" stay with Alec. At the same time, Judge Sheedy rejected
    defendant's request to set "reasonable parameters" for each party to exercise
    their respective rights of first refusal in the PSA. She concluded that the PSA
    "specifically contemplate[d] the right of first refusal when the parties are unable
    to care for [Alec] and/or will not be able to sleep in the same home with [Alec]."
    This was certainly a reasonable interpretation of the PSA's provisions; plaintiff's
    argument that defendant must permit her to parent Alec for short periods of time
    instead of using a babysitter was not, and it was contradicted by other provisions
    of the PSA where it was anticipated that others, like part-time nannies, might be
    necessary to assist with childcare.
    While the record reveals that defendant acted unilaterally on occasion, it
    also demonstrates plaintiff's unilateral actions prior to 2016, when she was
    Alec's PPR. When the parties executed the PSA, the agreement logically placed
    the costs of parenting time transportation on defendant, because he was not the
    PPR. Things had obviously changed by the time Judge Sheedy entered the
    December 2018 order that modified parenting time pending the plenary hearing.
    But, by then, plaintiff was no longer the PPR, and Alec had resided primarily
    with defendant for some time.
    A-1816-19
    12
    (ii)
    In Point IV, plaintiff argues that the court abused its discretion by
    conducting an in-camera interview of Alec and subsequently giving his
    responses dispositive weight in the best-interests analysis. She suggests that
    Judge Guadagno failed to consider Alec's emotional state, lack of capacity, and
    the totality of the circumstances. We find no mistaken exercise of the court's
    discretion.
    After initially reserving on the issue when plaintiff objected, the judge
    determined he would conduct the interview, finding that Rule 5:8-6 "favors" an
    in-camera interview of the child. Based on other testimony, the judge concluded
    that Alec was a "very bright child" and that, at the age of nine, he was of
    "adequate age to at least present [his] wishes, and that's all we are doing here ."
    Judge Guadagno allowed the parties to submit questions for Alec, and plaintiff
    did so. After conducting the interview, the judge made the transcript available
    to the parties. 7 In his written decision, Judge Guadagno rejected plaintiff's
    argument that Alec did not have the capacity to express his wishes. The judge
    concluded that Alec "possesses the maturity and judgment to express his
    custodial preference."
    7
    The transcript does not appear in the record.
    A-1816-19
    13
    Rule 5:8-6 provides, in pertinent part:
    As part of the custody hearing, the court may on
    its own motion or at the request of a litigant
    conduct an in camera interview with the
    child(ren). In the absence of good cause, the
    decision to conduct an interview shall be made
    before trial. If the court elects not to conduct an
    interview, it shall place its reasons on the record.
    If the court elects to conduct an interview, it shall
    afford counsel the opportunity to submit
    questions for the court's use during the interview
    and shall place on the record its reasons for not
    asking any question thus submitted.                A
    stenographic or recorded record shall be made of
    each interview in its entirety. Transcripts thereof
    shall be provided to counsel and the parties upon
    request and payment for the cost.
    "[T]he preference of the child when of sufficient age and capacity to reason so
    as to form an intelligent decision" is a relevant part of the court's calculus when
    making a custody award.       N.J.S.A. 9:2-4(c).     "[T]he decision whether to
    interview a child in a contested custody case is left to the sound discretion of
    the trial judge, which, as in all matters affecting children, must be guided by the
    best interest of the child." D.A. v. R.C., 
    438 N.J. Super. 431
    , 455–56 (App. Div.
    2014).
    Plaintiff contends that Alec's emotional state was such that the judge
    should not have conducted the interview. She cites Landry's report, which
    recommended appointment of a guardian ad litem for the child. However, Judge
    A-1816-19
    14
    Guadagno was in the best position to assess Alec's ability to participate in the
    interview without doing any further harm to the child.
    In Mackowski v. Mackowski, interpreting a prior iteration of the rule that
    required the court to conduct an interview of the child upon a party's request,
    we rejected the trial judge's refusal because of concerns about the child's
    welfare. 
    317 N.J. Super. 8
    , 11 (App. Div. 1998). We made clear:
    The value of a properly conducted interview enabling
    the judge to see and hear the child first-hand outweighs
    the possibility of harm that may befall a child by being
    subjected to the interview process. On balance, it is not
    the interview that is ultimately harmful, but the custody
    dispute between the parties that potentially wrecks
    havoc with the child.
    [Id. at 14.]
    Judge Guadagno noted that Alec had a clear preference for maintaining the
    status quo with defendant as PPR, and he "provided compelling reasons for
    doing so[.]"   Contrary to plaintiff's contention, the judge did not give the
    interview "dispositive" weight; rather, he made findings and reached
    conclusions on all the statutory factors, including the preference of the child.
    There was no mistaken exercise of discretion in interviewing Alec.
    A-1816-19
    15
    (iii)
    In Point III, plaintiff argues Judge Guadagno "cherry[-]picked" the
    evidence supporting the result and misapplied the statutory best-interest factors.
    We again disagree.
    Determining what custodial arrangement is in the best
    interest of a child requires the Family Part judge to
    apply the statutory factors outlined in N.J.S.A. 9:2-4, as
    complimented by the relevant court rules governing an
    award or change of custody, and reach a conclusion that
    is supported by the material factual record.
    [D.A., 438 N.J. Super. at 450.]
    "[A]s a general proposition, we should accord great deference to discretionary
    decisions made by Family Part judges, provided they are supported by adequate,
    substantial, and credible evidence in the record." Id. at 451 (citing Cesare, 
    154 N.J. at
    411–13 (1998)).
    Here, Judge Guadagno considered all the factors set forth in N.J.S.A. 9:2-
    4(c). He did not ignore evidence that was favorable to plaintiff or detrimental
    to defendant. For example, in analyzing the ability of the parents "to agree,
    communicate and cooperate in matters relating to" Alec, ibid., the judge cited
    both Landry's report and Montgomery's report and recognized both parents had
    failed to cooperate with each other. However, he cited to substantial evidence
    in the record that led him to conclude "plaintiff's failures in this regard have
    A-1816-19
    16
    been more troubling." The judge also cited specific credible evidence in the
    record that supported his conclusion that defendant was willing to facilitate
    plaintiff's parenting time, but plaintiff showed a tendency to arbitrarily interfere
    with defendant's time.
    Plaintiff contends that the judge downplayed Landry's conclusion that
    Alec's emotional stability had deteriorated since 2016, and she correctly notes
    that only Landry, with the benefit of her 2016 CNA evaluation, had the ability
    to compare Alec's condition before and after defendant became his PPR.
    However, the judge credited Montgomery's opinion that Alec had a positive
    relationship with both parents and that the child's emotional problems predated
    his 2016 return to New Jersey and defendant's custody. It was well within the
    judge's discretion to credit all or none of the expert testimony in the case. Todd
    v. Sheridan, 
    268 N.J. Super. 387
    , 401 (App. Div. 1993).
    In several other instances Judge Guadagno considered evidence that
    supported plaintiff's position.    He noted, for example, that Alec gen erally
    "thrived in the custody of each parent[,]" and that both parents were able to meet
    the child's needs. Plaintiff's broad contention that the judge misapplied the
    statutory factors and made findings unsupported by the credible evidence in the
    record is simply unavailing.
    A-1816-19
    17
    B.
    In Point II, plaintiff argues it was error for Judge Sheedy to re-appoint
    Landry to produce an updated CNA when custody was in dispute. As best we
    can discern, plaintiff contends the court should have appointed its own expert.
    She also argues it was reversible error for Judge Sheedy to withhold Landry's
    report from plaintiff, and for Judge Guadagno to ignore Landry's
    recommendations, specifically, that a GAL be appointed on Alec's behalf and
    the family meet with "a joint or court-appointed child custody expert."
    Initially, any delay in providing plaintiff with Landry's report was
    inconsequential; as noted, plaintiff had the report well in advance of the actual
    hearing. Following our remand, Judge Sheedy allowed both parties to retain
    custody experts, but, apparently for financial reasons, plaintiff chose not to do
    so. Instead, she announced her intention to produce Landry as a witness and
    Judge Sheedy properly ordered that to the extent Landry would be reprising her
    2016 report, it should be updated.
    Clearly, the court has the authority to appoint its own expert. R. 5:3-3(d).
    As already noted, we have not been provided with transcripts of the pre-hearing
    case management conferences. We have no idea whether plaintiff specifically
    requested that relief. In her April 3, 2019 letter to Judge Sheedy noting Dr.
    A-1816-19
    18
    Landry's ethical dilemma, plaintiff only urged the court "to take appropriate
    measures to protect the parties' child beyond the mere issuance of a protective
    order."   Before us, plaintiff's brief contains no citation to the record
    demonstrating she specifically asked the court to appoint an expert because of
    her financial difficulties.   Plaintiff only notes that Judge Sheedy's written
    opinion supporting the December 2018 order makes no reference to a court-
    appointed custody expert. Under the circumstances, we cannot conclude it was
    a mistaken exercise of discretion for the court not to appoint an independent
    expert. Plaintiff's claim that Landry was somehow an "improper" expert is
    unavailing.
    Plaintiff contends that Judge Guadagno erred by ignoring Landry's
    recommendation during her testimony at the hearing that there be a full-blown,
    court-appointed best-interests evaluation. However, the judge had the benefit
    of Landry's report and testimony, as well as Montgomery's report and testimony.
    He also had the benefit of the testimony from several other witnesses and his
    interview of Alec.
    Moreover, Rule 5:3-3 provides an important framework for the court's
    consideration of any custody expert's report, regardless of his or her retention.
    First, "[m]ental health experts who perform parenting/custody evaluations shall
    A-1816-19
    19
    conduct strictly non-partisan evaluations to arrive at their view of the child's
    best interests, regardless of who engages them." R. 5:3-3(b) (emphasis added).
    Second, "[a]n expert appointed by the court shall be subject to the same
    examination as a privately retained expert and the court shall not entertain any
    presumption in favor of the appointed expert's findings." R. 5:3-3(g) (emphasis
    added). Judge Guadagno completely understood these principles because at the
    very outset of the hearing, he addressed plaintiff's reference to Landry as a
    "court-appointed" expert and explained to plaintiff and defense counsel that he
    was duty bound to consider the opinions without regard to who retained the
    expert. Applying these principles, we are unpersuaded that the court's failure to
    appoint a neutral expert made any material difference in the outcome of this
    case.
    C.
    Defendant argues that it was error to admit Montgomery's report into
    evidence because it was furnished "on the eve of trial" and without an
    opportunity for plaintiff to engage in discovery. The argument lacks sufficient
    merit to warrant extensive discussion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).
    The initial date set for the plenary hearing was adjourned because
    Montgomery's report was not completed. It was not served until July 15, 2019,
    A-1816-19
    20
    only weeks before the hearing commenced. When plaintiff objected to the
    report's admission at the hearing, Judge Guadagno cited an earlier ruling by
    Judge Sheedy that refused to bar the report. 8 He also concluded that plaintiff
    suffered no prejudice.
    In reviewing a Family Part judge's evidentiary ruling, we consider it for
    an abuse of discretion. N.J. Div. of Child Prot. & Permanency v. N.T., 
    445 N.J. Super. 478
    , 492 (App. Div. 2016). We reverse discretionary determinations, as
    with all rulings on the admissibility of evidence, only "when the trial judge's
    ruling was 'so wide of the mark that a manifest denial of justice resulted.'" N.J.
    Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. M.G., 
    427 N.J. Super. 154
    , 172 (App. Div. 2012)
    (quoting State v. Carter, 
    91 N.J. 86
    , 106 (1982)).
    We find no mistaken exercise of discretion here, and, even if the report
    itself should have been excluded, Montgomery testified as to its contents and
    her opinions contained in the report. Any error was harmless. R. 2:10-2.
    Affirmed.
    8
    There is nothing in the appellate record that memorializes this ruling other
    than Judge Sheedy's July 11, 2019 case management order that required
    Montgomery's report to be provided to plaintiff by July 15.
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    21