Smith v. Smith , 2018 Ohio 1531 ( 2018 )

[Cite as Smith v. Smith, 2018-Ohio-1531.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
HERBERT E. SMITH :
:
Plaintiff-Appellant : Appellate Case No. 27849
:
v. : Trial Court Case No. 03-DM-166
:
BRENDA L. SMITH, NKA MOORE : (Domestic Relations Appeal from
: Common Pleas Court)
Defendant-Appellee :
:
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OPINION
Rendered on the 20th day of April, 2018.
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MATTHEW J. BARBATO, Atty. Reg. No. 0076058, 2625 Commons Boulevard, Suite A,
Beavercreek, Ohio 45431
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellant
J. DAVID TURNER, Atty. Reg. No. 0017456, P.O. Box 291771, 101 Southmoor Circle
NW, Kettering, Ohio 45429
Attorney for Defendant-Appellee
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FROELICH, J.
{¶ 1} Herbert Smith appeals from a judgment of the Montgomery County Court of
Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, which terminated his shared parenting
agreement with Brenda Moore and designated Moore as the child’s legal and custodial
parent.
{¶ 2} For the following reasons, the judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.
Background and Procedural History
{¶ 3} The parties were granted a final decree of dissolution of marriage in May
2003. There was one child of the marriage, a son, L.S., who was not yet one year old at
the time of the dissolution. The decree of dissolution incorporated a shared parenting
plan to which the parties had agreed, and which provided for parenting time on alternating
weeks until L.S. reached school age. At that time, if the parties lived in close proximity,
they expressed their intention to continue parenting time in alternating weeks, with Smith
as the residential parent for school purposes. If such an arrangement proved
unworkable, L.S. would live primarily with Smith, and Moore would have parenting time
in accordance with the standard order and at such other times as the parties may agree.
{¶ 4} In the intervening years, the parties filed various motions for contempt or for
modifications of the parenting arrangements, which were resolved by agreement, by
withdrawal of the motions, or by decision of the trial court. Shared parenting continued,
but Moore’s parenting time was eventually governed by the standard order rather than
the alternating week schedule.
{¶ 5} On March 15, 2017, Moore filed a motion to terminate shared parenting
and to be designated as the legal and custodial parent. L.S. was then almost 15 years
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old. A magistrate ordered a family investigation by a social worker and conducted a
hearing on June 19 and August 22, 2017. The family investigation report was
considered, without objection, as a court’s exhibit. On September 8, 2017, the
magistrate filed a decision which found that it was in L.S.’s best interest to terminate
shared parenting and name Moore as “custodian and residential parent.” Smith was
ordered to pay child support and to submit to a mental health assessment.
{¶ 6} Smith filed objections to the magistrate’s decision. On December 26, 2017,
the trial court filed a Decision and Judgment which overruled Smith’s objections and
incorporated the magistrate’s decision with respect to the termination of shared parenting,
the designation of Moore as the legal and custodial parent, the payment of child support,
and Smith’s submission to a mental health assessment.
{¶ 7} Smith appeals, raising one assignment of error. He contends that the trial
court abused its discretion when it found that the termination of shared parenting was in
L.S.’s best interest.
Termination of Shared Parenting
{¶ 8} R.C. 3109.04(E)(2)(c) permits a court to terminate shared parenting at the
request of one or both parents if the court determines that shared parenting is not in the
best interest of the child. After terminating a shared parenting agreement, the court must
then issue a modified decree allocating parental rights “as if no decree for shared
parenting had been granted and as if no request for shared parenting ever had been
made.” R.C. 3109.04(E)(2)(d). See also Blessing v. Blessing, 2d Dist. Montgomery No.
27353, 2017-Ohio-2878, ¶ 17.
{¶ 9} Pursuant to R.C. 3109.04(F)(1), the trial court must consider all relevant
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factors in determining the best interest of a child with respect to custody and visitation,
including, but not limited to: the wishes of the child’s parents; the wishes and concerns of
the child, if appropriate; the child’s interaction and interrelationship with his or her parents,
siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interest; the
child’s adjustment to home, school, and community; the mental and physical health of all
persons involved in the situation; the parent more likely to honor and facilitate parenting
time or visitation and companionship rights; whether either parent has failed to make all
required child support payments; whether either parent previously has been convicted of
or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child being an
abused child or a neglected child; whether either parent has denied the other parent’s
right to parenting time in accordance with an order of the court; and whether either parent
has established a residence, or is planning to establish a residence, outside this state.
See also Portis-Phillips v. Phillips, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2016-CA-34, 2016-Ohio-7803, ¶ 19.
{¶ 10} Additionally, in determining whether shared parenting is the best interest
of a child, the court shall consider: the ability of the parents to cooperate and make
decisions jointly with respect to the children; the ability of each parent to encourage the
sharing of love, affection, and contact between the child and the other parent; any history
of, or potential for, child abuse, spouse abuse, other domestic violence, or parental
kidnapping by either parent; the geographic proximity of the parents to each other and
the practical considerations related to shared parenting; and the recommendation of the
guardian ad litem of the child, if the child has a guardian ad litem. R.C. 3109.04(F)(2).
{¶ 11} “The discretion which a trial court enjoys in custody matters should be
accorded the utmost respect, given the nature of the proceeding and the impact the
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court’s determination will have on the lives of the parties concerned.” Miller v. Miller, 37
Ohio St.3d 71, 74, 523 N.E.2d 846 (1988). Under the abuse-of-discretion standard in a
custody case, “disputes about the facts, the weight accorded the testimony, and the
credibility of witnesses are left to the trial court.” Gartin v. Gartin, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2011-
CA-74, 2012-Ohio-2232, ¶ 7, citing Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 419, 674
N.E.2d 1159 (1997). “The question is whether evidence was presented that, if believed,
supports the trial court’s findings.” Id., citing Ross v. Ross, 64 Ohio St.2d 203, 204, 414
N.E.2d 426 (1980). An abuse of discretion occurs when the trial court’s decision is
unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217,
219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
{¶ 12} Moore testified at the hearing that, for ten years, she had had no
communication with L.S. by phone while L.S. was at his father’s house, because Smith
did not allow it, notwithstanding that Moore had provided L.S. with a cell phone for this
purpose. Moore did allow L.S. to communicate with his father by cell phone while at her
house. Moore also testified that Smith never told her anything about school activities,
medical care, or other issues related to L.S.; she got all of her information from L.S. during
his visits. Moore did not know whether Smith had an email address and had not
attempted to call him in many years, because “he doesn’t want to hear from me” and “I
already know that I’m not going to get any information from him.”
{¶ 13} Moore testified that L.S. had a girlfriend of 11 months at the time of the
hearing and that she and her husband have included the girlfriend in some of their
activities when L.S. is with them. One of these activities included a family sleepover at
Christmas, which is a family tradition. Moore has also spent some time with the girlfriend
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when L.S. is not with them, working on a project that was a gift for L.S. Moore is
remarried; she testified that L.S. gets along well with his stepfather and that they play
basketball, toss football, and fish together.
{¶ 14} Moore expressed concern that Smith “sheltered” L.S. and did not allow him
to do things that a “normal 15-year-old” would be allowed to so, such as spending time
with friends, playing sports, being involved in other activities, acting independently, and
having contact with people other than his father. Moore believed that Smith’s restrictive
behavior was bothering L.S. more as he got older. She stated that, in her view, the social
worker’s assessment that Smith had a somewhat unhealthy relationship with L.S. was
consistent with her own perceptions.
{¶ 15} Moore recounted that that L.S. had played football in eighth grade and had
asked to play again in ninth grade. Moore signed him up during a week that he was with
her over the summer, and she drove him to practice each day. However, when L.S.
returned to Smith’s house, Smith refused to allow him to play and withdrew him from the
team.
{¶ 16} Moore stated that she would “absolutely” facilitate parenting time with
Smith if she were the custodial parent. But she also wanted L.S. to be able to do things
he enjoys, such as playing sports and spending time with friends, and to have contact
with people other than his father. She believed L.S. was being “sheltered” and that he
was “at a plateau” beyond which he would not progress if Smith continued to limit his
contacts and activities.
{¶ 17} Smith testified that he “preferred [L.S.] to be with me [Smith] at all times,”
that he did not think Moore would keep L.S. “on top of” or excelling in his school work if
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he lived with her, and that he disapproved of Moore’s letting L.S.’s girlfriend sleep over at
her (Moore’s) house. Smith acknowledged that he is “very overprotective” of L.S., does
not encourage L.S. to leave their property, and is afraid of L.S.’s being taken by a
stranger. Smith stated that he had not wanted L.S. to play football in ninth grade
because of the risk of injury, and that L.S. also did not want to play. However, Smith
also denied that his safety concerns were the reason L.S. did not play football.
According to Smith, L.S. had expressed an interest in basketball, and Smith did not know
why L.S. had not played basketball.
{¶ 18} Smith told the family investigator that he believed Moore did not deserve
time with L.S., and he acknowledged that he did not permit L.S. to communicate with
Moore by phone at his house, even using the cell phone that Moore had provided. Smith
testified that L.S. had not shown any interest in speaking to his mother by phone until six
to eight months before the hearing. He also testified that he would prefer for L.S. to
attend school in the summer than to spend extended time with Moore, because “[y]ou
can’t get too educated.” Smith acknowledged that he has spoken negatively about
Moore in front of L.S., and that L.S. becomes “very upset” when they have conversations
about “skin color.”1
{¶ 19} Smith testified to his belief that L.S. and his girlfriend were “probably
sleeping together”; he did not cite any bases for this belief except that “14-year-olds have
hormones going crazy,” his suspicion and disapproval about the girlfriend’s sleepover at
Moore’s house, and a comment from the girlfriend that L.S. snores. Smith could recall
only one occasion when L.S. had friends at their house and one occasion when the
1 L.S.’s stepfather is of a different race.
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girlfriend had been at their house. Smith expressed concerns about the girlfriend’s family
and about allowing L.S. and his girlfriend to spend a lot of time together. L.S. had not
ever been allowed to go to friends’ houses, but he was allowed to go to the houses of
cousins and uncles.
{¶ 20} Smith’s testimony repeatedly alluded to an incident many years earlier
where L.S. was allegedly “found at Children’s Medical with drugs and alcohol on him,” to
which Moore’s attorney objected because of its timing long before the hearing and the
fact that it had “already been litigated”; the details of the incident were not developed at
the hearing and the magistrate stated, “I’ll give it the weight to which it’s entitled.”
{¶ 21} The Family Investigation Report was prepared by Tonya Charles, LSW,
who interviewed Moore, Smith, and L.S., and Moore’s husband, Michael.
{¶ 22} Based on her conversation with Moore, Charles stated that Moore believes
Smith does not sign L.S. up for activities, because he does not want Moore and her
husband to attend; they had attended every game when L.S. played football. Smith had
allegedly made comments to L.S., which L.S. reported to Charles, about Smith’s
embarrassment that Michael Moore was black and that “he [Smith] didn’t move all of these
counties away for [Moore] to be hanging out in Lakeview [the town where Smith lived].”
{¶ 23} Moore also reported to Charles that she wanted L.S. to be happy, have
friends, experience things, and be able to do things with his girlfriend. She recounted
that the girlfriend’s family had invited L.S. to attend fireworks, but Smith had not allowed
him to go for fear that L.S. would be kidnapped and the girlfriend’s family “wouldn’t even
care.” Moore described Smith as “overprotective to crazy.” She recounted that L.S. is
not allowed outside the house without supervision, such as to ride his bike, and when
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father is outside mowing the grass, L.S. is required to sit outside with him. Mother also
believed, from conversations with L.S., that Smith was pressuring L.S. to tell Smith what
L.S. was planning to say to Charles. Mother reported a close bond between L.S. and
her husband, Michael, such that L.S. confided in Michael about his frustrations with Smith.
{¶ 24} In Charles’s conversation with Smith, Smith confirmed that there was no
communication between him (Smith) and Moore; Smith also expressed his opinion that
“she’s never done anything and doesn’t deserve the time with [L.S.].” Smith testified
that, ideally, he wanted Moore to have no parenting time. While Smith acknowledged
that he did not need to be so protective of L.S., he said he did not have any mental health
concerns for himself or L.S. and saw no need for counseling. Smith mentioned that
Moore has an older son who had allegedly been arrested “for drugs,” and that Moore had
“zero” parenting skills.
{¶ 25} L.S. told Charles that he was a good student and had many friends. He
described Moore as “caring” and “there is nothing really bad about her.” He described
Smith as pushing him [L.S.] to do his best, but expressed a desire for Smith to be more
tolerant and to get angry less quickly. L.S. expressed the warmest feelings for Michael
Moore, his stepfather, whom he described as “super caring,” adventurous, and a good
leader with “an extra funny bone.”
{¶ 26} In describing how and whether they talk about Smith at Moore’s house,
L.S. denied that they talk about him, except that Michael sometimes says that they are
praying for Smith. On the other hand, L.S. described Smith’s comments about Moore as
“unfiltered, uncut,” and that he never says anything nice about Moore or her husband;
Smith had also told L.S. that if he moved to Moore’s home, he had “no chance of attending
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college in the future.” L.S. stated that he “can’t debate” with Smith because, when talking
“about skin color and stuff,” Smith gets very angry; this was one of the most frequent
topics of their arguments. L.S. described Smith as a “hermit.”
{¶ 27} L.S. expressed that there would be “much, much less stress” in his life if he
went to live with Moore, but that he was also “okay with things remaining the way they
are.” He stated that it would be “bittersweet” to move to a new school, but that he would
have no problem making new friends.
{¶ 28} Michael Moore told Charles that L.S. first came to him about the idea of
changing the custody arrangement. Michael believed that L.S.’s mind and “horizons”
need to be broadened so that he could continue to grow, experience things, and learn life
skills. Michael described L.S. as an extrovert who wants to experience everything.
Michael believed that Smith was not preparing L.S. to live independently or to trust
anyone.
{¶ 29} Both parties reported that L.S. does very well in school and is a great young
man. It was also undisputed that Smith had been found in contempt a few years earlier
for interfering with Moore’s parenting time.
{¶ 30} Charles’s report described shared parenting in this family as
“unsuccessful.” Although she observed a loving relationship between Smith and L.S.
and credited Smith with being involved in and supportive of L.S.’s education, Charles
concluded that Smith “seems to impede [L.S.’s] personal development” by denying him
opportunities for activities and socialization. Charles also reported that Smith does not
foster the relationship between L.S. and Moore, other than complying with her parenting
time, and he speaks very critically of Moore and her husband despite L.S.’s love and
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respect for them. “Father seems to harbor a disdain for [Moore] and an almost obsessive
relationship with [L.S.].” On the other hand, Moore “maintained a seemingly respectful
and non-judgmental approach” to Smith, which L.S. confirmed.
{¶ 31} Charles recommended that shared parenting be terminated and that
Moore be named the legal and custodial parent, with L.S. to have alternating weekend
parenting time with Smith during the school year and alternating full-week parenting time
with Smith in the summer. Charles further recommended that L.S. be allowed telephone
and electronic communication with both parents as requested, and that Moore and Smith
communicate directly and unemotionally via email, before and after parenting time, rather
than using L.S. as an intermediary. Charles also recommended that the parties not
discuss court proceedings or other adult matters with L.S. and refrain from derogatory or
disrespectful comments about the other parent(s). Finally, Charles recommended that
Smith submit to a diagnostic assessment to determine if he had mental health needs that
could be addressed through counseling.
{¶ 32} The magistrate fully incorporated the findings and recommendations of the
family investigation report; it also implemented orders with respect to child support that
reflected the new parenting arrangement.
{¶ 33} Smith objected to the magitrate’s decision, arguing that the shared
parenting plan that had been in effect since 2003 had “helped the parties raise an
outstanding young man” who was a good student and child. Smith suggested that L.S.’s
preference as to parenting might have been swayed by Moore’s willingness to “allow him
more access to his girlfriend, including overnights with her during parenting time.” Smith
apparently believed that L.S.’s opinion about parenting time should be discounted on that
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basis. He also argued that a parenting arrangement should not be “completely
rearranged” when it had been “so successful.”
{¶ 34} In overruling Smith’s objections, terminating the shared parenting plan,
and adopting the parenting arrangement recommended by the magistrate and family
investigator, the trial court observed that L.S. “is an outstanding young man. However,
[L.S.] is not outstanding because of the parties’ successful co-parenting. [L.S.] has
become the impressive young adult he is in spite of his parents’ total disregard of the
promises and commitments made by both of them in the shared parenting plan.” The
court quoted the shared parenting plan extensively and noted that, despite the parties’
strong feelings at one point about working together to raise L.S., that commitment had
lasted only a very short time.
{¶ 35} The court noted the parties’ lack of communication on matters ranging from
names of doctors to important school events. The court also noted Smith’s belief that
Moore does not “deserve” time with L.S. and seeming disdain for her, as reported by
Charles, the family investigator. The court found that L.S.’s desire to live with Moore and
his belief that he would have “much, much less stress” living with his mother were entitled
to significant weight, and that, of the two parents, Moore was more likely to facilitate
parenting time and to foster a positive relationship with Smith. Thus, like the magistrate,
the trial court concluded that termination of shared parenting was in L.S.’s best interest
and that Moore should be named the legal and custodial parent; Smith was awarded
parenting time as discussed above.
Analysis
{¶ 36} The court thoroughly considered the nature and intent of the parties’
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original shared parenting agreement and the factors set forth in R.C. 3109.04(E) and (F).
It reasonably concluded, based on the evidence presented, that it was in L.S.’s best
interest to terminate shared parenting. The court found that, for many years, there had
been nothing “shared” about the parties’ parenting arrangement and that, as a result,
Moore’s involvement in L.S.’s life had been unnecessarily limited. And although Moore
refrained from overt criticism of Smith and hostility toward him in front of L.S., she did not
make any effort to communicate with Smith.
{¶ 37} The trial court also did not abuse its discretion in concluding that L.S.’s
best interest was served by naming Moore the legal and custodial parent. This was
L.S.’s preference, and the magistrate noted that he had “reasonably articulated his
reasons for wanting the switch while acknowledging the impact it would have on him and
[Smith].” As a teenager, L.S. was old enough that his preference was entitled to
significant weight; the trial court’s conclusion that L.S. was “an outstanding young man”
despite the parties’ failure to engage in shared parenting was amply supported by the
record.
{¶ 38} The trial court could have reasonably concluded that Smith shielded L.S.
from the world, friendships, and new experiences in ways that undercut his independence
and were at odds with becoming a successful and well-functioning adult. While Smith’s
fears and parenting choices may not have been harmful to L.S. as a young child, the trial
court could have reasonably concluded that they were at odds with the growth and
independence one expects during the teenage years. Smith’s fears for L.S. and his
assumptions about the negative influences of L.S.’s girlfriend and friends find no support
in the record and convey a distrust of L.S. that, on this record, was unfounded. The trial
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court did not abuse its discretion in concluding that Moore’s parenting style was in L.S.’s
best interest at this stage of his life. L.S.’s good relationship with Michael Moore
provided an additional benefit to this arrangement. Moreover, based on past behaviors,
the court reasonably concluded that Moore was more likely to facilitate and be
accommodating of Smith’s involvement in L.S.’s life than Smith had been of Moore.
{¶ 39} Smith’s assignment of error is overruled.
{¶ 40} The judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.
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WELBAUM, P. J. and HALL, J., concur.
Copies mailed to:
Matthew J. Barbato
J. David Turner
Hon. Timothy D. Wood