A.N.A. v. N.N.A. ( 2016 )

J-A35045-15
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
A.N.A. : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
v. :
:
N.N.A., :
:
Appellant : No. 1185 WDA 2015
Appeal from the Order entered June 30, 2015
in the Court of Common Pleas of Clearfield County,
Civil Division, No(s): 2009-1035-CD
BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., SHOGAN and MUSMANNO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED FEBRUARY 19, 2016
N.N.A. (“Father”) appeals from the Order denying his Petition for
Modification of Custody with respect to his son, G.A.A. (“Child”), born May
30, 2007. We affirm.
This Court set forth the relevant underlying history in a prior decision
as follows:
[A.N.A. (“Mother”)] and Father married on August 14, 1999, and
[Child] was born of the marriage during 2007[,] while the couple
resided in North Carolina. Mother and Father separated in 2008.
After returning to her hometown in Pennsylvania with [Child]
during the fall of 2008, Mother filed for divorce on May 26, 2009.
She filed a custody [C]omplaint approximately two weeks later.
Father moved from North Carolina to State College, Pennsylvania
during the summer of 2009.
On April 8, 2010, the parties entered a consent [O]rder that
awarded joint legal and shared physical custody of [Child] on an
alternating weekly basis. Approximately six months later, Father
filed a [P]etition to modify the custody [O]rder wherein he
sought primary physical custody of [Child.] Mother’s [A]nswer
included a countervailing request for primary physical custody.
Following a mediation conference, the trial court revised the
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consent [O]rder to modify the custody schedule. Significantly,
however, the parents continued to share physical custody.
On January 17, 2012, Father filed a second [P]etition for
modification requesting primary physical custody of [Child] so
that the child could attend kindergarten in the State College Area
School District[,] as opposed to the West Branch Area School
District where Mother resides. …
An evidentiary hearing convened on March 12, 2012, wherein
Mother and Father testified and presented evidence. During the
hearing, Mother testified briefly about her paramour of two
years, C.D., and his relationship with [Child;] however, neither
party called C.D. as a witness. Two weeks after the hearing, but
prior to the trial court’s custody determination, Mother informed
Father that C.D. was going to move into her residence. In light
of this change to the composition of her household, Mother filed
a [M]otion for a supplemental hearing in order to present C.D.’s
testimony. Father objected to reopening the record and
insinuated that Mother had intentionally withheld the pertinent
information. Following argument, the trial court denied Mother’s
[M]otion for a supplemental hearing. Thereafter, the trial court
entered [a] custody [O]rder ….
A.N.A. v. N.N.A., 75 A.3d 560 (Pa. Super. 2013) (unpublished
memorandum at 1-3).
This Court vacated the custody [O]rder and remanded for further
proceedings to consider C.D.’s testimony. See id. (unpublished
memorandum at 7-11). Following a hearing, the trial court entered a
custody Order on August 30, 2013, which awarded the parties shared legal
custody, primary physical custody to Mother, and partial physical custody to
Father.
On September 27, 2013, Father filed a Petition for Modification of
Custody and a Petition for Appointment of Custody Evaluator. Upon
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agreement of the parties, the trial court appointed Dr. Eric Bernstein (“Dr.
Bernstein”) as the custody evaluator. Dr. Bernstein provided his report on
May 16, 2014. Thereafter, Mother filed an Answer to Father’s Petition for
Modification of Custody. The trial court held custody hearings on December
11, 2014, and January 26, 2015. On June 30, 2015, the trial court issued
an Order denying Father’s Petition for Modification of Custody and re-
affirmed the August 30, 2013 custody Order. Father filed a timely Notice of
Appeal, and a Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925(b) Concise
Statement.
On appeal, Father raises the following questions for our review:
A. Did the trial court commit an abuse of discretion by making
factual findings not supported by competent evidence of
record?
B. Did the trial court enter conclusions which were (1)
unreasonable in light of the sustainable findings of the trial
court and (2) not supported by competent evidence of
record?
C. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in not thoroughly
analyzing the testimony presented to the court, including, but
not limited to, the uncontradicted expert testimony presented
by Dr. [] Bernstein, the court-appointed custody evaluator?
D. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in misinterpreting
Father’s position relative to his request to modify custody of
[Child]?
Father’s Brief at 4.
In custody cases,
our scope [of review] is of the broadest type and our standard is
abuse of discretion. We must accept findings of the trial court
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that are supported by competent evidence of record, as our role
does not include making independent factual determinations. In
addition, with regard to issues of credibility and weight of the
evidence, we must defer to the presiding trial judge who viewed
and assessed the witnesses first-hand. However, we are not
bound by the trial court’s deductions or inferences from its
factual findings. Ultimately, the test is whether the trial court’s
conclusions are unreasonable as shown by the evidence of
record. We may reject the conclusions of the trial court only if
they involve an error of law, or are unreasonable in light of the
sustainable findings of the trial court.
C.R.F. v. S.E.F., 45 A.3d 441, 443 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citation omitted).
Additionally,
[t]he discretion that a trial court employs in custody matters
should be accorded the utmost respect, given the special nature
of the proceeding and the lasting impact the result will have on
the lives of the parties concerned. Indeed, the knowledge
gained by a trial court in observing witnesses in a custody
proceeding cannot adequately be imparted to an appellate court
by a printed record.
Ketterer v. Seifert, 902 A.2d 533, 540 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citation
omitted).
In any custody case decided under the Child Custody Act (“Act”),1 the
paramount concern is the best interests of the child. See 23 Pa.C.S.A.
§§ 5328, 5338; see also E.D. v. M.P., 33 A.3d 73, 80-81 n.2 (Pa. Super.
2011). Section 5328(a), which sets forth a list of sixteen factors that the
1
See 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 5321 et seq. Because the custody hearing was held in
December 2014 and January 2015, the Act applies to this case. See C.R.F.,
45 A.3d at 445 (holding that, if the custody evidentiary proceeding
commences on or after the effective date of the Act, i.e., January 24, 2011,
the provisions of the Act apply).
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trial court must consider when making a “best interests of the child” analysis
for a custody determination, provides as follows:
§ 5328. Factors to consider when awarding custody
(a) Factors.—In ordering any form of custody, the court shall
determine the best interest of the child by considering all
relevant factors, giving weighted consideration to those factors
which affect the safety of the child, including the following:
(1) Which party is more likely to encourage and permit
frequent and continuing contact between the child and another
party.
(2) The present and past abuse committed by a party or
member of the party’s household, whether there is a
continued risk of harm to the child or an abused party and
which party can better provide adequate physical safeguards
and supervision of the child.
(2.1) The information set forth in section 5329.1(a)(1) and (2)
(relating to consideration of child abuse and involvement with
protective services).
(3) The parental duties performed by each party on behalf of
the child.
(4) The need for stability and continuity in the child’s
education, family life and community life.
(5) The availability of extended family.
(6) The child’s sibling relationships.
(7) The well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the
child’s maturity and judgment.
(8) The attempts of a parent to turn the child against the
other parent, except in cases of domestic violence where
reasonable safety measures are necessary to protect the child
from harm.
(9) Which party is more likely to maintain a loving, stable,
consistent and nurturing relationship with the child adequate
for the child’s emotional needs.
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(10) Which party is more likely to attend to the daily physical,
emotional, developmental, educational and special needs of
the child.
(11) The proximity of the residences of the parties.
(12) Each party’s availability to care for the child or ability to
make appropriate child-care arrangements.
(13) The level of conflict between the parties and the
willingness and ability of the parties to cooperate with one
another. A party’s effort to protect a child from abuse by
another party is not evidence of unwillingness or inability to
cooperate with that party.
(14) The history of drug or alcohol abuse of a party or
member of a party’s household.
(15) The mental and physical condition of a party or member
of a party’s household.
(16) Any other relevant factor.
23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5328;2 see also E.D., 33 A.3d at 80.
“All of the factors listed in section 5328(a) are required to be
considered by the trial court when entering a custody order.” J.R.M. v.
J.E.A., 33 A.3d 647, 652 (Pa. Super. 2011) (emphasis in original).
Moreover, section 5323(d) mandates that, when the trial court awards
custody, it “shall delineate the reasons for its decision on the record in open
court or in a written opinion or order.” 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5323(d). The trial
court may not merely rely upon conclusory assertions regarding its
consideration of the section 5328(a) factors in entering an order affecting
2
Effective January 1, 2014, the statute was amended to include an
additional factor at 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5328(a)(2.1) (providing for consideration
of child abuse and involvement with child protective services) and, therefore,
was in effect at the time of the custody hearing in this matter.
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custody. M.E.V. v. F.P.W., 100 A.3d 670, 681 (Pa. Super. 2014).
However, “[i]n expressing the reasons for its decision, there is no required
amount of detail for the trial court’s explanation; all that is required is that
the enumerated factors are considered and that the custody decision is
based on those considerations.” A.V. v. S.T., 87 A.3d 818, 823 (Pa. Super.
2014) (citation and quotation marks omitted).
We will address Father’s first and second claims together. Father
contends that the trial court made factual findings not supported by the
competent evidence. Father’s Brief at 40, 43. Father argues that the trial
court erroneously found that the factor at section 5328(a)(1) did not favor
either party. Id. at 40-41. Father claims that this factor should have
weighed in his favor as the evidence demonstrated his ongoing inability to
speak with Child based upon Mother’s actions. Id. at 43-45.
Father also argues that under section 5328(a)(4), the trial court
erroneously found that Father failed to produce evidence that a change of
school to State College Area School District would better meet Child’s needs.
Id. at 41; see also id. at 45-52 (wherein Father argues that the trial court
improperly weighed the factor at section 5328(a)(4) in favor of Mother
because a change in school districts would be highly disruptive to the
stability of Child). Father asserts that he presented evidence demonstrating
that State College Area School District would better meet Child’s needs, and
would provide Child with increased stability in his life. Id. at 41-43, 45-52;
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see also id. at 48-50 (wherein Father argues that a change of school
districts and modification of the custody Order would provide Child with
equal time with his parents).
Father additionally contends that the trial court failed to properly
address Child’s daily physical, emotional, and development needs under
section 5328(a)(10), and the court’s conclusion that this factor does not
weigh in either party’s favor was erroneous. Id. at 52. Father argues that
this factor should weigh in his favor as Mother does not support Child’s
involvement in activities and Mother is incapable of attending to Child’s
developmental needs. Id. at 52-53.
With regard to the factor at section 5328(a)(5), Father asserts that the
trial court’s conclusion that this factor weighs in favor of Mother is
unreasonable in light paternal grandmother’s role in Child’s life. Id. at 53-
54. Father claims that despite the fact that Mother has more relatives in the
area, the availability and involvement by paternal grandmother in Child’s life
is more important. Id. at 53.
With regard to the factor at section 5328(a)(8), Father contends that
the trial court’s finding that this factor does not weigh in either party’s favor
was erroneous given Mother’s belief that Father is attempting to turn Child
against her. Id. at 54-55. With regard to the factor at section 5328(a)(11),
Father asserts that the trial court improperly found that this factor weighed
in favor of Mother. Id. at 55. Father claims that the lack of problems in
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custody exchanges and distance between residences does not evidence a
finding that this factor favors Mother. Id. at 55-56.
With regard to the factor at section 5328(a)(13), Father contends that
the trial court finding that this factor weighs in neither party’s favor is belied
by the record. Id. at 56. Father argues that Mother has repeatedly been
unwilling to cooperate with Father, and has sought to exclude him from
making decisions regarding Child. Id. at 56-58.
In its Opinion, the trial court undertook an analysis of the factors
under section 5328(a), and determined that it was in Child’s best interests
for the existing custody Order to remain unchanged. See Trial Court
Opinion, 6/30/15, at 4-9. Father challenges the trial court’s findings as to
various factors under Section 5328(a),3 and argues that the trial court
should have considered and weighed the factors differently. These
arguments challenge the trial court’s credibility determinations as to each of
these factors, and would require this Court to reassess and reweigh the
evidence in Father’s favor. It is well-established that we cannot disturb the
trial court’s credibility determinations or reweigh the evidence. See E.D., 33
3
With regard to the trial court’s consideration of the factor at section
5328(a)(10), we note that while the trial court focused on Child’s
educational needs in its Opinion, it explicitly stated that it considered all of
the relevant factors in rendering the custody decision. See Trial Court
Opinion, 6/30/15, at 4, 7; see also A.V., 87 A.3d at 823 (stating that in
providing reasons for a custody decision, “there is no required amount of
detail for the trial court’s explanation; all that is required is that the
enumerated factors are considered and that the custody decision is based on
those considerations.”) (citation omitted).
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A.3d at 76 (stating that “with regard to issues of credibility and weight of the
evidence, this Court must defer to the trial judge who presided over the
proceedings and thus viewed the witnesses first hand”); see also Robinson
v. Robinson, 645 A.2d 836, 838 (Pa. 1994) (stating that on issues of
credibility and weight of the evidence with regard to custody orders,
“appellate courts must defer to the findings of the trial judge who has had
the opportunity to observe the proceedings and the demeanor of the
witnesses.”). Although Father is not satisfied with the weight that the trial
court afforded to each of the factors in rendering its custody decision, a
review of the record reveals that the trial court’s findings of fact and
conclusions of law are thoroughly supported by the ample evidence and
testimony of record. See C.R.F., 45 A.3d at 443 (stating that this Court
cannot reweigh the evidence supporting the trial court’s determinations as
long as there is evidence to support the conclusions). Therefore, we
conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion and defer to its
custody decision. See id.In his third claim, Father contends that the trial court abused its
discretion in not thoroughly analyzing the uncontradicted expert testimony
of Dr. Bernstein. Father’s Brief at 58-59. Father asserts that Dr. Bernstein
testified that he had no concerns with Child changing schools; that a change
of schools would not cause a hardship to Child with regard to the commute
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from Mother’s home; and that both parents could actively contribute in
Child’s life. Id. at 59.
Here, Father is asking this Court to reweigh the evidence and Dr.
Bernstein’s testimony in his favor. As noted above, the trial court was free
to accept and/or reject Dr. Bernstein’s recommendations. See M.A.T. v.
G.S.T., 989 A.2d 11, 20 (Pa. Super. 2010) (en banc) (stating that “while a
trial court is not required to accept the conclusions of an expert witness in a
child custody case, it must consider them, and if the trial court chooses not
to follow the expert’s recommendations, its independent decision must be
supported by competent evidence of record.”); see also id. (stating that a
trial court is under no obligation to delegate its decision-making authority to
a custody evaluator). In rendering its custody decision, the trial court
accepted some of Dr. Bernstein’s recommendations, while rejecting others.
As noted above, there was competent evidence of record to support the trial
court’s determination to leave the August 2013 custody Order unchanged,
and we cannot reweigh the evidence in Father’s favor. See id.; see also
C.R.F., 45 A.3d at 443. Thus, we cannot grant relief to Father on this claim.
In his final claim, Father contends that the trial court abused its
discretion by misinterpreting his request to modify the custody Order.
Father’s Brief at 60. Father argues that while he sought primary physical
custody in his Petition for Modification of Custody, during the hearings, he
sought a shared physical custody arrangement based upon Dr. Bernstein’s
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report. Id. at 60-61. Father asserts that the trial court never addressed the
matter based upon a shared physical custody arrangement, and thus, a
reversal of its Order denying his Petition is required. Id. at 61-62.
It is well-settled that a party must file a petition with the trial court
when seeking a modification of an existing custody arrangement. See
P.H.D. v. R.R.D., 56 A.3d 702, 706 (Pa. Super. 2012) (stating that a trial
court “may not permanently modify a custody order without having a
petition for modification before it.”) (citation omitted); see also 23
Pa.C.S.A. § 5338(a) (stating that “[u]pon petition, a court may modify a
custody order to serve the best interest of the child.”); G.A. v. D.L., 72 A.3d
264, 269-70 (Pa. Super. 2013) (noting that where a petition to modify
custody has been filed, the parties must be provided with an opportunity to
prepare and advocate their position in response to the petition).
Here, Father filed a Petition for Modification of Custody seeking
primary physical custody of Child. See Petition for Modification of Custody,
9/27/13, at 4 (unnumbered); see also Trial Court Opinion, 6/30/15, at 1.
Mother addressed the matter based upon the relief requested in the Petition.
See G.A., 72 A.3d at 269-70. The fact that Father may have changed his
mind regarding the relief sought at the hearing does not render the trial
court’s focus upon the relief sought in the Petition an abuse of discretion. 4
4
We note that Father is free to file a new petition to modify seeking a
shared physical custody arrangement that would allow Mother the
opportunity to respond to this requested relief. See 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5338(a).
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In any event, the trial court considered both Father’s testimony and
Dr. Bernstein’s report, including the testimony related to shared physical
custody, in rendering its decision. As noted above, the trial court specifically
found that the custody arrangement as set forth in the August 2013 Order
was in Child’s best interests because it provided him with stability and
consistency, and that Father failed to prove the benefits of a modification of
the arrangement. See Trial Court Opinion, 6/30/15, at 4, 9-10; see also
Jackson v. Beck, 858 A.2d 1250, 1252 (Pa. Super. 2004) (stating that “a
party requesting modification must prove that the alteration of an existing
custody arrangement is in the child’s best interest.”). Thus, we cannot grant
Father relief on his final claim.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 2/19/2016
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