H.Z. v. M.B. ( 2016 )


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  • J-A05006-16
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    H.Z.,                                              IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    PENNSYLVANIA
    Appellee
    v.
    M.B.,
    Appellant                      No. 2470 EDA 2015
    Appeal from the Order entered August 10, 2015,
    in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County,
    Domestic Relations Division, at No(s): 2010-18179
    BEFORE: OLSON, OTT, JJ., and STEVENS*, P.J.E.
    MEMORANDUM BY OLSON, J.:                                  FILED JUNE 28, 2016
    Appellant M.B. appeals from the order dated August 6, 2015, and
    entered on August 10, 2015, that directed him to submit to genetic testing
    to prove paternity of H.Z.’s (“Mother”) minor child, J.B.Z. (“Child”), who was
    born in April 2005.     The trial court entered the order after a hearing on
    M.B.’s Emergency Motion to Dismiss/Preliminary Objections to Mother’s
    Complaint for Child Support. After careful consideration, we affirm.
    On March 3, 2005, Mother filed a petition for paternity and child
    support against M.B. in New York County, New York (“New York Child
    Support/Paternity     Petition”);   see   
    N.Y. Family Court Act § 511-565
    (regarding “[p]roceedings to establish the paternity of the child and to
    compel support”).     On March 28, 2006, Mother and M.B. entered into a
    * Former Justice specially assigned to Superior Court.
    J-A05006-16
    purported “Stipulation of Discontinuance” with respect to that action.     In
    relevant part, the Stipulation of Discontinuance read:
    IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the undersigned
    that the present paternity proceeding and [Mother’s] cause
    of action against [M.B.] for an order of filiation and an order
    of support are hereby discontinued with prejudice as of the
    date hereof.
    Dated: New York, New York
    March 28, 2006
    /s
    _____________________
    [Mother]
    /s
    ____________________
    [M.B.]
    Stipulation of Discontinuance, Exhibit G to M.B.’s Emergency Motion to
    Dismiss/Preliminary Objections and Stay of Genetic Testing, 3/28/06, at 1
    (emphasis in original) (hereinafter “Stipulation of Discontinuance” or “New
    York Stipulation of Discontinuance”).
    The trial court set forth the procedural history of the Pennsylvania
    litigation as follows.
    On May 17, 2010, [Mother] filed a complaint for child support
    with the Montgomery County[, Pennsylvania] Domestic
    [R]elations section [(hereinafter “Pennsylvania Child Support
    Complaint”)]. Defendant [M.B.] anticipated that he would be
    ordered to submit to genetic testing as a matter of course, as
    required by Pa.R.C.P. 1910.15(b)(1), since he intended to deny
    that he is the father. Accordingly, on July 7, 2010, [M.B.] filed
    an “Emergency Motion to Dismiss/Preliminary Objections and
    Stay of Genetic Testing.” [M.B.] argued that he could not be
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    compelled to provide a specimen for testing to determine
    paternity because the matter was res judicata on March 28,
    2006 when [Mother] entered into a stipulation to [discontinue],
    with prejudice, [the] support/paternity claim she had filed in
    New York. [Mother answered M.B.’s preliminary objections and
    claimed that, for a variety of reasons, the New York Stipulation
    of Discontinuance did not preclude her current action for
    support. One of these reasons, Mother claimed, was because
    application of the doctrine of res judicata would “work an
    injustice” and cause an inequity in this case. See Mother’s
    Answer to Preliminary Objections, 8/3/10, at 8-9]. . . .
    By order entered on July 15, 2010, upon the agreement of
    counsel, the Honorable Emanuel A. Bertin, [of the Montgomery
    County Court of Common Pleas,] stayed the proceedings before
    the domestic relations section pending further proceedings
    before Judge Bertin and his ruling on whether [Mother] had the
    right to renew her claim that [M.B.] is the father. This matter
    was rotated from Judge Bertin to the Honorable R. Stephen
    Barrett in April[] 2014, and then to the [Honorable Arthur R.
    Tilson] in March, 2015.
    On June 10, 2015, [Judge Tilson] presided [over] an evidentiary
    hearing on [M.B.’s] motion/preliminary objections to dismiss
    [Mother’s] complaint for support.
    Trial Court Opinion, 10/16/15, at 1-2.
    At the hearing on the motion to dismiss/preliminary objections held on
    June 10, 2015, Mother testified on her own behalf, as did M.B. On August
    10, 2015, the trial court entered the order that directed M.B. to submit to
    genetic testing.
    In its opinion, the trial court explained the rationale for its order
    denying M.B.’s motion to dismiss/preliminary objections and directing him to
    submit to genetic testing:
    As noted previously, [M.B.] asked [the trial court] to summarily
    dismiss [Mother’s complaint] on the ground that [the New York
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    Stipulation of Discontinuance acted as a bar to Mother’s action
    for child support]. The affirmative defense of res judicata can be
    evoked to bar a subsequent action when there is: (1) identity of
    the parties; (2) capacity of the parties; (3) identity of the issues;
    and (4) identity of the cause of action. E.g., Scott v. Mershon,
    
    657 A.2d 1304
     (Pa. Super. 1995). However, the purpose of the
    bar of res judicata is not to categorically disallow all subsequent
    proceedings but rather to insulate a litigant from repetitive[,]
    vexatious litigation and to conserve judicial resources. Balent
    v. City of Wilkes-Barre, 
    669 A.2d 309
    , 315 (Pa. 1995). Thus,
    even when the four elements are shown, it is well-established
    that a subsequent action may nevertheless proceed when the
    prior judgment was the result of fraud or mutual mistake. E.g.,
    R.J.K. v. B.L., 
    420 A.2d 749
     (Pa. Super. 1980). Similarly, the
    doctrine of res judicata is applied sparingly in zoning questions
    where the benefits of flexibility outweigh the detriments of
    repetitive litigation. E.g., City of Pittsburgh v. Zoning Bd. of
    Adjustment of City of Pittsburgh, 
    559 A.2d 896
     (Pa. 1989).
    Finally, new evidence that could not have been presented during
    the prior adjudication will defeat the bar of res judicata. E.g.,
    Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental
    Resources, 
    90 A.2d 1383
     (Pa. Cmwlth. 1978).
    The evidence presented at the hearing . . . strongly militated in
    favor of [ordering M.B. to submit to] genetic testing. First,
    [Mother] presented to the [trial court] credible and compelling
    evidence, in the form of her testimony, that no man could
    possibly be the father except for [M.B.]. [Mother] also described
    the circumstances by which she and [M.B.] had been drinking
    alcohol at an after-work party, how she afterwards invited [M.B.]
    into her apartment, and how the two of them had sex without
    using birth control. [Mother] missed her next menstrual period
    and thereupon confirmed that she had, indeed[,] become
    pregnant by her only sexual partner since her previous
    menstrual period.     This testimonial evidence was not heard
    during the New York proceedings.
    Second, when [M.B.] learned that [Mother] had become
    pregnant soon after they had sex[,] his conduct amounted to a
    tacit admission that he was the father. For example, [M.B.]
    attempted to persuade [Mother] to terminate the pregnancy by
    abortion[] and[,] in the alternative, [M.B.] asked [Mother] to
    keep secret that he was the father in exchange for his promise
    to acknowledge paternity when the time was right. [M.B.’s]
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    motive was to avoid the immediate professional and personal
    scandal    he   feared  would    follow from    an   express
    acknowledgement that he had gotten [Mother] pregnant, since
    the two of them had worked closely together in a professional
    capacity; [M.B.] as a neurosurgeon and [Mother] as a surgical
    nurse.
    Third, the [trial court] heard evidence that reflected poorly on
    the circumstances and integrity of the clinical specimen-taking
    procedure that was the sole basis of the prior [discontinuance]
    [in New York] upon which [M.B.] in this matter now relies. No
    evidence was allowed at the earlier proceeding on the issue of
    whether proper specimen collection protocols were followed but
    [Mother] testified credibly before the undersigned that the
    specimens from [Mother], [M.B.,] and [Child] were not taken
    contemporaneously, and that [Mother’s] and [Child’s] specimens
    were not properly sealed and secured against mishandling or
    tampering. From [Mother’s] description of the specimen-taking
    procedure she observed, [the trial] court concluded that the
    earlier genetic testing procedure was informal, at best, and
    potentially unprofessional and reckless.
    Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, vital new photographic
    evidence was presented to the undersigned to show that the
    child has matured to bear an amazing physical resemblance to
    [M.B.]. This evidence of a strong physical resemblance could not
    have been presented at the earlier proceeding because [Child]
    was[,] . . . at the time[,] less than [one-year] old.
    The totality of the foregoing findings lead the [trial court] to
    conclude that the outcome of the prior proceeding (and its
    assumed premise that good science had proven conclusively that
    [M.B.] could not possibly be the father) was shockingly
    unreliable and that the bar of res judicata should yield under
    these unusual circumstances to allow [the trial] court to reach
    the underlying merits of [Mother’s complaint for child support,] .
    . . depending on the results of the genetic testing ordered in
    these proceedings.      This was especially so given several
    concerns. The first is the best interests of the child. This is a
    particular circumstance where [Child] has two inherited medical
    conditions – which do not run in [Mother’s] family – and
    identifying the father would be beneficial for medical treatment.
    Apart from that, [Child] at present has no idea who is his father.
    As mentioned above, the chronology of [Mother’s] insemination
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    and pregnancy resulted in a situation where [Mother currently]
    makes no claim that any other man is [Child’s] father.
    The child born out of wedlock . . . has an interest in
    knowing his father and in having two parents to provide
    care for him. The child’s concerns include a known
    belonging to a certain line of descent with knowledge of
    any benefits or detriments inheritable from that line.
    Further, the child is entitled to financial assistance from
    each parent able to provide such support.
    Minnich v. Rivera, 
    506 A.2d 879
    , 882 (Pa. 1986).
    [Moreover], . . . [c]ounsel for [Mother] has represented to [the
    trial] court that a laboratory finding adverse to [Mother’s] claim
    will resolve the dispute over paternity, once and for all; a dispute
    that has roiled now, off and on, for ten years. Finality and
    closure can be best achieved by reaching the merits of
    [Mother’s] claim.
    In this connection, apart from the primary position taken by
    [M.B.] in this matter, that [Mother] cannot avoid the bar of res
    judicata with only extrinsic proof, [M.B.] argued in the
    alternative that [Mother’s] delay in bringing these proceedings
    warrants their summary dismissal. But to the contrary, [M.B.]
    cannot show how the passage of time has caused him any
    prejudice – except that the genetic testing ordered by [the trial]
    court will prove him to be the father – and [Mother] has proven
    that the delay in this case was never caused by any doubt she
    has ever had that [M.B.] is the child’s father. [See N.T. Hearing,
    6/10/15, at] 71-72 ([Mother] explaining that she withdrew prior
    action only upon advice of counsel based on prior, suspect,
    paternity test). Rather it was financial hardship that caused the
    delay. Indeed there is no better explanation for [Mother’s] delay
    after she had surreptitiously obtained a specimen of [M.B.’s]
    DNA, and then afterwards a laboratory report that purportedly
    concluded that [M.B.] was the father, were it for any other
    cause. The [trial court] granted [M.B.’s] motion in limine and
    ruled that second laboratory report inadmissible hearsay, and its
    purported conclusion did not figure in the decision to allow
    [Mother] to proceed on the merits during these proceedings, but
    the second genetic test results are nevertheless powerful proof
    that [Mother’s] delay was not caused by any doubt on her part
    that [M.B.] is [Child’s] father.
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    Trial Court Opinion, 10/16/15, at 2-6 (internal footnote omitted) (some
    internal citations omitted) (parallel citations omitted).
    On August 13, 2015, M.B. filed a notice of appeal, along with a concise
    statement of errors complained of on appeal, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P.
    1925(a)(2)(i) and (b), and a motion for an emergency stay.1 On August 20,
    2015, the trial court entered an order denying M.B.’s emergency motion for
    a stay of the August 10, 2015 order pending appeal. On August 25, 2015,
    M.B. filed an emergency motion for a stay of the August 10, 2015 order
    pending appeal with this Court. On September 4, 2015, this Court entered a
    per curiam order granting the emergency motion for a stay pending the
    appeal.
    In his brief on appeal, M.B. raises the following claims:
    1. Did the trial court err in ordering [M.B.] to submit to
    additional paternity testing by failing to properly consider that
    the parties litigated [Mother’s] same paternity claim over ten
    years ago in New York and entered into a stipulation to
    discontinue the New York matter with prejudice?
    2. Did the court below err in failing to properly consider
    [Mother’s] responses to [M.B.’s] Requests for Admissions and
    the lack of responses to [M.B.’s] Supplemental Request for
    Admissions, which established all of the elements of res judicata
    and contained other admissions supporting the granting of
    [M.B.’s] Motion to Dismiss?
    1
    “This Court accepts immediate appeals from orders directing or denying
    genetic testing to determine paternity.” Barr v. Bartolo, 
    927 A.2d 635
    ,
    638-39 (Pa. Super. 2007), quoting Buccieri v. Campagna, 
    889 A.2d 1220
    ,
    1220 n.1 (Pa. Super. 2005).
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    3. Did the [trial c]ourt err in improperly expanding the scope of
    the June 10, 2015 hearing by essentially conducting a hearing on
    the overall issue of the child’s paternity instead of and prior to
    disposing of [M.B.’s] Motion to Dismiss – namely, the application
    of res judicata and full faith and credit?
    4. Did the [trial c]ourt err in admitting testimony in violation of
    Pennsylvania Rule of Evidence 401-402 (relevance) and 403 (the
    exclusion of relevant evidence that is unfairly prejudicial)?
    5. Is the [trial c]ourt’s determination, as presented in the August
    [10], 2015 Order and October 16, 2015 Opinion, against the
    weight of the evidence?
    6. Is the [trial c]ourt’s determination against public policy?
    7. Did the [trial c]ourt err in ordering [M.B.] to submit to
    paternity testing without properly and expressly determining
    [M.B.’s] Motion to Dismiss and thus permitting the matter to
    move forward according to the proper procedure of Pennsylvania
    Rule of Civil Procedure 1910.15?
    M.B.’s Brief at 5-6.
    “[T]his   Court   will   reverse   the   trial   court’s   decision   regarding
    preliminary objections only where there has been an error of law or an
    abuse of discretion.’’ Gaboury v. Gaboury, 
    988 A.2d 672
    , 675 (Pa. Super.
    2009), quoting Rambo v. Greene, 
    906 A.2d 1232
    , 1235 (Pa. Super. 2006);
    Clemleddy Const., Inc. v. Yorston, 
    810 A.2d 693
    , 696 (Pa. Super. 2002).
    “In ruling on whether preliminary objections should have been [sustained],
    an appellate court must determine whether it is clear from doubt from all the
    facts pleaded that the pleader will be unable to prove facts legally sufficient
    to establish a right to relief.” R.M. Baxter ex rel. T.M., 624, 
    777 A.2d 446
    ,
    449 (Pa. 2001).
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    Further, with regard to      preliminary objections,    this   Court has
    explained:
    “When no issues of fact are raised, the court shall dispose of the
    preliminary objections as a matter of law on the basis of the
    pleadings alone.” Matter of D.L.S., 
    420 A.2d 625
    , 626 (Pa.
    Super. 1980). Where preliminary objections raise issues of fact,
    however, the Rules of Civil Procedure provide that “the court
    shall consider evidence by depositions or otherwise.” Pa.R.C.P.
    1028(c)(2); see also Devarmin v. Consol. Rail Corp., 
    931 A.2d 1
    , 14 (Pa. Super. 2007) (“[I]f an issue of fact is raised by
    preliminary objections . . . the [trial] court may not reach a
    determination based upon its view of the controverted facts, but
    must resolve the dispute by receiving evidence thereon through
    interrogatories, depositions or an evidentiary hearing”).
    R.M. v. J.S., 
    20 A.3d 496
    , 508-509 (Pa. Super. 2011).
    Our standard of review of a trial court’s order relating to paternity is
    the same as that for child support:      whether the trial court abused its
    discretion or committed an error of law.    D.M. v. V.B., 
    87 A.3d 323
    , 327
    (Pa. Super. 2014). Further, in the context of a child support/paternity case,
    we have stated:
    An abuse of discretion exists if the trial court has overridden or
    misapplied the law, or if there is insufficient evidence to sustain
    the order. Moreover, resolution of factual issues is for the trial
    court, and a reviewing court will not disturb the trial court’s
    findings if they are supported by competent evidence. It is not
    enough [for reversal] that we, if sitting as a trial court, may
    have made a different finding.
    Vargo v. Schwartz, 
    940 A.2d 459
    , 462 (Pa. Super. 2007).
    “[T]he interpretation and application of a statute is a question of law
    that compels plenary review to determine whether the court committed an
    error of law. As with all questions of law, the appellate standard of review is
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    de novo and the appellate scope of review is plenary.” C.B. v. J.B., 
    65 A.3d 946
    , 951 (Pa. Super. 2013).
    In his first three, related issues, M.B. contends that the trial court
    erred or abused its discretion in failing to give res judicata effect, under the
    Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution, to the
    Stipulation of Discontinuance filed in New York. He further asserts that the
    trial court abused its discretion when it did not consider Mother’s failure to
    meet her burden of overcoming the application of res judicata by a showing
    that the New York Stipulation of Discontinuance was the result of fraud or
    mutual mistake. M.B. argues that his preliminary objections established that
    the New York Stipulation of Discontinuance barred Mother from pursuing him
    in any further child support action, and that the trial court improperly
    expanded the scope of the hearing on his motion to dismiss to the broader
    issue of paternity.
    We conclude that, under New York’s principles of res judicata, the New
    York Stipulation of Discontinuance does not preclude Mother’s current action
    for child support. M.B.’s claims to the contrary thus fail.2
    As the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared:
    The United States Constitution requires that full faith and
    credit “shall be given in each State . . . to the judicial
    2
    Although our reasoning differs from that provided by the trial court, this
    Court “will affirm the trial court’s decision if the result is correct on any
    ground, without regard to the grounds on which the trial court relied.”
    Commonwealth v. Cassidy, 
    462 A.2d 270
    , 272 (Pa. Super. 1983).
    - 10 -
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    [p]roceedings of every other State.” U.S. Const. Art. IV,
    § 1. The Full Faith and Credit Clause thus precludes a party
    from attacking collaterally a judgment of one state by
    attempting to re-litigate the underlying dispute resolved by
    that judgment in another state. Thus, full faith and credit
    typically requires that a state give a judgment the same res
    judicata effect the judgment would have been afforded in
    the state in which it was rendered.
    Wilkes ex rel. Mason v. Phoenix Home Life Mut. Ins. Co., 
    902 A.2d 366
    , 375-376 (Pa. 2006).
    Moreover, as this Court held, the Full Faith and Credit Clause requires
    that we employ New York’s res judicata doctrine to determine the preclusive
    effect of the prior New York Stipulation of Discontinuance.         Autochoice
    Unlimited, Inc. v. Avangard Auto Fin., Inc., 
    9 A.3d 1207
    , 1214 (Pa.
    Super. 2010) (“[w]e therefore look to Florida law to determine what res
    judicata effect the [prior] Broward County[, Florida] court order would have
    on [a]ppellant’s cause of action if brought in that jurisdiction”); see also
    Barnes v. Buck, 
    346 A.2d 778
    , 781 (Pa. 1975) (“[t]he decree of the Ohio
    court dismissing the petition to set aside the divorce decree, like the divorce
    decree itself, is entitled to full faith and credit in the courts of Pennsylvania.
    . . . That is, we must give it the same recognition and res judicata effect as
    it would receive in the courts of Ohio”); but see Wilkes, 902 A.2d at 377
    (perceiving a “fog of ambiguity” around the issue of whether, under the Full
    Faith and Credit Clause, the home state must apply the res judicata doctrine
    of the foreign state that entered the prior judgment or whether the home
    state may simply apply its own res judicata doctrine to determine the
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    preclusive effect of the foreign state judgment; the Wilkes Court refused to
    decide the apparent conflict, but the Court did apply the foreign state’s res
    judicata doctrine because that was how “the case [was] briefed to [it]”).
    Pursuant to New York law:
    Under the doctrine of res judicata, a party may not litigate a
    claim where a judgment on the merits exists from a prior
    action between the same parties involving the same subject
    matter. The rule applies not only to claims actually litigated
    but also to claims that could have been raised in the prior
    litigation. The rationale underlying this principle is that a
    party who has been given a full and fair opportunity to
    litigate a claim should not be allowed to do so again.
    Additionally, under New York’s transactional analysis
    approach to res judicata, once a claim is brought to a final
    conclusion, all other claims arising out of the same
    transaction or series of transactions are barred, even if
    based upon different theories or if seeking a different
    remedy. Res judicata is designed to provide finality in the
    resolution of disputes, recognizing that considerations of
    judicial economy as well as fairness to the parties mandate,
    at some point, an end to litigation.
    In re Hunter, 
    827 N.E.2d 269
    , 274-275 (N.Y. 2005) (internal citations,
    quotations, and corrections omitted).
    Regarding a stipulated discontinuance, the New York Appellate Division
    has held that “a stipulation of discontinuance with prejudice does carry res
    judicata authority with respect to the same cause.            However, the
    language ‘with prejudice’ is narrowly interpreted when the interests
    of justice, or the particular equities involved, warrant such an
    approach.” Dolitsky’s Dry Cleaners, Inc. v. Y L Jericho Dry Cleaners,
    Inc., 
    610 N.Y.S.2d 302
    , 303 (N.Y. App. Div. 1994) (internal citations and
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    corrections omitted) (some internal citations omitted) (emphasis added);
    see also Employers’ Fire Ins. Co. v. Brookner, 
    850 N.Y.S.2d 554
    , 556
    (N.Y. App. Div. 2008) (“when the final determination relied upon for res
    judicata effect is a stipulation of discontinuance, the language ‘with
    prejudice’ is narrowly interpreted when the interests of justice, or the
    particular equities involved, warrant such an approach”) (internal citations
    omitted) (some internal quotations omitted); c.f. Stacey O v. Donald P,
    
    525 N.Y.S.2d 385
    , 386 (N.Y. App. Div. 1988) (“[t]o determine whether
    Family Court properly denied the motion to vacate the order dismissing the
    second petition, we must first decide whether Family Court correctly gave
    res judicata effect to the dismissal of the first petition.       A court has
    discretion to specify whether its order dismissing a claim is to have res
    judicata effect. . . . Even where a dismissal is specifically ‘on the merits’ or
    ‘with prejudice’, the circumstances must warrant barring the litigant
    from further pursuit of his claim in order for those phrases to be
    given preclusive effect”) (internal citations omitted) (emphasis added).3
    3
    We note that, within her brief, Mother expressly argues that “New York
    [would] not apply res judicata when doing so would result in an injustice.
    The language ‘with prejudice’ should not be given a preclusive effect herein.”
    Mother’s Brief at 19. Moreover, at the trial level, Mother argued that the
    New York Stipulation of Discontinuance did not preclude her current action
    for support because application of the doctrine of res judicata would “work
    an injustice” and cause an inequity in this case. Mother’s Answer to
    Preliminary Objections, 8/3/10, at 8-9.
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    With respect to the case at bar, it is true that the prior, New York
    action and the current, Pennsylvania action share an identity of the parties
    (with     Mother     as    the    plaintiff/petitioner   and   M.B.     as   the
    defendant/respondent) and share an identity of the subject matter (with
    Mother claiming that M.B. is Child’s father and petitioning for child support
    from M.B.).    Moreover, the prior, New York action ended with Mother and
    M.B. executing a “Stipulation of Discontinuance,” which declared:
    IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the undersigned
    that the present paternity proceeding and [Mother’s] cause
    of action against [M.B.] for an order of filiation and an order
    of support are hereby discontinued with prejudice as of the
    date hereof.”
    New York Stipulation of Discontinuance, 3/28/06, at 1 (emphasis in original).
    Nevertheless, under New York law, “the language ‘with prejudice’ [in a
    stipulation of discontinuance must be] narrowly interpreted when the
    interests of justice, or the particular equities involved, warrant such an
    approach.” Dolitsky’s Dry Cleaners, Inc., 
    610 N.Y.S.2d at 303
     (internal
    citations and corrections omitted) (some internal citations omitted).        We
    conclude that, in this case, the interests of justice and the equities require
    that we narrowly construe the language “with prejudice” that is found in the
    prior stipulation and hold that the prior stipulation neither bars the current
    child support action nor precludes the trial court’s order that M.B. undergo
    genetic testing. We will explain.
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    At the time Mother and M.B. entered into the New York Stipulation of
    Discontinuance, the New York rule regarding voluntary discontinuances
    read:
    Rule 3217. Voluntary discontinuance
    (a) Without an order. Any party asserting a claim may
    discontinue it without an order
    1. by serving upon all parties to the action a notice of
    discontinuance at any time before a responsive pleading
    is served or within twenty days after service of the
    pleading asserting the claim, whichever is earlier, and
    filing the notice with proof of service with the clerk of
    the court; or
    2. by filing with the clerk of the court before the case
    has been submitted to the court or jury a stipulation in
    writing signed by the attorneys of record for all parties,
    provided that no party is an infant, incompetent person
    for whom a committee has been appointed or
    conservatee and no person not a party has an interest in
    the subject matter of the action; or
    3. by filing with the clerk of the court before the case
    has been submitted to the court or jury a certificate or
    notice of discontinuance stating that any parcel of land
    which is the subject matter of the action is to be
    excluded pursuant to title three of article eleven of the
    real property tax law.
    (b) By order of court. Except as provided in subdivision
    (a), an action shall not be discontinued by a party asserting
    a claim except upon order of the court and upon terms and
    conditions, as the court deems proper. After the cause has
    been submitted to the court or jury to determine the facts
    the court may not order an action discontinued except upon
    the stipulation of all parties appearing in the action.
    (c) Effect of discontinuance. Unless otherwise stated in
    the notice, stipulation or order of discontinuance, the
    discontinuance is without prejudice, except that a
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    J-A05006-16
    discontinuance by means of notice operates as an
    adjudication on the merits if the party has once before
    discontinued by any method an action based on or including
    the same cause of action in a court of any state or the
    United States.
    (d) All notices, stipulations, or certificates pursuant to this
    rule shall be filed with the county clerk by the defendant.
    N.Y. C.P.L.R. 3217 (effective July 14, 2003 to May 6, 2009).4
    With respect to the prior, New York action, the action: was voluntarily
    discontinued over one year after “service of the pleading asserting the claim”
    (thus, Rule 3217(a)(1) could not apply); did not involve a parcel of land
    (thus, Rule 3217(a)(3) could not apply); and, was not discontinued via court
    order (thus, Rule 3217(b) could not apply). Therefore, the only possible way
    to construe the voluntary discontinuance of the prior, New York action was –
    as the name of the filing suggests – as a “stipulation of discontinuance”
    under Rule 3217(a)(2). However, Rule 3217(a)(2) specifically declares:
    “Any party asserting a claim may discontinue it without an
    order . . . by filing with the clerk of the court before the
    case has been submitted to the court or jury a stipulation in
    writing signed by the attorneys of record for all parties,
    provided that no party is an infant, incompetent person for
    whom a committee has been appointed or conservatee and
    no person not a party has an interest in the subject
    matter of the action.”
    4
    Rule 3217 has since been amended. However, the current rule is, in all
    relevant respects, identical to the rule that existed at the time Mother and
    M.B. entered into their stipulation. Compare N.Y. C.P.L.R. 3217 (effective
    July 14, 2003 to May 6, 2009) to N.Y. C.P.L.R. 3217 (effective July 1, 2012).
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    J-A05006-16
    N.Y. C.P.L.R. 3217(a)(2) (emphasis added).5          Moreover, as Rule 3217(b)
    makes clear, “Except as provided in subdivision (a), an action shall
    not be discontinued by a party asserting a claim except upon order
    of the court and upon terms and conditions, as the court deems
    proper.” N.Y. C.P.L.R. 3217(b) (emphasis added).
    Child was born in April 2005 and Child was never made a party to
    Mother’s New York Child Support/Paternity action.6 Yet, the “Stipulation of
    Discontinuance” in the New York action was signed by Mother and M.B. on
    March 28, 2006 – and the stipulation purported to “discontinue with
    prejudice” Mother’s “paternity proceeding and [] cause of action against
    5
    We note that the parties signed the written stipulation; however, contrary
    to the requirements of Rule 3217(a)(2), “the attorneys of record” did not
    sign the stipulation. See N.Y. C.P.L.R. 3217(a)(2). Nevertheless, as the
    New York Appellate Division has held, this particular failing constitutes “a
    mere irregularity which does not render the stipulation invalid.” Levy v.
    Levy, 
    135 N.Y.S.2d 95
    , 95 (N.Y. App. Div. 1954).
    6
    New York Family Court Act § 522 declares:
    Proceedings to establish the paternity of the child and to
    compel support under this article may be commenced by
    the mother, whether a minor or not, by a person alleging to
    be the father, whether a minor or not, by the child or child's
    guardian or other person standing in a parental relation or
    being the next of kin of the child, or by any authorized
    representative of an incorporated society doing charitable or
    philanthropic work, or if the mother or child is or is likely to
    become a public charge on a county, city or town, by a
    public welfare official of the county, city or town where the
    mother resides or the child is found.
    
    N.Y. Family Court Act § 522
    .
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    J-A05006-16
    [M.B.] for an order of filiation and an order of [child] support.”   New York
    Stipulation of Discontinuance, 3/28/06, at 1 (emphasis omitted). Obviously,
    however, Child had a substantial “interest in the subject matter of the
    action” that Mother and M.B. purportedly discontinued – and in the three
    matters that were the subject of the Stipulation of Discontinuance. As such,
    under the plain terms of Rule 3217, Mother and M.B were not permitted to
    discontinue Mother’s New York Child Support/Paternity action by way of
    stipulation.   Rather, the only way Mother’s action could have been
    voluntarily discontinued was by way of court order “and upon [the] terms
    and conditions, as the court deems proper.” N.Y. C.P.L.R. 3217(b).7
    Rule 3217 attempted to protect Child’s interests by mandating that
    Mother and M.B. could not voluntarily discontinue the prior New York Child
    Support/Paternity action by way of stipulation – and that the action could
    have only been voluntarily discontinued by “order of the court and upon
    [the] terms and conditions, as the court deems proper.” N.Y. C.P.L.R. 3217.
    Mother and M.B. flouted this rule and discontinued the prior New York Child
    Support/Paternity action without making Child a party to the proceedings,
    7
    See, e.g., A.F. v. S.F., 
    836 N.Y.S.2d 496
    , 
    2007 WL 685847
     (N.Y. Sup. Ct.,
    N.Y Cty. 2007) (unpublished memorandum) (denying the petitioner’s
    unopposed motion to discontinue his action for child custody, as “[t]he
    welfare of the three [children] would [] be compromised by a discontinuance
    of the instant action”); see also Julie J. v. Edwin A., 
    86 Misc.2d 882
    , 883
    (Fam. Ct., N.Y. Cty. 1976) (denying mother’s motion to discontinue her
    paternity action because “the infant child and the public hav[e] a substantial
    interest in these proceedings”).
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    J-A05006-16
    without Child being represented by counsel, and without the necessary court
    order to ensure the protection of Child’s interests.             As such, we conclude
    that, under New York law, “the interests of justice [and] the particular
    equities involved” mandate that we “narrowly interpret[]” the language “with
    prejudice” in the New York Stipulation of Discontinuance.                Dolitsky’s Dry
    Cleaners, Inc., 
    610 N.Y.S.2d at 303
    .
    In keeping with this “narrow[] interpretation,” we conclude that the
    prior, New York Stipulation of Discontinuance would certainly not preclude a
    Pennsylvania child support action that was instituted by Child or by Mother
    “on    behalf    of   [Child]”8   –   given   that   the   New    York    Stipulation   of
    Discontinuance was entered into against the express requirements of Rule
    3217 and, as such, left Child’s interests unprotected. Further, we conclude
    that it would be an untoward elevation of form over substance to hold that
    res judicata barred Mother’s current action for child support, or her
    automatic right to have M.B. genetically tested to determine paternity. This
    is especially so, given that res judicata would not bar an identical action that
    8
    In relevant part, Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1910.3 declares:
    (a) An action [for support] may be brought
    (1) by a person, including a minor parent or a minor
    spouse, to whom a duty of support is owing, or
    (2) on behalf of a minor child by a person having
    custody of the child, without appointment as guardian
    ad litem. . . .
    Pa.R.C.P. 1910.3.
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    J-A05006-16
    was instituted by Child or by Mother “on behalf of [Child]” and given that,
    even though Mother instituted the current action, her claim of child support
    and the concomitant paternity test are both done “to serve the best interests
    of the child[].” R.K.J. v. S.P.K., 
    77 A.3d 33
    , 37 (Pa. Super. 2013) (“[t]he
    principal goal in child support matters is to serve the best interests of the
    children through the provision of reasonable expenses”); Minnich, 506 A.2d
    at 882 (“[t]he child born out of wedlock . . . has an interest in knowing his
    father and in having two parents to provide care for him”).9
    9
    Moreover, in Wieland v. Wieland, 
    948 A.2d 863
    , 870 (Pa. Super. 2008),
    we stated:
    DNA paternity testing, with its pinpoint accuracy, has
    posed more squarely than ever before a dilemma in
    paternity testing. Before the advent of DNA testing, the
    determination of paternity could not be as accurately
    established as it can today. Because the truth can be so
    reliably revealed, the policy question as to whether to
    expose the truth or whether to bypass the truth for some
    important family or societal reasons has taken on added
    meaning. While we recognize that the right to paternity
    testing is not absolute and there may be strong family or
    societal reasons to deny paternity testing, such testing
    should be favored. The establishment of a parent-child
    relationship is important to both parent and child. A
    father and his child have the right to establish a kinship
    relationship and the child has a right to expect both
    financial and emotional support from his or her father.
    Furthermore, a child’s biological history may be essential
    to his or her future health, and the child’s cultural history
    may be important to his or her personal well[-]being.
    Wieland, 
    948 A.2d at 870-71
    .
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    J-A05006-16
    Therefore, we conclude that the prior New York Stipulation of
    Discontinuance does not bar Mother’s current complaint for child support, or
    her automatic right to have the disputing M.B. genetically tested to
    determine paternity. M.B.’s claims to the contrary fail.
    Given this Court’s reasoning, M.B.’s fourth claim (wherein he argues
    that the trial court improperly admitted testimony that was irrelevant to the
    res judicata effect of the Stipulation of Discontinuance) and fifth claim
    (wherein he argues that the trial court’s ruling was against the weight of the
    evidence) will not be analyzed, as our decision was not based upon the
    alleged improper testimony or upon the evidence admitted during the
    hearing. Rather, our decision was based upon the legal effect of the prior,
    New York Stipulation of Discontinuance.
    Next, we address M.B.’s contention in his sixth issue that the trial
    court’s order is against the public policy of Pennsylvania.           He limits his
    arguments to the application of the doctrine of res judicata and the effect of
    that   doctrine   under    public   policy   considerations.     As   M.B.   argues:
    “[Mother’s] efforts to relitigate this matter fly in the face of the very
    principles under which our judicial system functions.          The parties resolved
    the issue of the paternity of the Child in New York ten years ago via a
    decision to end all litigation, with prejudicial effect.” M.B.’s Brief at 49.
    This claim fails.   As this Court explained above, because Mother and
    M.B. improperly entered into the prior Stipulation of Discontinuance – and,
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    J-A05006-16
    in so doing, violated a rule that was intended to protect Child – the New York
    courts would not give the stipulation res judicata effect as to Child.
    Therefore, we refuse to conclude that Mother’s current action for Child’s
    support (and the concomitant requirement that M.B. be genetically tested for
    a determination as to his paternity of Child) is barred by the improper
    Stipulation of Discontinuance. M.B.’s public policy argument thus fails.
    Finally, in his seventh issue, M.B. argues that the trial court failed to
    follow the proper procedure set forth in a child support action, citing
    Pa.R.C.P. 1910.11 and/or 1910.12, regarding an office conference before a
    hearing officer at the initiation of a child support action.       He urges that,
    under Pa.R.C.P. 1910.15, the conference officer enters an order directing the
    parties to submit to genetic testing if paternity cannot be established at the
    conference level. M.B. complains that the trial court improperly directed him
    to submit to genetic testing without first directing the matter to proceed
    through the office conference procedure.      Accordingly, he seeks for us to
    vacate the trial court’s order.
    Mother’s complaint for child support/paternity raised a number of
    controverted factual allegations, and the trial court held a hearing to assist it
    in   reaching    its   factual    determinations     on   M.B.’s     motion    to
    dismiss/preliminary objections. The trial court also directed genetic testing
    to assist it in rendering a factual determination.
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    J-A05006-16
    In R.M., this Court instructed that, if an issue of fact is raised by
    preliminary objections, the trial court may not reach a determination based
    upon its view of the controverted facts, but must resolve the dispute by
    receiving evidence thereon through interrogatories, depositions or an
    evidentiary hearing. R.M., 
    20 A.3d at
    508-509
    M.B. fails to cite any case authority to support his contention that the
    trial court must wait for the hearing officer’s office conference and direction
    to the parties before the court may order genetic testing, especially where
    the putative father has denied paternity, and requested the court to dismiss
    the support/paternity action based on preliminary objections. Thus, we find
    that he has waived his contention. See Chapman-Rolle v. Rolle, 
    893 A.2d 770
    , 774 (Pa. Super. 2006) (stating, “[i]t is well settled that a failure to
    argue and to cite any authority supporting any argument constitutes a
    waiver of issues on appeal,” quoting Jones v. Jones, 
    878 A.2d 86
    , 90 (Pa.
    Super. 2005)).
    Nevertheless, we would find that the trial court had authority to direct
    M.B. to submit to the genetic testing.     The Uniform Act on Blood Tests to
    Determine Paternity, 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5104, provides as follows, in pertinent
    part:
    (a) Short title of section.--This section shall be known and may
    be cited as the Uniform Act on Blood Tests to Determine
    Paternity.
    (b) Scope of section.—
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    J-A05006-16
    (1) Civil matters.--This section shall apply to all civil
    matters.
    ...
    (c) Authority for test.--In any matter subject to this section in
    which paternity, parentage or identity of a child is a relevant
    fact, the court, upon its own initiative or upon suggestion made
    by or on behalf of any person whose blood is involved, may or,
    upon motion of any party to the action made at a time so as not
    to delay the proceedings unduly, shall order the mother, child
    and alleged father to submit to blood tests. If any party refuses
    to submit to the tests, the court may resolve the question of
    paternity, parentage or identity of a child against the party or
    enforce its order if the rights of others and the interests of
    justice so require.
    ...
    (f) Effect of test results.--If the court finds that the conclusions
    of all the experts as disclosed by the evidence based upon the
    tests are that the alleged father is not the father of the child, the
    question of paternity, parentage or identity of a child shall be
    resolved accordingly. If the experts disagree in their findings or
    conclusions, the question shall be submitted upon all the
    evidence.
    (g) Effect on presumption of legitimacy.--The presumption of
    legitimacy of a child born during wedlock is overcome if the court
    finds that the conclusions of all the experts as disclosed by the
    evidence based upon the tests show that the husband is not the
    father of the child.
    23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5104.
    Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1910.15(b)(1), regarding child
    support and paternity, provides that, if a defendant in a paternity case
    appears but does not execute an acknowledgment of paternity at the office
    conference, the court shall enter an order directing the parties to appear for
    genetic testing.   The order must advise the defendant that his failure to
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    J-A05006-16
    appear for the testing will result in entry of an order finding that he is the
    father of the child. The order must also advise the plaintiff that her failure
    to appear for testing may result in sanctions, including entry of an order
    dismissing   the   paternity   action    without   prejudice.   See   Pa.R.C.P.
    1910.15(b)(1).
    As M.B. filed the motion to dismiss/preliminary objections denying
    paternity with the court, we find that the trial court had authority to order
    M.B. to submit to paternity testing without awaiting M.B.’s refusal to sign an
    acknowledgment of paternity at a hearing officer’s conference.        The trial
    court stated that the goal of finality that supports res judicata can best be
    served under these unusual circumstances by the genetic testing order, and
    that Mother’s counsel had represented to the court that a laboratory finding
    adverse to Mother’s claim will resolve the dispute over paternity. Trial Court
    Opinion, 10/16/15, at 5.       The trial court added that finality and closure
    would be best achieved by reaching the merits of Mother’s claim. Id. This
    Court agrees. Accordingly, we affirm the order of the trial court.
    Order affirmed.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 6/28/2016
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