in the Interest of C.R.J., a Child ( 2014 )

In The
Court of Appeals
Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana
No. 06-13-00053-CV
IN THE INTEREST OF C.R.J., A CHILD
On Appeal from the County Court at Law
Cass County, Texas
Trial Court No. CCL-11-D-296
Before Morriss, C.J., Carter and Moseley, JJ.
Memorandum Opinion by Justice Carter
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Jami N. Tally and Leonard M. Jester, III, were divorced on September 9, 2011. They
were appointed as joint managing conservators of their son, C.R.J., with Tally having “the
exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child without regard to geographic
location.” Jester received word that Tally intended to remarry and move with the child to New
Mexico. In a petition to modify the parent-child relationship filed on June 18, 2012, Jester
requested that he be given the right to designate the residence of the child 1 and that the
“residence be restricted to Cass County.” The trial court modified the parent-child relationship
by limiting the designation of the primary residence to “a 100 mile radius of Atlanta, Texas.” 2
On appeal, Tally argues, among other things, that (1) the trial court erred in holding a
hearing on Jester’s motion because his supporting affidavit was insufficient, (2) the trial court’s
temporary orders imposing a geographical restriction were entered erroneously, and (3) the
evidence was insufficient for the trial court to enter final orders imposing a geographical
restriction. We find that Tally failed to preserve her complaints relating to Jester’s affidavit and
the court’s decision to hold a hearing under his motion. We also find moot Jester’s complaints
related to the court’s temporary orders. We conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support
the trial court’s final modification. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
1
Jester’s request to designate the child’s residence was denied. Thus, the only issue in this appeal is whether the
geographical restriction was properly imposed.
2
On August 16, 2012, the trial court issued temporary orders requiring the primary residence of the child to “be
within a 50 mile radius of Atlanta, Texas.”
2
I. Tally Failed to Preserve Issues Related to Jester’s Affidavit and the Section 156.102
Hearing
Under Section 156.102 of the Texas Family Code, a petitioner who seeks to modify the
exclusive right to determine primary residence of a child within one year of a previous order 3
must file an affidavit containing at least one of the following allegations:
(1) that the child’s present environment may endanger the child’s
physical health or significantly impair the child’s emotional development;
(2) that the person who has the exclusive right to designate the
primary residence of the child is the person seeking or consenting to the
modification and the modification is in the best interest of the child; or
(3) that the person who has the exclusive right to designate the
primary residence of the child has voluntarily relinquished the primary care and
possession of the child for at least six months and the modification is in the best
interest of the child.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.102(a), (b) (West Supp. 2013).
“The philosophical underpinning of section 156.102 is clear: the Legislature intended to
promote stability in the conservatorship of children.” In re D.W.J.B., 362 S.W.3d 777, 781 (Tex.
App.—Texarkana 2012, no pet.) (quoting Burkhart v. Burkhart, 960 S.W.2d 321, 323 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1997, pet. denied)). “To that end, relitigation of custodial issues
within a short period of time after the custody order is discouraged through the imposition of a
heightened standard of verified pleading.” Id.
Jester alleged that C.R.J.’s present environment could significantly impair the child’s
emotional development. The affidavit stated,
3
The date the petition was filed controls whether Section 156.102 applies; “the timing of any subsequent hearing is
of [no] importance.” In re S.A.E., No. 06-08-00139-CV, 2009 WL 2060087, at *5 (Tex. App.—Texarkana July 17,
2009, no pet.) (mem. op.).
3
Despite the periods of possession and access set forth in the Final Decree of
Divorce, my ex-wife continues to deny me possession of my child. Further, it is
my understanding that she recently began dating an individual and has expressed
a desire to move to New Mexico with this boyfriend. My child has no friends or
family in New Mexico, and the distance between us if he moves would be great as
to effectively cut me out of his life. All of his extended family, including
grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles live within a 20 mile radius of his current
residence. To take him away from his family, especially his father, would be
detrimental to his welfare. Further, since this is a relatively new relationship
between my ex-wife and this boyfriend, there is no way of knowing whether this
relationship will even last. I believe it to be in the best interest of my child to
remain in East Texas, close to his father and family.
For the first time on appeal, Tally argues that the affidavit, which sought to maintain the
status quo by leaving the child in Atlanta, Texas, did not allege that the child’s present
circumstances significantly impaired his emotional development. Instead, the allegation was that
a possible future move could significantly impair the child’s emotional development. Because
there was no challenge to the affidavit below, we conclude that Tally has failed to preserve this
point for our review. See In re L.V., No. 05-10-00687-CV, 2011 WL 2860008, at *1 (Tex.
App.—Dallas July 20, 2011, no pet.) (mem. op.) (citing TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a); Serafin v. Seale,
No. 03-09-00516-CV, 2010 WL 4910047, at *2 (Tex. App.—Austin Dec. 2, 2010, no pet.)
(mem. op.)); see also In re A.L.W., 356 S.W.3d 564, 568 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2011, no pet.)
(failure to bring motion to dismiss petition for insufficient affidavit under Section 156.102 to
trial court’s attention “effectively waived the motion”).
A trial court “shall deny the relief sought and refuse to schedule a hearing for
modification under this section unless the court determines, on the basis of the affidavit, that
facts adequate to support an allegation listed in Subsection (b) are stated in the affidavit.” TEX.
FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.102(c) (West Supp. 2013). When the trial court holds a Section 156.102
4
hearing, there is an implied finding that the affidavit contained allegations meeting the
requirements of that section. A.L.W., 356 S.W.3d at 566–67.
Tally next argues, again for the first time on appeal, that the trial court erred in holding a
hearing. To the extent the brief complains of the trial court holding a temporary hearing or
issuing temporary orders, we note that these complaints were rendered moot when the final order
in this case was entered. See In re K.L.R., 162 S.W.3d 291, 301 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2005, no
pet.); In re P.R., 994 S.W.2d 411, 417 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1999, pet. dism’d w.o.j.),
disapproved on other grounds, In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 267 & n.39 (Tex. 2002); Wright v.
Wentzel, 749 S.W.2d 228, 234 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1988, no writ); Garner v.
Garner, 673 S.W.2d 413, 418 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1984, writ dism’d); see also In re
Barkley, No. 07-09-0190-CV, 2009 WL 2431499, at *1 (Tex. App.—Amarillo Aug. 10, 2009,
orig. proceeding).
To the extent the complaint relates to the final hearing, the question that must be resolved
at the outset is whether Tally has preserved this issue for appeal. Texas Rule of Appellate
Procedure 33.1 mandates,
As a prerequisite to presenting a complaint for appellate review, the record must
show that:
(1) the complaint was made to the trial court by a timely request,
objection, or motion that:
(A) stated the grounds for the ruling that the complaining party
sought from the trial court with sufficient specificity to make the trial
court aware of the complaint, unless the specific grounds were apparent
from the context; and
....
5
(2) the trial court:
(A) ruled on the request, objection, or motion, either expressly
or implicitly; or
(B) refused to rule on the request, objection, or motion, and the
complaining party objected to the refusal.
Although she had opportunities to apprise the trial court of her complaint, including filing
a motion to dismiss, a motion to stay the proceedings, a petition for mandamus relief from the
temporary order, 4 and a motion for new trial, as well as lodging objections at the hearings, at no
point did Tally complain to the trial court that it should not schedule a final hearing on the
motion to modify.
We note that there are several cases, some on petition for writ of mandamus challenging
temporary orders imposing a geographical restriction under Texas Family Code Section 156.006,
and some on appeal from the final order modifying the parent-child relationship, that address the
issue of whether the trial court erred in holding a hearing in the absence of sufficient allegations
in the affidavit (or in the absence of a Section 156.102 affidavit altogether). When a trial court
erroneously conducts a hearing in contravention of Section 156.102(c), an appellate court
reviewing that decision generally conducts a harm analysis to determine if the testimony
admitted during the hearing would support an allegation that the child’s environment may
significantly impair his emotional development (or would otherwise demonstrate one of the three
4
“Because a trial court’s temporary orders are not appealable, mandamus is an appropriate means to challenge
them.” In re Strickland, 358 S.W.3d 818, 820 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2012, orig. proceeding) (citing In re
Derzapf, 219 S.W.3d 327, 334–35 (Tex. 2007) (orig. proceeding); In re Russell, 321 S.W.3d 846, 853 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth 2010, orig. proceeding)); see TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 105.001(e) (West 2008).
6
allegations in Section 156.102(b)). A.L.W., 356 S.W.3d at 567; In re A.C.S., 157 S.W.3d 9, 18–
19 (Tex. App.—Waco 2004, no pet.). However, in each of the cases following this general rule,
some effort was made to preserve the error. See, e.g., In re Davila, No. 04-13-00103-CV, 2013
WL 1192617, at *3 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Mar. 22, 2013, orig. proceeding) (mandamus
proceeding challenging temporary orders); Strickland, 358 S.W.3d at 822 (mandamus
proceeding challenging temporary orders); A.L.W., 356 S.W.3d at 565 (motion to dismiss filed);
In re Aguirre, No. 03-06-00403-CV, 2006 WL 2819069 (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 25, 2006,
orig. proceeding) (mem. op.) (mandamus challenging temporary orders); A.C.S., 157 S.W.3d at
18 (motion to stay); Burkhart v. Burkhart, 960 S.W.2d 321, 322 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
1997, pet. ref’d) (motion to dismiss); Graves v. Graves, 916 S.W.2d 65, 66 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, no writ) (motion for new trial); Serafin, 2010 WL 4910047, at *2
(motion for new trial); but see Figueroa v. Figueroa, 580 S.W.2d 621, 622–23 (Tex. App.—
El Paso 1979, no writ) (addressing Section 156.102’s predecessor, Section 14.08(d)). 5
Here, because Tally failed to raise an issue with the trial court concerning conducting a
hearing without an adequate affidavit, we find the error unpreserved. See Barkley, 2009 WL
2431499, at *1 (“As previously mentioned, the legislature specified that the affidavit was to be
5
Moreover, in this case, Tally agreed that modification was required since she could not comply with the current
visitation schedule if she were to move.
7
used as a means of determining whether a hearing should be held. Since the trial court actually
held the hearing, whether it should hold such a hearing is no longer relevant.”). 6
II. The Evidence Supports the Trial Court’s Modification
A. Standard of Review
The trial court may modify an order in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship if it
would be in the best interest of the child and the circumstances of the child or parents have
materially and substantially changed since the date of the last modification order. TEX. FAM.
CODE ANN. § 156.101(a) (West Supp. 2013); S.A.E., 2009 WL 2060087, at *3.
“We review a trial court’s decision regarding custody, control, and possession matters
involving a child under an abuse of discretion standard.” A.L.W., 356 S.W.3d at 566 (citing
Gillespie v. Gillespie, 644 S.W.2d 449, 451 (Tex. 1982)); see In re P.M.G., 405 S.W.3d 406, 410
(Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013, no pet.). “A trial court abuses its discretion when its ruling is
arbitrary, unreasonable, or without reference to any guiding rules or legal principles.” A.L.W.,
356 S.W.3d at 566 (citing K–Mart Corp. v. Honeycutt, 24 S.W.3d 357, 360 (Tex. 2000);
Holtzman v. Holtzman, 993 S.W.2d 729, 734 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1999, pet. denied)).
6
The trial court described its reasons for modification at the conclusion of the final hearing, stating,
[M]y primary concern has to be for the child and not the circumstances of the parties. If this were
a shorter distance then I wouldn’t have quite the problem that I have with the request to move a
thousand miles away. It’s just too far to have any, for the Court to be able to fashion any kind of
reasonable access between the father and the child that needs to exist for the father. Not only for
the father’s benefit but primarily for the child’s benefit. . . .
I am going to broaden the Court’s previous ruling somewhat, and that is the Court’s order
is that the motion to modify is granted to the extent that the child will be restricted to a 100 mile
radius of the city of Atlanta, Texas, or from the city of Atlanta, Texas. That should allow some
additional geographical range within which it may be possible for the respondent and her new
family to obtain employment that’s not limited to the immediate area where it has been limited to
under the temporary orders of the Court.
8
“Under the abuse-of-discretion standard, alleged legal insufficiency and factual
insufficiency of the evidence are not independent grounds of error, but are merely factors in
assessing whether the trial court abused its discretion.” S.A.E., 2009 WL 2060087, at *2; see
P.M.G., 405 S.W.3d at 410. Where a sufficiency review “overlaps the abuse of discretion
standard . . . we engage in a two-pronged inquiry.” S.A.E., 2009 WL 2060087, at *2 (citing
Giron v. Gonzalez, 247 S.W.3d 302, 306 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2007, no pet.)). “We ask if the
trial court had sufficient information on which to exercise its discretion and whether it erred in its
application of that discretion.” Id.
Because Tally did not bear the burden of proof at trial, we analyze the legal sufficiency
issue as a “no-evidence” challenge. See Giron, 247 S.W.3d at 306 (citing Croucher v. Croucher,
660 S.W.2d 55, 58 (Tex. 1983). We consider only the evidence and inferences that tend to
support the finding and disregard all evidence and inferences to the contrary. Bradford v. Vento,
48 S.W.3d 749, 754 (Tex. 2001). Anything more than a scintilla of evidence is legally sufficient
to support the finding. Leitch v. Hornsby, 935 S.W.2d 114, 118 (Tex. 1996). More than a
scintilla of evidence exists if the evidence furnishes some reasonable basis for differing
conclusions by reasonable minds about the existence of a vital fact. Rocor Int’l, Inc. v. Nat’l
Union Fire Ins. Co., 77 S.W.3d 253, 262 (Tex. 2002).
In a factual sufficiency analysis, we consider all the evidence and set aside the findings
only if they are so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be clearly wrong
and manifestly unjust, shock the conscience, or clearly demonstrate bias. Cain v. Bain, 709
9
S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986); In re G.R.W., 191 S.W.3d 896, 899 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2006,
no pet.). 7
B. The Final Hearing
First, we note that both Tally and Jester cite to testimony and evidence presented during
the hearings that resulted in the entry of temporary orders. We have previously stated that
“evidence from the hearings for temporary orders could neither be considered by the trial court
in reaching its final orders, nor by this Court on reviewing the final order.” In re M.B.D., 344
S.W.3d 1, 3 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2011, no pet.) (citing May v. May, 829 S.W.2d 373, 376
(Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1992, writ denied)). Accordingly, we consider only the evidence
presented at the final hearing in our analysis.
Jester believed he would have limited contact with C.R.J. should he be moved to New
Mexico. He was also concerned that six-year-old C.R.J. would lose contact with numerous other
7
The trial court entered findings of fact that may be summarized as follows: (1) the circumstances of the parties had
changed since the divorce as Tally remarried and desired to relocate the child to Farmington, New Mexico, (2) the
desired place for re-location was 1,042 miles from Atlanta, Texas, (3) the child has extended family ties in Cass
County, Texas, and none in Farmington, New Mexico, and (4) if the child moved, the child’s only contact with the
father would involve air travel for limited times when school was in recess. The trial court entered the following
conclusions of law:
l. The circumstances of the child or either party to this suit have not materially and
substantially changed since rendition of the order sought to be modified, insofar as the previous
order establishes the primary residence of the child with his mother[,] . . . Tally.
2. The circumstances of the child or either party to this suit have materially and substantially
changed since rendition of the order sought to be modified, insofar as the previous order gives . . .
Tally the right to establish the primary residence of the child without regard to geographical
restriction.
3. It is not in the best interests of the child for . . . Tally to be allowed to move the child to
Farmington, New Mexico.
4. It is in the best interest of the child that . . . Tally be restricted to establishing the primary
residence of the child to a geographical location within 100 miles of Atlanta, Texas.
10
family members who lived in the area and had regular contact with the child, including his
maternal great-grandparents, maternal and paternal grandparents and step-grandparents, uncles,
aunts, and cousins. 8 Jester testified that he had obtained a new job based in Shreveport,
Louisiana, and that he would be on the job for three to six weeks at a time and would have “a
week or two off after every job.” He testified about his living conditions and how often he
would be able to see C.R.J. if the geographical limitation was imposed and maintained that the
move would have a negative impact on his son. Because C.R.J. had no family in New Mexico,
Jester did not believe it was in the child’s best interest to make the move.
By the time of the final hearing, Tally had married and was pregnant. She testified that
the move to New Mexico would allow her to accept an offer for employment “start[ing] out at
fifty-three thousand annually plus quarterly sales commissions.” She testified about the spacious
apartment rented by her husband, the good school that C.R.J. would attend, her willingness to
contribute to Jester’s travel expenses in visiting the child, and that her family supported the
move. 9
Tally also admitted that the move would mean that C.R.J. and his extended family
members “won’t see each other as often.” She estimated that the drive to New Mexico and then
back to Texas cost her between $220.00 and $250.00. Tally proposed that Jester would be able
to visit C.R.J. during extended holidays four times a year. When asked whether this visitation
8
Jester testified that he was concerned about Tally “taking [C.R.J.] away from his family,” including family “he has
lived with.” He stated that Tally’s father was “the coach that showed up at every game for soccer and baseball, you
know. He was the primary coach, you know. I mean, they’re just completely one hundred percent involved in his
life from every aspect of feeding, clothing, extracurricular activities, you know, her finances.”
9
Tally’s husband, Daniel Gann, testified that he would move back to Texas if the trial court imposed a geographical
limitation.
11
schedule would work for her, Tally responded, “Well, if the situation were reversed I probably
wouldn’t be thrilled about it.” She also testified, “It’s healthy for a child to have a relationship
with their father and I want to maintain that as much as possible,” adding, “[C.R.J.] likes to see
his dad.”
Marie Shelton, who owned the home Jester rented when he was in Atlanta, Texas,
described Jester as an attentive father and a good provider. She testified, “[C.R.J.] appears to
love his dad. [Jester] appears to love that child. And they interact like normal dad and son.
They play together. [Jester] takes care of him. He never asks either one of us to take care of
him. He bathes him and he feeds him and he puts him to bed.” Shelton testified that Jester and
C.R.J. hunted bugs, played video games, and went to the movies, and that Jester “goes and takes
his lunch to school and goes and picks him up from school when he’s home.” Shelton did not
believe it was in C.R.J.’s best interest to move to New Mexico because he “is so young and he
needs his father.”
C. Material and Substantial Change
Tally argues that the evidence at trial was insufficient for the trial court to find a material
and substantial change in circumstances and that the geographical restriction was in the child’s
best interest. 10
The court may modify an order that provides for the appointment of a
conservator of a child, that provides the terms and conditions of conservatorship,
or that provides for the possession of or access to a child if modification would be
in the best interest of the child and:
10
Tally also argues, without citation to authority, that the trial court erred in excluding evidence of delinquent child
support because there were no “pleadings with regard to child support.” A “court may not render an order that
conditions the right of a conservator to possession of or access to a child on the payment of child support.” TEX.
FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.001(b) (West 2008).
12
(1) the circumstances of the child, a conservator, or other party
affected by the order have materially and substantially changed since the earlier
of:
(A) the date of the rendition of the order; or
(B) the date of the signing of a mediated or collaborative law
settlement agreement on which the order is based
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.101(a) (West Supp. 2013).
“In deciding whether a material and substantial change of circumstances has occurred, a
trial court is not confined to rigid or definite guidelines.” In re A.L.E., 279 S.W.3d 424, 428
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.). “Instead, the court’s determination is fact-
specific and must be made according to the circumstances as they arise.” Id.
A noncomprehensive list of material changes, as described by other courts, can include
(1) marriage of one of the parties, (2) poisoning of the child’s mind by one of the parties, (3) a
change in home surroundings, (4) mistreatment of the child by a parent or step-parent, or (5) a
parent becoming an improper person to exercise custody. Id. at 428–29 (citing In re Marriage of
Chandler, 914 S.W.2d 252, 254 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1996, no writ); Wright v. Wright, 610
S.W.2d 553, 555 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1980, no writ)).
Tally had remarried, was pregnant with her new husband’s child, and wanted to move
with him to New Mexico. Tally testified at the hearing about an “altercation” that occurred after
she overheard Jester cursing about her in front of C.R.J., poisoning the child’s mind. Tally
testified,
[Jester] ran out at me in my face, pushed m[e] off the front porch. I injured my
ankle in some rocks that were there. I immediately walked to the end of the
driveway and called 911 and within a few minutes the state troopers had
13
responded and the city police. [Jester] continued to yell and scream obscenities at
me while the police were there, and [C.R.J.] is watching this, crying from the
front porch. When told to stop, he got physical with the cops, got in their face and
started cussing at them. And so at that point he was placed under arrest and sent
to the vehicle.
Both parties received tickets for assault as a result of this incident. Thereafter, the parties’ new-
found acrimony for one other required that communication between the two be facilitated solely
through willing intermediaries. Also, Tally had made several changes to the child’s home
surroundings: first from her home to Gann’s home in Queen City, next to her grandparent’s
home in Atlanta, and last to her mother and step-father’s home.
Undoubtedly, the move to New Mexico would have made the current possession
arrangement unworkable. After reviewing evidence from the final hearing, we conclude that the
trial court did not abuse its discretion by finding a material and substantial change in
circumstances since the entry of the previous custody order.
D. Best Interests of the Child
Next, we review the evidence relating to the child’s best interest. “The Legislature has
made it clear that ‘[t]he best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration of the
court in determining the issues of conservatorship and possession of and access to the child.’”
Lenz v. Lenz, 79 S.W.3d 10, 14 (Tex. 2002) (quoting TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.002 (West
2008)). The public policy of this state is to
(1) assure that children will have frequent and continuing contact with
parents who have shown the ability to act in the best interest of the child;
(2) provide a safe, stable, and nonviolent environment for the child;
and
14
(3) encourage parents to share in the rights and duties of raising their
child after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage.
TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.001(a). “Such policy concerns weigh heavily in assessing whether
to modify geographic restrictions placed on the child’s residence.” In re C.M.G., 339 S.W.3d
317, at 320 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2001, no pet.). The trial court in this case cited to Morgan v.
Morgan, which articulates factors to be considered in implementing the state’s policy concerns.
[T]he Texas Supreme Court in Lenz v. Lenz considered the following factors in
applying Texas’s best-interest standard in the relocation context: (1) the reasons
for and against the move; (2) the effect on extended family relationships; (3) the
effect on visitation and communication with the non-custodial parent to maintain
a full and continuous relationship with the child; (4) the possibility of a visitation
schedule allowing the continuation of a meaningful relationship between the non-
custodial parent and child; and (5) the nature of the child’s existing contact with
both parents, and the child’s age, community ties, and health and educational
needs. 79 S.W.3d 10, 15–17 (Tex. 2002). The Court in Lenz also noted that suits
affecting the parent-child relationship require balancing numerous factors and are
“fact driven[.]”[] Id. at 18–19.
254 S.W.3d 485, 488 (Tex. App.—Beaumont, no pet.).
Here, we acknowledge Tally’s testimony that her lot would improve if she were allowed
to move to New Mexico with her husband. The prospective job opportunity waiting for her there
would provide financial benefits, which C.R.J. would reap. Tally testified that the child’s
maternal grandparents could visit the child and that the child could maintain his relationship with
Jester though telephone communications and visitation during extended breaks from school. If
allowed to move, Tally testified that C.R.J. would go to a school with aftercare programs and a
gifted and talented program. She planned to live with Gann in a two bedroom, two bathroom
apartment in a nice neighborhood.
15
However, the move would remove Jester from the child’s daily life and would create
difficulty in facilitating visitation. Tally approximated that C.R.J. could visit Jester during
extended breaks from school—a period of time which Tally admitted would not provide
sufficient visitation for her. When asked if she would pay for C.R.J. to travel to Jester, Tally
testified, “I think that kind of travel time would be pretty strenuous on a six-year-old.” Due to
Jester’s work schedule, visitation was sporadic, and on the whim of the employer as work
became available. Jester was able to arrange last-minute visits in Atlanta with C.R.J. to make up
for scheduled visitation missed due to his employment, but he would no longer be able do so if
the child was relocated 1,042 miles away. Tally also admitted that the child would not be able to
see his extended family as often. The evidence suggests that this would negatively impact C.R.J.
since he currently sees his extended family members daily or weekly due to their close
relationship and current close proximity to one another.
Although Tally had chosen a school for C.R.J. in New Mexico, she testified, “Obviously
if you compare schools, any state really besides Texas, Texas school systems are just better in
general than most other places.” In an interview conducted during a social study, C.R.J. stated
that he played “T-ball and soccer, 11 liked his school, and “describe[d] himself as a good student.”
C.R.J., who had lived in Atlanta, Texas, since birth, had no ties to New Mexico other than his
step-father.
“The Texas Family Code grants trial judges vast power and broad discretion over many
important matters.” Moore v. Moore, 383 S.W.3d 190, 194 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, pet.
11
C.R.J.’s soccer team was coached by his maternal grandfather.
16
denied). We are mindful that “the trial judge is best able to observe and assess the witnesses’
demeanor and credibility, and to sense the ‘forces, powers, and influences’ that may not be
apparent from merely reading the record on appeal.” P.M.G., 405 S.W.3d at 410 (quoting
A.L.E., 279 S.W.3d at 427)). “We consider only the evidence most favorable to the trial court’s
ruling and will uphold its judgment on any legal theory supported by the evidence.” Id. (citing
Worford v. Stamper, 801 S.W.2d 108, 109 (Tex. 1990) (per curiam)). “We, therefore, defer to
the trial court’s judgment in matters involving factual resolutions and any credibility
determinations that may have affected those resolutions.” Id. (citing George v. Jeppeson, 238
S.W.3d 463, 468 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, no pet.)).
Considering the record in this case, we conclude that the evidence provided ample
support for the trial court’s imposition of a geographical limitation on Tally’s right to designate
C.R.J.’s primary residence. See C.M.G., 339 S.W.3d at 320.
III. Conclusion
We affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Jack Carter
Justice
Date Submitted: December 3, 2013
Date Decided: January 17, 2014
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