Smith v. Lovelace , 2014 Ark. App. 345 ( 2014 )

Cite as 2014 Ark. App. 345
ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION I
No. CV-13-452
Opinion Delivered June 4, 2014
RHODIS SMITH
APPELLANT APPEAL FROM THE PULASKI
COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT,
NINTH DIVISON
V. [NO. PR-2009-49]
HONORABLE MARY SPENCER
VENITA LOVELACE and HERSCHEL McGOWAN, JUDGE
LOVELACE
APPELLEES AFFIRMED
ROBERT J. GLADWIN, Chief Judge
Rhodis Smith appeals the Pulaski County Circuit Court’s February 4, 2013 order
denying his petition to have himself appointed guardian of his grandson (M.R., age 5),
replacing the appellees Herschel and Venita Lovelace. On appeal, he contends that the
circuit court clearly erred by denying his petition. We affirm.
I. Facts
Smith’s grandson, M.R., was placed under a guardianship order on December 31,
2009, wherein the Lovelaces, M.R.’s paternal aunt and uncle, were named as guardians. This
order was the subject of an appeal and the resulting affirmation by this court on February 2,
2011. Smith v. Lovelace, 2011 Ark. App. 74, 380 S.W.3d 514. In that appeal, we considered
Smith’s argument that the circuit court’s finding—that it was in M.R.’s best interest that the
Lovelaces, as opposed to Smith, be appointed as guardians—was clearly erroneous. Lovelace,
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2011 Ark. App. 74, at 5, 380 S.W.3d at 517. We further held that the statutory natural-
parent preference was not determinative in the circuit court’s decision and that preferential
status for blood relatives, as well as parents, was subservient to the best-interest analysis
performed by the circuit court. Id. at 8–9, 380 S.W.3d at 519.
On August 3, 2011, Smith filed a pleading entitled “Petition to Terminate
Guardianship and Establish Guardianship in Paternal Grandparent,” claiming that, at the time
of the previous hearing and order granting guardianship, the putative and natural father, Marc
Rice, had expressed a desire that guardianship of M.R. be granted to the Lovelaces, Rice’s
sister and her husband. Since the guardianship order had been filed, Rice died. Smith
alleged that Rice’s death was a material change in circumstances, and in addition to other
circumstances to be presented at a hearing, it was in the child’s best interest to be in the
custody of his “closest blood relative, i.e., the Petitioner and maternal grandparent.”
On November 18, 2011, the Lovelaces filed a motion for summary judgment arguing
that none of Smith’s pleadings alleged any new facts that would lead to overturning the
circuit court’s prior award of guardianship. Attached to the motion was a statement of
material facts, which included the argument that Smith failed to argue anything other than
to make statements that he was the minor’s grandfather—an argument that the circuit court
previously considered.
Smith responded, claiming that the law of the case did not apply in guardianship cases
because the best interest of the child was always the issue. In his attached statement in
opposition to the Lovelaces’ statement, Smith claimed, “Since the entry of the order by this
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court, the child has appeared less than stable, mentally and physically.” The Lovelaces filed
a motion to strike Smith’s response to their summary-judgment motion, alleging that the
response was not served in a timely manner in derogation of Arkansas Rule of Civil
Procedure 56(c) (2012).
At the hearing, the circuit court discussed with the attorneys for both parties the
history of the case and stated that there were issues of material fact, thus ruling on the
summary-judgment motion; however, no order was filed to reflect its ruling denying the
summary-judgment motion. The circuit court further made clear through colloquy with
counsel that it considered the issue for hearing to be whether Rice’s death affected the
guardianship of M.R. by the Lovelaces. The circuit court also stated that it had heard
Smith’s argument that, “in essence, I was keeping the half brothers from being in the same
physical home.” “I’ve heard that argument already.”
During Smith’s testimony, the circuit court intervened when Smith began to testify
regarding his deceased daughter’s wishes regarding her sons. Smith said that his daughter
asked him “to look over her sons.” The circuit court stated as follows:
Remember, that got decided. This Court decided it. It was then affirmed. The
Supreme Court denied review. So, in law, that means those issues are dealt with.
They’ve already—you’ve had the day in court. And the reason that you’re back in
here is because there was a—there was a change in the sense that Marc Rice died.
But there’s not a—a way—there’s not a channel in law that you get to go back and
revisit everything that’s already been decided.
Smith continued to testify, stating that M.R.’s father had died and that the child needed to
be with “his blood.”
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A prolonged discussion with the circuit court followed the Lovelaces’ motion to
dismiss at the end of Smith’s presentation of evidence. The circuit court reserved ruling on
the motion pending testimony from one of the Lovelaces about the current circumstances
in the home. At the end of the testimony, the circuit court gave both attorneys time to file
posthearing briefs, granting permission for direct submission in letter-brief form.1
On February 4, 2013, the circuit court filed an order denying Smith’s petition and
stating as follows:
Mr. Smith’s current Petition is based on a change in circumstances because Marc Rice
is now deceased. His argument is that he is the guardian of R.S. and the half brothers
should be reared in the same household. Mr. Smith has visitation with M.R. every
other weekend. . . . Mr. Smith also testified that he believes that it would be in
M.R.’s best interest to live with him because “[M.R.] is my grandson by blood . . .
I feel like children need to be with their blood relatives . . . I just feel like [M.R.]
needs to be with his immediate family which is his bloodline, my bloodline.”
Ms. Lovelace testified that Mr. Smith exercises his visitation every other week but the
Lovelaces have also invited Mr. Smith to M.R.’s birthday party and other events.
However, he has never exercised these options. Further, Ms. Lovelace testified that
R.S. has only visited with M.R. one time, and then, Mr. Smith called and told them
R.S. had to go home.
Ms. Lovelace also testified that when M.R. has been on medication for asthma and
it is sent with M.R. to the Smiths, that none of the medication has been administered.
Also, after a splint was placed on M.R.’s leg, M.R. was returned to the Lovelaces after
1
On appeal, Smith moved to supplement the record in order to include the letter
briefs, and this court allowed him fifteen days to do so. However, the circuit court’s reporter
filed an affidavit dated November 12, 2013, stating that she had prepared the official
transcript of the proceedings in this case and that no exhibits or documents consisting of
posttrial briefs were contained in the official transcript. She also stated that filings of
pleadings occur in the circuit court clerk’s office. A clerk’s certificate dated November 12,
2013, states that the record on appeal is true and correct. The record does not contain any
posttrial briefs.
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visiting with the Smiths and the splint was just in a “Kroger sack” and had been
removed from M.R.’s leg.
Ms. Lovelace also testified that on occasion when M.R. was under the Smiths’ care
that he did not go to school because Mr. Smith took him to Memphis and once Mr.
Smith failed to pick up M.R. from school on a Friday. Finally, the Court notes that
M.R. has now been in the care and custody of the Lovelaces since 2009. A removal
of M.R. would be disruptive to a child who no longer has either parent alive.
The circuit court’s order concludes that it was in M.R.’s best interest to remain in the
care of the Lovelaces as co-guardians. It is from this order that Smith appeals.
II. Applicable Law
In Furr v. James, 2013 Ark. App. 181, at 2, ___ S.W.3d ___, ___, this court set forth
its standard of review as follows:
Our appellate courts review guardianship proceedings de novo, but we will not
reverse a finding of fact by the circuit court unless it is clearly erroneous. Fletcher v.
Scorza, 2010 Ark. 64, 359 S.W.3d 413. A finding is clearly erroneous when, although
there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court is left with a definite and firm
conviction that a mistake has been made. Id. When reviewing the proceedings, we
give due regard to the opportunity and superior position of the circuitcourt to
determine the credibility of the witnesses. Id. Moreover, in cases involving children,
we afford even more deference to the circuitcourt’s findings because our appellate
courts have made clear that “‘there is no other case in which the superior position,
ability, and opportunity of the chancellor to observe the parties carries a greater
weight than one involving the custody of minor children.’” Ford v. Ford, 347 Ark.
485, 491, 65 S.W.3d 432, 436 (2002) (quoting Taylor v. Taylor, 345 Ark. 300, 304,
47 S.W.3d 222, 224 (2001)). We give special deference to the superior position of the
circuitcourt to evaluate the witnesses, their testimony, and the child’s best interest.
Brown v. Brown, 2012 Ark. 89, 387 S.W.3d 159.
In Graham v. Matheny, 2009 Ark. 481, at 14–15, 346 S.W.3d 273, 281, the Arkansas
Supreme Court clarified the standard to be used in termination-of-guardianship cases:
First, it is clear to this court that the standard to be applied in
termination-of-guardianship cases has been fixed by the General Assembly in section
28-65-401(b)(3), and that standard is (1) whether the guardianship is no longer
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necessary, or (2) whether termination is in the best interest of the ward. The statutory
standard is crafted in the disjunctive and is applicable to terminations involving wards
who are adults and wards who are children.
Second, when a guardianship has been established for a child, and a
termination is sought, the court must first focus on whether, under current facts, the
guardianship is still necessary. That, of course, is the first statutory standard.
Third, even if significant facts have changed relevant to the guardianship, . .
. that does not automatically decide the issue of whether the guardianship of a child
is still necessary under the first statutory standard. What is in the best interest of the
child must always be examined under the first standard to determine whether the
guardianship should be terminated. Best interest of the child is the paramount
consideration in termination cases . . . .
Fourth, unlike an original guardianship action, when the guardianship of a
child has been in effect for a period of time, the stability of the child’s environment
and how well the child is functioning in that environment become critical factors, in
addition to other factors, in deciding the child’s best interest under the statute.
Fifth, a change-of-custody analysis using the material-change-of-circumstances
standard should not be done in termination-of-guardianship cases. Again, the proper
standard has been fixed by the General Assembly in section 28-65-401(b)(3).
III. Discussion and Conclusion
Smith’s sole point on appeal is that the circuitcourt erred when it failed to terminate
the Lovelaces’ guardianship and establish Smith as guardian. He concedes that the focal point
in determining a guardianship should be the best interest of the minor child. Smith contends
that the factors to be considered in making a best-interest determination are that (1) he is the
closest-living blood relative of the child; (2) he has been determined to be fit by the
circuitcourt in this and ancillary decisions; and (3) he is the guardian of the minor child’s
brother, R.S., II. He contends that the siblings, having lost their mother, need to be and
grow together. Smith also argues that he could provide the child with stability, space in the
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home, and educational opportunities. Therefore, he maintains that it is in the child’s best
interest to be with him, the maternal grandparent, and not with the paternal aunt and uncle.
He argues that the circuit court disregarded Arkansas Code Annotated section 28-65-204
(Repl. 2012), which provides parental and blood or marriage relationships as preferences for
guardians, and section 28-65-210, which requires that the guardian be qualified and suitable.
He contends that it is logical to conclude that grandparents stand next in line to be guardians.
The problem with Smith’s argument is that the circuit court considered his
contentions when the original guardianship was established. Lovelace, supra. The circuit
court recognized that Smith was properly before the court with his request for termination
based upon the changed circumstance of Marc Rice’s death. However, Smith did not make
a compelling argument that the circuit court’s finding—it was in the child’s best interest to
remain in the guardianship of the Lovelaces—was clearly erroneous. The circuit court
considered the testimony of the current status of M.R.’s circumstances and made a
determination regarding the child’s best interest. We give special deference to the superior
position of the circuit court to evaluate the witnesses, their testimony, and the child’s best
interest. James, supra. Keeping in mind the standard established in Graham, supra, and James,
we cannot say that the circuit court’s order was clearly erroneous.
Affirmed.
VAUGHT and BROWN, JJ., agree.
Darrell F. Brown, for appellant.
No response.
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