Stuard v. Stuard ( 2016 )

Filed 3/1/16 (unmodified opn. attached)
CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
(Sacramento)
----
JEFFREY D. STUARD et al.,
Plaintiffs and Respondents, C076007
v. (Super. Ct. No. 12FL07391)
MATTHEW STUARD, ORDER MODIFING OPINION
AND DENYING PETITION
Defendant and Appellant. FOR REHEARING
[NO CHANGE IN JUDGMENT]
THE COURT:
The opinion filed February 5, 2016, in the above cause is modified in the
following respects:
In the published portion of the opinion, replace the last paragraph on page 18 with
the following:
The thrust of Matthew‟s as-applied substantive due process
argument was that the grandparents in this case have no visitation right.
Nested within this argument was the assertion that the visitation order was
overbroad for “giving the grandparents over 20% of the time with Riley,
1
ordering the parents[] to pay thousands in attorney fees, sanctions, and
counseling fees, and ordering Matthew to indefinite counseling.” As we
noted above, “An as-applied challenge . . . „contemplates analysis of the
facts of a particular case . . . to determine the circumstances in which the
statute . . . has been applied and to consider whether in those particular
circumstances the application deprived the [defendant] of a protected
right.‟ ” (Tobe, supra, 9 Cal.4th at p. 1084, italics added.) Here, Matthew
provided no constitutional analysis of the facts upon which he now rests his
as-applied challenge -- namely, the financial and practical day-to-day
effects of the visitation order so disrupt his and Riley‟s life that the
visitation order violates substantive due process.
We conclude the trial court‟s application of section 3104 does not
violate Matthew‟s federal or state substantive due process rights.
This modification does not change the judgment.
Appellant‟s petition for rehearing is denied.
/s/ ,
NICHOLSON, Acting P.J.
/s/ ,
MURRAY, J.
/s/ ,
HOCH, J.
2
Filed 2/5/16
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION*
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
(Sacramento)
----
JEFFREY D. STUARD et al.,
Plaintiffs and Respondents,
C076007
v.
(Super. Ct. No. 12FL07391)
MATTHEW STUARD,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Sacramento County, Jaime R.
Roman, Judge. Affirmed in part and reversed in part.
C. Athena Roussos for Defendant and Appellant.
Frank E. Dougherty for Plaintiffs and Respondents.
Matthew Stuard raises equal protection and substantive due process challenges to
an order allowing visitation of his daughter, Riley, by paternal grandparents Jeffrey
* Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 8.1105 and 8.1110, this opinion is
certified for publication with the exception of parts V through VII.
1
Stuard (Jeff) and Cynthia Stuard (Cindy).1 The trial court awarded grandparent visitation
under Family Code section 3104 even though there is no allegation Matthew or his ex-
wife, Rebekah, are unfit parents.2 The trial court based its order on findings there is a
preexisting relationship between Riley and her paternal grandparents and it is in Riley‟s
best interest to continue to have contact with Jeff and Cindy.
On appeal, Matthew contends (1) on its face, section 3104 violates equal
protection guarantees by discriminating between divorced parents and married parents
who are cohabiting, (2) as applied, section 3104 violates his equal protection rights
because he would not be subject to the grandparent visitation order if he were still
married to Rebekah, (3) as applied, section 3104 violates his substantive due process
rights by undermining his fundamental right to parent in the absence of any finding he or
Rebekah are unfit parents, (4) the trial court failed to follow section 3104 in basing the
visitation order on Riley‟s best interest and her parents‟ role in allowing Jeff and Cindy to
develop a relationship with her, (5) the trial court awarded need-based attorney fees under
section 2030 even though the statute does not apply to grandparent visitation
proceedings, (6) a sanctions order imposed on Matthew under section 271 erroneously
penalizes his assertion of constitutional arguments against visitation, and (7) an order that
he participate in anger management counseling violates section 3190 by failing to limit
the duration to one year and for lack of statutorily required findings.
As to Matthew‟s equal protection challenge, we deem the issue to be forfeited for
failure to present any argument on this point in the trial court and for lack of analysis on
1 Due to shared surname, we refer to members of the Stuard family by their first
names. (See, e.g., Finberg v. Manset (2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 529, 531, fn. 2 (Finberg).)
Although Riley‟s mother, Rebekah Stuard, joined with Matthew in the trial court in
opposing grandparent visitation, Rebekah is not a party to this appeal.
2 Undesignated statutory references are to the Family Code.
2
appeal as to how he is similarly situated with parents who are not subject to a grandparent
visitation petition. As to substantive due process, we conclude section 3104 permissibly
reflects a legitimate state interest in preserving an already existing grandparent-
grandchild relationship that is threatened but in the best interest of the grandchild to
safeguard. Here, the grandparent visitation order permissibly safeguards a strong bond
between Riley and her paternal grandparents that Matthew and Rebekah fostered over the
years and Riley‟s best interest in preserving her relationship with Jeff and Cindy after her
parents‟ relationship ended in divorce. United States and California Supreme Court
decisions have rejected the contention that the right to parent is absolute except after a
finding of parental unfitness.
We are not persuaded by Matthew‟s argument the trial court misapplied section
3104 by considering Riley‟s best interest and her parents‟ role in allowing the
development of her relationship with Jeff and Cindy. Section 3104 requires the trial
court to consider these factors in determining whether to award grandparent visitation.
We deem Matthew to be estopped from challenging the applicability of section 2030 to
this case because he asked for attorney fees under the same section. We reject Matthew‟s
characterization of the sanctions ordered under section 271 as a penalty for asserting his
constitutional right to parent Riley. Instead, the sanctions under section 271 reflected
Matthew‟s “obstreperous conduct” that unnecessarily increased the cost and duration of
the litigation.
Finally, we conclude the anger management counseling portion of the trial court‟s
order did not include the findings required by section 3190 and did not limit the
counseling to a period of not more than one year. Accordingly, we reverse this portion of
the order and remand for the trial court to make the statutorily required findings and to
limit counseling to one year if the counseling order is reimposed.
3
BACKGROUND
Following the well-established rule of appellate review, we recite the facts in the
light most favorable to the judgment, resolving any conflicts in the evidence in support
thereof. (612 South LLC v. Laconic Ltd. Partnership (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 1270,
1276.)
Riley was born to Matthew and Rebekah in 2004. Jeff and Cindy, Matthew‟s
parents, were present for the birth. When Jeff retired the following year, he became
Riley‟s primary caregiver. Around that time, at Matthew‟s suggestion, Jeff and Cindy
moved from Sacramento to Roseville, three blocks from where Matthew and Rebekah
lived, to facilitate caring for Riley. Jeff referred to Riley as his “golden granddaughter.”
In 2008, when Riley entered preschool, Matthew would drop her off at school and
Jeff would pick her up and watch her after school. This was also the year Matthew and
Rebekah separated and ultimately dissolved the marriage. Following the separation, Jeff
and Cindy saw even more of Riley, often watching their granddaughter during each
parent‟s parenting time, while that parent was at work. According to Cindy, they
watched Riley about 25 days each month during this time period.
In 2009, Matthew and Riley moved in with Jeff and Cindy, which allowed for
even greater contact between the child and her grandparents. Jeff and Cindy helped her
get ready for school, took her to and from school, and watched her until Matthew came
home from work, or until Rebekah picked her up to exercise her parenting time with the
child. The grandparents also attended various school and sports activities.
At some point after the move to Jeff and Cindy‟s house, the relationship between
Matthew and his parents soured. According to Cindy, her son‟s personality changed
when he began taking medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
He became impatient and uncommunicative, was often angry, rude, and argumentative,
and routinely made disparaging remarks. After feeding Riley dinner, Matthew would
4
often take her upstairs to their bedrooms without a word. Indeed, at least when Matthew
was home, Jeff and Cindy needed his permission to say goodnight to their granddaughter.
Jeff tried to talk to Matthew about his behavioral changes, but Matthew was
unresponsive. Eventually, Jeff told Matthew to find his own place to live.
Matthew moved out with Riley in 2011, informing Jeff he would never see his
granddaughter again. Notwithstanding this declaration, Matthew brought Riley over to
visit Jeff and Cindy on various occasions, including her seventh birthday. However,
during one of these visits, Riley indicated she wanted to stay and watch television at her
grandparents‟ house. Matthew responded by taking her home and had little contact with
Jeff and Cindy after that. For their part, Jeff and Cindy tried to schedule time to see Riley
through Matthew, but were unsuccessful. On one occasion, they went to Riley‟s soccer
practice unannounced. Matthew told them to leave the practice or he would leave with
Riley. When they did not immediately leave, Matthew pulled Riley out of practice and
started taking her to his car. Jeff and Cindy then left so that Riley could finish her
practice.
Unable to schedule time to see Riley through Matthew, Jeff and Cindy contacted
Rebekah to obtain her permission to attend their granddaughter‟s soccer games. Rebekah
and her new boyfriend, Will, arranged for Jeff and Cindy to be able to visit with Riley
during Rebekah‟s parenting time through the end of 2011, including Halloween trick-or-
treating, an overnight visit in November, and exchanging Christmas presents. Jeff and
Cindy also obtained Rebekah‟s permission to participate in Riley‟s school activities
during this time period.
When Matthew discovered his parents were seeing Riley through Rebekah, he
became very angry. Sometime in 2012, Matthew and Rebekah had a conversation about
his objection to his parents seeing Riley, after which Rebekah told Jeff and Cindy to work
their issues out with Matthew directly. Instead, Cindy contacted Riley‟s soccer coach to
5
obtain her soccer schedule. At various points, she also contacted Rebekah‟s by-then-
fiancé Will and her father to seek their assistance in seeing Riley, but to no avail.
The original petition for grandparent visitation in this case was filed in January
2013. Diana Vodrey was appointed to serve as mediator. Vodrey met with Rebekah,
Matthew, Jeff, Cindy, and Riley -- in joint and separate sessions, observing Riley with
both her parents and her grandparents. Vodrey found Riley to be a smart and articulate
child who was neither withdrawn nor shy. Riley said she was happy at her grandparents‟
house and wanted to see them, asking Vodrey: “Why can‟t I see [my grandparents]?
When can I see them?” Vodrey recommended grandparent visitation, explaining this was
what Riley wanted, the bond between Riley and her grandparents was “quite strong,” and
Jeff and Cindy were capable of adequately caring for her. Vodrey also determined Riley
suffered “damage” as the result of her parents‟ decision to keep her from her
grandparents, explaining: “Something was terminated that was very, very important to
her. It was ended abruptly. That always hurts children. It‟s an abandonment issue.
Someone important in her life left.” Vodrey further concluded Matthew was “ „angry and
controlling‟ ” toward his parents and recommended anger management counseling.
An amended grandparent visitation petition was filed in July 2013. In addition to
visitation, the petition requested sanctions under section 271, $2,000 in costs for the
court-ordered mediation, and $3,000 in need-based attorney fees under section 2030.
Matthew opposed the petition and asked the trial court to reject Vodrey‟s
recommendation regarding visitation. In August 2013, Matthew filed his own request for
need-based attorney fees, which was denied.
Trial commenced in January 2014. The relevant facts adduced during trial are
those set forth above, with the following additions. Matthew testified that after he and
Riley moved in with his parents, he became concerned about their behavior, which
included them making disparaging remarks about Rebekah to Riley. When he made his
6
concerns known, they responded by saying he was crazy or making things up. Matthew
also testified he believed the litigation was, as he put it, a “bullying and intimidation
campaign.”
Rebekah testified she and Matthew had difficulties co-parenting while married and
initially after they separated, but became good co-parents following their divorce. As she
explained her opposition to grandparent visitation, when Matthew came to her with his
concerns about his parents visiting Riley, she decided to “respect him as a parent and
validate his concerns” by withdrawing her permission until they had worked things out
with him, at which point Cindy “circumvented” her and went to her fiancé. Rebekah
continued: “Grandparents have rights, but it does not supersede your parental authority,
and my big concern and what I heard during Cindy‟s testimony yesterday and Jeff‟s
today is that if they think that they are right that they‟re going to do what they want to do,
regardless of what I say, and for me when it comes to my child that I am in charge of, that
I gave birth to, that I‟m responsible for, that‟s not okay, and if you want to spend time
with her and love her you have to respect me as a parent and my decisions, whether you
like them or not, and if I can‟t trust you to do that, then I can‟t trust you to be around
her.”
The trial court granted the petition. After describing the case as “tragic” and
driven by Matthew‟s “bitterness at having been asked to depart the grandparents‟
residence,” with “no evidence of culpable misconduct of any relevant kind” on the part of
either grandparent, the trial court applied section 3104, found by clear and convincing
evidence there was a preexisting relationship between Riley and her grandparents that
engendered a bond such that grandparent visitation was in Riley‟s best interest, balanced
this interest of Riley‟s against the right of her parents to exercise their parental authority,
7
and concluded Riley‟s interest prevailed.3 The trial court adopted Vodrey‟s
recommendations regarding visitation. Two months after the effective date of the order,
Jeff and Cindy may have Riley once a week during a weekday overnight visit and one
overnight weekend visit per month. Jeff and Cindy may take Riley on a seven-day
vacation each summer and have an overnight visit with her around Thanksgiving and
Christmas. Additionally, Matthew and Rebekah may not interfere with Jeff and Cindy
attending or participating in Riley‟s school, social, or athletic activities, and must keep
Jeff and Cindy informed of such activities. The trial court also awarded Jeff and Cindy
$3,000 in attorney fees under section 2030, $3,000 in sanctions under section 271, and
$2,000 in counseling expenses under section 3104, all jointly and severally payable by
Matthew and Rebekah. Finally, the trial court ordered Matthew to participate in anger
management counseling at his own expense. Matthew appeals.4
DISCUSSION
I
Statutory Overview
In order to place Matthew‟s constitutional challenges to section 3104 in their
proper context, we begin with an overview of the statutory scheme.
“Grandparents‟ rights to court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren are
purely statutory. [Citation.] Three California statutes expressly address grandparent
visitation: [S]ection 3102, which permits visitation by a deceased parent‟s children,
siblings, parents, and grandparents if such visitation would be in the best interests of the
child; section 3103, which permits a court in specified proceedings involving the custody
3 There are no allegations of unfitness against Jeffrey and Cindy.
4 We granted Matthew‟s motion to treat his premature notice of appeal as being
timely filed from the formal order of August 7, 2014.
8
of a child to grant grandparent visitation; and section 3104, which permits grandparents
to petition for visitation if the grandchild‟s parents are not married or if certain other
conditions are met.” (In re Marriage of Harris (2004) 34 Cal.4th 210, 219-220 (Harris),
fns. omitted.)
This case involves section 3104. Subdivision (a) of this section provides: “On
petition to the court by a grandparent of a minor child, the court may grant reasonable
visitation rights to the grandparent if the court does both of the following: [¶] (1) Finds
that there is a preexisting relationship between the grandparent and the grandchild that
has engendered a bond such that visitation is in the best interest of the child. [¶] (2)
Balances the interest of the child in having visitation with the grandparent against the
right of the parents to exercise their parental authority.” (§ 3104, subd. (a).) However,
such a petition “shall not be filed while the natural or adoptive parents are married, unless
one or more of the following circumstances exist: [¶] (1) The parents are currently living
separately and apart on a permanent or indefinite basis. [¶] (2) One of the parents has
been absent for more than one month without the other spouse knowing the whereabouts
of the absent spouse. [¶] (3) One of the parents joins in the petition with the
grandparents. [¶] (4) The child is not residing with either parent. [¶] (5) The child has
been adopted by a stepparent. [¶] (6) One of the parents is incarcerated or involuntarily
institutionalized.” (Id., subd. (b).)
Section 3104 also provides for “a rebuttable presumption affecting the burden of
proof that the visitation of a grandparent is not in the best interest of a minor child” in
two situations: (1) “the natural or adoptive parents agree that the grandparent should not
be granted visitation rights” (id., subd. (e)); and (2) “the parent who has been awarded
sole legal and physical custody of the child in another proceeding, or the parent with
whom the child resides if there is currently no operative order objects to visitation by the
grandparent” (id., subd. (f)).
9
Thus, the statutory scheme gives the greatest protection to “the integrity of the
nuclear family unit and the ability of married, cohabitating parents to make decisions free
from state interference” by shielding married, cohabitating parents from the filing of a
grandparent visitation petition except in very limited situations. (Lopez v. Martinez
(2000) 85 Cal.App.4th 279, 286 (Lopez), superseded by statute on another point as stated
in Finberg, supra, 223 Cal.App.4th at p. 534.) Even where such a petition may be filed --
for example, as here, where the parents are divorced and living apart -- the statutory
scheme still protects parental autonomy by creating a presumption against grandparent
visitation where both parents agree the petitioning grandparent(s) should not be granted
visitation rights (§ 3104, subd. (e)) or where the parent who has been awarded sole legal
and physical custody of the child, or the parent with whom the child resides if there is no
custody order, objects to such visitation (§ 3104, subd. (f)). At the same time, by making
this presumption rebuttable, the statutory scheme recognizes “the importance of family
ties and the value of a relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.” (Lopez,
supra, 85 Cal.App.4th at p. 286.) As the author of a recent revision to the statute
expressed: “„“It is common knowledge that children who have strong, loving adults in
their lives thrive. Grandparents can be that strong, loving adult for a child. These
relationships become even more vital during times when families are dissolving and
changing. . . .”‟” (Finberg, supra, 223 Cal.App.4th at p. 536, quoting Assem. Com. on
Judiciary, Analysis of Assem. Bill No. 2517 (2005-2006 Reg. Sess.) May 9, 2006, p. 3.)
“[T]he key to understanding the Legislature‟s intent is to remember the primary impetus
behind the provision was not the strengthening of grandparental visitation rights, but the
protection of the best interest of the child.” (Lopez, supra, 85 Cal.App.4th at p. 286.)
10
II
Equal Protection Challenge
Matthew contends, “section 3104 is facially unconstitutional and unconstitutional
as applied here, pursuant to the Equal Protection Clause of the United States and
California Constitutions.” Jeff and Cindy counter Matthew has not preserved the issue
for appellate review because he did not make any equal protection challenge to section
3104 in the trial court. We conclude Matthew has forfeited the contentions because he
did not raise these Equal Protection challenges to section 3104 below and, on appeal, he
does not offer any analysis of how he is similarly situated to parents not subject to a
grandparent visitation petition.
In the trial court, Matthew and Rebekah challenged the constitutional validity of
section 3104 by citing Troxel v. Granville (2000) 530 U.S. 57 [147 L.Ed.2d 49] (Troxel).
However, Troxel considered only an as-applied challenge on substantive due process
grounds to a Washington state grandparent visitation statute. (Id. at p. 73.) An equal
protection challenge differs in that it focuses on whether similarly situated groups receive
constitutionally impermissible disparate treatment.
“Equal protection under the law means that parties similarly situated with respect
to a law must be treated alike under the law. [Citations.] That does not mean, however,
that differential treatment is always unconstitutional. Where a statute makes distinctions
involving inherently suspect classifications or fundamental rights, it is subject to „strict
scrutiny‟ and may be upheld only if the government establishes the distinction is
necessary to achieve a compelling state interest. [Citation.] Most legislation, however, is
reviewed only to determine whether the challenged classification bears a rational
relationship to a legitimate state interest. [Citation.] In areas of social or economic
policy not involving suspect classifications or fundamental rights, a statute must be
11
upheld so long as there is any reasonably conceivable set of facts that provides a „rational
basis‟ for the classification. [Citations.]
“Moreover, in those cases not involving suspect classifications or fundamental
rights, it is the party challenging the statute who must demonstrate that the difference in
treatment is unrelated to the achievement of any legitimate government purpose.
[Citation.] This means that the challenging party must essentially negate every
conceivable legitimate basis which might support the statutory classification. [Citation.]
Because a legislative body is not required to articulate its reasons for enacting a statute,
whether the conceived reason supporting the statute actually motivated the legislative
body is entirely irrelevant for constitutional purposes. [Citations.] „In other words, a
legislative choice is not subject to courtroom factfinding and may be based on rational
speculation unsupported by evidence or empirical data.‟ [Citation.] Under the rational
basis test, a strong presumption favors the validity of the challenged statute. [Citations.]”
(420 Caregivers, LLC v. City of Los Angeles (2012) 219 Cal.App.4th 1316, 1333-1334.)
As the party challenging the application of section 3104, Matthew had the burden
to demonstrate he is similarly situated to parents who are not subject to a grandparent
visitation petition under section 3104. However, Matthew presented no argument in the
trial court that his equal protection right was violated by disparate treatment from a
similarly situated group. Consequently, Matthew did not preserve the equal protection
issue for appellate review. (In re S.C. (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 396, 406 [“In order to
preserve an issue for appeal, a party ordinarily must raise the objection in the trial
court”].)
Even if the equal protection challenge had been preserved for appeal, the issue is
forfeited in the absence of meaningful legal analysis of the similarly situated requirement
in Matthew‟s equal protection argument. (In re S.C., supra, 138 Cal.App.4th at p. 408.)
In a single paragraph of the opening brief and two paragraphs of the reply brief, Matthew
12
asserts parents who are divorced or separated (and subject to grandparent visitation
petitions) are similarly situated to married, cohabitating parents (who are not subject to
grandparent visitation petitions) because both categories involve children with two
natural parents. Matthew‟s assertion lacks any meaningful analysis of how the
circumstances of marital dissolution and an end to cohabitation among the parents and
child might differ or be considered similar for the categories of parents he believes
section 3104 wrongfully discriminates between. Accordingly, we conclude the equal
protection argument is undeveloped and therefore forfeited.
III
Substantive Due Process
Matthew‟s final constitutional challenge asserts that, as applied in this case,
section 3104 violates his federal and state substantive due process rights. We reject the
challenge.
A.
Review
We review issues of statutory construction and constitutional validity under the de
novo standard of review. (Finberg, supra, 223 Cal.App.4th at p. 532.) We begin with
the presumption that the statue is valid unless a “clear and unquestionable” conflict “with
a provision of the state or federal Constitution” is established. (Id. at p. 535, quoting
California Redevelopment Assn. v. Matosantos (2011) 53 Cal.4th 231, 279–280.) “When
considering a claim that a facially valid statute has been applied in a constitutionally
impermissible manner, „the court evaluates the propriety of the application on a case-by-
case basis to determine whether to relieve the defendant of the sanction.‟ (Tobe, supra, 9
Cal.4th at p. 1084.) An as-applied challenge „contemplates analysis of the facts of a
particular case . . . to determine the circumstances in which the statute . . . has been
applied and to consider whether in those particular circumstances the application
13
deprived the [defendant] of a protected right.‟ (Ibid.) When reviewing an as-applied
constitutional challenge on appeal, we defer to the trial court‟s findings on historical facts
that are supported by substantial evidence, and then independently review the
constitutionality of the statute under those facts. (See Board of Administration v. Wilson
(1997) 52 Cal.App.4th 1109, 1127–1130.)” (People v. Mitchell (2012) 209 Cal.App.4th
1364, 1378.) “An as applied challenge may seek . . . relief from a specific application of
a facially valid statute or ordinance to an individual or class of individuals who are under
allegedly impermissible present restraint or disability as a result of the manner or
circumstances in which the statute or ordinance has been applied . . . .” (Tobe v. City of
Santa Ana (1995) 9 Cal.4th 1069, 1084.)
B.
Trial Court Findings
At trial, Matthew submitted a statement of issues that relied on Troxel, supra, 530
U.S. 57, to argue he had fundamental parental rights to make decisions regarding
visitation of his child with third parties. The trial court rejected the argument. In doing
so, the trial court acknowledged that “Rebekah and Matthew do not err when they argue
their parental decisions are entitled to deference and the grandparents‟ submission. But
decisions are not made in a vacuum and not without consequence. From the child‟s birth,
both parents permitted the grandparents‟ unfettered access to the child. Days grew into
weeks, weeks grew into months, and, in time, the months became years. With both
regular and increasing contact between the grandparents and their grandchild, the parental
authority that would sever the relation -- without more -- reciprocally and incrementally
diminished.”
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C.
Analysis
Matthew‟s substantive due process argument rests on the suggestion his and
Rebekah‟s undisputed parental fitness stands as an impermeable barrier to a grandparent
visitation order. The California Supreme Court rejected a similar argument regarding
section 3104 in Harris, supra, 34 Cal.4th 210. Harris involved a petition by paternal
grandparents for visitation of a grandchild who had lived with them for a week in
California until the mother and child moved out. (Id. at p. 215.) Mother, who had sole
legal and physical custody of the child, moved about for several years and eventually
settled in Utah. (Id. at pp. 215-216.) The paternal grandparents attempted to maintain
their relationship with the grandchild by flying from California to visit their
granddaughter while mother increasingly withheld access to the child. (Id. at pp. 216-
219.) The paternal grandparents filed a petition for grandparent visitation that the trial
court granted and the Court of Appeal reversed on grounds the visitation order violated
mother‟s federal and state constitutional rights. (Id. at pp. 218-219.) The California
Supreme Court granted review and reversed, holding that “section 3104 controls in this
case and that the statute is constitutional, both on its face and as applied.” (Id. at p. 214.)
Although father continued to support the paternal grandparents‟ visitation petition, his
parental rights were terminated after the trial court issued the visitation order. (Id. at pp.
219, 221.)
Harris involved no allegation of mother‟s parental unfitness. (See 34 Cal.4th at p.
221.) Thus, the California Supreme Court considered whether section 3104‟s “rebuttable
presumption against visitation „if the parent who has been awarded sole legal and
physical custody of the child in another proceeding . . . objects to visitation by the
grandparent‟ ” sufficed to sufficiently preserve mother‟s fundamental liberty interests
under the federal and state constitutions. (Id. at pp. 221, 223.) In its federal
15
constitutional analysis, the Harris court examined the United States Supreme Court‟s
decision in Troxel, supra, 530 U.S. 57. (Harris, at p. 223.)
Harris, supra, 34 Cal.4th 210 noted Justice O‟Connor‟s plurality opinion in Troxel
“concluded that the Washington statute, as applied in that case, violated that fundamental
liberty interest. ([Troxel, supra, 530 U.S. at p.] 67.) The plurality stated: „[T]here is a
presumption that fit parents act in the best interests of their children.‟ (Id. at p. 68.)
„Accordingly, so long as a parent adequately cares for his or her children (i.e., is fit),
there will normally be no reason for the State to inject itself into the private realm of the
family to further question the ability of that parent to make the best decisions concerning
the rearing of that parent's children. [Citation.]‟ (Id. at pp. 68–69, (plur. opn. of
O‟Connor, J.).) [¶] But the plurality did not prohibit the State from ordering grandparent
visitation, stating instead: „The problem here is not that the Washington Superior Court
intervened, but that when it did so, it gave no special weight at all to [mother]‟s
determination of her daughters' best interests.‟ (Troxel v. Granville, supra, 530 U.S. 57,
69, 120 S.Ct. 2054 (plur. opn. of O'Connor, J.).) To the contrary, „[t]he judge‟s
comments suggest that he presumed the grandparents‟ request should be granted unless
the children would be “impact[ed] adversely.” In effect, the judge placed on [the
mother], the fit custodial parent, the burden of disproving that visitation would be in the
best interest of her daughters.‟ (Ibid.)” (Harris, supra, 34 Cal.4th at pp. 223-224.) “The
Washington statute was, in the words of the plurality in Troxel, „breathtakingly broad,‟
permitting „ “[a]ny person” ‟ to petition the superior court for visitation rights „ “at any
time.” ‟ ” (Id. at pp. 225-226, quoting Troxel, at p. 67 (plur. opn. of O'Connor, J.).)
In contrast to the “breathtakingly broad” Washington statute in Troxel, supra, 530
U.S. at page 67, California‟s “Legislature limited section 3104 by creating rebuttable
presumptions against grandparent visitation „if the child's parents agree that the
grandparent should not be granted visitation rights‟ (§ 3104, subd. (e)), or if the parent
16
awarded sole custody objects to grandparent visitation (§ 3104, subd. (f)). These
provisions prevent the situation that arose in Troxel in which the court ordered visitation
over the objection of the child‟s sole surviving fit parent based upon a finding that such
visitation was in the child‟s best interest. Unlike the Washington statute at issue in
Troxel, section 3104 gives „special weight‟ to the parents‟ decision, if the parents agree
that visitation is not in their child‟s best interest, or to the decision of a parent who has
been awarded sole custody of the child. The high court recognized as much by citing
with approval section 3104, subdivision (e). (Troxel v. Granville, supra, 530 U.S. 57, 70
(plur. opn. of O'Connor, J.).)”5 (Harris, supra, 34 Cal.4th 210, 226.) Thus, the
California Supreme Court held that “section 3104 does not suffer from the constitutional
infirmities that plagued the Washington statute considered in Troxel.” (Id. at p. 226.)
Section 3104 does not violate substantive due process by granting grandparent
visitation over the objection of Matthew and Rebekah. This court has previously held
“that because the fundamental parenting right recognized by California courts is not
absolute, the opposition of two fit parents to court-ordered grandparent visitation does
not, by itself, preclude the court from ordering visitation.” (Fenn v. Sherriff (2003) 109
Cal.App.4th 1466, 1487 (Fenn).) To be sure, Troxel requires that “if a fit parent's
decision of the kind at issue here becomes subject to judicial review, the court must
accord at least some special weight to the parent‟s own determination.” (Troxel, supra,5 In Troxel, the plurality noted that “[t]he decisional framework employed by the
[Washington] Superior Court directly contravened the traditional presumption that a fit
parent will act in the best interest of his or her child. [Citation.] In that respect, the
[Washington] court‟s presumption failed to provide any protection for Granville‟s
fundamental constitutional right to make decisions concerning the rearing of her own
daughters. Cf., e.g., Cal. Fam. Code Ann. § 3104(e) (West 1994) (rebuttable presumption
that grandparent visitation is not in child's best interest if parents agree that visitation
rights should not be granted) . . .).” (Troxel, supra, 530 U.S. at pp. 69-70.)
17
530 U.S. at p. 68.) However, “[g]iving the parent‟s determination „special weight‟ is
different than insulating the parent‟s determination from any court intervention
whatsoever. Troxel does not support defendant's suggestion that a fit parent's decisions
are immune from judicial review. Nor can we discern any basis in the law for reaching a
different conclusion when there are two parents rather than one. The decision of father
and his wife about whether and under what conditions grandparents should have
visitation with their grandchildren is entitled to „special weight‟ under Troxel -- assuming
both are fit parents -- but no more.” (Fenn, supra, 109 Cal.App.4th at p. 1479.)
Here, Jeff and Cindy have been an integral part of Riley‟s life, from her birth until
several years later when Matthew began blocking visitation with her. As the trial court
noted, both of Riley‟s parents acceded to Jeff and Cindy‟s participation in Riley‟s daily
life, school activities, and social events. The disruption of the grandparent-grandchild
bond in this case follows the disruption of another bond –- that between Matthew and
Rebekah and its attending consequences for Riley. The continuance of a preexisting
relationship with grandparents can provide stable and dependable nurturing the
grandchild can continue to count on in the midst of a rift in the parental relationship.
Thus, what Matthew seeks to accomplish by his reliance on substantive due process is to
disrupt a relationship the court-appointed mediator characterized as a “strong” bond
between Riley and her paternal grandparents. The Legislature, however, did not violate
Matthew‟s substantive due process rights by safeguarding Riley‟s relationship with her
grandparents during a time when her parents separated and ended their marriage.
We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in applying section 3104
after finding a preexisting grandparent-grandchild relationship that is in Riley‟s best
interest to continue.
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IV
Whether the Trial Court Abused its Discretion under Section 3104
Matthew contends the trial court abused its discretion under section 3104 by
awarding grandparent visitation to Jeff and Cindy. Specifically, he argues the trial court
used the wrong legal standard under section 3104 by failing to heed the presumption
against grandparent visitation and by adopting an improper “child-centric” approach. In
advancing this issue, Matthew continues to rely on the argument his parental rights over
Riley are absolute in the absence of proof of parental unfitness. We rejected this
argument in part III, ante. To the extent he argues the trial court failed to exercise its
discretion within the parameters of section 3104, we reject the argument based on our
conclusion the trial court‟s statement of decision demonstrates its adherence to section
3104.
A.
Discretion under Section 3104
In Harris, the California Supreme Court explained, “under the statutory scheme in
question, the Legislature expressly requires the trial court to „[b]alance[] the interest of
the child in having visitation with the grandparent against the right of the parents to
exercise their parental authority.‟ (§ 3104, subd. (a)(2).) Guided judicial discretion
regarding this factor „protect[s] children against the arbitrary exercise of parental
authority that is not in fact motivated by an interest in the welfare of the child.‟ (Troxel,
[supra, 530 U.S.] at p. 89, (dis. opn. of Stevens, J.).)” (Harris, supra, 34 Cal.4th at p.
252.)
Generally, “[t]he standard of appellate review of . . . visitation orders is the
deferential abuse of discretion test.” (In re Marriage of Burgess (1996) 13 Cal.4th 25,
32.) This means we will not reverse the visitation order “ „ “unless the trial court has
exceeded the limits of legal discretion by making an arbitrary, capricious, or patently
19
absurd determination [citations].‟ ” (In re Stephanie M. (1994) 7 Cal.4th 295, 318-319,
quoting In re Geoffrey G. (1979) 98 Cal.App.3d 412, 421.) Moreover, “[w]hen two or
more inferences can reasonably be deduced from the facts, the reviewing court has no
authority to substitute its decision for that of the trial court.” (Stephanie M., at p. 319,
quoting Walker v. Superior Court (1991) 53 Cal.3d 257, 272.) Finally, “ „[t]he burden is
on the party complaining to establish an abuse of discretion . . . .‟ ” (Rich v. Thatcher
(2011) 200 Cal.App.4th 1176, 1182, quoting Denham v. Superior Court (1970) 2 Cal.3d
557, 566.)
B.
Rebuttable Presumption that Visitation Is Not in the Child’s Best Interest
We reject Matthew‟s argument the trial court abandoned section 3104‟s
“rebuttable presumption that the visitation of a grandparent is not in the best interest of a
minor child if the natural or adoptive parents agree that the grandparent should not be
granted visitation rights.” (§ 3104, subd. (e).) The trial court‟s statement of decision
stated, “No party should read or consider the court‟s ultimate decision as suggesting that
parental authority does not exist. It does. Rebekah and Matthew each continues to
remain as the child‟s primary authorities. But effectively, Rebekah and Matthew should
comprehend that their conduct of the span of years vitiated . . . the parental authority over
the grandparents‟ access to Riley to the degree that parental authority [for Jeff and Cindy]
to attend public functions where Riley was present, assist in school where Riley attended,
or initiate contact with Riley diminished.”
C.
Best Interests of the Child
We are also not persuaded by Matthew‟s contention the trial court failed to apply
the statutory presumption against grandparent visitation by adopting a “ „child-centric‟
approach.” Although Matthew asserts the trial court endowed the preexisting
20
grandparent-grandchild relationship with undue importance, we conclude the trial court
properly took into account the statutory prerequisite for a grandparent visitation petition
of a preexisting relationship. (§ 3104, subd. (a)(1) [allowing grandparent visitation only
when the trial court “[f]inds that there is a preexisting relationship between the
grandparent and the grandchild that has engendered a bond such that visitation is in the
best interest of the child”].) Subdivision (a)(1) of section 3104 and the trial court‟s
reasoning reflect the reality that Matthew and Rebekah fostered the grandparent-
grandchild relationship at issue in this case. Section 3104 does not create a new
grandparent-grandchild relationship where none previously existed. Instead, section
3104 preserves a relationship allowed by the parents to develop and that requires
safeguarding to protect the best interests of the child. While Matthew and Rebekah have
broad parenting prerogatives, they are not unlimited and do not extend to denying Riley‟s
best interests in preserving an important and continuing relationship with her paternal
grandparents.
In his argument about the presumption against grandparent visitation codified in
section 3104, subdivision (e), Matthew essentially casts the presumption as conclusive
when he argues that “it is absurd to hold that a grandparent needs no parental permission
to have contact with a grandchild if the parent allowed such contact in the past.”
Although a total lack of past contact will preclude a grandparent visitation petition for
lack of a preexisting relationship (§ 3104, subd. (a)(1)), the nature of the preexisting
relationship serves to determine whether the petition may be granted, what the
grandchild‟s best interests require, and the type of visitation that might be appropriate.6
6 In concluding the trial court properly considered the factors set forth in
section 3104, we reject Matthew‟s assertion the trial court erred simply by citing or
considering Firestone and Weinstein, In the Best Interests of Children (2004) 42 Family
Court Review 203.
21
Under Matthew‟s reasoning, even when parents encourage extensive daily
grandparent-grandchild contact, the parents may nonetheless terminate the grandparent-
grandchild relationship without any consideration of the parent‟s role in fostering the
relationship. We disagree. The extent to which parents encourage a grandparent-
grandchild relationship is relevant to overcoming the presumption against granting a
grandparent visitation petition. Matthew‟s change of heart regarding Jeff and Cindy‟s
role in Riley‟s life does not render unconstitutional the trial court‟s consideration of his
earlier conduct in fostering the grandparent-grandchild relationship.
V
Attorney Fees under Section 2030
Matthew challenges the award of attorney fees to Jeff and Cindy under section
2030. Section 2030 provides for awards of need based attorney fees “[i]n a proceeding
for dissolution of marriage, nullity of marriage, or legal separation of the parties, and in
any proceeding subsequent to entry of a related judgment” based on a party‟s financial
ability to pay fees and for whatever amount is reasonably necessary for attorney‟s fees
and for the cost of maintaining or defending the proceeding during the pendency of the
proceeding.” (§ 2031, subd. (a)(1).) Matthew contends section 2030 does not apply to
actions initiated by a grandparent visitation petition under section 3104. However,
Matthew himself asked for attorney fees under section 2030 in the trial court. The trial
court denied his request for attorney fees under section 2030 and granted Jeff and Cindy‟s
request under the same section.
Having requested fees under section 2030 in the trial court, Matthew is judicially
estopped from arguing for the first time on appeal that fees under section 2030 cannot be
awarded in this case. “ „Judicial estoppel prevents a party from asserting a position in a
legal proceeding that is contrary to a position previously taken in the same or some
earlier proceeding. The doctrine serves a clear purpose: to protect the integrity of the
22
judicial process.‟ ” (Jackson v. County of Los Angeles (1997) 60 Cal.App.4th 171, 181
(Jackson), quoting Cleveland v. Policy Management Systems Corp. (5th Cir.1997) 120
F.3d 513, 517.) “The doctrine of judicial estoppel, sometimes referred to as the doctrine
of preclusion of inconsistent positions, is invoked to prevent a party from changing its
position over the course of judicial proceedings when such positional changes have an
adverse impact on the judicial process. . . . „The policies underlying preclusion of
inconsistent positions are “general consideration[s] of the orderly administration of
justice and regard for the dignity of judicial proceedings.” ‟ . . . Judicial estoppel is
„intended to protect against a litigant playing “fast and loose with the courts.” ‟ ” ‟
(Russell v. Rolfs (9th Cir.1990) 893 F.2d 1033, 1037.) „It seems patently wrong to allow
a person to abuse the judicial process by first [advocating] one position, and later, if it
becomes beneficial, to assert the opposite.‟ (Comment, The Judiciary Says, You Can't
Have It Both Ways: Judicial Estoppel -- A Doctrine Precluding Inconsistent Positions
(1996) 30 Loyola L.A. L. Rev. 323, 327 . . . .)” (Jackson, at p. 181.)
Judicial estoppel bars Matthew‟s challenge to the award of attorney fees under
section 2030. For this reason, we conclude Matthew may not challenge the award of
attorney fees under section 2030 after representing to the trial court that such a fee award
could and should be made to him.
VI
Sanctions under Section 271
Matthew challenges the trial court‟s order that he pay sanctions imposed on him
under section 271. He asserts the “order should be reversed because it will have a
chilling effect on parents who seek to defend their constitutional parental rights to care,
custody and control of their children.” Matthew asserts that “the grandparents --
represented by counsel -- engaged in heavy-handed, questionable tactics against the
parents,” and that he and Rebekah should not be punished when they could not afford
23
counsel. However, Matthew‟s assertions do not address the basis for the court‟s
imposition of sanctions.
When imposing the sanctions under section 271, the trial court explained that “the
parents have been less than collaborative as it relates to the grandparents, and disinclined
to further the child‟s interest in both a relationship with her paternal grandparents . . . .”
This explanation followed after the trial court denied Matthew‟s early request for attorney
fees on the grounds of his “obstreperous conduct that has not only increased the length of
this process but fees associated with his lack of prudential insight.” The testimony at trial
supported this observation. Cindy testified that “Matthew has a habit of coming to court
with a lot of ex partes, which raised our fees tremendously.” Vodrey explained the
parents placed obstacles in the way of her evaluation of Riley with her grandparents.
Consequently, the trial court‟s imposition of sanctions is supported by findings and
evidence the litigation costs were unnecessarily inflated by obstructionist tactics by the
parents. On this basis, we affirm the imposition of sanctions under section 271.
VII
Order for Anger Management Counseling for Matthew
Matthew contends the trial court erred in imposing an unlimited anger
management counseling order based on the one-year limitation on such orders imposed
by section 3190. He further contends the trial court erred in failing to make the statutory
findings for counseling required by subdivision (d)(2) of section 3190. Matthew‟s
contentions have merit, and we remand this portion of the order.
A.
Section 3190
Section 3190 provides that the trial court “may require parents or any other party
involved in a . . . visitation dispute . . . to participate in outpatient counseling with a
licensed mental health professional . . . for not more than one year” if the dispute “poses a
24
substantial danger to the best interest of the child” and that “[t]he counseling is in the best
interest of the child.” (§ 3190, subds. (a)(1)&(2).) Ordering counseling under section
3190, subdivision (d), requires that “[t]he court, in its finding, shall set forth reasons why
it has found both of the following: [¶] (1) The dispute poses a substantial danger to the
best interest of the child and the counseling is in the best interest of the child. [¶] (2) The
financial burden created by the court order for counseling does not otherwise jeopardize a
party‟s other financial obligations.”
B.
The Trial Court’s Order Regarding Counseling for Matthew
The trial court‟s statement of decision recounts the court-appointed mediator‟s
conclusion that Matthew “presents as an angry and controlling man. Although he
believes he was mistreated and abused as a child, he later partook of his parents‟
generosity and financial assistance when it benefited him. When it didn‟t, he turned on
them, maligned them and kept their granddaughter from them. This is egregious, and
spiteful behavior from a grown man who has accepted so much from his parents. [¶] . . .
[¶] Possibly, Father is acting out of his untreated mental and/or emotional disorders.
Until father is prepared to have a full psychiatric assessment with follow through on any
recommendations, only his anger issues will be addressed here. The anger can be
managed and minimized through an anger management course.”
Based on this conclusion, the trial court ordered that Matthew, “at his expense,
shall participate in individual counseling with a licensed psychotherapist, within thirty
(30) days. . . . Therapy shall continue until discharged, in writing by the clinician.” (Fns.
omitted.) The trial court qualified the order by noting it was “not imposing a quantitative
measurement of participation (i.e., how many sessions). Rather, the court is focused on
qualitative measurement of success as clinically determined by the counselor that will
promote parental collaboration, and proper focus on the child‟s relationship with each
25
parent.” The trial court contemplated that upon completion of Matthew‟s anger
management counseling he would participate in joint counseling with Jeff and Cindy.
For the joint counseling, Matthew was ordered to pay one-third of the counseling
expense.
C.
Findings
The trial court‟s order does not comply with the requirement of section 3190,
subdivision (d), to make certain express findings. Specifically, the order makes no
express finding whether this dispute poses a substantial danger to the best interest of
Riley requiring an order that Matthew participate in counseling is in her best interest.
Neither does the order make any finding about whether the financial burden created by
the order might jeopardize Matthew‟s other financial obligations. Consequently, we
reverse that portion of the trial court‟s order that requires him to participate in individual
and subsequent joint counseling. On remand, the trial court shall make the findings and
set forth the reasons for the findings required under section 3190, subdivision (d).
D.
Duration
The trial court‟s order that Matthew participate in individual and joint counseling
does not reflect the one-year time limit provided by subdivision (a) of section 3190.
Instead, the order continues Matthew‟s individual and joint counseling indefinitely until
discharged by the counselor. If the trial court‟s findings support a counseling order for
Matthew, the court shall limit the order to require that he obtain individual and joint
counseling for a period of no more than one year. (§ 3190, subd. (a).)
DISPOSITION
The orders (1) granting visitation under Family Code section 3104 to plaintiffs
Jeffrey and Cynthia Stuard, (2) awarding attorney fees, and (3) imposing sanctions are
26
affirmed. The order requiring defendant Matthew Stuard to participate in individual and
subsequent joint counseling is reversed and remanded. On remand, the trial court shall
determine (1) whether this dispute poses a substantial danger to the best interest of Riley
Stuard and counseling for defendant is in her best interest, and (2) whether the financial
burden created by requiring defendant to participate in counseling will jeopardize his
other financial obligations. As required by Family Code section 3190, subdivision (d),
the trial court shall set forth the reasons for its findings. If the findings support an order
for counseling, the court may require defendant to participate in individual and joint
counseling for a cumulative period of not more than one year. In the interests of justice,
the parties shall bear their own costs on appeal. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.278(a)(1) &
(5).)
/s/
HOCH, J.
We concur:
/s/
NICHOLSON, Acting P. J.
/s/
MURRAY, J.
27