Jennifer Sanders v. Bryan Sanders (mem. dec.) ( 2017 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any May 30 2017, 9:43 am
court except for the purpose of establishing
CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE
Andrea L. Ciobanu Margaret M. Christensen
Ciobanu Law, PC Bingham Greenebaum Doll, LLP
Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Jennifer Sanders, May 30, 2017
Appellant-Petitioner, Court of Appeals Case No.
42A01-1606-DR-1340
v. Appeal from the Knox Superior
Court
Bryan Sanders, The Honorable Gara U. Lee,
Appellee-Respondent. Judge
The Honorable Gregory A. Smith,
Special Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
42D01-1101-DR-1
Mathias, Judge.
[1] The Knox Superior Court denied a motion to modify custody filed by Jennifer
Sanders (“Mother”). Mother appeals and presents two issues for our review,
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which we restate as (1) whether the trial court denied Mother due process when
it denied her motion without a full evidentiary hearing, and (2) whether the trial
court erred when it concluded that Mother had not established a substantial
change in circumstances that would justify modification of custody.
[2] We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[3] Mother met Bryan Sanders (“Father”) in college, and the couple married in
December 2004. They moved to Sandborn, Indiana, where Father, who had a
degree in religious studies, was employed as minister at the Sandborn First
Christian Church. Mother, too, had a degree in religious studies and served as
the youth minister for the church. In May 2008, the parties had a daughter,
K.S. (“Daughter”).
[4] In November 2010, the couple separated, and Mother moved in with her
parents in Burton, Michigan, her home town. Daughter remained in Sandborn
with Father. On January 5, 2011, Mother filed a petition to dissolve the parties’
marriage, and Father filed a counter-petition on January 11, 2011, also seeking
dissolution. On February 18, 2011, the parties filed with the trial court a
provisional custody and parenting-time agreement, which the trial court
accepted. The parties then reached a final settlement agreement, which the trial
court approved. The trial court then entered a dissolution decree on March 7,
2011, which incorporated the terms of the final settlement agreement.
[5] Regarding child custody, the settlement agreement provided:
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The parties shall share joint legal custody of the parties’ minor
child. The parents agree that the child’s primary physical
residence shall be with the Father subject to Mother’s parenting
time. The parties have agreed to share parenting time equally.
(See attached Parenting Time Calendar). In the event of a
disagreement they will use the Indiana Parenting Time
Guidelines where distance is a factor. The parties agree to allow
for flexibility and addition or changes of dates as along as each
party is in agreement.
Appellant’s App. p. 33. Attached to the settlement agreement was a parenting
time calendar for the year 2011, with parenting time shared equally. Daughter
was not yet three years old at the time, and she had not yet begun to attend
school.
[6] On May 30, 2012, Mother filed a motion to modify custody. Mother alleged
that there had been a substantial and continuing change in the relationship of
Father and Daughter and in the custodial and living arrangements of both
Mother and Father; she also alleged that the existing custody order was no
longer in Daughter’s best interests. The trial court appointed attorney Shawna
Webster as Daughter’s guardian ad litem (“GAL”). The GAL filed a report on
July 15, 2013, recommending that Father remain Daughter’s primary physical
custodian. The trial court held a hearing on Mother’s petition on November 21,
2013, but instead of presenting any evidence, the parties informed the trial court
that they had reached an agreement. This agreement provided that Daughter
would spend the school year with Father and that Daughter would spend spring
break, summer vacation, and Thanksgiving break with Mother; both parties
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would split Christmas break evenly. The trial court accepted the agreement and
entered an order incorporating the agreement on December 2, 2013.1
[7] Less than one year later, on August 4, 2014, Mother filed another petition to
modify custody, seeking primary physical custody of Daughter.2 The GAL was
unable to attend the scheduled June 23, 2015 hearing on Mother’s petition and
sought to be excused from the hearing or, in the alternative, that the hearing be
continued. The trial court issued an order excusing the GAL from attending the
hearing, but Father requested that the trial court reconsider its ruling and
instead continue the hearing so that the GAL could be present to testify and be
cross-examined. Mother did not file a response to this motion, and the trial
court granted it and set the hearing for November 18, 2015.
[8] On November 4, 2015, the GAL filed a report with regard to Mother’s second
motion to modify custody. This time, the GAL recommended that Daughter
stay with Mother during the school year because the school system where
Mother lived in Michigan offered a more balanced schedule. Under the existing
custody agreement, Daughter was with Father 281 days per year, and with
Mother for 84 days. Under the GAL’s proposed custody arrangement,
1
The agreement itself provided that the effective date of the agreement was November 21, 2013.
2
On August 8, 2014, Mother filed a motion for change of judge. The trial court granted the motion for
change of judge, and Judge Gregory Smith of the Daviess Circuit Court was appointed as special judge on
August 15, 2014.
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Daughter would be with Mother for 229 days per year and with Father for 136
days.
[9] On November 13, 2015, Father filed a motion for the trial court to conduct an
in-camera interview with Daughter, which the trial court granted three days
later. The hearing on Mother’s motion to modify custody was then continued to
March 11, 2016.
[10] At the hearing on the motion to modify custody, both parties appeared with
counsel. The court met with both counsel in chambers before the hearing
began, and Father withdrew his motion for an in-camera interview of Daughter.
When the hearing began, the trial court indicated that it desired to meet the
GAL in person to discuss the GAL’s second report. The trial court also
indicated that it did not need to hear any testimony to make a conclusion but
told the parties that they could submit documentary evidence if they so desired.
Mother’s counsel made no objection to the trial court’s procedure and indicated
that she had no additional documentary evidence to present. Father’s counsel
also made no objection but did submit one exhibit, a school-year parenting-time
comparison he had prepared, and this exhibit was admitted without objection.
The trial court also requested that the parties submit proposed orders.
[11] On April 8, 2016, the GAL submitted a supplemental report in which she
responded to the schedule proposed in Father’s submitted exhibit. The GAL
repeated her recommendation that Daughter attend school with Mother in
Michigan, noting that the balanced schedule permitted Daughter to be with
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both parents each month, whereas attending school where Father lived in
Indiana would require Daughter to be away from Mother for four months.
[12] On May 12, 2016, the trial court issued its order, which provides in relevant
part as follows:
The Court notes that the guardian ad litem, Shawna Webster,
has thoughtfully investigated this family and their current factual
situations and has filed her reports with extensive and detailed
analysis of each of the parties, their feelings and attitudes, the
child in question, and the school calendars of the school systems
that may be involved with this child, as well as the effect on
overnights for each parent.
The Court further notes at the outset that this case is unique
amongst many in that the parents are not bitter or manipulative,
have communicated extraordinarily well, and both truly want the
best for their daughter. By all accounts, neither party has
criticized the other or made any attempt to denigrate the other’s
parenting abilities. However, over the course of the past two
years and after having gone to court previously concerning
custody modifications, it appears that the communication
between the parents has lapsed to a lower level and each parent is
experiencing the paranoia that comes from failing to
communicate and discuss matters, and results in parents
imputing less than honorable intentions to the other parent.
This cause allowed counsel to stipulate to the admission of
exhibits outlining custody and parenting time proposals and the
guardian ad litem’s reports, all without contentious cross-
examination by counsel. Counsel vigorously argued in their
client’s positions in chambers and summarized the same in open
court.
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The Court having taken this matter under advisement and
reviewed the proposed entries, the report and supplement thereto
filed by the guardian ad litem, and the printouts illustrating the
parenting time for each parent under the competing parenting
plans as affected by the school calendars of the North Knox
Indiana School (where [Daughter] now attends), and the year-
round school calendar used in Davison, Michigan, where the
mother now resides.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND:
***
20. At the time of the November 4, 2015 [GAL] report
[Daughter] was in second grade in the North Knox school
systems and “has excelled in school.” The guardian ad litem
reported that her “. . . impressions of Kendall have not changed.
She is a bright, energetic, well-adjusted little girl.”
21. In the interim since the last modification and agreed entry,
the mother continued to live in Michigan. [Mother] had recently
accepted a new position with General Motors at the Flint
Michigan assembly plant. It was closer to her home and she was
able to go from nights to the first shift working from 7:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m.
22. The guardian ad litem also reported that since her last
report [Father] had remarried. His new spouse, Julie Sanders, has
custody of her two (2) daughters, [A.S.], age 16 and [Al.S.], age
15. Both Julie and her daughters moved into the home where
[Father] and [Daughter] reside in Sandborn, Indiana.
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COURT’S FINDINGS AND ORDER:
23. The Court notes that in the guardian ad litem’s first report
in July, 2013, she had recommended against modification
following sound legal reasoning and precedent, including factors
such as: mother’s work schedule (which was nights at that time)
as opposed to father’s very flexible hours as the pastor of his
church. A change at that time would have resulted in [Daughter]
being cared for by her “Nana” [maternal grandmother]. And
while [Daughter] had a great relationship with her Nana, the
guardian ad litem noted that this did not make sense when the
father was perfectly capable and available to care for [Daughter].
Secondly, the guardian ad litem recognized that the burden of
proof was on the mother to show that a substantial and
continuing change in one or more of the statutory factors
affecting custody had occurred. She noted that the mother could
not point to any change in the statutory factors being present
other than “[Daughter] will be attending kindergarten.” The
guardian ad litem acknowledged that she believed in [her] first
report that “both parties should have contemplated this at the
time they entered into the [custody] Agreement.” Therefore, the
guardian ad litem was forced to conclude that there had not been
a change of circumstances sufficient to warrant a modification of
custody. The third concern the guardian ad litem noted was over
mother’s health conditions and concerns that she could not care
for her child if she were suffering from the headaches and
depression [that] she had experienced prior to and following the
dissolution of marriage.
24. In the guardian ad litem’s most recent reports of
November 4, 2015, and the Supplemental Report filed April 8,
2016, the guardian ad litem advocates for possible modification
of the current order and recommends that the parties share joint
legal and physical custody of [Daughter], with [Daughter] living
with her mother during the school year to allow her to take
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advantage of the balanced calendar used by the Michigan school
system.
25. Under the guardian ad litem’s proposal, the parenting time
arrangements of the current order would change from the mother
having eighty-one (81) overnights (plus three overnights if she
travels to Knox County), as opposed the father’s current two
hundred eighty-one (281) overnights. Under the proposed
modification, mother would then have two hundred twenty-nine
(229) overnights to the father’s one hundred thirty-six (136). The
guardian ad litem believed this was in keeping with the parties’
prior attempts to maximize and equalize the parenting time
between the two parents.
26. The guardian ad litem’s November 2015 report shows that
the mother’s position is that she feels she is being cut out of her
daughter’s life or replaced in [Daughter]’s life, and the father feels
harassed by the mother’s additional requests for parenting time,
and he pulled back from doing the extra effort that he used to do
for mother prior to his remarriage [and] [Daughter] beginning
elementary school.
27. The guardian ad litem aptly summed up the parents’
decline in their communication as “both parents react out of fear
of losing their daughter. That time and changes in circumstances
have weakened mother and father’s ability to communicate with
one another.”
28. The Court finds that the only real change has been that the
Michigan school system has a balanced calendar. There is no
evidence or even contention that the Michigan school is better
than the North Knox school system. The only contention is that
it would allow mother to have more overnights and father to be
in the position of having a significant reduction in his overnights.
A role reversal without the required showing.
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29. The Court finds that the mother has not carried her burden
of proof to show that there is a change in one or more of the
statutory factors and that it is in the best interest of [Daughter] to
modify the current custody and parenting time order.
30. While no evidence has been submitted about any change
in the mother’s health or depression, there was some evidence
that she was no longer working nights. However, the Court notes
father’s submission he indicates that she is now back to working
nights, which would raise the same concerns as in July, 2013.
However, having no direct evidence or testimony concerning
those issues, the Court does not consider the same and gives the
same absolutely no weight.
31. While school related issues involving a child can factor
into a custody modification (see In Re Paternity of C.S., 964
N.E.2d 879 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), (where the court considered the
child’s aptitude, maturity and readiness for kindergarten as a
substantial change in circumstances warranting a modification)
there is no evidence here that [Daughter] has done anything but
excel at school and that she is well-adjusted, has lots of friends
and has only attended the North Knox school system. In short,
there is no evidence to show that changing custody and schools is
in [Daughter]’s best interest simply because of the difference in
the school calendars. (See also: In Re the Paternity of E.R.B., 44
N.E.3d 840 (Ind. Ct. App. 201[5])).3
32. Pursuant to Ind. Code 31-17-2-8, the factors relevant to
custody determinations to be considered by a Court are: (1) The
age and sex of the child; while [Daughter] has gotten a couple of
years older she is still a young girl in elementary school. The
3
We note that our decision in E.R.B. was an unpublished memorandum decision. Pursuant to Appellate
Rule 65(D), “a memorandum decision shall not be regarded as precedent and shall not be cited to any court
except by the parties to the case to establish res judicata, collateral estoppel, or law of the case.”
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Court finds no significant change in this factor. (2) The wishes of
the child’s parent or parents; it is clear that both parents would
love to have [Daughter] reside with them all of the time if
possible, so the Court finds no significant change in this factor.
(3) The wishes of the child, with more consideration given to the
child’s wishes if the child is at least 14 years of age; the Court
finds no direct comments from [Daughter] but notes that the
guardian ad litem reports that [Daughter] loves all of her family
and her extended family and is an exceedingly well-adjusted little
girl. The Court finds no significant change in this factor. (4) The
interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child’s
parent or parents, the child’s siblings, and any other person who
may significantly affect the child’s best interest; the Court finds
that the guardian ad litem reported that [Daughter] is extremely
fond of her parents, that she has a great relationship with both of
her parents, and that she has a great relationship with her
stepmother as well as her step sisters, and also enjoys being
around her grandparents and her extended family. The Court,
therefore, finds there has not been a significant change in this
factor. (5) The child’s adjustment to the child’s home. school,
and community; again the Court finds that the guardian ad
litem’s report and the supplement thereto as well for prior report
incorporated by reference in her November, 2015 report all seem
to indicate that [Daughter] is very well-adjusted in her home at
Sandborn and in her school, and is doing great both
educationally and socially, and, therefore, finds there has been no
significant change in this factor. (6) The mental and physical
health of all individuals involved; other than the guardian ad
litem’s concern from her prior reports over the mother’s health
and mental health issues, no new evidence has been submitted
about the mother to show either an improvement or decline in
her health status. There was no evidence concerning any health
or mental health concerns involving the father or stepmother or
any of the stepchildren residing in father’s home. Therefore, the
Court finds that there has been no significant change in this
factor. (7) Evidence of a pattern of domestic or family violence by
either parent; the Court notes that there has not been any
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evidence or even suggestion or inference that there ever was any
pattern of domestic or family violence between these two fine
parents. (8) Evidence that the child has been cared for by a de
facto custodian; The Court finds there has been no evidence to
suggest that a de facto custodian is involved.
33. The Court, therefore, finds that while both school systems
may be equally good schools, the calendar used does not arise to
a substantial and continuing change in one or more [of] the
statutory factors rendering the Court’s current custody order
unreasonable such that it would no longer be in [Daughter]’s best
interest. The fact that [Daughter] aged a year or 2 since the last
order and has started school, and is in fact completing the 2nd
grade as of the date of this order, was or should have been within
the part[ies]’ contemplation at the time of the divorce and at the
time of the last modification and agreed entry in this cause.
34. The real change has been in the parties’ deterioration of
their previously exceptional communications concerning
parenting time that they had exhibited in the past years,
especially prior to [Daughter] beginning elementary school. That
level of communication is in [Daughter]’s best interest and it is
why she is currently doing so well and is so well-adjusted in
school and is so comfortable with all of her family. Both parents
exerting more effort to attempt to regain that prior level of
communication would serve to alleviate a great many of the
other concerns. Mother would “feel” less cut out and father
would “feel” less like he is being pressured. Father should be
aware that his remarriage is not a reason to cut back on his
parental communications about [Daughter] and about parenting
time with the mother. Mother should also keep in mind that time
and distance and just life in general have changed not only in
father’s residence but in her residence, and that it was her choice
to move back to Michigan.
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35. This Court finds that by all accounts from counsel and
from the guardian ad litem and the very highly unusual praise
that [Daughter] has received from all involved that these parents
have done an exceptional job and are very capable of continuing
to work out parenting time plans that will allow Kendall to have
as much access and contact with both parents as possible. The
Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines refer to parenting as
“coparenting.” Thus it is the parents’ jobs to work together as
“co-parents” in raising the child that they both brought into this
world. This demands that each continue to treat the other with
respect and consideration. By all accounts if any two parents can
achieve this level of parenting and communication in the best
interests of their child, [Mother] and [Father] can do so.
36. This Court recognizes that if the parents were interested in
trying to achieve a more equal parenting time arrangement given
the distance involved as is suggested by the guardian ad litem, the
Court would urge the parents to consider agreeing to modify the
current custody parenting time arrangement along the lines as
was suggested by Attorney Webster in her Supplemental Report
of Guardian Ad Litem filed April 8, 2016, as contained in the last
paragraph on page 2 thereof. She points out that under the
proposal with mother having custody, the mother would giving
up all “free time” with [Daughter] to maximize the father’s time,
but recognizes that in the current Order, the converse is not true.
She suggested that additional time could be provided to the
mother by giving her every fall break, Presidents’ Day weekend.
Easter Break, and a week or so of the father’s time from the
summer. She points out that some arrangement would have to be
made so that each parent can plan vacations during the summer
months which may be easier to do under the North Knox school
system calendar.
37. With little or no demonstrated change in any of the
statutory factors or other circumstances rendering the current
custody and parenting time order unreasonable and no longer in
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[Daughter]’s best interests, this Court declines to modify the
custody arrangement as agreed previously between the parties.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND
DECREED that the mother’s Petition for Modification of
Custody is denied.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED
that the parties shall continue to share joint legal custody of
[Daughter], and that [Father] shall continue to be [Daughter]’s
primary and physical custodian. The Court further ORDERS
that the parties confer and arrange a parenting time/visitation
schedule which shall maximize [Mother]’s access to [Daughter].
Appellant’s App. pp. 12-23 (italics in original). From this order, Mother now
appeals.
Applicable Statutory Rule and Standard of Review
[13] Modification of child custody may occur only when a parent can demonstrate
both that (1) “modification is in the best interests of the child,” and (2) “there is
a substantial change in one or more of the factors the court may consider” in its
initial custody determination. Ind. Code § 31-14-13-6. These factors include: (1)
the age and sex of the child; (2) the wishes of the child’s parents; (3) the wishes
of the child, with more consideration given to the child’s wishes if the child is at
least fourteen years of age; (4) the interaction and interrelationship of the child
with the child’s parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly
affect the child’s best interest; (5) the child’s adjustment to home, school, and
community; (6) the mental and physical health of all individuals involved; (7)
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evidence of a pattern of domestic or family violence by either parent; (8)
evidence that the child has been cared for by a de facto custodian. Ind. Code §
31-14-13-2.
[14] In this case, Mother filed the motion to modify custody, and she therefore had
the burden to demonstrate the requisite change in circumstances. See Heagy v.
Kean, 864 N.E.2d 383, 388 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007), trans. denied. By appealing the
denial of her motion to modify custody, Mother appeals from a negative
judgment. See Nunn v. Nunn, 791 N.E.2d 779, 783 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). We will
reverse a negative judgment only if it is contrary to law, meaning that the
evidence points unerringly to a conclusion different from that reached by the
trial court. Id. It is not enough that the evidence might support some other
conclusion; it must instead positively require the conclusion contended for by
the appellant before there is a basis for reversal. Kirk v. Kirk, 770 N.E.2d 304,
307 (Ind. 2002). “[I]t is particularly difficult for a reviewing court to second-
guess a situation that centers on the personalities of two parents battling for
control of a child.” Id. at 308.
[15] Indiana appellate courts have a preference for granting latitude and deference to
our trial courts in family law matters. Wolljung v. Sided, 891 N.E.2d 1109, 1111
(Ind. Ct. App. 2008) (citing Kirk, 770 N.E.2d at 307). On appeal, we will not
reweigh the evidence or judge the credibility of the witnesses. Id. Instead, we
view only the evidence favorable to the trial court’s judgment and the
reasonable inference that may be drawn from this evidence. Id. Judgments in
custody matters generally turn on essential factual determinations and will be
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set aside only when they are clearly erroneous. Id. at 1112. We will not
substitute our own judgment if any evidence or legitimate inferences support
the trial court’s judgment. Id.
[16] Furthermore, it appears that the trial court here voluntarily entered special
findings. In such a situation, the specific factual findings control only the issues
that they cover, and a general judgment standard applies to issues upon which
there are no findings. Stone v. Stone, 991 N.E.2d 992, 998 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013),
aff’d on reh’g, 4 N.E.3d 666. It is not necessary that each and every finding be
correct, and even if one or more findings are clearly erroneous, we may affirm
the judgment if it is supported by other findings or is otherwise supported by the
record. Id. We may affirm a general judgment with sua sponte findings upon any
legal theory supported by the evidence introduced at trial. Id. Although sua
sponte findings control as to the issues upon which the court has found, they do
not otherwise affect our standard of review of general judgment, and we may
look both to other findings and beyond the findings to the evidence of record to
determine if the result is against the facts and circumstances before the trial
court. Id.I. Mother Waived Her Right to a Full Evidentiary Hearing
[17] Mother first claims that the trial court denied her due process when it failed to
hold a full evidentiary hearing on her motion to modify custody.
[18] Procedural due process must be provided to protect the substantive rights of the
parties in child custody proceedings, and an opportunity to be heard is essential
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before a parent can be deprived of custody. Jendreas v. Jendreas, 664 N.E.2d 367,
370 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996) (citing Van Etta v. Van Etta, 583 N.E.2d 767, 768 (Ind.
Ct. App. 1991)). The relevant statutes contemplate an evidentiary hearing to
determine whether there was a substantial change in at least one of the factors
relevant to the children’s best interests and whether modification would be in
the children’s best interests. In re Paternity of R.A.F., 766 N.E.2d 718, 726 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2002) (citing Alexander v. Cole, 697 N.E.2d 80, 83 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998);
Ind. Code § 31-17-2-8; Ind. Code § 31-17-2-21).
[19] Here, the trial court held a meeting in chambers with counsel for both Mother
and Father. At the start of the hearing, the trial court made it clear to both
parties that it did not need to hold a full evidentiary hearing as most of the basic
facts were undisputed. The trial court indicated its desire to meet with the GAL
but stated that it did not feel it necessary to hear any testimony. The trial court
also told both parties that they could submit any documentary evidence they
wished the court to consider. Mother made no objection to this summary
procedure and indicated that she did not have any documentary evidence to
submit to the court.
[20] We find this case to be similar to Bogner v. Bogner, 29 N.E.3d 733, 739 (Ind.
2015), where the trial court held a summary hearing on the father’s motion to
modify his support obligation. Father did not object to this and made no
objection to Mother’s exhibits. Id. On appeal, our supreme court noted:
Summary proceedings function to efficiently resolve disputes by
allowing parties and the court to forego the use of formal rules of
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procedure and evidence and instead allow the court to base its
findings and conclusions upon the arguments of counsel and
limited evidence. Summary proceedings commonly take place
when parties are not disputing essential facts, but rather the legal
outcome compelled by those facts.
Id. Because neither party objected to the summary nature of the proceedings,
the court held that the father had waived any objection to the summary nature
of the proceeding: “if [f]ather did not want to proceed summarily and believed
that a full evidentiary hearing was necessary, that objection should have been raised
at the time of the hearing. Only at that point would it be appropriate for [f]ather to
assert that there was other evidence relevant to the modification
determination.” Id. at 741 (emphasis supplied); see also Reynolds v. Reynolds, 64
N.E.3d 829, 834 (Ind. 2016) (holding that the father failed to preserve any error
regarding the summary nature of contempt proceeding by failing to object to the
form of the proceeding).
[21] Here, Mother was represented by counsel, and when the trial court indicated its
desire to proceed without a full hearing, Mother made no objection. Under
these facts and circumstances, Mother has waived any issue regarding the
nature of the proceedings. See Bogner, 29 N.E.3d at 741.
[22] Mother claims that the present case is more similar to Wilson v. Myers, 997
N.E.2d 338 (Ind. 2013). In Wilson, the father was initially awarded primary
physical custody of the parties’ children. The mother then filed a petition to
modify custody, seeking primary physical custody of the children. Id. At the
beginning of the hearing on the mother’s motion, the trial judge announced her
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intent to rule on the motion. Id. at 339. The father then requested an evidentiary
hearing on custody. Id. The hearing then shifted to the topic of father having
recorded the audio of the family counseling sessions, during which, as
characterized by our supreme court, “[n]o courtroom formalities (and few
civilities) seem to have been observed at all. Parties, attorneys, counselors, and
the judge talked freely, interrupted, and questioned each other without any
semblance of order or procedure.” Id. at 341. The trial court then abruptly
concluded the hearing, saying, “I feel like we’ve wasted a year. And it shouldn’t
go on any longer. I don’t want to have another in-camera. And I don’t
understand why we would need an evidentiary hearing. Because I want to grant
the Amended Motion to Modify Custody to give both the children to [the
mother].” Id. at 339. The court then requested the mother prepare and file an
order consistent with its announced decision, and no witnesses were heard or
other evidence presented. Id.
[23] Our supreme court reversed the trial court, noting that the trial court’s order
contained no mention of whether the modification of custody was in the best
interests of the children, nor was there any mention of a substantial change in
any of the factors a trial court is required to consider in modifying custody. Id.
at 341. Although the trial court referenced “the whole picture” in making its
decision, it provided no insight into what was contained in that picture before
simply announcing that it planned to grant the mother’s motion to modify
custody. Id. The trial court did contact the family counselors directly, but
nothing during those conversations was reflected in the record, and nothing in
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the transcript of the hearing related to any of the factors enumerated in Indiana
Code section 31-17-2-8. Thus, the court could not assume these factors were
considered. Id.
[24] The mother argued that the father had waived his argument with regard to the
trial court’s process by signing a release authorizing the trial court to contact the
counselors, not insisting that the witnesses be sworn, and not filing a motion
requesting specific findings of fact and conclusions of law. Id. The court rejected
this argument, noting that the children were not represented at the hearing. Id.
Accordingly, the court reversed the trial court’s order after concluding, “[W]hat
we are now faced with on appeal is an order directing one parent to hand over
two children to another parent with no mention or hint that doing so is in
accordance with the Indiana Code.” Id.
[25] We consider the present case to be much more similar to Bogner than Wilson.
Unlike the father in Wilson, Mother did not request an evidentiary hearing on
the issue of custody. Instead, like the father in Bogner, Mother did not object to
the trial court’s summary proceeding and did not object to Father’s exhibits or
present any evidence herself. In fact, Mother indicated to the trial court that she
had no other evidence to present. See Tr. p. 5 (“The [proposed parenting-time]
calendars are what they are, they’ll be what they’ll be and as you meet with the
Guardian Ad Litem, I think that’s the issue and you’ll take that under
advisement. So, I have nothing else to submit that way.”).
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[26] To paraphrase the Bogner court, if Mother did not want to proceed summarily
and believed that a full evidentiary hearing was necessary, that objection should
have been raised at the time of the hearing, as only at that point would it be
appropriate for Mother to assert that there was other evidence relevant to the
modification determination. See Bogner, 29 N.E.3d at 741. Having failed to
object to the trial court’s procedure, Mother cannot now present the issue for
the first time on appeal. See id. Moreover, here, unlike in Wilson, it is clear that
the trial court considered the relevant statutory factors and did not announce its
decision from the bench. Indeed, the trial court entered detailed findings
supporting its conclusion and considered each and every one of the required
statutory factors. Moreover, Daughter’s interests were represented by the GAL
in her various reports to the trial court.
[27] In short, we conclude that Mother waived any claim regarding the summary
nature of the trial court’s proceeding by failing to make a contemporaneous
objection. Perhaps Mother believed that a full evidentiary hearing would be
unnecessary, as the GAL’s report recommended modifying custody in Mother’s
favor, but regardless of the reasons, Mother cannot now complain about a
proceeding that she had no objection to at the time.4
4
Mother also summarily claims that “[t]o the extent that Father argues this substantive right is waived,
Mother would assert that this would constitute fundamental error.” Appellant’s Br. at 10. However, Mother
does not further develop this argument, and we therefore consider it waived. See York v. Frederic, 947 N.E.2d
969, 979 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011) (noting that a party waives an issue where the party fails to develop a cogent
argument or provide adequate citation to authority and portions of the record) (citing Ind. Appellate Rule
46(A)(8)(a)), trans. denied.
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[28] Mother argues that she should have been afforded the opportunity to cross-
examine the GAL regarding her supplemental report, which was filed after the
hearing. She also claims that she could not have waived any objection to the
trial court’s consideration of the GAL’s supplementary report because it was
submitted after the hearing. However, the trial court indicated at the hearing
that it desired to meet with the GAL, to which Mother had no objection. As
noted by Father, the GAL’s supplemental report was filed before the deadline
for the parties to submit their proposed entries. Thus, if Mother desired to cross-
examine the GAL regarding the supplemental report or had any objection to
the trial court considering this report, she could have made the trial court aware
of her objection and desire to cross-examine the GAL. Instead, Mother allowed
the trial court to consider the supplemental report without objection. This is not
surprising; in her supplemental report, the GAL repeated her prior
recommendation that Daughter attend school with Mother in Michigan, noting
that the balanced schedule permitted Daughter to be with both parents each
month, whereas attending school where Father lived in Indiana would require
Daughter to be away from Mother for four months. Thus, the trial court’s
consideration of the GAL’s supplemental report could only have helped
Mother’s position, not hurt it, and we fail to see how any cross-examination
would have assisted Mother’s argument. Any error was therefore harmless.
II. Sufficiency of the Evidence
[29] Mother also claims that the trial court’s order was not supported by sufficient
evidence. Specifically, Mother argues that the trial court’s order was not
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supported by any evidence because the trial court did not hold a full evidentiary
hearing. However, it was Mother’s burden as the moving party to establish that
there had been a substantial change in the circumstances and that modification
was in the best interests of the child. See Heagy, 864 N.E.2d at 388. Yet Mother
made no objection to the trial court’s summary procedure and presented no
documentary evidence, nor did she request to present any testimonial evidence.
Instead, it seems that Mother was content to rely on the GAL’s report, which
was favorable to her. This strategy having failed, Mother cannot now change
her mind and request a full evidentiary hearing. If that is what she desired, she
should have made this clear to the trial court or objected to the trial court’s
summary procedure.
[30] To the extent that Mother argues that the trial court could not have sufficiently
considered Daughter’s best interests without a full evidentiary hearing, we note
that the trial court’s duty to consider the best interests of the child is
independent of holding an evidentiary hearing. Indeed, custody disputes are
often resolved by settlement agreements. Regardless of whether there is any
hearing on the settlement agreement, the trial court is still obligated to consider
the agreement of the parties and determine whether the proposed settlement
agreement is in the best interest of the child or children. See Reno v. Haler, 734
N.E.2d 1095, 1100 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000), aff’d on reh'g, 743 N.E.2d 1139 (2001)
(noting that it is the duty of the trial court to determine if the settlement agreed
to by the parents is in the best interest of the child and that no agreement
between parties affecting custody automatically binds the trial court); see also
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Stone, 991 N.E.2d at 1001 (noting that when a trial court reviews a custody
agreement, the “overriding policy concern” is the best interests of the child or
children) (citing Voigt v. Voigt, 670 N.E.2d 1271, 1278 n.10 (Ind. 1996)).
[31] Here, the trial court had before it more than just a settlement agreement. As
detailed in the trial court’s order denying Mother’s motion to modify custody,
the trial court considered the entire history of this case, including the parties’
prior settlement agreements and the reports of the GAL, which dated back
several years. Unlike in Wilson, where there was no indication that the trial
court had considered the statutory factors, here the trial court’s order listed each
statutory factor and explained its reasoning as to why the court did or did not
believe there had been a substantial change in that factor.
[32] Mother further claims that the trial court erred in determining that there was no
change in the relevant statutory factors. We disagree. The trial court entered
detailed findings on each factor, which we address seriatim.
[33] The first factor is “the age and sex of the child.” I.C. § 31-14-13-2(1). Here, the
trial court noted that although Daughter had grown slightly since the last
settlement agreement, she was still a young girl in elementary school. Thus, the
trial court concluded that there had been no substantial change in this factor.
Given the undisputed age of Daughter, we cannot say that the trial court clearly
erred in this conclusion.
[34] The next statutory factor is “the wishes of the child’s parents.” Id. at § 2(2). The
trial court noted that both parents desired Daughter to reside with them full
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time, if possible. Thus, the trial court concluded that there had been no
significant change in this factor, a conclusion we cannot say is clearly
erroneous.
[35] The third factor for the trial court to consider is “the wishes of the child, with
more consideration given to the child’s wishes if the child is at least fourteen
(14) years of age.” Id. at § 2(3). Relying on the GAL’s report, the trial court
determined that Daughter loves both of her parents and her extended family,
and accordingly found no substantial change in this factor. Again, this is not a
clearly erroneous conclusion.
[36] The fourth factor is “the interaction and interrelationship of the child with the
child’s parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the
child’s best interest.” Id. at § 2(4). With regard to this factor, trial court found
that, based on the GAL’s report, Daughter had a good relationship with both of
her parents, her grandparents, and extended family. The trial court also
recognized that Father had remarried and noted that Daughter had a good
relationship with her new stepmother and stepsisters. Mother claims that
Father’s remarriage is a substantial change in the circumstances regarding
Daughter’s interaction and interrelationship with her parents and siblings, but
the trial court was well within prerogative to conclude that, despite the
remarriage, Daughter’s interaction and relationship with her parents had not
substantially changed since the previous custody agreement.
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[37] The fifth factor the trial court that the trial court was required to consider was
Daughter’s “adjustment to home, school, and community.” Id. § 2(5). The trial
court found, based on the GAL’s report, that Daughter was doing well at home
and at school in Indiana and was thriving both educationally and socially.
Mother presented no evidence to the contrary and does not argue that the trial
court clearly erred in this regard.
[38] The next factor the trial court considered was “the mental and physical health
of all individuals involved.” Id. § 2(6). The trial court noted that no new
evidence was submitted concerning any change in Mother’s physical or mental
health status, nor did the GAL note any concerns regarding the health of
Father, his new wife, or his stepdaughters. Thus, the trial court did not clearly
err in determining that there was no substantial change in this factor.
[39] The penultimate factor for the trial court to consider was “evidence of a pattern
of domestic or family violence by either parent.” Id. at § 2(7). The trial court
noted that there was not even a suggestion of any violence by either party,
whom the trial court referred to as “fine parents.” Tr. p. 21. Similarly, there was
no evidence that Daughter had ever been cared for by a de facto custodian,
which is the final statutory factor for the trial court to consider. Id. at § 2(8).
[40] The trial court ultimately determined that the school system in Michigan where
Mother lived and in Indiana where Father lived were both good options.
However, the trial court concluded that the more balanced calendar at the
Michigan school did not rise to the level of a substantial and continuing change
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in any of the above-listed factors. Indeed, the trial court noted that “the fact that
[Daughter] aged a year or [two] since the last [custody] order and has started
school, and in fact is completing the 2nd grade as of the date of this order, was
or should have been within the [parents’] contemplation at the time of the
divorce and at the time of the last modification and agreed entry in this cause.”
Appellant’s App. p. 21. We are unable to say that the trial court’s reasoning in
this regard is clearly erroneous. The parties were well aware that Daughter
would soon be attending school and came to a custody agreement that gave
Father primary physical custody.
[41] As noted by the trial court, the only real change in circumstances was Father’s
remarriage and the subsequent deterioration in the parties’ previously
exceptional communications. Indeed, the trial court chastised the parties for the
breakdown in their co-operation and communication and encouraged them to
restore their once laudable behavior. However, the fact that Father remarried
and that the parties no longer communicated at the level they once did does not
mean that the trial court clearly erred in denying Mother’s motion to modify
custody.
[42] In short, it was Mother’s burden to prove that there had been a substantial and
continuing change in any of the above-enumerated factors and that a change in
custody was in Daughter’s best interests. Certainly, the GAL’s reports would
have supported such a decision by the trial court. However, it is not enough that
the evidence might have supported another decision; it must instead positively
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require the result sought by the appellant. D.C. v. J.A.C., 977 N.E.2d 951, 957
(Ind. 2012). That is simply not the case here.
Conclusion
[43] Mother waived her right to a full evidentiary hearing when she failed to object
to the trial court’s summary procedure and failed to submit any other evidence
or request to submit testimonial evidence. The trial court’s decision was based
on sufficient evidence, and the trial court did not err in denying Mother’s
request to modify custody.
[44] Affirmed.
Baker, J., and Pyle, J., concur.
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