Message
×
loading..

In Re: The Matter of the Paternity of B.G., Minor Child C.G. (Mother) v. R.M. (Father) ( 2012 )


Menu:
  •  Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this
    Memorandum Decision shall not be
    regarded as precedent or cited before any
    court except for the purpose of establishing
    FILED
    the defense of res judicata, collateral
    estoppel, or the law of the case.
    Oct 10 2012, 9:18 am
    ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:                                                    CLERK
    of the supreme court,
    court of appeals and
    tax court
    CAITLIN M. KING
    Hunt, Hassler & Lorenz LLP
    Terre Haute, Indiana
    IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
    IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE                            )
    PATERNITY OF B.G., Minor Child,                     )
    )
    C.G. (Mother),                                      )
    )
    Appellant-Petitioner,                        )
    )
    vs.                                )       No. 77A01-1202-JP-82
    )
    R.M. (Father),                                      )
    )
    Appellee-Respondent.                         )
    APPEAL FROM THE SULLIVAN SUPERIOR COURT
    The Honorable Robert E. Springer, Judge
    Cause No. 77D01-1108-JP-55
    October 10, 2012
    MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION
    CRONE, Judge
    Case Summary
    C.G. (“Mother”) filed a paternity action against R.M. (“Father”) on behalf of herself
    and her infant son, B.G. Genetic testing established Father’s paternity, and Father admitted
    his paternity at a hearing. The trial court issued an order establishing paternity, setting child
    support, and changing B.G.’s last name to Father’s last name. Mother now appeals,
    challenging the provisions in the order that pertain to Father’s income, the parenting time
    credit, retroactivity of support, and the change of B.G.’s last name. We affirm in part,
    reverse in part, and remand.
    Facts and Procedural History
    On April 20, 2011, Mother gave birth to B.G. out of wedlock. Four months later, she
    filed a verified petition to establish Father’s paternity. Mother, Father, and B.G. submitted to
    genetic testing, which indicated with over ninety-nine-percent certainty that Father was
    B.G.’s father. Father admitted to paternity at a December 2011 hearing.
    At the hearing, the Title IV-D Deputy Prosecutor submitted an unsigned, unverified
    child support worksheet to the court to be attached to the final order. The prosecutor told the
    trial court that the parties had agreed to Father paying forty-five dollars in weekly child
    support as indicated on the worksheet. Father’s total support obligation included a parenting
    time credit of $5.76 for fifty-two to fifty-five nights annually. The trial court asked Father if
    he agreed to pay the forty-five-dollar weekly support obligation; Mother was not asked if she
    had agreed to accept that amount. The court also addressed the subject of changing B.G.’s
    last name, and each parent indicated a desire for B.G. to have his/her respective last name.
    2
    In January 2012, the trial court issued an order establishing paternity, setting Father’s
    weekly child support obligation at forty-five dollars, and changing B.G.’s last name to
    Father’s last name. The order made no provision for retroactivity of the child support
    obligation. Mother now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.
    Discussion and Decision
    Mother contends that the trial court erred in calculating child support, in failing to
    apply it retroactively, and in changing B.G.’s last name. At the outset, we note that Father
    has not filed an appellee’s brief. When the appellee fails to submit a brief, we use a less
    stringent standard of review and may reverse if the appellant establishes prima facie error. In
    re Paternity of B.N.C., 
    822 N.E.2d 616
    , 618-19 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). Prima facie error is
    error at first sight, on first appearance, or on the face of it. 
    Id. at 619
    . We will not undertake
    the burden of developing arguments for the appellee. 
    Id.
     The appellee’s failure to file a brief
    does not relieve us of our obligation to correctly apply the law to the facts in the record in
    order to determine whether reversal is required. Vandenburgh v. Vandenburgh, 
    916 N.E.2d 723
    , 725 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009).
    I. Weekly Child Support Award
    A. Father’s Weekly Income
    Mother claims that the trial court erred in ordering child support absent any verified
    evidence concerning Father’s weekly income. A trial court’s calculation of child support is
    presumptively valid, and we will reverse the trial court’s decision only if it is clearly
    erroneous or contrary to law. Saalfrank v. Saalfrank, 
    899 N.E.2d 671
    , 674 (Ind. Ct. App.
    3
    2008). When conducting our review, we do not reweigh evidence; rather, we consider only
    the evidence most favorable to the judgment. 
    Id.
    With respect to calculating the amount of child support owed by the noncustodial
    parent, Indiana Code Section 31-14-11-2 provides in part,
    (a) The court may order either or both parents to pay any reasonable
    amount for child support after considering all relevant factors, including the
    following:
    (1) The financial resources of the custodial parent.
    (2) The standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the parents
    been married and remained married to each other.
    (3) The physical and mental condition of the child.
    (4) The child’s educational needs.
    (5) The financial resources and needs of the noncustodial parent.
    Mother essentially claims that the trial court failed to give proper consideration to
    Father’s financial resources by failing to require that he submit a signed worksheet or any
    other documentation concerning his income. With respect to income verification, Indiana
    Child Support Guideline 3(B) states,
    1. Submitting Worksheet to Court. In all cases, a copy of the worksheet which
    accompanies these Guidelines shall be completed and filed with the court
    when the court is asked to order support. This includes cases in which agreed
    orders are submitted. Worksheets shall be signed by both parties, not their
    counsel, under penalties for perjury.
    2. Documenting Income. Income statements of the parents shall be verified
    with documentation of both current and past income. Suitable documentation
    of current earnings includes paystubs, employer statements, or receipts and
    expenses if self-employed. Documentation of income may be supplemented
    with copies of tax returns.
    4
    Here, the record contains only an unsigned, unverified worksheet submitted by the
    prosecutor and characterized as “the worksheet that we ran.” Tr. at 4. Although it is unclear
    to whom “we” refers, when taken in context with the prosecutor’s statement that the parties
    had reached an agreement regarding the amount of child support based on that worksheet, a
    reasonable inference can be drawn that the parties had contributed the information that
    appeared on the worksheet. Notably, Mother offered no worksheet of her own. The
    unverified worksheet listed Father’s weekly income at $290.00, and used that figure to
    calculate his weekly child support obligation of $45.00. During the hearing, the prosecutor
    twice referenced the parties’ agreement to a weekly child support amount of $45.00, and he
    ultimately requested that the unverified worksheet be attached to the final order. Mother
    neither disputed the prosecutor’s statements nor objected to the attachment of the worksheet,
    and at the end of the hearing, when the trial court specifically asked her if she had any
    questions, she responded, “No.” Id. at 7.
    In short, Mother tacitly agreed to proceed without verified worksheets from her and
    Father. Butterfield v. Constantine, 
    864 N.E.2d 414
    , 417 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). As such, she
    invited the error about which she now complains. See Batterman v. Bender, 
    809 N.E.2d 410
    ,
    412 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004) (“a party may not take advantage of an error that [s]he commits,
    invites, or which is the natural consequence of h[er] own neglect or misconduct.”). Thus, we
    5
    affirm the trial court’s determination of Father’s income as stated on the unverified
    worksheet attached to the final order.1
    B. Parenting Time Credit
    Mother asserts that the trial court erred in giving Father a parenting time credit for
    overnight visits. We may not reverse a parenting time credit determination unless the trial
    court manifestly abuses its discretion. Vandenburgh, 
    916 N.E.2d at 727
    . “No abuse of
    discretion occurs if there is a rational basis in the record supporting the trial court’s
    determination.” Saalfrank, 899 N.E.2d at 681 (citation and quotation marks omitted).
    Indiana Child Support Guideline 6 states, “A credit should be awarded for the number
    of overnights each year that the child(ren) spend with the noncustodial parent.” The
    parenting time credit computation requires a determination of the annual number of
    overnights of parenting time exercised by the parent who is to pay child support, with
    reference to the standard child support obligation worksheet, a parenting time table, and a
    parenting time credit worksheet. Ind. Child Supp. G. 6, Commentary. The parenting time
    table begins at fifty-two overnights annually, the equivalent of alternate weekends of
    parenting time. Id.
    Here, the trial court awarded visitation rights to Father in accordance with the Indiana
    Parenting Time Guidelines. However, Mother claims that due to B.G.’s young age, Father
    was not entitled to overnight visits and therefore was not entitled to a parenting time credit.
    1
    However, we agree with the Butterfield court in “strongly … urg[ing] trial courts in the exercise of
    their discretion to require verified child support worksheets in every case. Failure to do so frustrates not only
    appellate review but also the goals of the child support guidelines.” 
    864 N.E.2d at 417
    .
    6
    Indiana Parenting Time Guideline Section II(A) states in part with respect to infants and
    toddlers under age three,
    1. Overnight Parenting Time. Unless it can be demonstrated that the non-
    custodial parent has not had regular care responsibilities for the child,
    parenting time shall include overnights. If the non-custodial parent has not
    previously exercised regular care responsibilities for the child, then parenting
    time shall not include overnights prior to the child’s third birthday, except as
    provided below.
    ….
    Overnight if appropriate under Rule 1 above but not to exceed one (1) 24 hour
    period per week.
    Mother argues that since Father has not previously exercised regular care
    responsibilities for B.G., he is not entitled to overnight visits until B.G. turns three. We
    disagree. Father was not legally determined to be B.G.’s father until the date of the instant
    order. Thus, it is difficult to see how he could be characterized as failing to “previously
    exercise regular care responsibilities” for B.G. 
    Id.
     The trial court entered the minimum
    parenting time credit representing fifty-two to fifty-five overnights per year, which is
    commensurate with the “one (1) 24 hour period per week” specified in the parenting time
    guidelines. 
    Id.
     As such, the trial court acted within its discretion in giving Father a parenting
    time credit of $5.76 per week. Thus, we affirm the trial court in this respect.
    II. Retroactive Child Support
    Although Mother characterizes her next argument as trial court error in failing to order
    Father to pay a child support arrearage, we find that it is more accurately stated as an alleged
    failure to order him to pay retroactive child support, as required under Indiana Code Section
    7
    31-14-11-5. The statute reads, “The support order … may include the period dating from the
    birth of the child; and … must include the period dating from the filing of the paternity
    action.” 
    Id.
     (emphasis added). An award of retroactive support for the period dating from
    the latter of the two dates listed in the statute is mandatory. Matter of Paternity of A.D.W.,
    
    693 N.E.2d 576
    , 578 (Ind. Ct. App. 1998). Here, the trial court made no provision for the
    retroactivity of its support order. As such, the trial court erred in failing to make the weekly
    child support order retroactive to at least the date that Mother filed the paternity action.
    Consequently, we reverse and remand with instructions to do so.
    III. Change of Last Name
    Finally, Mother challenges the trial court’s order changing B.G.’s last name from hers
    to Father’s. We review the trial court’s decision to change a child’s name using an abuse of
    discretion standard. In re Paternity of J.C., 
    819 N.E.2d 525
    , 528 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). A
    father seeking a surname change for his nonmarital child must prove that the change is in the
    child’s best interest. 
    Id. at 527
    . In determining the best interest of the child, the trial court
    may properly consider “whether the child holds property under a given name, whether the
    child is identified by public and private entities and community members by a particular
    name, the degree of confusion likely to be occasioned by a name change[,] and (if the child is
    of sufficient maturity) the child’s desires.” Paternity of M.O.B., 
    627 N.E.2d 1317
    , 1318-19
    (Ind. Ct. App. 1994). Absent evidence of the child’s best interest, the father is not entitled to
    obtain a name change. See In re J.C., 
    819 N.E.2d at 527-28
     (finding abuse of discretion
    where trial court ignored best interest standard in ordering change of child’s last name).
    8
    At the paternity hearing, the following colloquy took place concerning the change of
    B.G.’s last name:
    THE COURT:           Okay. And you say the parties wish to address the
    child’s last name. Unless [Father] is a convicted child
    molester or is a convicted felon or is a serious violent
    felon or unless there is some really good reason, then we
    will change the child’s name to … [Father’s last name]
    unless the parties agree that it’s to stay [Mother’s last
    name]. Having said that, what do you have to say about
    it?
    [MOTHER]:            Uhm, I would like it to stay [my last name], I mean
    [Father] hasn’t done anything, so I don’t see why he
    would get the [Father’s] name if he hasn’t seen him or
    had anything to do with him.
    THE COURT:           Well, he’s going to pay child support and I guess, I don’t
    know what his intentions are, in regard to this—how old
    is the child?
    [MOTHER]:            Nine (9) months.
    THE COURT:           Nine (9) months old. What do you have to say?
    [FATHER]:            I think he should [have] my name. I would like
    something to do with the kid, just kind of like; I don’t
    think I should have to go to her house to see him. I think
    I should, we should work something out like, I don’t
    know, all the legal stuff first. I mean, I don’t know how
    old does he have to be so like I can get it on the weekend
    or, I mean, she’s going to be there; not like her and her
    mother sitting there like watching me like hawks or
    something, at her house.
    THE COURT:           Well we’re not actually here to determine that but you, I
    mean he does have parental rights; he does have the right
    to see the child …
    [MOTHER]:            Oh, yeah.
    9
    THE COURT:   … and be involved in the child’s life. He’s not any of
    those things that I’ve said; is a convicted child molester
    or a serious violent felon or anything like that?
    [MOTHER]:    No.
    THE COURT:   He is going to be required to pay child support, so; are
    you employed?
    [FATHER]:    Yes.
    THE COURT:   Okay. And you intend to pay your child support?
    [FATHER]:    Yes.
    THE COURT:   Maybe you can work something out. I mean this child is
    nine (9) months old, is very young; there’s no doubt
    about that. There are guidelines, and you can get a copy
    of the guidelines in the Clerk’s Office, Parenting Time
    Guidelines, or we may be able to give you a copy, which
    sets forth what the Indiana Guidelines are for visitation
    of the non-custodial parent, though right now there is no
    order established to that effect. Now that is something
    you can do if you want to. If you are unable to work
    something out. Clearly, you’re far better off for the child
    if you can work together and both raise this child …. So
    having said that, we will change the child’s name to
    [Father’s last name]. The child’s middle name is [A.]?
    [Spelling]?
    [MOTHER]:    Yes.
    THE COURT:   It will be [B.A. Father’s last name]. And we’ll enter an
    order for the Health Department to change the birth
    certificate to reflect that. Do you have any questions,
    [Mother]?
    [MOTHER]:    No.
    Tr. at 5-7.
    10
    Based on the foregoing, it appears that the trial court made its decision to change
    B.G.’s name by applying a presumption that unless Father had a history of certain criminal
    offenses or unless “some really good reason” existed for not changing B.G.’s name to
    Father’s, then it should be changed. Id. at 6. Such analysis does not comport with the best
    interest determination outlined in J.C. and M.O.B. Simply put, the record is devoid of any
    indication that the trial court conducted a best interest inquiry before ordering that B.G.’s last
    name be changed. Thus, we reverse the judgment in this respect and remand for a
    determination of best interest as it pertains to B.G.’s last name.
    Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
    RILEY, J., and BAILEY, J., concur.
    11