Dylan Bartz v. Gina M. McDonald ( 2020 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 19-1458
Filed April 29, 2020
DYLAN BARTZ,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
vs.
GINA M. MCDONALD,
Defendant-Appellee.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Bremer County, Gregg R.
Rosenbladt, Judge.
A father appeals a custody decree placing the parties’ two children in the
mother’s physical care. AFFIRMED.
Lana L. Luhring of Laird & Luhring, Waverly, for appellant.
Heather A. Prendergast of Roberts, Stevens & Prendergast, PLLC,
Waterloo, for appellee.
Considered by Tabor, P.J., and May and Greer, JJ.
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TABOR, Presiding Judge.
Dylan Bartz appeals the district court order granting Gina McDonald
physical care of their two children. He contends he can better minister to the
children’s long-term needs. Because the relevant factors weigh in favor of Gina
having physical care, we affirm the district court.
I. Facts and Prior Proceedings
Dylan and Gina are the unmarried parents of two boys—C.B., born in 2012,
and K.B., born in 2014. Dylan also has an adult son. At the time of the custody
hearing, Dylan was forty-years old, and Gina was thirty-nine.
Gina and Dylan began dating in 2011. For a time, they lived together in a
house Gina owned in Waterloo. Eventually, they moved to the smaller community
of Readlyn. Dylan contributed to the household funds, but Gina paid all the bills
and managed the finances. They lived together until 2016. After splitting up, they
entered into a voluntary shared-care agreement. The arrangement was one-week-
on, one-week-off for each parent. In 2018, Gina moved to the Des Moines area.
Dylan filed for a custody decree and, in a temporary order, the court placed the
children in his physical care.
Dylan is a welder in Shell Rock. He works Monday through Friday, from
6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. He carries employer-provided health insurance for the
children. Dylan lives with his girlfriend, Leslie, and her three school-aged children,
who spend fifty percent of their time with her. He and Leslie bought a four bedroom
house together. C.B. and K.B. share bunk beds at Dylan’s house, and get along
well with Leslie’s children.
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Because of Dylan’s early hours, Leslie gets the children ready for school.
Dylan picks them up after school. The children attend daycare in Readlyn with an
in-home provider, Debra. C.B. started going to Debra’s about three years ago. At
the time of the hearing, C.B. attended kindergarten in the Wapsie Valley district.
After school, he joined his little brother, K.B., at Debra’s home. K.B. and C.B. get
along well.
C.B. has Down Syndrome. He needs regular medical testing and
monitoring for endocrine, skeletal, cardiovascular, and weight issues. Dylan and
Gina agree that, historically, Gina has managed C.B.’s scheduling and treatment.
Dylan testified this division of labor occurred because Gina is “controlling.” In the
same vein, Dylan’s girlfriend, Leslie testified Dylan was a “hands-on” parent. But
she described Gina as rigid and unable to compromise.
Rejecting these characterizations from Dylan and Leslie, the district court
found, “Gina is very organized and detail-oriented, and does a very good job
monitoring C.B. and keeping track of his needs and appointments.”
Gina works in business management and has a history of consistent
promotions. From 2007 until August 2018, she worked at Rada Cutlery, a
manufacturing company in Readlyn. After her split from Dylan, she dated Douglas.
Douglas moved to Des Moines in May 2018. That summer, Gina applied for jobs
in the Des Moines area and received an offer from National Car Wash Solutions.
After negotiating a $21,000 raise and other benefits, Gina took the offer.
Then Gina moved to Des Moines and enrolled the children in daycare. But
when Dylan petitioned for custody, the court entered a temporary order placing
physical care with him. So the children returned to their previous daycare and
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school in Readlyn. Gina had three weekends of visitation each month. She bought
a house and researched schools and other special-needs resources for C.B. in the
Des Moines area. Gina’s boyfriend, Douglas, testified he and Gina took their
relationship slowly in deference to Gina’s children. Douglas has no children of his
own. He first worked as a production supervisor at Titan Tire, then started a new
job at Eagle Iron Works. He lives with Gina in Des Moines.
Several other witnesses testified in support of Gina, praising her parenting
abilities and work ethic. Dylan agreed Gina is a good parent. Dylan also had
witnesses speak on behalf of his parenting skills. When asked to describe Dylan’s
parenting, Gina testified he was “laid back” and a more “go-with-the-flow” type.
Gina expressed concerns about C.B.’s progress on his individualized
education plan (IEP). C.B.’s teacher testified he repeated preschool1 but was on
track to advance to first grade. C.B. had forty-five minutes of individualized special
education each day. And both a speech therapist and occupational therapist visit
him at school. The teacher believed C.B.’s academic performance was improving,
though he was not meeting some goals in his IEP. Overall, the teacher was
pleased with his progress. Gina was in contact with the teacher and asked
appropriate questions about C.B.’s progress. The teacher noted his IEP would
transfer to a new school district.
The court held a custody trial in April 2019. After hearing from the
witnesses, the court granted the parents joint legal custody. The court awarded
physical care to Gina and liberal visitation for Dylan. Dylan appeals.
1 The teacher testified the repetition was more for social development than
academic reasons.
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II. Scope and Standard of Review
The district court tries custody matters in equity so we review the
proceedings de novo. Iowa R. App. P. 6.907. We give weight to the district court’s
fact findings, but we are not bound by them. In re Marriage of Mauer, 874 N.W.2d
103, 106 (Iowa 2016).
III. Analysis
Dylan complains about Gina’s actions before his custody petition. As we
see them, his contentions boil down to a request for physical care. In deciding
which parent should have physical care, we consider the factors in Iowa Code
section 598.41(3) (2018).2 See Iowa Code § 600B.40(2); Ruden v. Peach, 904
N.W.2d 410, 414 (Iowa Ct. App. 2017). The parents agree joint legal custody is
appropriate, but joint physical care is impossible because of the distance between
Readlyn and Des Moines. See In re Marriage of Hynick, 727 N.W.2d 575, 579
(Iowa 2007). “Once it is decided that joint physical care is not in the best interests
of the children, the court must next choose which caregiver should be awarded
2 That statutory list includes:
a. Whether each parent would be a suitable custodian . . . .
b. Whether the psychological and emotional needs and
development of the child will suffer due to lack of active contact with
and attention from both parents.
c. Whether the parents can communicate with each other . . . .
d. Whether both parents have actively cared for the child
before and since the separation.
e. Whether each parent can support the other parent’s
relationship with the child.
....
h. The geographic proximity of the parents.
i. Whether the safety of the child, other children, or the other
parent will be jeopardized by the awarding of joint custody . . . .
Iowa Code § 598.41(3).
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physical care.” In re Marriage of Hansen, 733 N.W.2d 683, 700 (Iowa 2007). We
base our determination on section 589.41(3) and the Winter factors.3 See In re
Marriage of Winter, 223 N.W.2d 165, at 166–67 (Iowa 1974).
When resolving physical care issues, we do not look to “perceived fairness”
for the parents, but “what is best for the child[ren].” Hansen, 733 N.W.2d at 695;
see also Winter, 223 N.W.2d at 166 (“It is not a matter of reward or punishment.”
(quoting In re Marriage of Bowen, 219 N.W.2d 683, 687 (Iowa 1974)). We seek to
“place the children in the environment most likely to bring them to health, both
physically and mentally, and to social maturity.” Hansen, 733 N.W.2d at 695. In
other words, the question is “who can minister more effectively to the long range
best interest[s] of the child[ren].” In re Marriage of Kunkel, 555 N.W.2d 250, 253
(Iowa Ct. App. 1996).
3That list includes:
1. The characteristics of each child, including age, maturity,
mental and physical health.
2. The emotional, social, moral, material, and educational
needs of the child.
3. The characteristics of each parent, including age,
character, stability, mental and physical health.
4. The capacity and interest of each parent to provide for the
emotional, social, moral, material, and educational needs of the
child.
5. The interpersonal relationship between the child and each
parent.
6. The interpersonal relationship between the child and its
siblings.
7. The effect on the child of continuing or disrupting an existing
custodial status.
8. The nature of each proposed environment, including its
stability and wholesomeness.
....
12. Any other relevant matter the evidence in a particular case
may disclose.
Winter, 223 N.W.2d at 166–67.
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Top of mind for Dylan is his original agreement with Gina that they would
raise their children in Readlyn. He emphasizes that even after their separation,
the parents selected a shared-care plan based on the children attending school
and daycare in that community. Dylan reads Gina’s move to Des Moines as
defaulting on their agreement on the children’s best interests. He expresses
disappointment in Gina’s change of plan. But he cites no authority that their
voluntary agreement should carry any presumptive status. True, the conditions of
the prior arrangement are relevant to the stability and continuity of the children’s
care. Taking it a step further, Dylan believes that factor weighs in favor of the
children remaining in Readlyn. But we see other aspects to the stability-and-
continuity question. What Dylan and Gina once agreed was in the children’s best
interests may no longer be in their best interests. When parties submit their
custody dispute to the courts, they place the best-interests determination in the
judge’s hands.4
A. Stability and Continuity of Care
Both Dylan and Gina are capable parents. After our de novo review of the
record, we agree with this district court assessment: “there are no safety concerns
for the children in the care of either parent.” Both parents have stable jobs and
can provide a healthy environment for the children. Both parents have good
4 While parents are presumed to be in a better position to know the needs of their
children, the district court “retains the ultimate decision making power and can find
[an] agreement not to be in the child[ren]’s best interests. Parents do not have the
power to bargain away the child[ren]’s rights.” Child Custody Prac. & Proc. § 4:7
(Agreement of parents) n.2 (collecting cases).
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relationships with the children. But we must still determine in which parent’s care
the children will fare better in the long-run.
The district court decided that parent was Gina. The court held Gina was
more involved and capable of organizing the children’s appointments and
attending to their medical and educational needs. In fact, the court found, “[T]he
evidence is overwhelming that Gina’s skills in those areas are better.”
Gina testified she has taken the lead in addressing the children’s medical
and educational concerns, especially C.B.’s special needs. Dylan agreed Gina
usually took care of medical appointments but asserted he had become more
involved since the temporary order placed the children in his physical care. He
also blamed Gina’s “controlling” nature for the situation.
But the district court did not see it that way. It found Gina’s conduct did not
“reach the level of nitpicking, micromanagement, and interference with the other
parent’s role or parenting time.” We also see little evidence that Gina wielded her
organizational skills in a negative way. Gina admitted to being a meticulous
individual with a strong work ethic—her record of steady employment and jumps
up the career ladder support that characterization. Her talents have also benefited
the children, especially C.B., who is doing well medically and improving
academically. He will continue to have medical needs and require testing and
check-ups in Iowa City and Des Moines. It weighs in Gina’s favor that she has
been diligently seeing to C.B.’s needs while Dylan has taken a more “laid back,”
backseat role.
Dylan claims that Gina minimizes his parenting contributions, urging it is
common for parents to divvy up responsibilities. See, e.g., Van Gundy v. Bolton,
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No. 18-1838, 2019 WL 2145848, at *3 (Iowa Ct. App. 2019) (finding families often
delegated certain tasks to one parent and noting “the parent assuming physical
care will be required to assume duties previously delegated to the other parent”).
Crediting his claim, we do not label either parent as the “primary caretaker” under
their voluntary shared-care arrangement. See Hansen, 733 N.W.2d at 696 (finding
stability and continuity factors tend to favor the parent who has historically had
primary responsibility for the children’s physical care). We recognize parents split
up duties. But Gina’s greater familiarity with the medical history and ongoing
demands of their special-needs child weighs in favor of granting her physical care.
Dylan refutes the notion that Gina will be a more vocal advocate for the
children’s medical and educational concerns. To bolster his position, Dylan
presented testimony from family members and teachers noting C.B. has made
cognitive progress while in Dylan’s physical care. C.B.’s teacher expressed
satisfaction with his academic progress and concern about C.B. moving to a bigger
school district with less personal attention.
Weighing both parents’ involvement in their children’s educational paths,
we find a near equal balance—with a slight tip in Gina’s favor. Dylan alleges Gina
was mistaken about some aspects of C.B.’s current academic status. Gina
expressed concern C.B. wasn’t keeping up with his IEP goals. His teacher felt he
was making progress. But the teacher also testified Gina stayed in touch and
posed appropriate questions on C.B.’s behalf. To her credit, Gina testified to
investigating resources for special needs children in Des Moines. We agree with
the district court that Gina is more proactive than Dylan in foreseeing challenges
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for the children and seeking solutions. This approach will serve both C.B. and K.B.
well in the long-term.
Returning to geography, Dylan argues the children would enjoy greater
stability by remaining in Readlyn with him. He points out Debra has been their
daycare provider for three years and should remain so. But the boys’ time in
daycare will be less critical as they advance through primary school. No question,
children benefit from stability. But stability can be nurtured by the physical-care
parent even when the children live in a different part of the state. See In re
Marriage of Jerome, 378 N.W.2d 302, 305 (Iowa Ct. App. 1985) (recognizing the
mobility of our society).
Plus, Dylan believes the children will benefit from staying in a smaller school
district. C.B.’s teacher testified C.B. was well integrated into his kindergarten class
in Readlyn. But she acknowledged his social skills would allow him to handle a
transition. She believed the Wapsie Valley district served C.B.’s needs. But she
acknowledged the small district had only one other student with Down Syndrome.
In contrast, Gina testified to an array of resources available to children with special
needs in the Des Moines area. The district court found the children were too young
to have integrated fully into the Readlyn community, so moving would not be too
disruptive. The court found any disruption was outweighed by positive factors
associated with the move. See In re Marriage of Hoffman, 867 N.W.2d 26, 36
(Iowa 2015) (finding record did not show children’s educational interests dictated
that they should stay in their original school district). We agree. The record shows
Gina will ensure that both children thrive in their new surroundings.
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On another aspect of stability, the district court worried about Dylan’s
tendency to delegate parenting duties to Leslie. Given Dylan’s early work hours,
Leslie prepares the children for school every morning. The court was reluctant to
rely on Leslie’s skills as a care provider because she is not necessarily a
permanent fixture in their lives. Gina is the primary caregiver when the boys are
with her. Gina’s hours allow her to get them ready in the morning and pick them
up after work, without relying excessively on Douglas. The court found both
significant others were good influences on the children. But it declined to count on
their continued presence when analyzing Dylan’s and Gina’s parenting. We agree
Gina is better able to accommodate the children’s day-to-day care in her schedule.
Dylan and Gina quibble over some parenting decisions the other has made.5 Like
the district court, we do not find those incidents amount to an indelible black mark
against either parent. We conclude Gina is the parent who can minister most
effectively to the children’s long-range best interests and bring them to physical,
mental, and social maturity.
B. Gina’s Motivations
Dylan devotes a separate argument to Gina’s motive for relocating. He
asserts, “The timeline of Gina’s move suggests it was done in haste to fulfill her
personal desire to live near or with her boyfriend.”
In the context of modification cases, we consider whether a parent’s move
was motived by a desire to undermine the other parent’s visitation rights or overall
5For example, Gina was concerned about the children’s progress in potty training
and an incident involving C.B.’s eyeglasses; Dylan worries about Gina “babying”
C.B. and that Gina could not attend a special awards ceremony for C.B.
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relationship with the children. See In re Marriage of Frederici, 338 N.W.2d 156,
160 (Iowa 1983). If that analysis is relevant here, we find nothing in the record to
suggest Gina moved to disrupt the shared-care arrangement with Dylan or to
weaken his relationship with the boys. Gina testified to several motives for her
move. The district court summarized,
[T]he employment offered by National Car Wash Solutions to Gina
was an attractive option for her, and the Court finds that it was much
to Gina’s advantage to accept this offer as a career advancement.
This does not seem to be an impulsive situation on Gina’s part. It
involved a significant betterment for her career and salary, and also
brought her closer to extended family in southwest Iowa.
No doubt, being near Douglas was another reason for Gina’s move. But that
motivation does not affect the physical-care calculus. See In re Marriage of Behn,
416 N.W.2d 100, 101 (Iowa Ct. App. 1987) (finding mother’s moves with her new
husband did not justify change in physical care). We do not fault Gina for pursuing
career advancement. She did not use the move as an excuse to limit Dylan’s
parenting time.
C. Support for Other Parent’s Relationship with Children
Dylan next complains about Gina’s “lack of regard for [his] right as a joint
legal custodian” before entry of the temporary custody order. He faults Gina for
moving to Des Moines and enrolling the children in school and daycare without
consulting him. She also found new doctors and dentists for the children. Dylan
claims these unilateral actions violated his custodial rights. We disagree. Text
records between the parents show Gina tried several times to discuss her move
with Dylan and was rebuffed. Like the district court, we find “Gina has
demonstrated a good ability to co-parent with Dylan.”
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Because we find Gina edges out Dylan as the parent better able to minister
to the children’s long-term needs, we affirm the district court order granting her
physical care. Dylan will maintain liberal visitation rights.
D. Appellate Attorney Fees
Gina asks for appellate attorney fees. Iowa courts may award the prevailing
party reasonable attorney fees in a proceeding to determine custody or visitation
and on appeal from that proceeding. Iowa Code § 600B.26; see Markey v. Carney,
705 N.W.2d 13, 27 (Iowa 2005). The district court held the parties responsible for
their own attorney fees. We do the same on appeal. Although Gina prevailed on
appeal, we do not find Dylan is in a better financial position to contribute to her
representation. But we do assess the costs of the appeal to Dylan.
AFFIRMED.