Jason Wood v. Michelle Ann Critz ( 2023 )


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  •                    RENDERED: JANUARY 6, 2023; 10:00 A.M.
    TO BE PUBLISHED
    Commonwealth of Kentucky
    Court of Appeals
    NO. 2021-CA-0902-MR
    JASON WOOD                                                                   APPELLANT
    APPEAL FROM SIMPSON FAMILY COURT
    v.               HONORABLE G. SIDNOR BRODERSON, JUDGE
    ACTION NO. 19-CI-00115
    MICHELLE ANN CRITZ AND BRIAN
    STRAIN                                                                       APPELLEES
    OPINION
    AFFIRMING
    ** ** ** ** **
    BEFORE: CLAYTON, CHIEF JUDGE; CETRULO AND K. THOMPSON,
    JUDGES. 1
    THOMPSON, K., JUDGE: This case concerns the right of Brian Strain to
    intervene post-judgment in a dissolution action between Jason Wood and Michelle
    Ann Critz to establish himself as the biological father of S.J.W. and thereby seek
    1
    Judge Kelly Thompson authored this Opinion before his tenure with the Kentucky Court of
    Appeals expired on December 31, 2022. Judge Denise G. Clayton concurred in this Opinion
    prior to her retirement from the Court of Appeals. Release of this Opinion was delayed by
    administrative handling.
    custody and timesharing rights. Jason appeals from the February 24, 2021 order
    sustaining Brian’s motion to intervene and the July 15, 2021 order sustaining
    Brian’s motion to amend final judgment pursuant to Kentucky Rules of Civil
    Procedure (CR) 60.02. We affirm because Brian’s motion to intervene was timely
    under the circumstances, his motion for CR 60.02 relief was brought within a
    reasonable amount of time given the fraud that occurred which prevented his
    appearance to be heard regarding paternity in the dissolution matter, and the DNA
    test warranted relief.
    Jason and Michelle married in 2011 and three children were born
    during their marriage, H.W.W., K.A.W., and S.J.W. (collectively the children).
    S.J.W., a boy, was the youngest.
    Michelle was having an affair with Brian in 2015 when she became
    pregnant with S.J.W. Michelle informed Brian in March or April of 2015 that she
    was pregnant and that he could be the father. Michelle offered to have prenatal
    paternity testing done if Brian would pay for it. It is disputed whether Brian
    agreed, but no testing was ultimately performed. S.J.W. was born in November
    2015.
    According to Jason’s deposition testimony, based upon his marital
    interactions with Michelle, he had no reason to doubt that S.J.W. was his child. It
    was not until 2017 that he became suspicious that S.J.W. might not be his
    -2-
    biological child based on Michelle’s behavior. In July 2017, Jason used an over-
    the-counter DNA test to test himself and S.J.W. The online results he received
    indicated that he was not S.J.W.’s father and when confronted, Michelle
    acknowledged that S.J.W. was not Jason’s child but would not tell him who was.
    According to Michelle’s and Brian’s discovery admissions, Michelle
    informed Brian of the result of Jason’s test. Later in July 2017, Brian then also
    took an over-the-counter DNA test which indicated that he was S.J.W.’s father.
    According to Brian, Michelle told him that they did not want him in S.J.W.’s life
    and wanted him to sign over his rights, but when Brian said he wanted to be
    involved, Michelle stopped communicating with him.
    On March 27, 2019, Jason filed a petition for dissolution and stated
    that the three children were “born of this marriage” and requested joint custody
    with Michelle to be the primary residential custodian and Jason to have parenting
    time. Michelle’s response and the parties’ property settlement agreement were
    filed simultaneously. Michelle admitted to the allegations in the petition. The
    agreement specified “[t]he parties have three infant children” and “shall have joint
    custody of their children[.]” Jason agreed to pay child support in the amount of
    $200 per week. The tax benefit for the three children was divided between them.
    Jason and Michelle did not raise any issue as to S.J.W.’s paternity in
    the dissolution action. Brian admitted learning at some point that Jason and
    -3-
    Michelle were divorcing but disputes that Michelle informed him of this or
    communicated anything about how the dissolution proceeding related to his
    paternity rights.
    On September 16, 2019, the decree of dissolution of marriage was
    entered, adopting Jason’s and Michelle’s property settlement agreement.2
    Immediately thereafter, despite receiving child support from Jason for all three
    children, Michelle sought child support from Brian through the Simpson County
    Child Support Office. On October 8, 2019, in 19-J-00118, a paternity action was
    filed on her behalf. Brian appeared with counsel and opposed paying child
    support. Pursuant to a court order, a DNA test was performed and on October 24,
    2019, the results revealed that Brian was the biological father of S.J.W.
    Jason filed a motion to intervene in the paternity action and a motion
    to dismiss based on the decree. According to Brian, he first learned on December
    10, 2019, during an evidentiary hearing that paternity of S.J.W. had already been
    adjudicated pursuant to the decree of dissolution on September 16, 2019. On
    December 18, 2019, Jason’s motion to intervene was granted and the paternity
    2
    That same day, an amended property agreement was filed which modified the agreement as to
    the children to be a split custody arrangement with alternating weeks of parenting time, with
    Jason continuing to pay $200 a week of child support. While the original property agreement
    was named in the pre-drafted findings of fact and conclusions of law and the decree of
    dissolution that the court signed, it appears that the parties followed the split custody
    arrangement.
    -4-
    petition was dismissed without prejudice on the basis of the decree having
    previously determined paternity.
    According to Brian and Michelle, after the paternity action was
    initiated, Michelle allowed Brian to have visits with S.J.W. during the weeks she
    had physical possession of the children, with Brian beginning with supervised
    visits and culminating with him having overnight visits. He had about one visit per
    week when Michelle had the children. Brian stated that he had fifteen to twenty
    overnight visits with S.J.W. However, Jason disputed that this frequency of visits
    took place based on what he had heard from the children. It is undisputed that
    Brian never provided any monetary support for S.J.W. other than providing for
    S.J.W. during visits.
    On October 13, 2020, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services
    filed a dependency, neglect, and abuse petition against Michelle based upon her
    driving the children in her vehicle when she was intoxicated and removed the
    children from her care. Regarding S.J.W., this was in 19-J-0090-003. Following
    the removal of the children from Michelle’s care, the children were placed with
    Jason, who was granted temporary custody, and Michelle had supervised visits. At
    this time, Brian ceased to have any visits with S.J.W.
    On October 20, 2020, Brian filed simultaneous motions to intervene
    and amend the final judgment in the dissolution action pursuant to CR 60.02. He
    -5-
    argued he was the biological father of S.J.W. and sought a finding to that effect so
    that he could pursue custody and timesharing. Jason opposed Brian’s motions to
    intervene and amend the final judgment; Michelle took no position on Brian’s
    motions. Extensive discovery then took place regarding Brian’s knowledge of
    S.J.W.’s parentage and the visitation he had engaged in with S.J.W.
    According to Jason’s deposition testimony, Brian showed up at
    S.J.W.’s fifth birthday party which caused problems. Jason explained that
    afterwards he was instructed by either the Cabinet or the family court in the
    dependency, neglect, and abuse action, that Brian was not to have contact with
    S.J.W.
    On December 17, 2020, Brian also filed a motion to intervene in the
    dependency, neglect, and abuse case to establish temporary visitation. On January
    15, 2021, Brian filed a separate paternity action in 21-CI-00019.
    On February 24, 2021, the family court summarily granted Brian’s
    motion to intervene in the dissolution action and continued his motion to amend,
    scheduling an evidentiary hearing. Jason filed a motion to alter, amend, or vacate
    this order.
    On April 5, 2021, Brian’s motion to intervene in the dependency,
    neglect, and abuse action was denied because he had never been adjudicated to be
    S.J.W.’s parent.
    -6-
    On July 15, 2021, two orders were entered in the dissolution
    proceeding, an order denying Jason’s motion to alter, vacate, or amend the order
    granting Brian’s motion to intervene, and an order sustaining Brian’s motion to
    amend the final judgment pursuant to CR 60.02. As to the denial of the motion to
    alter, amend, or vacate, the family court considered the factors enumerated in
    Carter v. Smith, 
    170 S.W.3d 402
    , 408 (Ky. App. 2004), regarding whether
    intervention was warranted post-decree. The family court considered the history as
    to what had transpired in the dissolution and paternity cases. It found that the
    purpose of intervention to adjudicate paternity rights was distinct from a property
    rights case as it involved Brian’s fundamental constitutional rights. The family
    court indicated “the best interests of [S.J.W.] must be considered, and [Brian’s]
    rights as a biological parent are significant.” The family court found that, in
    considering the length of time Brian knew or should have known of his interest in
    the case, “one could certainly argue that [Brian] did not move very fast, but given
    the circumstances, the Court can understand that [Brian] did not do more than he
    did prior to the DNA test with the Simpson County Child Support Office.” As to
    prejudice, the family court explained:
    The Court is sympathetic to [Jason] when considering
    this factor, as [Jason] has treated [S.J.W.] as a . . . [son],
    but at the same time, the Court does not think that the
    intervention poses any undue prejudice to [Jason].
    Ultimately, the Court will have to make a decision
    considering the best interest factors as to what
    -7-
    relationship, if any, [Brian] and [Jason] will have to
    [S.J.W.]
    As to unusual factors, the family court found “the underlying acts in this action are
    somewhat unusual but not unheard of, and it is certainly not the norm.” Finally,
    the family court concluded that Brian’s special burden for post-judgment
    intervention was met, explaining further:
    The Court finds that considering all facts and
    circumstances, [Brian] could have acted sooner. As
    indicated, [Brian] could have filed an action all on his
    own, as early as the birth of [S.J.W.], but he did not. It is
    understandable under the facts and circumstances, as
    [Brian] was not familiar with the law as a layman, and he
    was unsure what he could or could not do before he hired
    legal counsel. If this was neglect, it was excusable
    neglect, and the Court finds that the issue regarding
    timeliness has been overcome.
    The family court granted Brian’s motion to amend the final judgment
    on the basis that he was a party to the action, the court had subject matter
    jurisdiction, and relief was proper pursuant to CR 60.02(f). The family court
    explained its reasoning as follows:
    The Court finds this is a case with an extraordinary
    nature, because it involves the constitutional rights of the
    minor child’s biological parents. The Court finds that
    such rights were not addressed in the divorce action by
    [Brian], as he was not a Party to such action, and one or
    both of the legal parents knew there was a high chance
    that [Brian] was [S.J.W.]’s biological father, yet gave
    [Brian] no notice of the divorce action.
    -8-
    Jason appeals from the February 24, 2021 order allowing Brian to
    intervene, and the July 15, 2021 order granting Brian’s motion to amend the final
    judgment, both of which were designated as final and appealable orders for which
    there is no just cause for delay.3
    We first consider the timeliness of the motion to intervene. Jason
    argues that the family court abused its discretion in allowing Brian to intervene in
    the dissolution action because his motion to intervene was untimely under CR
    24.01 and CR 24.02, given an appropriate application of the Carter factors. Jason
    specifically argues that Brian was well aware that he could be S.J.W.’s father
    during Michelle’s pregnancy, was aware he was the father prior to the divorce
    based on the over-the-counter paternity test, waited too long to attempt to
    intervene, and had no meaningful parental relationship with child.
    Brian in contrast argues that permitting his intervention was not an
    abuse of discretion because he had a fundamental right to parent, custodial actions
    are never final, and he only learned about the decree adjudicating paternity in
    December 2019. Brian also argues that Jason and Michelle intentionally concealed
    3
    After the appeal was filed, the family court held an evidentiary hearing regarding Jason’s,
    Michelle’s, and Brian’s rights to custody and timesharing of S.J.W. It appears that the family
    court ruled Jason was a de facto custodian of S.J.W. and ordered that Jason and Michelle have a
    split custody timesharing arrangement regarding all the children, with Brian ultimately awarded
    some limited timesharing with S.J.W.
    -9-
    the dissolution proceedings from him and the material fact that Jason was being
    adjudicated S.J.W.’s father, and Jason’s hands are subsequently unclean because
    he perpetrated a fraud on the court by representing that S.J.W. was a child born of
    the marriage. Brian emphasizes that it is the best interests of S.J.W. which are
    paramount and that he had an established relationship with S.J.W.
    CR 24.01(1) provides in relevant part:
    Upon timely application anyone shall be permitted to
    intervene in an action . . . (b) when the applicant claims
    an interest relating to the property or transaction which is
    the subject of the action and is so situated that the
    disposition of the action may as a practical matter impair
    or impede the applicant’s ability to protect that interest,
    unless that interest is adequately represented by existing
    parties.
    We review whether Brian’s motion to intervene was timely under the
    abuse of discretion standard. Carter, 
    170 S.W.3d at 408
    . We apply the five-factor
    test as set out in Carter to determine timeliness:
    (1) [T]he point to which the suit has progressed; (2) the
    purpose for which intervention is sought; (3) the length
    of time preceding the application during which the
    proposed intervenor knew or reasonably should have
    known of his interest in the case; (4) the prejudice to the
    original parties due to the proposed intervenor’s failure,
    after he or she knew or reasonably should have known of
    his or her interest in the case, to apply promptly
    for intervention; and (5) the existence of unusual
    circumstances militating against or in favor
    of intervention.
    -10-
    Carter, 
    170 S.W.3d at 408
     (quoting Grubbs v. Norris, 
    870 F.2d 343
    , 345 (6th Cir.
    1989)). We also recognize that “intervention may be allowed under certain
    circumstances even after the judgment has been entered, although . . . the applicant
    would have to overcome a special burden to justify the apparent lack of
    timeliness.” 
    Id.
    We are confident that the family court adequately addressed these
    factors and acted appropriately within its discretion in determining that under the
    specific facts of this case Brian’s intervention was timely. While we agree that the
    evidence establishes that Brian was aware of the fact that he could be S.J.W.’s
    biological father before S.J.W. was born, we do not think this precludes his
    intervention being timely under the circumstances. These circumstances include
    the importance of Brian’s interest having a constitutional dimension and his lack of
    knowledge that paternity could be and was resolved in the dissolution action until
    December 2019. It is significant that paternity was resolved in the dissolution
    action without any notice to Brian or notice to the family court that the parties had
    reason to believe that Jason was not the biological father of S.J.W. We believe that
    had the family court received such information, it would not have simply entered
    the agreed upon judgment but would have instead required notice to Brian for his
    participation in such action; had that happened and Brian chosen not to participate,
    Brian seeking to act now might well be untimely. However, that is not what
    -11-
    occurred. Under these circumstances, we do not believe that Jason has established
    that the family court abused its discretion in determining that Brian’s motion to
    intervene was timely.
    As to whether substantively Brian should have been allowed to
    intervene, we review the grant of intervention under the clearly erroneous standard.
    Carter, 
    170 S.W.3d at 409
    . Having determined that the motion was timely filed,
    we consider whether Brian “has an interest relating to the subject of the action, that
    his ability to protect his interest may be impaired or impeded, and that none of the
    existing parties could adequately represent his interests.” 
    Id. at 409-10
    . There can
    be no doubt that Brian’s claim to have a right to custody and timesharing as
    S.J.W.’s father is an interest that he is entitled to protect through intervention. The
    contrary finding in the dissolution action was impeding his ability to claim
    paternity and the related custodial and timesharing rights available due to such a
    status, and neither Jason nor Michelle could or did adequately represent his
    interests. See Baker v. Webb, 
    127 S.W.3d 622
    , 625 (Ky. 2004) (explaining that
    relatives who have priority of placement for a child placed for adoption are thereby
    vested “with a sufficient, cognizable legal interest in the adoption proceeding of
    this child”); A. H. v. W. R. L., 
    482 S.W.3d 372
    , 374 (Ky. 2016) (explaining that CR
    24.01(1)(b) is applicable to allow intervention in an adoption action to someone
    “claiming a cognizable legal interest – i.e. maintaining a relational connection with
    -12-
    the child, either through custody or visitation”). Therefore, the family court
    allowing Brian to intervene in the dissolution action was not clearly erroneous.
    As to whether CR 60.02 relief was warranted, Brian sought relief
    pursuant to CR 60.02, generally asserting as grounds (b) and (f), and the family
    court granted relief pursuant to CR 60.02(f). Jason argues that the family court
    abused its discretion in granting Brian CR 60.02(f) relief as his grounds for relief
    were really founded in CR 60.02(b), and more than a year had elapsed between
    when Brian knew he was S.J.W.’s biological father and the filing. He asserts that
    Brian had no justification for the delay of more than a year in acting even after
    formal testing had revealed he was S.J.W.’s biological father. Jason argues
    granting CR 60.02 relief was unwarranted given Brian’s prior knowledge of his
    paternity and his failure to act constituted waiver of his rights. Finally, Jason
    argues he established a parental relationship with S.J.W. and had become the
    equitable father of S.J.W.
    Brian argues relief was appropriate pursuant to CR 60.02(f) based on
    his constitutional rights as S.J.W.’s biological parent. He emphasizes that Jason
    and Michelle failed to provide him any notice in the dissolution action. Brian
    argues that Jason knew he was not the biological father of S.J.W. prior to his
    initiation of the dissolution action, but Jason nevertheless indicated the children
    were born of the marriage and sought joint custody of them, which “was an
    -13-
    assertion of fraud upon the trial court.” While Brian recognizes that there is a
    rebuttable legal presumption that a child born during a marriage is the child of the
    husband and wife pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 406.011, he
    argues here it was overcome by DNA testing in the paternity action and CR
    60.02(f) relief is thus appropriate. Brian argues that his potential knowledge of his
    paternity prior to the entry of the decree is not the same as him making a knowing
    and voluntary waiver of his fundamental constitutional right to parent.
    “CR 60.02, is a safety valve, error correcting device for trial courts.”
    Kurtsinger v. Board of Trustees of Kentucky Retirement Systems, 
    90 S.W.3d 454
    ,
    456 (Ky. 2002). “[CR 60.02] is designed to allow trial courts a measure of
    flexibility to achieve just results and thereby ‘provides the trial court with
    extensive power to correct a judgment.’” 
    Id.
     (quoting Fortney v. Mahan, 
    302 S.W.2d 842
    , 843 (Ky. 1957)).
    CR 60.02 provides in relevant part as follows:
    On motion a court may, upon such terms as are just,
    relieve a party or his legal representative from its final
    judgment, order, or proceeding upon the following
    grounds: . . . (b) newly discovered evidence which by
    due diligence could not have been discovered in time to
    move for a new trial under Rule 59.02; (c) perjury or
    falsified evidence; (d) fraud affecting the proceedings,
    other than perjury or falsified evidence; . . . or (f) any
    other reason of an extraordinary nature justifying relief.
    The motion shall be made within a reasonable time, and
    on grounds (a), (b), and (c) not more than one year after
    the judgment, order, or proceeding was entered or taken.
    -14-
    As explained in Kurtsinger, “the broad discretion of the trial court” to
    grant relief pursuant to CR 60.02 is “not [to be] disturbed unless the trial judge
    abused his/her discretion.” Kurtsinger, 90 S.W.3d at 456. “Two of the factors to
    be considered by the trial court in exercising its discretion are whether the movant
    had a fair opportunity to present his claim at the trial on the merits and whether the
    granting of the relief sought would be inequitable to other parties.” Fortney, 302
    S.W.2d at 843 (citations omitted).
    Importantly, “it is well-settled that an appellate court may affirm a
    lower court for any reason supported by the record.” McCloud v. Commonwealth,
    
    286 S.W.3d 780
    , 786 n.19 (Ky. 2009). We interpret Brian’s motion for CR 60.02
    relief as implicating CR 60.02 generally, although he suggested that (b) and (f)
    were the grounds most likely to have merit. While the family court appropriately
    granted relief pursuant to CR 60.02(f), we believe that the record supports relief
    based on CR 60.02(d) better than CR 60.02(f) and focus our discussion on CR
    60.02(d). While CR 60.02(b) and (c) could also be implicated, relief subject to
    those subsections would be untimely.
    In Terwilliger v. Terwilliger, 
    64 S.W.3d 816
     (Ky. 2002), the Kentucky
    Supreme Court thoroughly discussed the distinction between fraud under CR
    60.02(c) as compared with (d). It also rejected the dichotomy of “intrinsic” versus
    -15-
    “extrinsic” fraud in overruling Rasnick v. Rasnick, 
    982 S.W.2d 218
     (Ky.App.
    1998). The Court’s reasoning in Terwilliger is instructive:
    The Court in Rasnick held that nondisclosure of
    assets in a divorce proceeding does not constitute “fraud
    affecting the proceedings” within the meaning of CR
    60.02(d). The Rasnick decision draws a distinction
    between fraud intrinsic to the proceedings, such as
    perjury or nondisclosure during pretrial discovery which
    causes injury to a single litigant, and “extrinsic” fraud,
    which, the Court held, constitutes “fraud affecting the
    proceedings.” In reexamining the Rasnick decision,
    which relies primarily upon decisions from other
    jurisdictions, this Court finds that the definition of “fraud
    affecting the proceeding” utilized by the Court in Rasnick
    is an overly restrictive conception of CR 60.02(d). It is
    the finding of this Court that fraud on a party is, in fact,
    “fraud affecting the proceedings.” As Appellant notes,
    by filing a settlement agreement with knowingly
    undervalued marital assets, Mr. Terwilliger used the
    proceedings as a tool to defraud his wife.
    Whatever popularity the distinction between
    intrinsic and extrinsic fraud may have enjoyed in the
    past, the judicial tide is turning against the distinction in
    favor of equity. According to the leading authority on the
    Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure,
    As a general proposition [fraud affecting the
    proceedings] relates to what is denominated
    ‘extrinsic’ fraud. This covers fraudulent conduct
    outside of the trial which is practiced upon the
    court, or upon the defeated party, in such a manner
    that he is prevented from appearing or presenting
    fully and fairly his side of the case.
    The distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic
    fraud has been widely criticized and has been
    rejected by more recent [federal] decisions.
    -16-
    7 Kurt A. Philipps, Jr., Kentucky Practice, CR 60.02,
    cmt. 6 (5th Ed. 1995). Our rule, however, does
    distinguish between fraud affecting the proceedings as
    discussed herein, and the presentation of perjury or
    falsified evidence, which is clearly a fraud upon the
    court. This distinction is important because the latter can
    be raised only “not more than one year after the
    judgement,” CR 60.02, while the former must be “made
    within a reasonable time.” Thus, it appears that fraud
    perpetrated in the courtroom or through testimony under
    oath is subject to a one-year limitation while fraud
    occurring outside the courtroom that interferes with
    presentation of the losing party’s evidence to the extent
    that he or she is “prevented from appearing or
    presenting fully and fairly his side of the case” is not
    subject to that limitation. 7 Kurt A. Philipps, Jr.,
    Kentucky Practice, CR 60.02, cmt. 6 (5th Ed. 1995).
    Philipps goes on to say: “It may be said the language
    specifying [fraud upon the proceeding] is quite broad and
    allows for flexibility in the determination of what
    constitutes ‘fraud affecting the proceedings’ where the
    net effect would cause an unjust judgment to stand.” 
    Id.
    While finality of judgment is a laudable goal, it cannot
    take precedence over the fair and equitable resolution of
    disputes.
    Terwilliger, 64 S.W.3d at 818-19 (emphasis added). The Court went on to discuss
    applicable cases, including Burke v. Sexton, 
    814 S.W.2d 290
     (Ky.App. 1991),
    where the wife allowed an unconscionable settlement agreement to become final
    because the husband misled the wife into believing he was no longer pursuing a
    divorce. The circuit court allowed the wife to reopen under these circumstances
    and the settlement agreement was overturned, and when the husband appealed, the
    -17-
    Court of Appeals affirmed. The Terwilliger Court explained the reasoning in
    Burke and why it was correct:
    the Court of Appeals found this sort of situation to fall
    under CR 60.02(d) as a “fraud affecting the
    proceedings.” . . . While in [Burke and Terwilliger] a
    fraud was perpetrated against a party to the dispute, the
    ultimate result was a fraud against the court. Both in the
    case at bar, and as noted by the court in Burke, [
    814 S.W.2d at 292
    ,] allowing the original decree to stand
    would be a miscarriage of justice.
    Terwilliger, 64 S.W.3d at 819.
    Brian never had a fair opportunity to present his claim that he should
    be determined to be S.J.W.’s father at the trial on the merits. Brian’s right to have
    a paternal relationship with S.J.W. was far more important than a party receiving
    an unfair share of assets due to deliberate undervaluing or a faked reconciliation,
    but he was given no opportunity to assert his rights before Jason was declared to be
    S.J.W.’s father.
    Based on the undisputed facts, fraud occurred against Brian as he was
    never joined as a party or informed that he needed to intervene during the
    dissolution proceeding or else Jason would become S.J.W.’s legal father. Brian
    was thus prevented from appearing and asserting his rights. A fraud was also
    perpetrated against the family court as it was prevented from knowing the facts
    which would have made it require that Brian be joined as a party or delay entry of
    the judgment pending a separate paternity action.
    -18-
    We do not believe Jason or Michelle were attempting to do anything
    improper. Instead, they were trying to safeguard S.J.W. from being deprived of
    having equal legitimate status with his siblings and maintenance of the established
    relationship with the only father he had ever known. They likely believed they
    were acting in S.J.W.’s best interest.
    Nevertheless, their actions resulted in a fraud to the proceedings, and
    makes it appropriate to affirm the grant of CR 60.02 relief at this juncture. Their
    longstanding knowledge that Brian was likely S.J.W.’s biological father and failure
    to act to protect Brian’s rights militates against the granting of the relief sought by
    Brian being inequitable to them. As there is no true dispute that Brian is S.J.W.’s
    biological father as established by the DNA test in the paternity action, the
    alteration of the judgment to acknowledge that fact was appropriate. This allows
    Brian to receive consideration for custody and timesharing based on his status as
    S.J.W.’s biological father.
    Accordingly, we affirm the Simpson Family Court’s orders allowing
    Brian to intervene and granting his request for CR 60.02 relief.
    ALL CONCUR.
    -19-
    BRIEFS FOR APPELLANT:     BRIEF FOR APPELLEE BRIAN
    STRAIN:
    Samuel J. Crocker
    Franklin, Kentucky        Christopher T. Davenport
    Kaitlyn S. Embry
    Bowling Green, Kentucky
    -20-