Angela M. Nelson v. Daniel Nelson , 2016 Mo. App. LEXIS 880 ( 2016 )

In the Missouri Court of Appeals
Eastern District
DIVISION FOUR
ANGELA M. NELSON, ) EDlO3456
)
Respondent, ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
) of St. Francois County
v. ) 13 SF-DR00443
)
DANIEL NELSON, ) Honorable Wendy Wexler Horn
)
Appellant. ) Filed: September 6, 2016
lntroduction
Daniel Nelson (Husband) appeals the judgment of the trial court dissolving his
marriage to Angela M. Nelson (Wife). Husband argues that the judgment is against the
Weight of the evidence in its award of sole legal custody of the minor children to Wife, in
the amount of visitation awarded as joint physical custody, in the division of property, and
in the award of attorney’s fees to Wit``e. We affirm in part, and we reverse in part and
remand for the limited purpose of supplementing the parenting plans for the minor children
to include visitation scheduled for all of the events enumerated in Section 452.310.8(1).[
l Al} statutory references are to RSMO. (Supp. 2013), unless otherwise indicated
Background
Husband and Wife were married on May l, 1995. They have two minor children
born of the marriage: F.N., currently age 16, and D.N., currently age 13.
On September 23, 2013, Wife filed a petition for dissolution of marriage. Shortly
thereafter, Husband filed a counter-petition for dissolution of marriage Close in time,
Wife obtained an ex parte adult order of protection against llusband, which prohibited
Husband from contacting Wife but still allowed him to have contact with the children.
While the dissolution proceeding was pending, on April 25, 2014, the trial court entered a
Stipulation Pendente Lite providing a visitation schedule for the children as well as child
support On June 3, 2014, Husband frled a Family Access Motion, alleging Wife had
refused to communicate with Husband and had prevented him from seeing the children.
The trial court held a trial regarding the parties’ dissolution on November 21 and
December 12, 2014. In its judgment dissolving the marriage, the trial court made the
following findings Regarding the children, the trial court found that Wife made the
children available to Husband for visits and did not object to Husband serving as soccer
coach for the children. The trial court found that Wife is more likely to allow the children
frequent, continuing, and meaningful contact with the other parent. The trial court also
found that if granted custody of the children, Husband would substantially interfere with
the children’s relationships With Wife’s family members. The trial court noted that
Husband suffers from a psychiatric disorder and had failed to take his prescribed
medications in the past, but that he now recognizes the need for the medication and takes
it as prescribed
The trial court further found that D.N. has special needs, including learning
disabilities, psychiatric, emotional, and behavioral disorders, and that Wife is best suited
to make decisions regarding D.N.’s care. The trial court also found that the demands of
caring for D.N.’s special needs made it inappropriate to expect that Wife could obtain full-
time employment The trial court noted that F.N. and D.N. are close, and that F.N. desires
to live with Wife. The trial court found, however, that it is in D.N.’s best interest to spend
more time with Husband because D.N. had animosity toward Wife.
The trial court found that Husband and Wife are unable to communicate regarding
the children in any meaningful way. The trial court specifically noted that Husband had
unilaterally ended family counseling with one counselor and had employed another
counselor for the purpose of obtaining a positive result in the dissolution proceeding The
trial court found that Husband failed to properly dispense D.N.’s medication while D.N.
was in Husband’s care, but now Husband agrees to do so. The trial court concluded based
on all the evidence that it was appropriate to award sole legal custody of the children to
Wife.
The trial court also found that Husband had exhibited a pattern of domestic violence
toward Wife, but there was no evidence of any abuse directed toward the childr'en. "l``he
trial court determined that it was in the best interests of the children to award joint physical
custody to the parties. The trial court ordered a visitation schedule wherein the children
would spend every other Weekend with Husband, beginning on Friday evening. F.N. would
return to Wife’s house on Sunday evening, and D.N. would spend Sunday night with
Husband following the weekends he spent with Husband. Both children would have one
weekly overnight period with Husband, and D.N. would have an additional weekly
overnight period with Husband. The trial court also made alternate provisions for summer
vacations and several holidays in the parenting plans for each child.
Regarding the property division, the trial court heard testimony of the value of
various pieces of marital property from both parties. Neither party provided appraisals for
the real property at issue. The trial court accepted Wife’s valuations set out in her property
Statenient, and where she gave no opinion of value, the trial court accepted Husband’s
valuations The trial court made a finding that I-iusband had committed misconduct during
the marriage sufficient to support an unequal division of property in favor of Wife. The
trial court also rejected Husband’s claim that Wife committed misconduct in the form of
fiscal irregularities The trial court awarded Husband marital assets with a total value of
$297,166.50 and Wife those with a total value of 3244,104.50, both excluding household
items and pensions The trial court also awarded Wife fifty percent of Husband’s military
pension and fifty percent of Husband’s pension with the State of Missouri that had accrued
as of the date of the dissolution
The trial court did not award maintenance in light of the property division. The
trial court ordered Husband to pay Wife $1,163.00 monthly as and for child support The
trial court also awarded Wife attorney’s fees in the amount of $14,962.50 in lieu of
maintenance and to supplement the child support award.
Husband filed a motion to amend the judgment, as well as a subsequent motion to
set aside or correct the judgment, or alternatively for a new trial. The trial court ultimately
entered a second amended judgment changing the monthly child support amount to $786.
This appeal follows
Standard of Review
In reviewing a judgment of dissolution of marriage tried by the couit, “we will
affirm the judgment of dissolution unless it is not supported by substantial evidence, it is
against the weight of the evidence, or it erroneously declares or applies the law.” IJ)QM
I_h_orp, 390 S.W.Bd 871, 879 (Mo. App, E.D. 2013) (internal quotation omitted). We defer
to the trial court’s determinations of credibility McAllister v. lvicAllister, 101 S.W.3d 287,
290 (Mo. App, E.D. 2003).
Additioiially, we “afford[] the trial court greater discretion in determining child
custody than in other matters” Leone v. Leone, 917 S.W.Zd 608, 613~14 (Mo. App. W.D.
1996). We “will not disturb the trial court’s determination of custody unless it is manifestly
erroneous and the welfare of the children requires a different disposition.” LJ.
Finally, the trial court’s division of property, as well as its award of attorney’s fees,
are also matters within the broad discretion of the trial court. Workman v. Workrnan, 293
S.W.Sd 89, 95~96 (Mo. App, E.D. 2009) (trial court vested with considerable discretion in
dividing marital property; division need not be equal but only fair and equitable given
circumstances of case); Abbot v. Perez, 140 S.W.3d 283, 296 (Mo. App, E.D. 2004) (ti‘ial
court has broad discretion to award attorney’s fees in dissolution). We will not reverse
either award absent an abuse of that discretion i;d.
Discussion
Husband raises six points on appeal. ln Point l, he argues that the trial court’ s award
of sole legal custody of the children to Wife was against the weight of the evidence. In
Point ll, Husband argues that the trial court’s visitation schedule for D.N. was not in his
best interests In Point III, Husband argues that the trial court abused its discretion in the
division of marital property because it failed to determine whether Wife had dissipated
marital moiiey. Husband argues in Point IV that the trial court erred in its valuation of the
marital property. In Point V, Husband argues the trial court abused its discretion in
awarding attorney’s fees to Wife. In Point Vl, Husband argues the trial court’s finding that
Wife could not obtain full-time employment was against the Weight of the evidence We
discuss each in turn.
_BQ_iLI
Husband argues that the trial court’s award of sole legal custody of both children
to Wife was against the weight of the evidence, We disagree.
“Joint legal custody is appropriate only where parents display the willingness and
ability to share the rights and responsibilities of raising their children.” Malawey v.
Malawey, 137 S.W.3d 518, 525 (Mo. App, E.D. 2004). Additionally, an award of joint
legal custody “must be based on substantial evidence that fairly supports the conclusion
that the parties have a commonality of beliefs concerning parental decisions” hile
Marriage of Sutton, 233 S.W.3d 786, 790 (Mo. App, E.D. 2007) (quoting M. A. 149 S.W.
3d at 569). There is no statutory preference for joint legal custody; rather, it is based on
the best interests of the child given the circumstances McCauley v. Schenkel, 977 S.W.2d
45, 51 (Mo. App. E.D. 1998). “'l``he parents’ ability to communicate and cooperate is
crucial in considering whether joint legal custody is pi'oper.” Pastei'nak v. Pasternak, 467
S.W.3d 264, 273 (Mo. banc 2015) (internal alteration and quotation omitted).
Here, the trial court heard evidence that Husband and Wife cannot communicate by
telephone, and that Wife is only comfortable communicating with Husband through e-mail.
Wife had obtained two ex parte orders of protection against Husband due to her fear of
him, and the trial court found he had exhibited a pattern of abusive behavior toward her.
There was evidence that Husband posted negative statements about Wife publicly on
Facebook, and that this made F.N. uncomfortable The trial court also heard evidence that
Husband refused to take D.N. to the hospital when D.N.’s psychiatrist recommended it.2
Finally, the trial court found that Husband had unilaterally chosen to end family counseling
with their former counselor and to obtain counseling from a new counselor for the purpose
of obtaining a favorable result in the dissolution All of this evidence supports a conclusion
that Husband and Wife do not share a commonality of beliefs concerning parental decisions
and are not able to communicate regarding decisions
The fact that Wife is willing to communicate with Husband by entail does not
render the trial court’s judgment against the weight of the evidencel w M, 233
S.W.3d at 792-93 (fact that parents communicate solely by fax is consistent with
breakdown of communication justifying modification of joint legal custody). There was
no evidence, other than Husband’s self-serving testiinony, that Husband and Wife could
set aside their personal acrimony in order to work together to make decisions regarding the
childi'en. E McCauley v. Schenkel, 977 S.W.2d 45, 50-51 (Mo. App. E.D. 1998) (ioint
legal custody can be appropriate despite personal tension and hostility between parents
provided that there is substantial evidence that parties have ability and willingness to
cooperate despite acrimony). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining
that sole legal custody was appropriate
2 The trial court heard conflicting testimony in this respect Husband testified that he did not know the
psychiatrist wanted D.N. taken to the hospital, and that Husband would have taken D.N. if the psychiatrist
requested Husband to do so. Wife’s mother testified that she talked to Husband about the psychiatrist’s
recommendation to take D.N. to the hospital and Husband stated he did not believe D.N. needed to go.
7
Husband argues nevertheless that if sole custody was appropriate, the trial court
should have awarded sole custody to Husband. Husband testified that Wife failed to share
information with him regarding D.N.’s care, but the trial court was free to disbelieve this
testiinony, § Ruffino v. Ruffino, 400 S.W.3d 851, 855 (Mo. App. E.D. 2013) (trial court
is free to believe or disbelieve all, part, or none of any witness’ testiinony). The trial court
made a finding that Husband had failed to give D.N. his medication in the past, birt had
committed to give D.N. his medication iii the future. The trial court also determined that
Husband discouraged the children from communicating with Wife during his periods of
temporary custody and that it was unlikely he would allow the children frequent and
meaningful contact with Wife if granted custody. We cannot say the award is unsupported
by substantial evidence or was against the weight of the evidence, and the trial court did
not abuse its discretion in granting sole legal custody of the children to Wife. Point denied.
M
Husband argues that the trial court’s parenting plan for D.N., granting both parties
essentially equal time with D.N., was not in D.N.’s best interests We disagree
Husband acknowledges that the trial court considered the relevant statutory factors
in Section 452.375.2 when creating a patenting plan for D.N. However, Husband argues
the trial court ignored substantial evidence in favor of awarding a greater-than-equal
amount of time to Husband, Husband focuses on the recommendation of the guardian ad
litem (GAL) that D.N. spend the majority o_f time with Husband, as well as the testimony
of Kathleen Waggoner (Waggoner), the counselor Husband had taken the children to see
in anticipation of litigation
It is the trial court’s duty to consider all of the evidence in light of the statutory
factors Here, the trial court did so, and determined that it was in D.N.’s best interest to
spend equal time with each parent. The trial court is not bound to accept the GAL’s
recommendations but may accept, inodify, or reject the recommendations as the trial court
deems appropriate, State ex rel. State of Kan. Soc. & Rehab. Servs. v. R.L.P., 157 S.W.3d
268, 278 (Mo. App, S.D. 2005). The trial court also appeared to give less weight to
Waggonei"s testimony because the court determined Husband had sought Waggoner’s
opinion for the purpose of obtaining a favorable outcome in the dissolution proceeding
The trial court did choose to order that D.N. spend more time with Husband than F.N. does
The trial court’s parenting plan for D.N. regarding his weekly schedule is supported by
substantial evidence and is not against the weight of the evidence We cannot say the
patenting plan here amounts to an abuse of the trial court’s discretion
Husband also argues in Point il that the trial court failed to apportion the children’s
school breaks, and this violates Section 452.310. We agree.
Section 452.310.8(1) contains the events for which a parenting plan must provide
a schedule. Wermihan v. Wennihan, 452 S.W.3d 723, 737 (Mo. App, W.D. 2015). A
parenting plan that complies with this section “is required to prevent courts from being
clogged with minor custody and visitation disputes.” ln re Marriage of Alred, 291 S.W.3d
328, 335-36 (Mo. App, W.D. 2009) (internal quotation omitted). A failure to account for
any of the enumerated events, including “{s]chool holidays for school-age children,”
constitutes reversible error. Wemiihan, 452 S.W,3d at 737 (citing Murphey v. Murphey,
207 s.W.sd 679, 686 (MO. App. s.r). 2006)).
The parenting plans for both D.N. and F.N. are blank in the category of “other”
holidays which include “Easter, Spring Break, Halloween, remainder of Christmas Break,
New Year’s Eve or other school liolidays.” Tlius, we must reverse on this point and remand
to the trial court with instructions to assign visitation for at least each of the events
enumerated in Section 452.310.8(1), which includes the children’s school holidays Should
the trial court determine it is in the best interests of the children to apportion time for events
in addition to those specifically listed in Section 452.310.8(1), it has discretion to do so.
§e_e Wenniham, 452 S.W.3d at 737 n.10. Point granted in part.
Points III and IV
Husband argues in Point lll that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to
determine whether Wife had dissipated marital funds, and that the trial court failed to take
such dissipation into account in dividing the marital property. Husband argues that some
of Wife’s dissipation of funds is evidenced from her valuations of certain financial assets
which the trial court awarded to Husband, as having a value of zero. ln Husband’s related
Point lV, he argues the trial court abused its discretion in adopting Wife’s valuations We
disagree.
We note again the trial court’s “considerable discretion in dividing marital
property.” M, 400 S.W.3d 851, 856 (Mo. App. E.D. 2013). Additionally, “[i]fthe
trial court determines one party unjustifiany withdrew marital funds, the trial court may
reduce that paity’s award of marital assets commensurately.” L&
Here, the trial court found that Husband had removed $50,000 from joint marital
funds The trial court also acknowledged that Wife had removed marital funds, but found
that any such funds removed by Wife “were used to support the children, pay the mortgage,
10
and pay household expenses,” and that Husband had refused to pay any household
expenses, mortgage or child support to Wife for a period of seven months Thus, the trial
court considered the conflicting testimony regarding dissipation of funds and determined
that Wife had not committed misconduct This finding is supported by substantial evidence
and is not against the weight of the evidence
Additionally, the trial court found that “[m]uch of [Husband] ’ s testimony regarding
the value of marital property [wa]s not credible.” We cannot disrupt this finding on appeal.
McAllister, l()l S.W.3d at 290. Neither party provided evidence of valuation in the form
of appraisals and the trial court essentially had simply the opinions of Wife and Husband
to rely on to make a determination of value The trial court’s decision to accept Wife’s
valuations over Husband’s does not in this case amount to an abuse of discretion Points
denied.
M
Husband argues that the trial court abused its discretion in awarding attorney’s fees
to Wife We disagree
Husband argues that the trial court was required to find unusual circumstances
justifying a deviation from the general rule that each party bears his or her own costs of
litigation Husband relies on Pecher v. Pecher, 398 S.W.3d 580, 586 (Mo. App, W.D.
2013), and cases similarly holding that unusual circumstances are required for an award of
attorney’s fees in dissolution proceedings However, this line of cases employs a standard
not included in Section 452.355.1. Rallo v. Rallo, 477 S.W.3d 29, 44 (Mo. App. E.D.
2015) (noting history of statute as well as line of cases adopting unusual circumstances
standard that “should not be followed”). Rather, Section 452.355.1 provides that the court
11
may award reasonable attorney’s fees “after considering all relevant factors including the
financial resources of both parties, the merits of the case and the actions of the parties.”
Here, the trial court took into account the financial aspects of its judgment and noted
the conduct of the parties Thouin Wife testified that she owed 318,000 to her attorney,
the trial court made an independent determination as to a reasonable amount and awarded
$l4,962.50. Under the circumstances the trial court did not abuse its discretion Point
denied.
Point VI
Husband argues that the trial court’s finding that Wife was unable to obtain full-
time employment due to caring for D.N. was against the weight of the evidence We
disagree
The trial court heard extensive testimony regarding D.N.’s special needs, the
abundance of doctor’s appointments he has as a result of those needs, and testimony
regarding his abilities, such as whether he is able to ride the school bus. The trial court
also heard testimony from Wife that she worked as she was able, and that she was able to
take on additional shifts of work When the children were not in her care Though the parties
differed in their conclusions about the amount of work Wife could sustain and still care for
D.N. given his current needs, it was the trial court’s duty to resolve conflicting testimony.
The trial court’s determination that Wife could not obtain full~time employment was
supported by substantial evidence and was not against the weight of the evidence Point
denied.
12
Conclusion
The trial court’s findings are supported by substantial evidence and are not against
the weight of the evidence The trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding sole
legal custody of the children to Wife, in awarding attorney’s fees to Wife, or in valuing
and distributing the marital property. We affirm the judgment of the trial court in all of
these respects
However, the trial court failed to assign a physical custody schedule for the children
for some events as required by Section 452.310.8(1). Thus, we reverse this portion of the
judgment and remand to the trial court for the limited purpose of supplementing the
children’s parenting plans to include all enumerated events in Section 452.310.8(1), and
any such others as the trial court in its discretion determines are in the best interests of the
children
Gary Mertner, Jr., Judge
James M. Dowd, P.J., concurs
Kurt S. Odenwald, J., concurs
13