Squires v. Squires ( 1993 )

LAMBERT, Justice.

This Court granted discretionary review to address the proper construction and application of KRS 403.270(4).¹ With its 1980 enactment of the foregoing statute, the General Assembly expressly declared the right of trial courts to grant joint custody to the parents of a child with the only standard being “best interest.” Heretofore this Court has not provided any guidance to trial courts in exercise of their broad discretion. As the appropriate use of joint custody is the subject of considerable debate and there appears to be little uniformity among the trial courts of Kentucky in its application, we took review of this case as it contains the elements of the classic dilemma.

Of the parties’ four-month marital cohabitation was born a son. Upon commencement of proceedings to dissolve the marriage and the appearance of a dispute over child custody, inter alia, the case was assigned to the Domestic Relations Commissioner who heard extensive testimony and rendered proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The Commissioner found that both parties would be good parents who would place the interest of their child first. This, he believed, made them likely candidates for joint custody. However, he also found that the parties were not sufficiently cooperative to accommodate joint custody and recommended that it not be granted. On exceptions to the Commissioner’s report, the trial court acknowledged the hostility between the parties, but concluded that this alone did not prevent an award of joint custody. The court emphasized that the parties were “good parents” and in reliance on its “policy” to grant joint custody and the statutory standard of the child’s best interest, determined that the benefits of joint custody outweighed the detriments. The court also recognized the availability of subsequent custody litigation when joint custody has been granted, and the extreme difficulty of such litigation when sole custody has been granted. Upon the foregoing, judgment was entered granting the parties joint custody.

A divided panel of the Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court. The majority emphasized the positive aspects of joint custody such as shared decision-making, parental involvement in child rearing and encouragement of parental cooperation. It also noted the availability of subsequent litigation if joint custody proved to be unworkable. The dissenting opinion expressed the view that prior to an award of joint custody, the court must be satisfied that the parties possess sufficient maturity to suppress their enmity toward one another and avoid having their personal animosity destabilize the upbringing of the child.

Appellant contends that “overwhelming evidence of discord and lack of cooperation between the parties” renders the judgment awarding joint custody clearly erroneous when measured against the best interest standard. For this contention she relies upon various scholarly articles and decisions from other jurisdictions which appear to support the view that without substantial parental cooperation, joint custody is undesirable.² She concludes that “joint custody demands ideal circumstances and exceptional parents to succeed at all. Even with highly committed and motivated parents, joint custody is not for all children.” Appellant asks this Court to set standards for trial courts for the exercise of their discretion with respect to joint custody and, in effect, suggests that in the absence of an agreement by the parties, joint custody should not be awarded, and even then, the trial court should be satisfied that the agreement was not procured improperly and that it is appropriate in the circumstances.

Appellee relies upon the statute and points to the absence of any statutory requirement that the parties agree upon joint custody. He relies upon the trial court’s broad discretion and observes that if cooperation is declared a prerequisite for joint custody, any party may defeat it by a bad faith refusal to cooperate. He suggests the proper standard is whether the trial court believes from the evidence there is a reasonable likelihood of future cooperation which will redound to the child’s best interest.

From the foregoing facts and arguments, the issue which emerges is whether parties who are found to be good parents who will endeavor to place the interest of their child uppermost should be denied joint custody due to their hostility and refusal to cooperate with one another.

At the outset, we must consult the statute. A cursory examination of KRS 403.270 manifests the overriding consideration that any custody determination be in the best interest of the child. It is equally clear that neither parent is the preferred custodian and the parents’ wishes, while appropriate for consideration, are not binding on the trial court. While the focus of this case is on joint custody as authorized in section (4) of KRS 403.270, the decision to grant or deny joint custody cannot be determined without reference to the entire Act. As such, the broad array of factors contained in the Act must be considered appropriately prior to a determination of joint custody or sole custody.

We begin with the assumption that it would be in a child’s best interest to be reared by two parents who are married to each other. See KRS 405.020. With the occurrence of divorce, however, such a circumstance is not possible and trial courts are faced with the task of formulating a custody arrangement which will as nearly as possible replicate the ideal and minimize disruption of the life of the child. As such, and prior to any particularized assessment of the parents and child, joint custody would appear to be the best available solution. In theory, the child would continue to be reared by both parents and have the benefit of shared decision-making with respect to important matters, with neither parent being designated as the primary custodian and the other relegated to a secondary status. Clearly, it was this ideal which motivated the General Assembly to declare that trial courts may grant joint custody, but place it within the context of the entire custody statute, KRS 403.270, and limit it by the best interest test.

It is now widely recognized that in many cases, embittered former spouses are unwilling to put aside their animosity and cooperate toward their child’s best interest. Often joint custody merely prolongs familial conflict and provides vindictive parties with a convenient weapon to use against one another. Of course, the same is true of a custody and visitation arrangement. As such, some contend that it is better to have a clean break between spouses and award one or the other sole custody to bring about the child’s most rapid adjustment to post-divorce circumstances. While the logic of this position is not unappealing, if it were fully applied, the role of the noncustodial parent would be diminished to a point of insignificance.

Even if this Court were so inclined, it is not our prerogative to eradicate the concept of joint custody from the law of Kentucky. The General Assembly has determined that it is viable and it is our duty to apply the statutory framework in a manner which gives effect to legislative intent. H.O. Hurley Co. v. Martin, 267 Ky. 182, 101 S.W.2d 657 (1937). From the language used, we believe the General Assembly intended to inform courts of their option to award joint custody in a proper case without mandating its use in any case. Implicit in the authorization to award joint custody is that the court do so after becoming reasonably satisfied that for the child the positive aspects outweigh those which are negative. We see no significant difference between the analysis required with respect to joint custody than the analysis required when the court grants sole custody. In either case, the court must consider all relevant factors and formulate a result which is in the best interest of the child whose custody is at issue. Legislative authorization of joint custody merely gives the trial court another alternative if such appears to be appropriate.

The parties have debated the significance of parental agreement and willingness to cooperate at the time of the custody determination. While we have no doubt of the greater likelihood of successful joint custody when a cooperative spirit prevails, we do not regard it as a condition precedent. To so hold would permit a party who opposes joint custody to dictate the result by his or her own belligerence and would invite contemptuous conduct. Moreover, the underlying circumstance, the parties’ divorce, is attended by conflict in virtually every case. To require goodwill between the parties prior to an award of joint custody would have the effect of virtually writing it out of the law.

By what standard then should a trial court determine whether joint custody should be granted? Initially, the court must consider those factors set forth in KRS 403.270(1). By application of these, the child whose custody is being litigated is individualized and his or her unique circumstances accounted for. In many cases, appropriate consideration of KRS 403.270(1) may reveal the result which would be in the child’s best interest. Thereafter, we believe a trial court should look beyond the present and assess the likelihood of future cooperation between the parents. It would be shortsighted to conclude that because parties are antagonistic at the time of their divorce, such antagonism will continue indefinitely. Emotional maturity would appear to be a dependable guide in predicting future behavior. By cooperation we mean willingness to rationally participate in decisions affecting the upbringing of the child. It should not be overlooked that to achieve such cooperation, the trial court may assist the parties by means of its contempt power and its power to modify custody in the event of a bad faith refusal of cooperation. Benassi v. Havens, Ky.App., 710 S.W.2d 867 (1986); Erdman v. Clements, Ky.App., 780 S.W.2d 635 (1989).

A leading joint custody decision in this jurisdiction is Hardin v. Hardin, Ky. App., 711 S.W.2d 863 (1986), a case in which the custody dispute arose upon dissolution of a marriage of long duration, when the children were twelve and ten years of age, and the mother had moved a substantial distance from the home of the father. Reversing the trial court’s award of joint custody and equal division of the children’s time between the parents, the Court of Appeals appears to have assumed that because the parties were not then cooperating, they could not cooperate. The Court also appears to have been influenced by the distance the parents lived from one another and the disruption occasioned by changing the children’s school every six months. While the Court in Hardin considered the proper factors, it depended too much on the parties’ present failure to cooperate and, in effect, permitted one or both of them to deprive the trial court of a custody option granted it by the General Assembly. The most recent joint custody decision in this jurisdiction is Chalupa v. Chalupa, Ky.App., 830 S.W.2d 391 (1992), in which the Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s award of sole custody to the mother. Despite its finding that both parties were “responsible,” the trial court nevertheless deprived the father of joint custody due to his frequent absence from home necessitated by his employment. The Chalupa decision made a number of points worthy of repetition here. First, it noted that even when joint custody is awarded, the court may designate where the child shall usually reside, and we declare that the court may make such other orders as are necessary to properly effectuate joint custody. Chalu-pa also recognized that joint custody envisions shared decision-making and extensive parental involvement in the child’s upbringing, and in general serves the child’s best interest. Finally, the Court recognized that joint custody may have the effect of encouraging parents to cooperate and stay on their best behavior.

“Joint custody can be modified if a party is acting in bad faith or is uncooperative. The trial court at any time can review joint custody and if a party is being unreasonable, modify the custody to sole custody in favor of the reasonable parent. Surely, with the stakes so high, there would be more cooperation which leads to the child’s best interest, the parents’ best interest, fewer court appearances and judicial economy.” Id. at 393.

While we stop short of endorsing the Chalupa preference for joint custody, i.e. “consider joint custody first,” we endorse many of the views expressed therein. An examination of the majority and dissenting opinions in Chalupa, which, incidentally, was by the same Court of Appeals panel which decided this case, well illustrates the opposing philosophical views of the issue at hand. In final analysis, however, whatever one’s philosophy may be with respect to joint custody, so long as KRS 403.270(4) remains the law of Kentucky, joint custody must be accorded the same dignity as sole custody and trial courts must determine which form would serve the best interest of the child.

Perhaps no decision which confronts circuit courts is more difficult than a contested child custody case. In such cases, the court is called upon to decide who shall have what the parties often perceive as their most precious “possession.” With the enactment of KRS 403.270(4), this burden was enhanced, but the duty of the court remains the same. Just as it is impermissible to prefer one parent over the other based on gender, it is now impermissible to prefer sole custody over joint custody. In every case the parties are entitled to an individualized determination of whether joint custody or sole custody serves the child’s best interest. That the court possesses broad discretion in this regard cannot be gainsaid. McNamee v. McNamee, Ky., 432 S.W.2d 816 (1968).

In the case at bar, the Court of Appeals recognized that the trial court’s use of the term “policy” as justification for the award of joint custody was merely a means of expressing the view that these were good parents who would put the interest of their child first, and would, in time, achieve an acceptable level of cooperation. While this Court is uncomfortable with the application of a “policy” as such implies insufficient analysis under the statute, our review of the orders and judgment of the trial court reveals no failure of painstaking consideration of the case. Moreover, both courts below were well aware of the availability of subsequent litigation in the event the parties remain obstinate.

Prior to concluding it is necessary to address appellant’s contention that the trial court denied her due process of law when it rejected the sole custody recommendation of the Domestic Relations Commissioner without first reviewing the videotape of the hearing. Initially, we discover nothing in appellant’s brief which discloses the basis for her contention that the trial judge did not review the evidence. Our rule is clear that in presenting a summary of the facts and procedural events, a party shall provide

“ample references to the specific pages of the record, or tape and digital counter number in the case of untranscribed tape-recordings, supporting each of the statements narrated in the summary.” CR 76.12(4)(c)(iii).

Moreover, we have not been informed by what means this question was preserved for appellate review as required by CR 76.12(4)(c)(iv). While these omissions would be sufficient to defeat any review, inasmuch as appellee has not disputed the truth of appellant’s assertion, and the Court of Appeals accepted the contention as true, we will address the merits.

After rendition of the Commissioner’s report, exceptions were heard by the trial court. The parties were given an ample opportunity to present their contentions orally and in writing, and in response to this, the trial court rendered a thorough set of findings of fact, conclusions of law and decree. Subsequently, on appellant’s motion, the final judgment was extensively amended.

Our examination of the trial court’s findings of fact reveals no departure from the facts as found by the Commissioner on the issue here. Their views departed only on the legal conclusion to be drawn therefrom, i.e. whether joint custody was appropriate in the circumstances. This case differs substantially from Lynch v. Lynch, Ky.App., 737 S.W.2d 184 (1987), in which the trial court prepared its findings of fact, conclusions of law and order prior to conclusion of the evidence. The central holding in Lynch was that “due process requires, at the minimum, that each party be given a meaningful opportunity to be heard.” Id. at 186. This case more nearly resembles Haley v. Haley, Ky.App., 573 S.W.2d 354 (1978), which held that CR 53.-06(2) “allows the trial judge complete discretion as to the use of a commissioner’s report.” Id. at 356. The Court also said:

“Although the trial judge modified the commissioner’s order, he did not alter the attached findings of fact. It therefore appears that the court intended to adopt those findings.” Id. at 356.

Based upon these authorities, we discover no error in the trial court’s handling of the case at the exceptions phase.

We affirm.

STEPHENS, C.J., and COMBS, REYNOLDS, SPAIN and WINTERSHEIMER, JJ., concur. LEIBSON, J., dissents by separate opinion.

1 . For convenient review, KRS 403.270 is here reproduced in its entirety.

"403.270. Custody — Best interests of child shall determine — Joint custody permitted.—

(1)The court shall determine custody in accordance with the best interests of the child and equal consideration shall be given to each parent. The court shall consider all relevant factors including:

(a) The wishes of the child’s parent or parents as to his custody;

(b) The wishes of the child as to his custodian;

(c) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his parent or parents, his siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interests;

(d) The child’s adjustment to his home, school, and community;

(e) The mental and physical health of all individuals involved; and

(f)Information, records, and evidence of domestic violence as defined in KRS 403.270.

(2) The court shall not consider conduct of a proposed custodian that does not affect his relationship to the child. If domestic violence and abuse is alleged, the court shall determine the extent to which the domestic violence and abuse has affected the child and the child's relationship to both parents.

(3) The abandonment of the family residence by a custodial party shall not be considered where said party was physically harmed or was seriously threatened with physical harm by his or her spouse, when such harm or threat of harm was causally related to the abandonment.

(4) The court may grant joint custody to the child’s parents if it is in the best interest of the child. (Enact. Acts 1972, ch. 182, § 17; 1978, ch. 86, § 1, effective June 17, 1978; 1978, ch. 369, § 1, effective June 17, 1978; 1980, ch. 158, § 1, effective July 15, 1980; 1992, ch. 169, § 2, effective July 14, 1992.)”

2 . See M. Sun, "1988 Review of Family Law,” Clearing House Review, p. 944 (January 1989); I.W. Lowe, "Evaluating Parental Potential in Joint Custody," 69 Mich.B.J., pp. 140-3 (Fall 1990); Dianne Post, “Arguments Against Joint Custody," 4 Berkeley Women's Law Journal, p. 316 (1989, 90). See also Blake v. Blake, 106 A.D.2d 916, 483 N.Y.S.2d 879 (1984); Salamone v. Salamone, 83 A.D.2d 778, 443 N.Y.S.2d 464 (1981); Braiman v. Braiman, 44 N.Y.2d 584, 407 N.Y.S.2d 449, 378 N.E.2d 1019 (1978); In Re Adams, 133 Ill.2d 437, 141 Ill.Dec. 448, 551 N.E.2d 635 (1990); and In Re Marriage of Lester, 791 P.2d 1244 (Colo.Ct.App.1990).