S.B.B. v. J.E.B.-S. ( 2020 )

J-S65004-19
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
S.B.B. : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellant :
:
:
v. :
:
:
J.E.B.-S. : No. 1412 MDA 2019
Appeal from the Order Entered July 23, 2019
In the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County
Civil Division at No(s): FC-2009-0020268
BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., KUNSELMAN, J., and COLINS, J.*
MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, P.J.: FILED FEBRUARY 21, 2020
Appellant, S.B.B. (“Mother”), files this appeal from the order entered
July 23, 2019, granting J.E.B.-S. (“Father”)’s petition to temporarily modify
the custody order entered August 10, 2016. After careful review, we affirm.1
K.E.B. (“Child”) was born in June 2008. Mother and Father were never
married. Mother filed a complaint for custody on February 27, 2009. Since
that date, the parties, who have shared physical custody for the majority of
Child’s life, have been involved in numerous custody hearings and filings
concerning legal and physical custody issues.
____________________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
1 During the pendency of this appeal, Mother has filed an application
requesting that this Court obtain a transcript from a January 14, 2020 hearing
that allegedly occurred in the trial court. As this transcript cannot have been
any part of the basis of the order under review in this appeal, we deny Mother’s
application.
J-S65004-19
Since the case commenced, Father, who lives in Montgomery, Lycoming
County, Pennsylvania, married T.S. (“Stepmother”). Together, Father and
Stepmother have three children: a son, a daughter, and an unnamed child
who was due in August 2019. Father’s job varies between first and second
shift.
Mother lives in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, with her
boyfriend, C.S., and their son and daughter. At this time, the parties live
approximately 20-25 minutes apart. The parties exchange custody on a week-
to-week basis each Monday, and both take Child to school in Williamsport.
Mother works three days per week, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with a flexible
schedule.
Following a custody trial in December 2009, the court entered an order
granting shared legal custody to both parents, primary physical custody to
Mother, and partial physical custody to Father, with periods of custody Friday
evening to Sunday evening, and Wednesday evenings. See Custody Order,
12/1/09, at 1-8.
Father subsequently filed a petition for emergency custody. On March
21, 2012, the court granted Father primary physical custody of Child. See
Order, 3/21/12, at 1. Approximately one month later, following a hearing,
the court reinstated the original custody order. See Order, 4/19/12, at 1.
Shortly thereafter, Father again filed a petition for emergency custody.
The court granted Father temporary sole physical custody until a hearing could
be held. See Order, 5/29/12, at 1. On June 6, 2012, the court reinstated the
-2-
J-S65004-19
December 1, 2009 custody order, pending a custody trial. See Order, 6/6/12,
at 1.
Following a custody trial on June 26, 2012, the court entered a custody
order granting shared legal custody to both parents and shared physical
custody on a week-to-week basis. See Custody Order, 6/27/12, at 1-9. The
parties subsequently filed numerous petitions. Significantly, in December
2012, the court found Mother in contempt of the custody order. See Order,
12/3/12, at 1. In July 2013, the court found Father in contempt of the custody
order. See Order, 7/8/13, at 1.
In August 2013, Mother sought two modifications of the custody order.
In September 2013, following a custody conference, the court scheduled a
pre-trial conference and held custody would be established per the June 2012
custody order, with agreed upon modifications to cover Child’s medical
appointments, dance classes, and schooling. See Order, 9/16/13, at 1-4. On
January 16, 2014, Mother did not attend the pre-trial conference, and the
court scheduled a custody trial to be held in March 2014. See Order, 1/16/14,
at 1.
After the custody trial, and following the filing of Mother’s petitions for
modification and Father’s notice of relocation, the court entered a custody
order. See Custody Order, 4/3/14, at 1-11. The order granted the parties
shared legal custody and shared physical custody on a week-to-week basis if
Father returned to Lycoming County. See id.
-3-
J-S65004-19
In May 2014, Mother filed a petition seeking to find Father in contempt
of the custody order and for modification of the custody order, and, in June
2014, Mother filed a petition seeking modification of the custody order. The
court dismissed her petition for contempt. See Order, 6/2/14, at 1.
Three days later, Mother filed a petition for emergency custody,
accusing Father of sexually abusing Child. See Petition, 6/5/15, at 1-3. The
court granted Mother temporary physical custody of Child, pending a hearing.
See Order, 6/5/14, at 1. Father requested that a guardian ad litem be
appointed for Child. See Motion, 6/12/14, at 1-4. On June 16, 2014, the
court found Mother did not meet her burden in proving that Father was a clear
and present danger to Child, and reinstated the custody order. See Order,
6/16/14, at 1.
That same day, Father filed a petition seeking counsel fees, costs, and
expenses from Mother pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 5339. Father claimed that
Mother had instructed Child to lie about the alleged sexual abuse in an attempt
to gain primary custody of Child as well as her social security payments. See
Motion, 6/16/14, at 1-3. The court granted Father’s motion, finding Mother
had made her accusations of sexual abuse in bad faith, and assessed Mother
half of the fees sought. See Order, 11/3/14, at 1-7. Mother appealed; this
Court dismissed the appeal. See S.B.B. v. J.E.B.-S., 2037 MDA 2014 (Pa.
Super., filed April 1, 2015) (unpublished memorandum).
Shortly thereafter, Father filed a petition seeking to modify the custody
order, seeking, among other things, to have Child enrolled in counseling. See
-4-
J-S65004-19
Petition, 5/4/15, at 1-3. The court treated Father’s petition as a petition
seeking special relief, and ordered, among other small adjustments, that Child
attend counseling. See Order, 6/11/15, at 1-3.
A little over a month later, Father sought a finding of contempt against
Mother for violation of the custody order. See Petition, 7/31/15, at 1-2. The
court found Mother in contempt but imposed no penalty. See Order, 8/25/15,
at 1-2.
In September 2015, Mother filed a petition for special relief as Father
was attempting to bring a levy against her car in order to collect his attorney’s
fees. See Petition, 9/29/15, at 1-2. The court dismissed her petition. See
Order, 10/8/15, at 1.
The next day, Father filed a petition for contempt against Mother, who
was refusing to add Father to Child’s insurance and return Child’s clothing to
Father. See Petition, 10/9/15, at 1-2. The court itself called the insurance
company in open court to resolve the issue, and did not enter a finding of
contempt; however, it cautioned Mother that a failure to cooperate in the
future with reasonable requests would be unwise. See Order, 11/18/15, at
1-2.
After Thanksgiving, Mother filed petitions seeking special relief and a
finding of contempt, and averring that Father was violating the holiday custody
order. See Petition, 11/30/15, at 1-3; Petition, 12/1/15, at 1-3. Mother filed
contempt petitions twice more in December. See Petition, 12/11/15, at 1;
Addendum, 12/28/15, at 1. While those petitions were pending, Father filed
-5-
J-S65004-19
a petition for special relief, averring that Mother was not cooperating with
Child’s counselor’s recommendation for mobile therapy. See Petition,
2/23/16, at 1-2.
The court subsequently dismissed Mother’s contempt petitions and
found that Father was correctly exercising his periods of custody. See Order,
3/2/16, at 1-2. Additionally, the court ordered that Child participate in mobile
therapy as recommended by her counselor, and that both parents comply with
any recommendations made as a result of mobile therapy. See id., at 1.
Father filed for contempt two months later, averring that Mother was
not bringing Child to therapy and was in violation of the custody order. See
Petition, 5/13/16, at 1-2. Mother failed to appear at the contempt hearing on
July 7, 2016, and the court found that Mother was in contempt of the custody
order and various other court orders. As a result, the court ordered Mother to
appear before the court, and sanctioned her $200.00, the cost of Father’s filing
fees. See Order, 7/7/16, at 1-2.
Father again filed for contempt later in July, averring that Mother was
not cooperating with the custody order, was not exchanging Child’s hearing
aid equipment, and was missing therapeutic appointments. See Petition,
7/18/16, at 1-2.
The most recent custody order was entered on August 10, 2016, to
encompass varying changes based upon interim orders entered by the court;
the court granted the parties shared legal custody and shared physical custody
on a week-to-week basis. See Custody Order, 8/10/16, at 1-11. Five days
-6-
J-S65004-19
later, the court again found Mother in contempt for failure to cooperate with
the extremely detailed custody order. See Order, 8/15/16, at 1-3. The court
again sanctioned Mother $200.00, ordered her to provide Father make-up
custody time, and imposed a suspended sentence upon Mother. See id.
Two weeks later, Mother filed a petition for special relief, arguing that
the make-up custody time ordered by the court would result in Child’s
remaining with Father for twenty-one days. See Petition, 8/29/16, at 1-2.
The court denied this petition. See Order, 8/30/16, at 1.
In late September, Mother filed a petition for special relief. However,
the petition was dismissed after both parties failed to appear. See Order,
10/7/16, at 1.
The docket stayed quiet until Mother next filed a petition for contempt
June 2017, averring that Father was not complying with the custody order.
See Petition, 6/15/17, at 1. The court dismissed her petition. See Order,
6/23/17, at 1.
There was another period of relative peace until Mother filed a petition
for special relief on January 6, 2018, requesting that Child be able to attend a
Girl Scout event and dance recitals and dress rehearsals during Father’s
custody time. See Petition, 1/6/18, at 1-2. The court granted the petition
and allowed Father custody time in return. See Order, 2/5/16, at 1-2.
Two months later, Father filed a petition seeking modification of the
custody order, requesting that Child be allowed to switch school districts and
attend school in Montgomery rather than Williamsport. See Petition, 4/11/18,
-7-
J-S65004-19
at 1-2. The court scheduled a hearing on the petition and appointed Patricia
A. Shipman, Esquire, as guardian ad litem for Child. See Order, 5/18/18, at
1-2. In early July, Attorney Shipman submitted an extensive report on Child’s
progress, feelings, and wish to remain in the current custody arrangement.
See Report, 7/2/18, at 1-11. Following a hearing, the court ordered that Child
remain in Williamsport school district. See Order, 7/17/18, at 1-8.
In December 2018, Mother filed a petition for special relief, averring that
Father was not taking Child to dance classes as a punishment for doing poorly
on math tests. See Petition, 12/17/18, at 1-2. The court dismissed the
petition as extracurricular activities were governed by the August 10, 2016
custody order. See Order, 1/30/19, at 1.
The most recent issue arose after Father was accepted to the
Pennsylvania State Police Academy, a twenty-eight week program beginning
on September 30, 2019. The Academy is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania,
approximately two and one-half hours from Williamsport. Upon completion,
Father would be stationed at a Pennsylvania State Police Barracks, of which
there are five or six located within one hour of his current residence.
On May 16, 2019, Father filed a petition to modify the custody order,
requesting that the shared custody schedule remain the same, with
Stepmother providing the care for Child during Father’s week of custody in his
absence. See Petition, 5/16/19, at 1-2. Mother objected to the petition and
requested Child be placed in her custody while Father attended the Academy,
with provisions to allow Child to see Father when he is available.
-8-
J-S65004-19
The parties appeared before the court for a hearing on the petition on
July 16, 2019. Father and Mother both appeared unrepresented, and testified
on their own behalves; Father, additionally, presented the testimony of
Stepmother. At the beginning of the hearing, the court informed Mother and
Father that it would be treating the petition as a petition for special relief,
since it was a temporary and limited issue. See N.T., 7/16/19, at 7-9. Mother
did not object. See id.
Father testified that he has a verbal admittance to the State Police
Academy and believed he would begin in September 2019 and would last 28
weeks. See N.T., 7/16/19, at 2-3. Father would stay at the Academy in
Hershey, Pennsylvania, full time during that time. See id. at 3. Father would
be allowed to visit home on alternating weekends but did not yet know his
schedule. See id. at 3-4. Father believed he would remain stationed near his
home in Montgomery, but did not have confirmation. See id. at 4-5. Father
testified that, every day, Stepmother drives Child and her half-siblings to
school and would continue to do so in his absence. See id. at 6-7.
Father testified regarding his concerns for Child’s mental health and
behavior, namely, that she suffers from an adjustment disorder. See id. at
10-13. Child needs consistency and has difficulty with change, and is already
suffering from significant behavioral issues at Mother’s house. See id. During
several outbursts, Child threatened suicide and self-harm, and Mother reached
out to Father for help. See id. at 11. Father expressed concern that Mother
could not handle Child alone. See id. Father expressed concerns with
-9-
J-S65004-19
Mother’s decision-making because, when Child was making suicidal threats,
Child’s therapist recommended taking her to the emergency room and Mother
did not take her. See id. at 36. Rather, Mother suggested “PRN medications,”
i.e., as needed, to “chill someone out.” See id. at 37.
Father requested that the custody schedule remain the same, except
that once he is given his leave schedule, he could have Child on the weekend
he is home and that, once a month, Stepmother could pick up Child and take
her to the Academy to visit Father. See id. at 13-14. Father also requested
that custody communication go through Stepmother, as he would not have
access to a phone at the Academy. See id. at 14.
Father testified that Child is very close with her siblings at Father’s
house. See id. at 35. Father stated that Child does not have any suicidal
ideation or “freak outs” at his home. See id. Father stated that Child will say
nasty things about his home to Mother, and Mother’s home to Father, to “stir
things up.” See id. at 37-38. Father testified that, while he has given Mother
extra time in the past, Mother always wants more time, and Father would like
to spend time with Child, too. See id. at 38.
Mother testified that she is employed three days a week from eight to
five at a fencing company. See id. at 15. With regard to Child’s adjustment,
Mother testified that, partially due to her adjustment disorder, Child has had
a hard time adjusting to the week on/week off schedule. See id. at 16-17.
According to Mother, Child is closer to her half-siblings at Mother’s house than
she is at Father’s. See id. at 16. Mother stated that Child struggled for the
- 10 -
J-S65004-19
first time academically at school. See id. at 17. Mother argued that she could
handle Child alone, and had attempted to talk to Father about difficulties with
Child. See id. at 20.
Mother requested that the court consider, as a matter of record, that
Stepmother hit Mother with her car. See id. at 18. Mother also stated that
Stepmother and “anybody and everybody who has ever done a custody
exchange with our daughter” has been “threatening, cursing, et cetera” in
front of Child. See id. Mother attempted to introduce the concerns of Child’s
therapist, but had not brought any reports with her to court. See id. at 21.
Mother argued that it was important for Child to see her Stepmother
and half-siblings, but that Child should be with her the majority of the time
unless Father was home for the weekend. See id. at 26-28. Mother
expressed concerns that Stepmother would be able to care for Child with two
small children and a newborn on the way. See id. at 28. Mother accused
Father of not being cooperative with the spirit of the custody order. See id.
at 32.
Stepmother testified regarding her daily routine that, during Father’s
shift schedules, she often performs alone. See id. at 40-43. Stepmother
testified that it is an easy routine, and she has a high tolerance for stress.
See id. at 42-43. Each day, Child’s younger siblings wake Stepmother up at
6:00 a.m. and she then goes to wake Child. See id. at 40. They eat breakfast
as a family, get in the car, and have a conversation while driving Child to
school in Williamsport. See id. Stepmother runs errands in town and takes
- 11 -
J-S65004-19
the younger children back to the house until it is time to pick up Child from
school. See id. at 40-41. Child does her homework first and, if the weather
permits, goes to play outside; if the weather is not favorable, Child remains
at home and plays with her younger siblings before having dinner as a family.
See id. at 42. Child showers every night and goes to bed by 9:00 p.m. See
id. at 42-44.
Stepmother testified she has been able to take all three children to do
fun activities, also on her own. See id. at 46-48. Stepmother has taken the
kids to a park, to get ice cream, to a party, to the beach for Child’s birthday,
and to the zoo at Lake Tobias. See id. Stepmother does not anticipate a
baby would make her routine more difficult; she has no current issues caring
for Child and two young children. See id. Stepmother testified that she has
a support group within walking distance of her home that includes her sister
and brother-in-law, her brother-in-law’s mother, and her parents. See id. at
43.
Stepmother testified that she has had issues with Mother and individuals
Mother sends to pick Child up for custody exchanges. See id. at 49-53. Child
feels pressure from Mother not to communicate with Stepmother. See id.
Additionally, there have been issues with the custody exchanges even
recently. See id. An older man unfamiliar to Stepmother came to the house
twenty minutes early for the exchange and began banging loudly on the door,
scaring the children. See id. Although Stepmother immediately told Child to
go and get ready to leave, the man made a remark about the doorbell not
- 12 -
J-S65004-19
working. See id. Stepmother stated she did not know the man, and Mother
refuses to text her about custody exchanges. See id.
Stepmother denied hitting Mother with her car. See id. at 53-55. She
testified that she remembers the incident well, because, on that day, Child
had lice. See id. Stepmother picked Child up from daycare, got Child into
the car, and said “thank you” when Mother gave Stepmother Child’s lice cap.
See id. Mother got very angry and forced her way half into the car, got very
close to Stepmother’s face, and was yelling and spitting on her. See id. Child
was watching the whole incident and appeared “freaked out.” See id.
Stepmother said, “You need to get out of my car,” but that only made
Mother angrier, and she began cursing. See id. Stepmother repeated her
request that Mother get out of the car, and noted that Child was watching.
See id. Stepmother “bumped the car a little bit,” and Mother finally got out
of the car, saying something about Stepmother having run her over. See id.
The whole incident was witnessed by a daycare employee. See id.
When Stepmother returned home, Father asked if she wanted to report
the incident to the police, but Stepmother declined, even though she was
upset Mother had done this in front of Child. See id. However, after receiving
a call from the police station, where Mother had reported that Stepmother hit
her with a car, Stepmother gave the police her side of the story. See id.
Stepmother testified that Child also remembered the incident “the right way”
and that the police were able to interview the daycare employee. See id.
Stepmother was not arrested or cited in relation to the incident. See id.
- 13 -
J-S65004-19
Child testified in camera. See id. at 65-73. Child testified that she likes
her current custody arrangement because it is equal for her, and because
there are different things she likes about each home. See id. At Mother’s
home, Child enjoys playing on her electronic tablet, and, at Father’s home,
Child enjoys playing outside. See id. Child testified that she did not want
Father to go to the Academy, and that it would be fine to stay with Stepmother
and her siblings for a week while Father is not at home. See id.
However, it “wouldn’t be the same” and would be a big change, which
is a problem for Child. See id. Child also testified that she is concerned that,
with Father gone, fighting between Mother and Stepmother would occur no
matter what the court decided. See id. Child testified that she would like to
stay with Mother but wants to see her siblings and meet the new baby. See
id. Child testified that she would like to stay with Father two weekends a
month Friday through Sunday. See id.
Following the hearing, the court held the matter under advisement until
it issued an order and opinion. See Order and Opinion, 7/23/19, at 6-8. The
court ordered that the Custody Order of August 10, 2016, remain in full effect
with modifications during Father’s time in the Academy. See id.
Essentially, during Father’s scheduled periods of custody, Child will
remain in Father’s home with Stepmother and her siblings. However, any
weekend Father will be home or Child will be going to visit Father, Child will
be at Father’s home the entire weekend; on all other weekends, Child will
remain with Mother. See id.
- 14 -
J-S65004-19
The Order also provided for birthdays and holidays. See id. The Order
provided that Mother and Stepmother must communicate directly with each
other in regard to issues concerning Child. See id. If legal custody issues
must be addressed, Mother and Stepmother will discuss the issue, and
Stepmother will obtain Father’s position as soon as she is able. See id. The
court noted it was not granting Stepmother legal custody, but utilizing her as
a spokesperson on behalf of Father in his absence. See id.
Mother timely filed a notice of appeal on August 20, 2019, but did not
file a statement of errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P.
1925(a)(2)(i) and (b). The court issued an opinion pursuant to Pa.R.A.P.
1925(a) on September 3, 2019. Mother filed her Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statement
on September 11, 2019.
On appeal, Mother raises the following issues for our review:
1. Did the trial court err in treating [Father’s] petition for
modification as a petition for special relief?
2. Did the trial court err by not following the presumption that
custody should be with a parent over a third party?
3. Did the trial court by grouping [sic] child’s [stepmother] and
mother together?
4. Did the trial court err by ignoring the presumption favoring the
mother over the [stepmother]?
5. Did the trial court err by failing to create a full and complete
record in order to fully address the child’s best interest?
6. Did the trial court err by failing to address and give appropriate
weight to the testimony of [Stepmother] that evidences contempt
and disrespect for [M]other?
- 15 -
J-S65004-19
7. [Did the] trial court err[] by failing to address and give
inappropriate weight to the testimony and evidence presented of
[Father’s] inability and refusal to co-parent with [M]other?
8. Did the trial court err by failing to consider the child’s emotional
wellbeing and the metal [sic] ramifications of [M]other having to
share custody with [Stepmother] while [F]ather is absent at the
State Police Academy[?]
9. Did the trial court err by ordering [Stepmother] to custody of
child [sic] and then later on in that same order, expressly state
that this [stepparent] has no legal custody rights?
10. Did the trial court err by employing the ideal “utilizing step-
mother as a spokesperson on behalf of [F]ather in his absence[”]?
11. Did the trial court err by failing to consider the already existing
matter of record between [M]other and [Stepmother] as it
specifically relates to [Stepmother] striking [M]other with a motor
vehicle?
12. Did the trial court err by focusing on issues of conflict between
[M]other and [C]hild?
13. Did the trial court err by failing to resolve this issue before
[F]ather left for State Police Academy?
14. Did the trial court err by not avoiding the appearance of
impropriety?
15. Did the trial court err by not acting in a manner that promotes
public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality
of the judiciary?
See Mother’s Brief at unpaginated 4-6 (unnecessary capitalization omitted).
Prior to determining the merits of Mother’s appeal, we must first
determine whether she has preserved her issues for review. See
Commonwealth v. Wholaver, 903 A.2d 1178 (Pa. 2006) (enforcing waiver
- 16 -
J-S65004-19
of appellant’s issue due to failure to file a timely statement of matters
complained of despite appellee’s abandonment of waiver argument).
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i) requires an appellant in a Children’s Fast Track
matter to submit a Concise Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal along
with the Notice of Appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i). Mother did not
comply with this rule but, instead, filed her notice of appeal without a concise
statement on August 20, 2019. The court issued an opinion pursuant to
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) on September 3, 2019, and noted that, due to Mother’s
failure to file her statement, the court was unable to discern the issues Mother
sought to appeal.
Although Mother violated Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a)(2)(i) by failing to file a
concise statement of errors complained of on appeal concurrently with her
Notice of Appeal, Mother filed a Concise Statement less than one month later.
As there is no assertion of any prejudice, we do not quash or dismiss her
appeal. See In re K.T.E.L., 983 A.2d 745, 747 (Pa. Super. 2009) (holding
that the failure to file a Rule 1925(b) statement concurrently with a children's
fast track appeal is considered a defective notice of appeal, to be disposed of
on a case-by-case basis, and declining to quash or dismiss the appeal where
there is no prejudice to the other parties as a result of the late filing).
We next turn to the Concise Statement itself, as this Court has found
waiver in cases of voluminous Concise Statements as well:
Our law makes it clear that Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) is not satisfied by
simply filing any statement. Rather, the statement must be
“concise” and coherent as to permit the trial court to understand
- 17 -
J-S65004-19
the specific issues being raised on appeal. Specifically, this Court
has held that when appellants raise an “outrageous” number of
issues in their 1925(b) statement, the appellants have
“deliberately circumvented the meaning and purpose of Rule
1925(b) and ha[ve] thereby effectively precluded appellate review
of the issues [they] now seek to raise.” We have further noted
that such “voluminous” statements do not identify the issues that
appellants actually intend to raise on appeal because the briefing
limitations contained in Pa.R.A.P. 2116(a) makes the raising of so
many issues impossible. “Further, this type of extravagant
1925(b) statement makes it all but impossible for the trial court
to provide a comprehensive analysis of the issues.”
Tucker v. R.M. Tours, 939 A.2d 343, 346 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citations
omitted) (finding waiver of issues where appellants filed a concise statement
consisting of sixteen pages, 76 paragraphs, and exhibits). Mother’s statement
is not concise as it consists of three pages and fifteen discrete issues.
However, as noted, the trial court did not have an opportunity to respond to
Mother’s statement. As a result, it is not immediately clear whether the
statement was too voluminous as to preclude meaningful review.
We therefore turn to Mother’s brief itself. “Where an appellate brief fails
to provide any discussion of a claim with citation to relevant authority or fails
to develop the issue in any other meaningful fashion capable of review, that
claim is waived.” In re W.H., 25 A.3d 330, 339 n.3 (Pa. Super. 2011); see
also In re M.Z.T.M.W., 163 A.3d 462, 465-66 (Pa. Super. 2017); see also
Estate of Haiko v. McGinley, 799 A.2d 155 (Pa. Super. 2002) (appellant
must support each issue raised by discussion and analysis of pertinent
authority; without discussion of law in appellate brief, appellant hampers this
Court's review and risks waiver; “It is not this Court’s function or duty to
- 18 -
J-S65004-19
become an advocate for the appellant”); see also In re Estate of Whitley,
50 A.3d 203, 206-07 (Pa. Super. 2012) (reiterating general rule that failure
to cite relevant supporting legal authority constitutes waiver of claim on
appeal).
Rule 2101 provides:
Briefs and reproduced records shall conform in all material
respects with the requirements of these rules as nearly as the
circumstances of the particular case will admit, otherwise they
may be suppressed, and, if the defects are in the brief or
reproduced record of the appellant and are substantial, the appeal
or other matter may be quashed or dismissed.
Pa.R.A.P. 2101.
We have held that an appeal may be dismissed and/or quashed where
the deficiencies of the appellant’s brief are such that we are unable to conduct
a meaningful review. Karn v. Quick & Reilly, Inc., 912 A.2d 329, 337 (Pa.
Super. 2006). While this Court construes the filings of a pro se litigant
liberally, “any person choosing to represent himself in a legal proceeding
must, to a reasonable extent, assume that his lack of expertise and legal
training will be his undoing.” Wilkins v. Marsico, 903 A.2d 1281, 1284–85
(Pa. Super. 2006) (finding sufficient grounds to quash appellant’s pro se
appeal due to deficiencies in his brief, but ultimately declining to do so).
We note with disapproval Mother’s deficient brief. Mother’s brief does
not contain separate sections for each of her fifteen issues. Of Mother’s
eleven-page, unpaginated brief, three pages contain Mother’s statement of
questions involved and two pages contain the entirety of her argument.
- 19 -
J-S65004-19
Mother cites to no authority to support her claims. Mother does not cite
to the appropriate place in the record to support her claims. Rather, Mother
presents a disjointed and conclusory argument without meaningful substance,
failing to address the majority of the issues presented in her statement of
questions, and citing to facts that are not in the record.2 Accordingly, due to
the deficiencies in Mother’s brief, we conclude that she has waived all of the
issues she seeks to present. See In re W.H., 25 A.3d at 339 n.3; see also
M.Z.T.M.W., 163 A.3d at 465-66; Estate of Haiko, 799 A.2d at 155.
However, even if not waived, Mother’s challenge to the trial court’s order
would be without merit.
The scope and standard of review in custody matters is as follows:
In reviewing a custody order, our scope is of the broadest type
and our standard is abuse of discretion. We must accept findings
of the trial court that are supported by competent evidence of
record, as our role does not include making independent factual
determinations. In addition, with regard to issues of credibility
and weight of the evidence, we must defer to the presiding trial
judge who viewed and assessed the witnesses first-hand.
However, we are not bound by the trial court’s deductions or
inferences from its factual findings. Ultimately, the test is whether
the trial court’s conclusions are unreasonable as shown by the
evidence of record. We may reject the conclusions of the trial
court only if they involve an error of law, or are unreasonable in
light of the sustainable findings of the trial court.
____________________________________________
2 For example, Mother states, without evidence, that “ex-parte communication
between Father and the Judge, and members of the Judge[’] office have
affected this case.” See Mother’s Brief at unpaginated 10. Similarly, Mother
requests, without citation to any portion of the record or any legal authority,
that this Court disqualify the trial court based upon the conclusory statement
that “her bias is showing after repeated issues before her where she is partial
to Father. . .” See id.
- 20 -
J-S65004-19
With any child custody case, the paramount concern is the best
interests of the child. This standard requires a case-by-case
assessment of all the factors that may legitimately affect the
physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual well-being of the child.
M.J.M. v. M.L.G., 63 A.3d 331, 334 (Pa. Super. 2013).
Section 5328(a) sets forth the sixteen best-interest factors that the trial
court must consider in making an award of custody. See E.D. v. M.P., 33
A.3d 73, 79-80 n.2 (Pa. Super. 2011). “All of the factors listed in section
5328(a) are required to be considered by the trial court when entering a
custody order.” J.R.M. v. J.E.A., 33 A.3d 647, 652 (Pa. Super. 2011)
(emphasis omitted). As such, the record must indicate that the trial court
considered all the factors. See id.
However, the factors are required to be addressed only where the order
impacts an award of custody, and does not merely deal with a discrete and
distinct issue. See S.W.D. v. S.A.R., 96 A.3d 396, 403 (Pa. Super. 2014).
In S.W.D., the Court observed that
[i]t is also true that resolution of an otherwise ancillary matter
may affect a form of custody and require consideration of the
[Section] 5328(a) factors. For instance, the choice of a child’s
school may factor into a trial court’s decision to award a form of
custody when the trial court is addressing a request to establish
or change legal or physical custody in connection with the choice
of school. One parent in a custody dispute may argue that he or
she is entitled to primary physical custody because his or her
residence has much better schools. On the other hand, many
times—like here—these items may appear as independent,
discrete issues[,] advanced by motion or petition[,] that do[ ] not
require a change in the form of custody. Although any decision
requires consideration of the child’s best interest, only the former
situation requires consideration and application of the § 5328(a)
factors.
- 21 -
J-S65004-19
See id. at 403; see also M.O. v. J.T.R., 85 A.3d 1058, 1063 (Pa. Super.
2014) (where trial court does not make an award of custody, but modifies a
discrete custody-related issue, it does not need to address the sixteen
statutory factors when determining child’s best interest).
In the instant case, the trial court correctly treated the petition as a
discrete, custody-related issue and accordingly, was not required to fully detail
the sixteen custody factors. S.W.D., 96 A.3d at 403. The “discrete custody-
related issue” was of how custody would be handled while Father attended the
Academy; the issue would be moot after Father graduated the Academy in
twenty-eight weeks. The court did not grant any form of custody to
Stepmother but, instead, specified the manner in which Stepmother should
communicate with both Mother and Father to ensure that issues of legal
custody were handled appropriately. Accordingly, the court did not need to
consider the sixteen statutory factors.
With regard to its reasoning, the court observed
Based upon the significant history of animosity in this case and
based upon the need to maintain as much stability and
consistency for [Child] as possible during the 28 weeks Father will
be at the State Police Academy, the [c]ourt will grant Father’s
request. After speaking with [Child], it is clear that she is bonded
to members of Mother’s household just as much as she is to
members of Father’s household. [Child] does not want her
[f]ather to go to the Academy as she does not want to be away
from him for that long. [Child]’s life will be disrupted enough by
Father’s absence. By maintain[ing] the week-to-week schedule in
each home, [Child] will at least be able to maintain some
consistency despite Father’s absence.
- 22 -
J-S65004-19
[Child] is the most worried about her Mother and [Stepmother]
fighting while Father is away. Regardless what schedule the
[c]ourt puts in place, Mother and [Stepmother] will need to
communicate regarding [Child].
Trial Court Order, 7/23/19, at 6.
We see no error in this conclusion. The court considered what was in
the best interests of Child – namely, as much stability and consistency as
possible. See S.W.D., 96 A.3d at 403. Based upon the record, this
conclusion was not unreasonable, given the history of animosity between the
parties, Child’s adjustment disorder, and the temporary nature of the order.
See M.J.M., 63 A.3d at 334. Accordingly, we affirm.
Order affirmed. Application to obtain transcript denied.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 2/21/2020
- 23 -