In Re Carter K. ( 2018 )

02/14/2018
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
Assigned on Briefs January 3, 2018
IN RE CARTER K.
Appeal from the Juvenile Court for Montgomery County
No. 16-JV-1593 Kenneth R. Goble, Judge
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No. M2017-01507-COA-R3-JV
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This appeal involves a custody dispute between the unmarried parents of a minor child.
Mother filed a petition in the juvenile court seeking custody of the minor child, a
determination of Father’s child support arrearage, the establishment of a child support
order, the entry of a permanent parenting plan, and an award of attorney’s fees. Mother
also sought a temporary restraining order preventing Father from removing the child from
her care, custody, and control. Following several pre-trial hearings, the case proceeded to
trial. At the conclusion of the trial, the juvenile court awarded visitation to Father.
Within days of the trial, Mother filed a motion to vacate the juvenile court’s ruling based
on Mother’s allegation that Father had perjured himself at the trial. Following a hearing
at which Father failed to appear, the juvenile court suspended Father’s visitation, and in a
reversal of the its prior decision, ordered Father to pay all of Mother’s attorney’s fees
incurred throughout the proceedings. Because we find that the juvenile court’s orders fail
to comply with the requirements of Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 52.01 such that
we are unable to determine the basis for the juvenile court’s decisions, we vacate the
court’s orders pertaining to the establishment of a permanent parenting plan, the
suspension of Father’s parenting time, and attorney’s fees, and we remand for more
detailed findings of facts and conclusions of law.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Juvenile Court Vacated and
Remanded
ARNOLD B. GOLDIN, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which ANDY D. BENNETT
and THOMAS R. FRIERSON, II, JJ., joined.
James R. Potter, Clarksville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Ted K.
Gregory D. Smith, Clarksville, Tennessee, for the appellee, Whitney C.
OPINION
BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
This case involves a custody dispute between the unmarried biological parents of
Carter K.1 (“the child”). On December 2, 2016, Whitney C. (“Mother”) filed a “Petition
for Restraining Order, Implementation of Parenting Plan, and to Establish Child Support”
in the juvenile court for Montgomery County against Ted K. (“Father”).2
In the petition, Mother asked that the juvenile court enter a restraining order
prohibiting Father from removing the minor child from her care, custody, and control
pending further orders of the court because Father had repeatedly threatened to take the
child and flee out of Tennessee. The petition averred that Father’s girlfriend, Vanessa D.
(“Girlfriend”), had recently attempted suicide and engaged in violence in the presence of
Father and both of Girlfriend’s own children. Among other allegations, Mother’s petition
also averred that Father and Girlfriend possessed illegal drugs, and that both had
repeatedly threatened Mother over the phone using extreme profanity. In addition to the
restraining order, Mother sought child support arrears, an order setting future child
support, the entry of a permanent parenting plan naming her as the primary residential
parent, and an award of her attorney’s fees.
On December 5, 2016, the juvenile court issued a restraining order temporarily
prohibiting Father from “removing the minor child … from the care, custody and control
of his Mother.” A show cause hearing on the restraining order was set for January 6,
2017.
On January 3, 2017, Father filed an answer to Mother’s petition, a motion to
dismiss the restraining order, and a counter-complaint asking the juvenile court to award
him custody of the minor child and child support. Following the hearing on January 6,
2017, the juvenile court entered an order on January 20, 2017, keeping the “restraining
order” in effect pending further orders of the court. In its order of January 20, 2017,
denying Father’s motion to dismiss the restraining order, the juvenile court made a
finding that Father “has no credibility before this Court based upon his untruthful
testimony[.]”
1
In cases involving a minor child, it is this Court’s policy to redact names in order to protect the
child’s identity. See, e.g., In re Elias Mc., No. M2015-01202-COA-R3-PT, 2016 WL 3995756, at *1
(Tenn. Ct. App. July 20, 2016).
2
Carter K. was born out of wedlock, and a parenting plan was never put in place prior to these
proceedings. However, Father is named on the minor child’s birth certificate, and the paternity of the
child is not at issue in this case.
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On January 9, 2017, Father filed a “Motion for Supervised Visitation,” which
Mother opposed. By order of February 17, 2017, the juvenile court denied Father’s
motion for temporary visitation, and again found that Father “continues to have no
credibility before [the juvenile court] based upon his untruthful testimony.”3
On March 31, 2017, Father filed a “Motion for Pendente Lite Visitation,” which
Mother also opposed. Following a hearing, by order of May 10, 2017, the juvenile court
again denied Father’s motion for temporary visitation.
Both parents submitted parenting plans, and the case went to trial before the
juvenile court on June 1, 2017.
Mother testified that she had received repeated threats from Girlfriend, and that
Girlfriend had repeatedly posted defamatory comments about Mother on social media.
Mother testified that Girlfriend’s threats and comments have caused her to become
fearful of Girlfriend, and that Girlfriend’s behavior has caused Mother to conclude that
Girlfriend threatens the well-being of her and the minor child.
Father testified at the trial that he was no longer in a relationship with Girlfriend.
Specifically, the following exchange occurred at trial:
Q: [Father’s attorney] There’s been a lot of talk about [Girlfriend].
[Girlfriend] was your girlfriend?
A: [Father] Correct.
Q: [Father’s attorney] What is you-all’s relationship status now?
A: [Father] I am single.
Q: [Father’s attorney] Who ended it?
A: [Father] It was mutual. This whole ordeal was—
Q: [The Court] He’s single. Does that mean he’s had a divorce?
A: [Father] We—we never—we were—just fiancée. We were going to get
married, and then when the court hearings started, we did not.
...
Q: [Father’s attorney] Were you and [Girlfriend] ever married?
A: [Father] No. We put it off because of this, and then this has taken its toll
on our relationship, at which point we mutually ended it.
Q: [Father’s attorney] Is she any part of your life now?
A: [Father] No.
3
The Honorable Ray Grimes presided over the hearings in this case held on January 3, 2017 and
February 3, 2017. However, after the second hearing, Judge Grimes recused himself and was replaced by
the Honorable Kenneth R. Goble.
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Father admitted that he had directed profanities at Mother over the telephone, and
that he witnessed Girlfriend direct profanities at Mother over the telephone on more than
one occasion. Father also testified that he told the minor child that Mother would not
allow Father to see him.
At the conclusion of the trial, the juvenile court judge issued an oral ruling that
adopted a parenting plan that primarily addressed Father’s visitation. The juvenile court
judge also specifically stated in his oral ruling that he was not awarding attorney’s fees to
either party.
On June 7, 2017, before the juvenile court judge entered a final written order,
Mother filed a “Motion to Vacate Order or Proceeding Pursuant to Tennessee Rule of
Civil Procedure 60.02(2) Fraud, Misrepresentation, and/or Misconduct and/or T.R.C.P.
60.02(5).” Mother alleged that, despite his testimony at trial to the contrary, Father had
married Girlfriend approximately two weeks prior to the trial. Mother asked that the
juvenile court vacate its ruling based upon the false testimony, suspend Father’s
parenting time, and hold Father in contempt for perjury.
On June 8, 2017, Father’s attorney filed a motion to withdraw. He averred in the
motion that in spite of Father’s testimony at trial on June 1, 2017, that he was single and
no longer in a relationship with Girlfriend, he learned, subsequent to the trial, that Father
had, in fact, married Girlfriend on May 15, 2017.
On June 8, 2017, the juvenile court held a hearing on Mother’s motion to vacate
and on Father’s attorney’s motion to withdraw. Father did not appear at the hearing. The
juvenile court judge orally granted Father’s attorney’s motion to withdraw and suspended
Father’s visitation pending further orders of the court. On June 26, 2017, the juvenile
court entered four orders. These orders included an Agreed Order awarding Mother a
child support arrearage of $33,880.00 and setting Father’s monthly child support
payment;4 an order setting out its decision following the June 1, 2017 hearing
(henceforth, the “Parenting Plan Order”); and an order reflecting the juvenile court’s
decision following the June 8, 2017 hearing (henceforth, the “Vacate Order”). The
Parenting Plan Order set visitation and designated other parameters typically found in a
parenting plan. The Parenting Plan Order also stated that the juvenile court was not
awarding either party their attorneys’ fees. On the other hand, in the Vacate Order the
juvenile court reversed its decision in the Parenting Plan Order and awarded Mother “all
of her attorney fees and costs expended by her throughout these proceedings.” Also, in
the Vacate Order, the juvenile court suspended all of Father’s visitation pending further
orders, specifically stating, “[t]he Respondent must return before this Court if he wishes
4
The Agreed Order establishing the child support arrearage and setting monthly child support is
not a subject of this appeal. The child support worksheets attached to the Agreed Order reflected that
Mother is the child’s primary residential parent.
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to have visitation with the minor child and he faces ten (10) days incarceration for
contempt.” Additionally, the juvenile court granted Father’s attorney’s motion to
withdraw. Lastly, the juvenile court entered a fourth order compelling Father to pay
Mother $21,127.00 for all of her attorney’s fees and costs.
On June 26, 2017, Father filed a notice of appeal to this Court, but he also filed a
Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 59.04 motion to amend the Agreed Order with the
juvenile court. On September 6, 2017, the juvenile court entered an order, submitted by
Father’s new attorney, striking Father’s Rule 59.04 motion. Accordingly, this appeal is
properly before us.
ISSUES PRESENTED
Father raises the following issues for our review, restated verbatim as follows:
1. Did the trial court err in failing to make required finding[s] of fact and
conclusions of law in its ruling pursuant to [Tennessee Code Annotated
Section] 36-6-106(a) and Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 52.01?
2. Did the trial court err in suspending Father’s visitation solely upon a
finding that he had committed perjury?
3. Did the trial court err in assessing Attorney Fees in the June 8, 2017
hearing?
In the posture of Appellee, Mother raises the following issue for our
review:
4. Whether Mother should be awarded her attorney’s fees for the cost of
this appeal?
STANDARD OF REVIEW
In an appeal from a bench trial, we review the factual findings of the juvenile court
de novo upon the record, with a presumption of correctness. See Tenn. R. App. P. 13(d);
Johnson v. Johnson, 165 S.W.3d 640, 645 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004). We will not disturb the
juvenile court’s factual findings unless the evidence in the record preponderates against
those findings. Johnson, 165 S.W.3d at 645 (citing Tenn. R. App. P. 13(d); Bogan v.
Bogan, 60 S.W.3d 721, 727 (Tenn. 2001)). However, we review the juvenile court’s legal
conclusions de novo with no presumption of correctness. Id. (citing S. Constructors, Inc.
v. Loudon Cty. Bd. of Educ., 58 S.W.3d 706, 710 (Tenn. 2001)).
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Trial courts are vested with wide discretion when determining the details of
custody arrangements. See In re Grace N., No. M2016-00453-COA-R3-JV, 2017 WL
4402232, at *4 (Tenn. Ct. App. Sept. 27, 2017) (citation omitted). Because they are able
to observe the witnesses and make credibility determinations, the trial courts are in a
better position than appellate courts to fashion an arrangement that serves the best interest
of the child. Kelly v. Kelly, 445 S.W.3d 685, 692 (Tenn. 2014) (citing Armbrister v.
Armbrister, 414 S.W.3d 685, 693 (Tenn. 2013)). Accordingly, we review the trial court’s
decisions regarding custody arrangements under an abuse of discretion standard. Id.
(citation omitted). While the abuse of discretion standard affords deference to the trial
court’s decisions, it does not immunize a trial court’s decision from appellate review. In
re Grace N., 2017 WL 4402232, at *4 (citing Boyd v. Comdata Network, Inc., 88 S.W.3d
203, 211 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2002)). “A trial court abuses its discretion when ‘it causes an
injustice to the party challenging the decision by (1) applying an incorrect legal standard,
(2) reaching an illogical or unreasonable decision, or (3) basing its decision on a clearly
erroneous assessment of evidence.’” Id. (quoting Lee Med., Inc. v. Beecher, 312 S.W.3d
515, 524 (Tenn. 2010)). A trial court abuses its discretion in establishing a residential
parenting schedule “only when the trial court’s ruling falls outside the spectrum of
rulings that might reasonably result from an application of the correct legal standards to
the evidence found in the record.” See Kelly, 445 S.W.3d at 692 (quoting Armbrister, 414
S.W.3d at 693).
DISCUSSION
When making an initial custody determination, juvenile courts must consider a
variety of statutorily enumerated factors before establishing a residential parenting
schedule. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106. “Out of all of the factors which may be
relevant in a given case, the welfare and best interest of the child must be the court’s
paramount concerns.” See In re Emma E., No. M2008-02212-COA-R3-JV, 2010 WL
565630, at *5 (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 17, 2010) (quoting Darvarmanesh v. Gharacholou,
No. M2004–00262–COA–R3–CV, 2005 WL 1684050, at *3 (Tenn. Ct. App. July 19,
2005)). “In taking into account the child’s best interest, the court shall order a custody
arrangement that permits both parents to enjoy the maximum participation possible in the
life of the child” while also taking into consideration the enumerated statutory factors.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106.5
5
These factors include the following: the child’s need for stability; the strength, nature, and
stability of the child’s relationship with each parent, including whether one parent has performed the
majority of parenting responsibilities relating to the daily needs of the child; each parent’s past or
potential for future parenting responsibilities, including the willingness and ability of each of the parents
and caregivers to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the
child and both of the child’s parents, consistent with the best interest of the child; refusal to attend a court
ordered parent education seminar; the love, affection, and emotional ties existing between each parent and
the child; and any other factors bearing on the child’s best interest. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106.
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We begin with Father’s argument that the juvenile court erred in failing to make
specific findings of fact to support its judgment in this custody dispute. “In bench trials,
trial courts must make findings of fact and conclusions of law to support their rulings.”
See In re Noah J., No. W2014-01778-COA-R3-JV, 2015 WL 1332665, at *4 (Tenn. Ct.
App. Mar. 11, 2015) (quoting Hardin v. Hardin, No. W2012-00273-COA-R3-CV, 2012
WL 6727533, at *3 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec. 27, 2012)). Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure
52.01 states, in pertinent part:
[i]n all actions tried upon the facts without a jury, the court shall find the
facts specially and shall state separately its conclusions of law and direct
the entry of the appropriate judgment.
“Simply stating the trial court’s decision, without more, does not fulfill this mandate.” In
re Noah J., 2015 WL 1332665, at *4 (quoting Barnes v. Barnes, No. M2011–01824–
COA–R3–CV, 2012 WL 5266382, at *8 (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 24, 2012)). In part, the
rationale behind the mandate of Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 52 is that it facilitates
meaningful appellate review by providing a clear articulation of the basis of the trial
court’s decision. Gooding v. Gooding, 477 S.W.3d 774, 776 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2015); In re
Noah J., 2015 WL 1332665, at *4 (“Findings and conclusions serve the important
purposes of facilitating appellate review and promoting the just and speedy resolution of
appeals.”).
In custody disputes, our task on appeal is generally to determine whether the trial
court abused its discretion in fashioning the particular parenting arrangement. In re Noah
J., 2015 WL 1332665, at *5. As we stated earlier, “[a] trial court abuses its discretion
when ‘it causes an injustice to the party challenging the decision by (1) applying an
incorrect legal standard, (2) reaching an illogical or unreasonable decision, or (3) basing
its decision on a clearly erroneous assessment of evidence.” In re Grace N., 2017 WL
4402232, at *4 (quoting Lee Med., Inc. v. Beecher, 312 S.W.3d 515, 524 (Tenn. 2010)).
However, absent findings of facts and conclusions of law, “this [C]ourt is left to
wonder on what basis the court reached its ultimate decision.” Gooding, 477 S.W.3d at
782 (quoting In re Estate of Oakley, No. M2014-00341-COA-R3-CV, 2015 WL 572747,
at *10 (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 10, 2015)). Unfortunately, the Parenting Plan Order and
Vacate Order do not sufficiently articulate the factual and legal basis relied upon by the
juvenile court for us to determine whether the juvenile court appropriately exercised its
judgment in fashioning the initial parenting plan or suspending Father’s visitation.
For example, the juvenile court made only the following factual findings in the
Parenting Plan Order:
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1. That Father has made bad choices even per his own testimony.
[Girlfriend] is not the first bad choice Father has made in his relationship
choices.
2. That although there was no testimony that the Father himself may harm
the child, there could be a risk of harm to the child with Father per his
willingness to fabricate stories in the past and the possibility he will begin
again in the future, and by those whom Father chooses to be in a
relationship with who are allowed to be around the child.
The juvenile court went on to outline more detailed provisions concerning the
parenting plan. However, nothing in the juvenile court’s Parenting Plan Order indicates
that the court considered the applicable statutory factors, or explains why the parenting
plan is in the minor child’s best interest.
It appears to this Court that the juvenile court fashioned the Parenting Plan Order
based, at least in part, upon the juvenile court’s perception that Father lacks credibility
and has made bad decisions in the past. However, the Parenting Plan Order lacks any
findings concerning the minor child’s best interest, or how his best interest is affected by
Father’s willingness to prevaricate. The juvenile court must make specific findings to
support its conclusion that imposition of the ordered parenting plan is in the child’s best
interest in light of the statutory factors. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106; Tenn. R. Civ. P.
52.01.
Mother points to several facts, which she argues support the juvenile court’s
decision, including the fact that she has been the child’s primary caregiver throughout his
life and Father has failed to pay meaningful support. While we agree that these facts, if
found, would weigh in favor of Mother, these are not the only factors the juvenile court is
directed to consider when establishing a custody arrangement consistent with the best
interest of the child. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106. While “there is no statutory
requirement that the court list every applicable factor along with its conclusion as to how
that particular factor impacted the overall custody determination,” the statute nevertheless
“requires the trial court to consider all the applicable factors.” See In re Conner S.L., No.
W2012-00587-COA-R3-JV, 2012 WL 5462839, at *7 (Tenn. Ct. App. Nov. 8, 2012)
(quoting Murray v. Murray, No. M2009-01576-COA-R3-CV, 2010 WL 3852218, at *8
(Tenn. Ct. App. Sept. 28, 2010)) (emphasis added).
The Vacate Order also fails to comply with Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure
52.01. The juvenile court’s Vacate Order states, in part:
1. That all of the Respondent, [Father’s] visitation is suspended pending
further Orders of this Court.
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2. That based upon the revelations that perjury was committed by the
Respondent at June 1, 2017 hearing, specifically finding that he is in fact
married to his previous girlfriend, although he testified that he was single
and broken up with his girlfriend, the Respondent continues to have no
credibility before this Court.
3. That the Respondent must return before this Court if he wishes to have
visitation with the minor child, and he faces ten (10) days incarceration for
contempt.
4. That the Respondent’s child support obligation shall be calculated as
previously ordered at the June 1, 2017 hearing.
5. That the Petitioner [Mother], is awarded a judgment against the
Respondent, [Father], for all of her attorney fees and costs expended by her
throughout these proceedings. The petitioner shall submit a separate
Affidavit of attorney fees and costs, along with an Order granting the same.
6. That John D. Parker’s Motion to Withdraw is hereby granted.
Although the juvenile court is afforded considerable discretion in matters of child
custody, the least restrictive visitation limits generally are favored in order to encourage
the parent-child relationship. Melvin v. Melvin, 415 S.W.3d 847, 851 (Tenn. Ct. App.
2011) (citation omitted). Terminating all visitation “has the practical effect of terminating
the parent-child relationship, and accordingly must be supported by specific findings that
visitation by the non-custodial parent will result in physical, emotional, or moral harm to
the child.” Id. (emphasis added).
The juvenile court’s Vacate Order suspending Father’s visitation clearly lacks a
specific finding that visitation by Father will likely result in physical, emotional, or moral
harm to the minor child. However, we take note that the juvenile court previously
indicated that it is the people that Father has allowed to be around the child that may pose
a threat of harm to the minor child. Indeed, the juvenile court may conclude that
suspension of Father’s parental rights is in the child’s best interest. See Tenn. Code Ann.
§ 36-6-406(d)(1)-(8) (providing the grounds upon which a parent’s rights may be
suspended). However, the juvenile court must set out its findings and conclusions in its
order. Tenn. R. Civ. P. 52.01.
When a trial court fails to explain the basis of its decision, we are severely
hampered in performing our reviewing function, and we may remand the case with
instructions to make requisite findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter judgment
accordingly. See In re Noah J., 2015 WL 1332665, at *5–6 (“One remedy appellate
courts typically apply when a trial court’s factual findings fail to satisfy the Rule 52.01
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requirement is to remand the case to the trial court with directions to issue sufficient
findings and conclusions.”). In this case, we vacate the Parenting Plan Order and the
Vacate Order and remand for the juvenile court to make more detailed findings of fact
and conclusions of law and enter judgment in compliance with Tennessee Rule of Civil
Procedure 52.01. Our vacating of these orders in no way implicates the Agreed Order
awarding Mother a child support arrearage from Father and setting Father’s child support
for his minor child.6
It is clear from our review of the record, that there is evidence of Father’s extreme
lack of judgment and bad decision-making. His willingness to allegedly perjure himself
in open court concerning his marital status and relationship with Girlfriend draws serious
questions concerning Father’s integrity and character. We recognize, however, that lives
and events have not stood still while this custody dispute has been in the courts. Id. at *6
(citation omitted). This Opinion should not be construed as preventing the juvenile court
from allowing the parties to put on additional evidence regarding the child custody issue
on remand, including how the parties’ circumstances may have changed since the entry of
the June 26, 2017 orders. Id. In light of the passage of time and events taking place in the
lives at stake, the juvenile court may, in its discretion, consider additional evidence to
ensure that any custody order is based on the parties’ current actual circumstances. Id.
(citation omitted).
ATTORNEY FEES
Father claims that the juvenile court abused its discretion by awarding attorney
fees to Mother and claims that the amount awarded was unreasonable. Mother argues that
Father’s appeal is frivolous, and that she should be awarded the costs of her attorney’s
fees incurred during this appeal. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 27-1-122.
Tennessee generally follows the American Rule which provides that “litigants pay
their own attorney’s fees absent a statute or an agreement providing otherwise.” State v.
Brown & Williamson Tobacco, Corp., 18 S.W.3d 186, 194 (Tenn. 2000). “Under the
American [R]ule, a party in a civil action may recover attorney fees only if: (1) a
contractual or statutory provision creates a right to recover attorney fees; or (2) some
other recognized exception to the American [R]ule applies, allowing for recovery of such
fees in a particular case.” Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. v. Epperson, 284
S.W.3d 303, 308 (Tenn. 2009).
However, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 36-5-103(c) provides a right to
recover attorney fees in custody and child support disputes. At the trial on June 1, 2017,
6
As stated above, the Agreed Order establishing the child support arrearage and setting monthly
child support is not a subject of this appeal. The child support worksheets attached to the Agreed Order
reflected that Mother is the child’s primary residential parent.
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and in the Parenting Plan Order, the juvenile court initially denied Mother’s request for
an award of attorney fees. However, at the hearing on June 8, 2017, and in the Vacate
Order, the juvenile court reversed its prior decision and awarded Mother “all of her
attorney fees and costs expended by her throughout these proceedings.” Moreover, in its
“Order for Attorney Fees and Costs,” entered on June 26, 2017, the juvenile court,
without further findings, ordered Father to pay Mother $21,127.00 in attorney fees and
costs.7 In light of the circumstances of this case and our decision to vacate the Parenting
Plan and Vacate Orders, we vacate the award of attorney’s fees and remand the case to
the juvenile court to make specific findings of fact and conclusions of law as to the basis
and reasonableness of the award of attorney fees to Mother.
Mother also requests that we award her the cost of her attorney’s fees incurred
during this appeal. Tennessee Code Annotated Section 27-1-122 provides for an award of
sanctions in the form of attorney’s fees on appeal when an appeal is determined to be
frivolous. “A frivolous appeal is an appeal that is so devoid of merit that it has no
reasonable chance of succeeding.” Glanton v. Lord, 183 S.W.3d 391, 401 (Tenn. Ct. App.
2005) (citation omitted). Determining whether to award attorney fees on appeal is a
discretionary decision. Id. (citation omitted). In light of our decision herein, we exercise
our discretion and respectfully decline to grant Mother an award of her attorneys’ fees
incurred during this appeal.
CONCLUSION
The orders of the juvenile court referencing the hearing of June 1, 2017, the
Parenting Plan Order, and the order referencing the hearing of June 8, 2017, the Vacate
Order, as well as the order granting Mother’s attorney’s fees and costs, each entered on
June 26, 2017, are vacated. The case is remanded for such further proceedings as may be
necessary and are consistent with this Opinion. Costs of the Appeal are taxed one-half to
the Appellant, Ted K., and one-half to Appellee, Whitney C., for all of which execution
may issue if necessary.
_________________________________
ARNOLD B. GOLDIN, JUDGE
7
An Affidavit of “Attorney Fee and Costs” was filed with the juvenile court by Mother’s attorney
on June 7, 2017. The affidavit contained the attorney’s billable hours and the total fees and expenses
incurred by Mother accompanied by a one paragraph summary of the work performed.
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