Michael J. Hogan v. Janet Katherine Hogan ( 2009 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT JACKSON
FEBRUARY 17, 2009 Session
MICHAEL J. HOGAN v. JANET KATHERINE HOGAN
Direct Appeal from the Chancery Court for Tipton County
No. 25068 William C. Cole, Chancellor
No. W2008-01750-COA-R3-CV - Filed August 27, 2009
In this appeal, Father asks this Court to consider whether the arbitrator erred in finding California
to be the home state of the parties’ children under the UCCJEA, and in finding that Father failed to
prove a material change of circumstances warranting modification of the parties’ parenting plan.
Mother asks us to consider whether, pursuant to Tennessee’s Uniform Arbitration Act, Father is
limited to the Act’s statutory grounds for vacating or modifying the arbitration award. We find that
the courts of this state do not have jurisdiction to enforce the parties’ arbitration agreement or to
modify the parties’ parenting plan. Accordingly, the actions and orders of the trial court and the
arbitrator are vacated, and the case is dismissed.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3; Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Chancery Court Vacated and
Dismissed
ALAN E. HIGHERS, P.J.,W.S., delivered the opinion of the court, in which DAVID R. FARMER , J., and
J. STEVEN STAFFORD , J., joined.
Charles E. Hodum, Andrea B. Womack, Collierville, TN, for Appellant
Rachel L. Songstad, Arlington, TN, for Appellee
OPINION
I. FACTS & PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Michael J. Hogan (“Father”) and Janet Katherine Hogan (“Mother”) were divorced on April
6, 2001, in the state of Washington, by a decree of dissolution. On that same date, a parenting plan
was entered in which Mother was named the primary residential parent of the parties’ two minor
children, with Father receiving summer visitation. The parenting plan further provided that “[b]oth
parties acknowledge and agree that [Mother] is relocating to the State of California with the
agreement and consent of [Father,]” and the plan allowed Father additional visitation when he was
“physically in the vicinity of the residence of [Mother.]” Finally, the parenting plan included a
provision requiring that “[d]isputes between the parties, other than child support disputes, shall be
submitted to . . . arbitration by DRC of Kitsap County[, Washington].” It further outlined the
procedures to apply “[i]n the dispute resolution process” as follows:
(a) Preference shall be given to carrying out this Parenting Plan.
(b) Unless an emergency exists, the parents shall use the designated process to
resolve disputes relating to implementation of the plan, except those related
to financial support.
(c) A written record shall be prepared of any agreement reached in counseling or
mediation and of each arbitration award and shall be provided to each party.
(d) If the court finds that a parent has used or frustrated the dispute resolution
process without good reason, the court shall award attorneys’ fees and
financial sanctions to the other parent.
(e) The parties have the right of review from the dispute resolution process to the
superior court.
In July of 2001, Mother and the children moved to California, and in June of 2002, Father
moved to Millington, Tennessee. In June of 2006, the parties signed a Stipulation Regarding
Temporary Variance to Parenting Plan and Child Support (“Stipulation”), whereby the children
would reside with Father in Tennessee during the 2006-2007 school year.1 According to the
Stipulation, the children were to reside with Father in Tennessee from June 26, 2006, until July 15,
2007, with the exception of Christmas break spent with Mother. The Stipulation stated that “[t]he
children shall return to the mother’s primary care on July 15, 2007 pursuant to the parenting plan .
. . unless the children express a desire and the parents can agree to extend their stay with the father
for another school year.”
Pursuant to the Stipulation, the children moved to Tennessee in July of 2006. After the
children had been living in Tennessee for approximately ten months, Father, on April 26, 2007, filed
a Petition to Enroll Foreign Decree and to Modify the Parenting Plan as to Primary Residential
Parenting Status in the Tipton County, Tennessee, Chancery Court, claiming a substantial and
1
The Stipulation was not filed with any court.
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material change of circumstance had occurred since the divorce, and seeking to be named the
primary residential parent. On July 12, 2007, the Tipton County Chancery Court enrolled the decree,
finding that Tennessee was the children’s home state as neither the parties nor the children currently
resided in Washington, no pleadings had been filed in California, and the children had resided in
Tennessee for the six months prior to the filing. Mother filed a motion to dismiss Father’s petition
to modify and a memorandum of law in support of her motion on October 12, 2007. Mother claimed
that Father had failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted as his only alleged changes
of circumstance were Mother’s cohabitation with her boyfriend and the children’s preference to
remain with Father. Mother presented a marriage certificate showing that she was currently married,
and she further claimed that absent a threshold showing of a material change of circumstance, the
children’s preference could not be considered.
On January 31, 2008, the Tipton County Chancery Court entered an Order on Mother’s
Motion to Dismiss Petition to Modify the Parenting Plan as to Primary Residential Parenting Status.
The court dismissed Mother’s motion to dismiss, finding it was not well taken. Instead, “[p]ursuant
to the original Permanent Parenting Plan entered on April 6, 2001 [in the state of Washington],” the
court ordered the parties to submit to arbitration with a mutually agreed upon arbitrator. Curiously,
on February 14, 2008, the court entered an Order to Mediate Designating Mediator, which among
other things, designated Dewey C. Whitenton as mediator, and required him to file a report pursuant
to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31, sections 8 and 12(j).
On June 2, 2008, and June 3, 2008, the matter was heard for arbitration by Dorothy J.
Pounders.2 At the conclusion of Father’s proof, Mother moved for an involuntary dismissal pursuant
to Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 41.02. The arbitrator reserved her ruling on the motion until
the close of all proof.
On June 10, 2008 the arbitrator issued her Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.3 The
arbitrator found as follows:
The original decree rendered from the State of Washington recognized that the
children[’s] home[] state would be the State of California. There is nothing in the
law that would require any filing on behalf of the mother to initiate an action in the
State of California to designate the children’s home state. The Arbitrator finds that
the order from the State of Washington [wherein the parties agreed that the Mother
would move to California] was sufficient to do so. As such, the State of California
never lost jurisdiction over the children despite the agreement between the parties
that they could reside temporarily in the State of Tennessee.
2
M other’s brief states that “[d]ue to unforeseen circumstances Mr. Whitenton was unable to serve as arbitrator,
and Dorothy J. Pounders was named the replacement arbitrator.” However, no court order was entered reflecting such
change.
3
On July 7, 2008, the arbitrator filed a Notice of Filing Arbitrator’s Report which incorporated a transcript of
the June 10, 2008 proceedings, in which the arbitrator made oral findings.
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In so finding, the arbitrator considered whether the Stipulation was valid and binding despite its not
having been submitted as a court order. The arbitrator found that regardless of whether the
Stipulation was valid, Tennessee did not have jurisdiction. The arbitrator stated that if she
considered the Stipulation valid, it allowed the children only to come to Tennessee “for a limited
period of time, for a limited purpose” and allowed an extension of the visitation only if the parents
agreed. If she considered the Stipulation invalid, the Washington order, acknowledging California
as the home state, controlled. Therefore, the arbitrator found that pursuant to Tennessee Rule of
Civil Procedure 41.02, Mother was entitled to an involuntary dismissal of Father’s petition to
modify.
On July 3, 2008, Mother filed a Motion to Enforce Arbitration Order and for Attorney Fees
and Costs in the Tipton County Chancery Court. After a hearing on Mother’s motion, the trial court
entered an order which incorporated the arbitrator’s Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, and
enforced the arbitrator’s ruling.4 It further denied Father’s oral motion for a stay of the arbitrator’s
ruling and ordered that the children be returned to California on or before July 15, 2008.5 On August
17, 2008, the arbitrator entered an Order of Special Master6 in which she, again, concluded that
Mother’s motion for involuntary dismissal should be granted.
II. ISSUES PRESENTED
Appellant has timely filed his notice of appeal and presents the following issues, restated as
follows:
1. Whether the Arbitrator erred in finding California to be the home state of the children under
the UCCJEA;
2. Whether the Arbitrator erred in granting Mother’s Rule 41.02 motion, finding that Father
failed to prove a material change of circumstance; and
3. If Father established a material change of circumstance, whether it is in the children’s best
interest to remain in Tennessee, with Father acting as primary residential parent.
Additionally, Appellee presents the following issues, slightly restated, for our review:
4
After this Court entered an Order Requiring Appellant to Obtain Final Judgment or to Show Cause, this order
was filed on February 17, 2009.
5
The trial court’s order did not specifically address attorney fees and costs; however, it incorporated the
arbitrator’s Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, which declined to award attorney fees or costs.
6
It is unclear why the arbitrator entered an order as a special master. At oral argument, both parties stated that
the matter was properly submitted for arbitration; however, they disagreed whether such proceeding was binding.
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1. Whether, under the Uniform Arbitration Act, Mr. Hogan is allowed to relitigate the facts and
issues previously decided by arbitration.
2. Whether Mother should be awarded her reasonable attorney fees and suit expenses incurred
in defending Father’s appeal.7
For the following reasons, we find that the courts of this state are without jurisdiction to enforce the
parties’ arbitration agreement or to modify their parenting plan. We vacate the actions and orders
of the trial court and the arbitrator, and we dismiss the case.
III. DISCUSSION
A. Uniform Arbitration Act
On appeal, Mother argues that because the parties entered into a written agreement
submitting future disputes to arbitration, the Uniform Arbitration Act (the “Act”), Tennessee Code
Annotated sections 29-5-301–320, governs. The Act provides, in part:
(a) A written agreement to submit any existing controversy to arbitration or a
provision in a written contract to submit to arbitration any controversy thereafter
arising between the parties is valid, enforceable and irrevocable save upon such
grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract . . . .
(b) The making of an agreement described in this section providing for arbitration in
this state confers jurisdiction on the court to enforce the agreement under this part
and to enter judgment on an award thereunder.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-5-302 (2000).
Furthermore, Mother claims that because the Act controls, Father’s right to appeal the
arbitrator’s award is limited by the terms of the Act. The Act provides that upon a party’s
application, a court shall confirm an arbitration award unless grounds for modifying or vacating the
award are urged within the requisite time period. Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-5-312 (2000). Upon a
party’s application, the court must vacate an arbitration award where:8
(1) The award was procured by corruption, fraud or other undue means;
7
This issue was not raised in the section of Mother’s brief styled “Issues Presented.” Instead, it was raised
in the “Conclusion” section.
8
An application for vacation of the award based on these grounds, other than corruption, fraud, or other undue
means, must be made within ninety (90) days of delivery of the award to the applicant. Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-5-
313(b) (2000).
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(2) There was evident partiality by an arbitrator appointed as a neutral or corruption
in any of the arbitrators or misconduct prejudicing the rights of any party;
(3) The arbitrators exceeded their power;
(4) The arbitrators refused to postpone the hearing upon sufficient cause being shown
therefor or refused to hear evidence material to the controversy or otherwise so
conducted the hearing, contrary to the provisions of § 29-5-306, as to prejudice
substantially the rights of a party; or
(5) There was no arbitration agreement and the issue was not adversely determined
in proceedings under § 29-5-303 and the party did not participate in the arbitration
hearing without raising the objection.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-5-313 (2000). The court shall modify an arbitration award, where:9
(1) There was an evident miscalculation of figures or an evident mistake in the
description of any person, thing or property referred to in the award;
(2) The arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not submitted to them and the award
may be corrected without affecting the merits of the decision upon the issues
submitted;
(3) The award is imperfect in a matter of form, not affecting the merits of the
controversy.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-5-314(a) (2000). Because Father relied upon none of the bases for
modification or vacation of the award, Mother claims that Father’s appeal must be denied.10
In support of her contention that the arbitrator’s award was binding on the parties, Mother
points to the statements of the arbitrator at the arbitration proceeding. The record reveals the
following exchange:
The Arbitrator: I would like to begin by advising you that arbitration, as you
may know, is binding. You, both of you, I’m speaking to the litigants now, agreed
9
An application for modification of the award must be made within ninety (90) days of delivery of the award
to the applicant. Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-5-314(a) (2000).
10
Mother claims that “M r. Hogan never filed any application with the trial court requesting the trial court to
modify, correct, or vacate the ruling issued by the Arbitrator.” However, Father alleges that “[a]lthough missing from
the record, counsel for Father orally moved the trial court to set aside the Arbitrator’s ruling, but the m otion was
denied.” Father does not state the grounds for his alleged motion.
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in a parenting plan to dispose of issues by way of arbitration. Are both of you aware
that this arbitration clause is part of the parenting plan? I’ll ask the father first.
Mr. Hogan: Yes, ma’am.
....
The Arbitrator: All right. By selecting arbitration you have also agreed that
after putting on proof before an arbitrator that the arbitrator will have the authority
to make a decision regarding the outstanding issues that you present. Do you both
understand that to be the case?
Mr. Hogan: Yes, ma’am.
Ms. Hogan: Yes, ma’am.
The Arbitrator: All right. And do you understand that this arbitration order
and what it will be is . . . findings of fact and conclusions of law by the Arbitrator.
I will use my best efforts to have my written findings within five working days after
we complete the arbitration hearing. The standard of review, once I have given you
my Ruling is one that is very high. And by that I mean that if you don’t like what I
do, your lawyers have a very limited ability to appeal it. The standard of review, as
I understand it, would be that my action as an arbitrator has been arbitrary,
capricious, in other words, . . . with no merit, ignoring the facts and ignoring the
evidence that is produced.
If I . . . am not acting in an arbitrary or capricious manner and I rule – and I
related to the facts that you present, then I would suggest to you that it would be very
difficult for you [to] appeal the Ruling. But your lawyers have agreed that this
arbitration will be binding and that that standard that I just articulated would be the
standard of review. Do you understand that to be the case, sir?
Mr. Hogan: Yes, ma’am.
The Arbitrator: And do you?
Ms. Hogan: Yes, ma’am.
Father offers several reasons as to why the Uniform Arbitration Act does not govern the
parties’ arbitration agreement, such that he is not limited to the grounds for vacating and modifying
arbitration awards under the Act. First, he points to the plain language of the arbitration agreement
which provides:
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Disputes between the parties, other than child support disputes, shall be submitted
to . . . arbitration by DRC of Kitsap County.
....
In the dispute resolution process:
....
(b) Unless an emergency exists, the parents shall use the designated process to
resolve disputes relating to implementation of the plan, except those related to
financial support.
....
(e) The parties have the right of review from the dispute resolution process to the
superior court.
Father claims that “[t]he agreement to arbitrate, by its terms, limits the dispute resolution process
to that of issues concerning the implementation, rather than modification, of the Plan, as well as,
guaranteeing the parties a right to have any decision made by an arbitrator reviewed by a judge.”
This language, he asserts, “unequivocally evidences the parties’ intent that any arbitration of the
Parenting Plan would be non-binding and the judicial review of any decision would be free from the
standards set forth in such acts as the Uniform Arbitration Act.”
As further support for his contention that the Act does not apply to the parties’ arbitration
agreement, Father claims that the agreement “was drafted pursuant to the laws of Washington State,
which do not permit binding arbitration in cases of modification of parenting plans.” Father cites
a Washington case interpreting language identical to that used in the Hogans’ parenting plan. In In
re Smith-Bartlett, 976 P.2d 173, 175-76 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999), the Washington Court of Appeals
considered the appropriate level of review of an arbitration award made pursuant to a parenting plan
providing for mandatory arbitration with a “right of review from the dispute resolution process to
the superior court.” The court rejected the argument that the award was subject to vacation,
modification, or correction only for limited statutory grounds, and held that “[a]s a general rule,
when a statute provides for superior court review, it means de novo.”11 Id. at 178.
Next, Father contends that the arbitration agreement was not subject to the Act, because
“[t]he record contains no reference to the Uniform Arbitration Act.” He insists that the parties’
intent that the arbitration be non-binding was reflected in the trial court’s “Order to Mediate
Designating a Mediator,” which ordered Mr. Whitenton to serve as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule
31 mediator and required him to file a report pursuant to Rule 31. Furthermore, Father points out
that when the arbitrator opened the arbitration by stating that the proceedings would be binding and
subject to the standards of review set forth in the Act, Father’s counsel objected, stating:
11
A Washington statute requires that precise statutory language be included in every parenting plan. Smith-
Bartlett, 976 P.2d at 177 (citing Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.184). Such required language includes that the parties have
the “right of review from the dispute resolution process to the superior court[.]” Id. (citing W ash. Rev. Code §
26.09.184(3)(e)).
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[T]he parties agreed to arbitration. And it was not designated to be binding or not
binding, . . . and there have been some discussion[s] back and forth between the
parties whether it be binding or non-binding, but based upon the traditional nature of
arbitration, if there’s a dissolution in play, I understood the statement that if it is
appealed it would be appealed to the [C]ourt of [A]ppeals of the State of Tennessee
rather than the trial court.
And under that understanding, the fact that this is what the parties agreed to[,]
. . . we’re proceeding with the arbitration on that basis.
Finally, Father claims that “[i]t is contrary to public policy to submit issues concerning the
best interest of minor children to any process which forecloses judicial review.” He acknowledges
that “Tennessee law does not explicitly state that the Uniform Arbitration Act is not applicable to
arbitration agreements contained in parenting plans,” but insists that the policies behind this state’s
parenting plan laws support such an interpretation. Father notes that the General Assembly has
acknowledged that “a different approach to dispute resolution in child custody and visitation matters
is useful[,]” Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-401(b) (2005) and has specifically defined “dispute
resolution,” in Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-6-402(1), in the context of the parenting plan
statutes, as “the mediation process or alternate dispute resolution process in accordance with
Supreme Court Rule 31 unless the parties agree otherwise.” Rule 31 authorizes case evaluations,
mediations, judicial settlement conferences, non-binding arbitrations, summary jury trials, mini-
trials, or other similar proceedings. Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 31 § 2(n) (2008) (emphasis added).
Furthermore, Father cites Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-6-404(a)(4)(F), which requires that
parenting plans provide for dispute resolution, but directs that “[n]othing in this part shall preclude
court action, if required to protect the welfare of the child or a party.”
As we noted above, the Tennessee Uniform Arbitration Act applies to written agreements
to arbitrate, and states that such agreements “providing for arbitration in this state confer[]
jurisdiction on the court to enforce the agreement under this part and to enter judgment on an award
thereunder.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-5-302(b) (2000) (emphasis added). This Court has considered
whether an arbitration agreement must expressly list Tennessee as the arbitration forum in order for
the Act to confer jurisdiction on the courts of this state. In Dewitt v. Al-Haddad, No. 89-394-II, 1990
WL 50727, at *1, 6 (Tenn. Ct. App. W.S. April 25, 1990), we held that the courts of Tennessee had
jurisdiction over an arbitration agreement which failed to provide for arbitration in a specific state,
but stated that such arbitration was pursuant to the bylaws of the American Seed Trade Association.
Because the Commercial Arbitration Rules provided that when the location of the arbitration was
in dispute, such location was to be decided by the AAA, we found that Tennessee could have been
the site of the arbitration, and thus that jurisdiction was proper. Id. at *2. Relying on cases from
other states that had adopted the Act, we stated that “if an agreement for arbitration could result in
arbitration in Tennessee, then our courts have jurisdiction to confirm arbitration awards as long as
[i]n personam jurisdiction requirements are met.” Id. at *6.
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Although we found in Dewitt, that pursuant to an open-forum provision, Tennessee could be
the location of the arbitration, and therefore, that Tennessee had jurisdiction, such is not the case
here. Unlike in Dewitt, where the parties expressly contracted to arbitrate in essentially any state,
the Hogans expressly contracted to arbitrate in the state of Washington. There is no ambiguity or
forum provision that provides that the parties would ever arbitrate in Tennessee. Thus, we find that
because the Hogans’ arbitration agreement did not provide “for arbitration in this state [,]” the trial
court did not have jurisdiction to enforce the arbitration agreement pursuant to Tennessee Code
Annotated section 29-5-302(b).
B. UCCJEA
Having found that the UAA does not extend jurisdiction to the courts of this state to enforce
the Hogans’ arbitration agreement, we next consider whether jurisdiction is conferred pursuant to
Tennessee’s version of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (“UCCJEA”),
Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-6-201 et seq, which “governs jurisdictional conflicts between
Tennessee and other states over child custody.” Lee v. Lee, No. W2003-01053-COA-R3-CV, 2004
WL 3021107, at *4 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec. 29, 2004) (footnote omitted).
1. Jurisdiction to Modify
The UCCJEA provides that Tennessee may not modify a child-custody determination made
by the court of another state unless Tennessee has jurisdiction to make an initial custody
determination, based on home state12 or “significant connections” jurisdiction, and either:
(1) The court of the other state determines it no longer has exclusive, continuing
jurisdiction under § 36-6-217 or that a court of this state would be a more
convenient forum under § 36-6-221; or
(2) A court of this state or a court of the other state determines that the child, the
child's parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in the
other state.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-218.
12
“‘Home state’ means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as a parent for at least
six (6) months immediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding. In the case of a child less than six
(6) months of age, “home state” means the state in which the child lived from birth with any of the persons mentioned.
A period of temporary absence of any of the mentioned persons is part of the period.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-205(7).
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In the instant case, Tennessee does not have jurisdiction to make an initial custody
determination because California is the children’s home state.13 This Court addressed whether an
“extended visit” is enough to change a child’s “home state” status in Stanford v. Sylvain, No.
M2006-01782-COA-R3-JV, 2007 WL 1062080 (Tenn. Ct. App. Apr. 5, 2007). In Stanford, the
child was born and legitimated in Georgia. Id. at *1. The mother then moved to Texas with the
child and enrolled the Georgia legitimation order, which provided for summer visitation with the
father. Id. The parties then agreed to allow the child to visit with the father in Tennessee from
December 2004 to May 2005. Id. The father did not return the child in May, and he instead filed
a petition to modify custody in October 2005. Id. This Court held that Tennessee did not have
jurisdiction to modify the custody arrangement because the “period of temporary absence” from
Texas was not a change of residence so as to give Tennessee home state jurisdiction. Id. at *7.
Likewise, in the instant case, Tennessee does not have “significant connections” jurisdiction.
Significant connections can be found only where no other state qualifies as the child’s home state,
or the home state has declined to extend jurisdiction. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-216(a)(2). Here,
California is the children’s home state, and it has not declined to exercise jurisdiction. Thus, neither
the trial court nor this court has the authority to modify the existing parenting plan.
2. Jurisdiction to Enforce
The UCCJEA, Tennessee Code Annotated, section 36-6-227, concerning enforcement of
foreign child custody determinations, provides:
(a) A court of this state shall recognize and enforce a child-custody determination of
a court of another state if the latter court exercised jurisdiction in substantial
conformity with this part, or the determination was made under factual circumstances
meeting the jurisdictional standards of this part and the determination has not been
modified in accordance with this part.
(b) A court of this state may utilize any remedy available under other law of this state
to enforce a child-custody determination made by a court of another state. The
remedies provided in this part are cumulative and do not affect the availability of
other remedies to enforce a child-custody determination.
Furthermore, Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-6-230 provides:
13
The children had been living in California for over five years when Father filed his petition to enroll the
parties’ divorce decree and to modify the parenting plan.
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(a) A court of this state may grant any relief normally available under the law of this
state to enforce a registered child-custody determination made by a court of another
state.
(b) A court of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, except in
accordance with this part, a registered child-custody determination of a court of
another state.
“Child custody determination” is defined by the UCCJEA as follows:
“Child custody determination” means a judgment, decree, or other order of a court
providing for the legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child.
“Child custody determination” includes a permanent, temporary, initial, and
modification order. “Child custody determination” does not include an order relating
to child support or other monetary obligation of an individual.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-204(3).
Although the arbitration agreement at issue was contained within the parties’ parenting plan,
we find that the term “child custody determination” applies only to those provisions “providing for
the legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child[,]” Tenn. Code Ann. 36-6-
204(3), and does not extend to allow enforcement of unrelated provisions merely because such
provisions are contained within a parenting plan. Therefore, both the trial court and this Court are
without authority to enforce the parties’ arbitration agreement.
C. Subject Matter Jurisdiction
On appeal, neither Mother nor Father argues that the trial court was without authority to order
the parties to arbitration. However, failure of the parties to so argue does not cure a lack of subject
matter jurisdiction. As we have previously explained:
Subject matter jurisdiction involves a court's power or authority to adjudicate a
particular controversy brought before it; it relates to the cause of action itself. State
ex rel. Dept. of Social Services v. Wright, 736 S.W.2d 84, 85 n. 10 (Tenn. 1987);
First American Trust Co. v. Franklin-Murray Development Company, L.P., 59
S.W.3d 135, 140 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001). Thus, subject matter jurisdiction is an
essential requirement for the granting of judicial relief both at trial and on appeal. Id.
at 141. “The lack of subject matter jurisdiction is so fundamental that it requires
dismissal whenever it is raised and demonstrated.” Id. The question of whether a
court has authority to modify a custody order is a matter of subject matter
jurisdiction. Gutzke v. Gutzke, 908 S.W.2d 198, 201 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1995).
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Issues of the court's fundamental authority to decide a controversy are so important
that courts must address them even if the parties do not raise them. First American
Trust Co., 59 S.W .3d at 140. In fact, parties cannot waive the requirement of subject
matter jurisdiction or agree to confer jurisdiction on the court. Id. at 140-41.
Courts derive their subject matter jurisdiction from the Constitution of Tennessee or
from legislative act, i.e., statute. Meighan v. U.S. Sprint Communications Co., 924
S.W.2d 632, 639 (Tenn. 1996). Courts cannot exercise jurisdictional authority that
has not been conferred on them directly or by necessary implication. In re Estate of
White, 77 S.W.3d 765, 768 n. 7(Tenn. Ct. App. 2002); Dishmon v. Shelby State
Cmty. College, 15 S .W.3d 477, 480 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1999).
Lee v. Lee, No. W2003-01053-COA-R3-CV, 2004 WL 3021107, at *7 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec. 29,
2004).
Both the UAA and the UCCJEA, as adopted in this state, clearly set out the requirements for
a Tennessee court to exercise jurisdiction over an arbitration agreement and a change of custody
request, respectively. Unless the statutes confer jurisdiction, our courts have no authority to decide
such issues. Because neither the UAA nor the UCCJEA confer jurisdiction in this case, and because
we find no other basis for jurisdiction, we have no choice but to vacate the rulings and orders of both
the trial court and the arbitrator and dismiss the case.
IV. CONCLUSION
For the aforementioned reasons, we vacate the actions and orders of the arbitrator and the
trial court, and deem all remaining issues pretermitted. The case is dismissed. Costs of this appeal
are taxed to Appellant, Michael J. Hogan, for which execution may issue if necessary.
___________________________________
ALAN E. HIGHERS, P.J., W.S.
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