In Re The Parenting Of K.b.k. ( 2013 )

FILED
ED
COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION II
2013 SEP 10 AM 8: 40
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
In the Matter of the Parenting and Support of
K.B. K.,
No. 43560 -8 -II
RICHARD D. JUDEN,
Respondent,
and UNPUBLISHED OPINION
KAYLEE A. KILGORE,
Appellant.
1—
LEE, J. P. T. Kaylee Killgore appeals the trial court' s denial of her petition to relocate
2
with her child, KBK, to Texas following a permanent parenting plan trial. She argues that the
trial court abused its discretion by making findings not supported by the record and by failing to
adequately consider the required statutory factors. We hold that the trial court abused its
discretion in its consideration of the mandatory factors and in making numerous factual findings
not supported by the record. Accordingly, we vacate the order restraining relocation and remand
to the trial court for further proceedings.
1 Judge Linda Lee is serving as judge pro tempore of the Court of Appeals, Division II, under
CAR 21( c).
2 We refer to KBK, a minor, by his initials to protect his privacy.
No. 43560 -841
FACTS
Killgore and Richard Juden had a brief romantic relationship in 2006, while both resided
in Portland, Oregon. In August 2006, Juden moved to California to attend college. After his
relocation to California, Killgore told Juden that she was pregnant. Killgore suggested Juden
return to Portland; Juden suggested Killgore join him in California. Juden was skeptical that
Killgore was pregnant and questioned whether he was the father. After a few weeks of arguing
about Killgore' s pregnancy, Killgore and Juden stopped communicating.
Killgore gave birth to KBK early in 2007. Shortly after KBK' s birth, Killgore contacted
Juden and invited him to meet KBK. Juden recalled that Killgore did not provide contact
information, and he tried unsuccessfully to contact her.
Nearly two years later, in January 2009, deoxyribonucleic acid testing confirmed Juden' s
paternity. Shortly thereafter, Juden contacted Killgore and arranged a week -long trip to Portland
to meet KBK. Juden and his wife stayed with Juden' s grandparents during the visit. After an
initial meeting and supervised visit at Juden' s grandparents, Killgore allowed Juden and his wife
to take KBK on unsupervised outings.
A temporary parenting plan was entered in April 2009, awarding primary residential time
to Killgore and providing for limited residential time for Juden, including bi- monthly travel to
Portland/Vancouver and twice weekly video conferencing. Both Killgore and Juden were found
in contempt for missing videoconference contacts. On November 18, 2009, in combination with
a second order finding Juden in contempt, the trial court suspended Juden' s contact with KBK
under the April 2009 temporary parenting plan pending further court action.
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Nearly two years later, in October 2011, Juden hired counsel and proposed a permanent
parenting plan for KBK. Killgore filed a competing permanent parenting plan. On March 7,
2012, the trial court entered an interim order reinstating Juden' s contact and providing for long
weekend visits in March and April and a two -week summer residential opportunity in southern
California. All other parenting plan issues were reserved for future determination and the matter
was set for trial on May 1, 2012.
Killgore and KBK lived with Killgore' s mother, Chris Killgore- Lannan, in Vancouver,
Washington, for almost all of KBK' s life.3 Prior to January 2011, Killgore worked at Clark
College, did household chores in exchange for room and board at her mother' s house, and
attended college working toward a nursing degree. Around January 2011, Killgore stopped
taking classes and working at Clark College to give birth and care for her second child.
In mid -
March 2012, Killgore' s mother accepted a better paying job requiring her to move
to Texas. On March 16, Killgore provided notice of her intent to relocate KBK to Texas to live
with her mother. Juden objected to the relocation. On May 1, the scheduled trial date for
establishment of a permanent parenting plan, the trial focused primarily on the relocation.issue.
Killgore testified that she, KBK, and her other child had been renting a house, but as of
May 1, the day of trial, they were living in a hotel and had no other housing arranged in the area.
She also testified that she did not have a job or any money. Killgore acknowledged that she
could find work as a certified nursing assistant ( CNA) in the Vancouver area with her current
education, but she explained that daycare costs would be more than her income.
3 For a brief period of time in 2010, Killgore and KBK resided with Gary Warden, the father of
Killgore' s younger child.
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No. 43560 -8 -II
Killgore intended to move in with her mother in Texas. She planned to exchange chores
and cleaning for room and board for her and her children, just as she had before her mother
moved to Texas. She also planned to attend Texas Women' s University to earn a bachelor' s
degree in nursing.
Juden continued to object to Killgore' s proposed relocation of KBK. Both Juden and his
wife stated that they were committed to moving to Portland before the end of the year and,
ideally, they would move by September. Juden' s grandparents agreed to rent their Portland
home to Juden and his wife when the grandparents transitioned to a retirement community in
June.
The trial court denied Killgore' s petition to relocate KBK to Texas. It found that the
detrimental effects of allowing KBK to move to Texas outweighed the benefits of the move to
KBK and Killgore, that Killgore was the primary caregiver, and that being separated from
Killgore would be more detrimental to KBK than separation from Juden. The trial court also
found that Killgore' s primary reason for relocation was to be near her mother, upon whom she is
financially dependent, and that this reason did not justify allowing Killgore to move KBK to
Texas. It further found that Killgore could attend nursing programs in Washington or Oregon,
and that she is employable with her present training. According to the trial court, relocating
KBK to Texas would remove him from an environment that he was used to and that the quality
of life is better in Washington than in Texas. It further found that Juden articulated a viable plan
for moving to Portland and that long distance travel between Texas and Los Angeles or Texas
and Portland were not good scenarios. Finally, the court found that Killgore had no realistic plan
to become self supporting in Texas in less than three years, and that her financial and educational
-
opportunities in Washington and Oregon met or exceeded those in Texas. For those reasons, the
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trial court concluded that the presumption in favor of relocation had been rebutted and it denied
relocation.
On May 18, 2012, the trial court entered the written order denying relocation, a final
order establishing a residential schedule, a parenting plan, and a child support order. The order
establishing the residential schedule and parenting plan adopted and incorporated by reference
the interim residential plan/parenting plan signed on March 7, 2012. The trial court scheduled a
review hearing in August 2012.
Killgore sought timely discretionary review of the trial court' s order denying her the
ability to relocate with KBK. Killgore did not appeal the order establishing the residential
schedule and parenting plan. We granted discretionary review to determine whether the trial
court' s findings regarding its denial of Killgore' s petition to relocate KBK were supported by the
record.
ANALYSIS
Killgore appeals the trial court' s denial of her petition to relocate KBK to Texas. She
argues that the trial court abused its discretion because it failed to adequately consider the
statutory relocation factors and made findings not supported by the record. We agree that the
trial court abused its discretion in its consideration of the mandatory factors and in making
numerous factual findings not supported by the record.
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review the trial court' s decision to grant or deny a petition for relocation for abuse of
discretion, which is whether the court' s decision was manifestly unreasonable or based on
untenable grounds or reasons. In re Marriage ofHorner, 151 Wn.2d 884, 893 -94, 93 P. 3d 1242004).
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No. 43560- 8- 11
A court' s decision is manifestly unreasonable if it is outside the range of
acceptable choices, given the facts and the applicable legal standard; it is based on
untenable grounds if the factual findings are unsupported by the record; it is based
on untenable reasons if it is based on an incorrect standard or the facts do not
meet the requirements of the correct standard.
Horner, 151 Wn.2d at 894 ( quoting In re Marriage ofLittlefield, 133 Wn.2d 39, 47, 940 P. 2d
1362 ( 1997)). We uphold trial court findings if they are supported by substantial evidence. In re
Marriage ofMcDole, 122 Wn.2d 604, 610, 859 P. 2d 1239 ( 1993). " Substantial evidence exists
if the record contains evidence of a sufficient quantity to persuade a fair -
minded, rational person
of the truth of the declared premise." In re Marriage ofFahey, 164 Wn. App. 42, 55 -56, 262
P. 3d 128 ( 2011), review denied, 173 Wn.2d 1019 ( 2012).
II. RELOCATION STANDARD
In 2000, the legislature passed the Child Relocation Act (CRA), RCW 26. 09. 405 -.560,
which shifts the analysis away from the best interests of the child to an analysis focusing on the
best interests of the child and the relocating person. LAWS OF 2000, ch. 21, §§ 1, 14; Horner,
151 Wn.2d at 886 -87. The CRA creates a rebuttable presumption that the relocation will be
allowed, which may be rebutted when the objecting party proves that " the detrimental effect of
the relocation outweighs the benefit of the change to the child and the relocating person, based
upon [ 11 child relocation] factors." RCW 26. 09. 520. The factors are:
1) The relative strength, nature, quality, extent of involvement, and
stability of the child' s relationship with each parent, siblings, and other significant
persons in the child' s life;
2) Prior agreements of the parties;
3) Whether disrupting the contact between the child and the person with
whom the child resides a majority of the time would be more detrimental to the
child than disrupting contact between the child and the person objecting to the
relocation;
4) Whether either parent or a person entitled to residential time with the
child is subject to limitations under RCW 26. 09. 191;
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5) The reasons of each person for seeking or opposing the relocation and
the good faith of each of the parties in requesting or opposing the relocation;
6) The age, developmental stage, and needs of the child, and the likely
impact the relocation or its prevention will have on the child' s physical,
educational, and emotional development, taking into consideration any special
needs of the child;
7) The quality of life, resources, and opportunities available to the child
and to the relocating party in the current and proposed geographic locations;
8) The availability of alternative arrangements to foster and continue the
child' s relationship with and access to the other parent;
9) The alternatives to relocation and whether it is feasible and desirable
for the other party to relocate also;
10) The financial impact and logistics of the relocation or its prevention;
and
11) For a temporary order, the amount of time before a final decision can
be made at trial.
RCW 26. 09. 520.
These factors are not listed or weighed in any particular order. RCW 26. 09.520; Horner,
151 Wn.2d at 887. The trial court must consider each of the factors and find by a preponderance
of the evidence that they show that relocation would be more detrimental than beneficial, and it
must make findings on the record regarding each of the factors. Horner, 151 Wn.2d at 895 -97;
In re Marriage of Wehr, 165 Wn. App. 610, 613, 267 P. 3d 1045 ( 2011).
III. THE TRIAL COURT' S FINDINGS
Killgore challenges the trial court' s analysis of 9 of the 11 relocation factors.4 Killgore
asserts that the trial court' s findings are either unsupported by the record or demonstrate that the
trial court did not properly consider the required factors. The record establishes that the trial
court failed to adequately consider the relocation factors and made numerous factual findings
that are not supported by the record. Thus, the trial court' s decision was based on untenable
grounds, which constitutes an abuse of discretion. Horner, 151 Wn.2d at 894.
4 Killgore does not challenge the trial court' s findings related to factors 3 and 11.
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A. RCW 26. 09. 520( 1)— Child' s Relationship with Parents, Siblings, and Other
Significant Persons
The first relocation factor requires the court to consider "[ t] he relative strength, nature,
quality, extent of involvement, and stability of the child' s relationship with each parent, siblings,
and other significant persons in the child' s life." RCW 26. 09. 520( 1). Here, the trial court found
that Killgore had been KBK' s primary caregiver and Juden was not involved with KBK until
paternity was established in 2009.
Killgore argues that the trial court failed to consider the bond between KBK and his sister
and KBK and his maternal grandmother, Killgore- Lannan. Killgore is correct that the trial
court' s written findings do not address KBK' s relationship with his grandmother or his sister. In
its oral findings, the trial court stated, " Other significant persons in the child' s life. Well, I
suppose you have grandma, but we have uncles, too, which is a concern." Report of Proceedings
RP) at 168. While this is an acknowledgement of the existence of other persons in the child' s
life, it falls short of any finding regarding the nature, quality, extent of involvement, and stability
of the child' s relationship with other significant persons in the child' s life. Thus, the trial court
did not properly consider KBK' s relationship with his grandmother.
The trial court also failed to consider the relationship between KBK and his sister in its
findings. The trial court' s only finding regarding KBK' s relationship with his sister appears to
be based on Killgore' s testimony that she would not relocate without KBK. At the end of its oral
ruling, the trial court stated that Killgore controlled KBK' s relationship with his sister —
presumably because Killgore could choose to stay in Vancouver and keep the siblings together or
she could separate the sibling by relocating to Texas without KBK. RCW 26. 09. 530 expressly
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No. 43560 -8 -II
prohibits the trial court from admitting evidence about whether a person will forego his or her
5
own relocation if the child is prevented from relocating.
Here, the trial court failed to consider KBK' s relationship with his grandmother and
failed to properly consider KBK' s relationship with his sister. Thus, we conclude that the trial
court did not adequately consider this factor.
B. RCW 26. 09. 520( 2) — Prior Agreements of the Parties
The second relocation factor requires the court to consider prior agreements of the
parties. The trial court found that there were no agreements between the parties regarding
relocation.
Killgore argues that the trial court abused its discretion by not considering the parties' de
facto agreement. She argues that the parties' history and course of conduct illustrates an
expectation of long distance parenting amounting to 'a de facto agreement.
The undisputed evidence showed that Juden lived in California at the time Killgore told
him she was pregnant with KBK, and Juden remained in California throughout KBK' s life.
Because Juden lived in California, he sought and exercised residential time consistent with long
distance parenting: bi- monthly visits and video conferencing, which were suspended after seven
months because Juden was twice found in contempt. Killgore argues that this history amounted
to an agreement or expectation of long distance parenting.
5
RCW 26. 09. 530 provides:
In determining whether to permit or restrain the relocation of the child, the court
may not admit evidence on the issue of whether the person seeking to relocate the
child will forego his or her own relocation if the child' s relocation is not permitted
or whether the person opposing relocation will also relocate if the child' s
relocation is permitted.
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Juden' s testimony showed that he did not share that expectation. Juden testified that he
struggled with long distance parenting and infrequent contact and that he was committed to
moving to Portland by the end of the year to be closer to KBK.
The trial court found Juden' s testimony credible and found that Juden was happy to
relocate to Portland and that he had a viable plan and timetable for moving in the near future.
We conclude that the trial court' s finding that there was no prior agreement between the parties
for permanent long distance parenting by Juden was supported by substantial evidence.
C. RCW 26. 09. 520( 4)— Limitations to Residential Time under RCW 26. 09. 191
The fourth relocation factor requires the court to consider "[ w]hether either parent or a
person entitled to residential time with the child is subject to limitations under RCW 26. 09. 191."
RCW 26. 09. 520( 4). RCW 26. 09. 191 limits a parent' s decision -making authority and residential
time with a child if the parent has engaged in certain conduct.
The trial court found that neither parent was subject to limitations under RCW 26. 09. 191.
In its oral ruling, the trial court stated:
Number four, whether either parent or person entitled to residential time
with the child is subject to limitations under 26. 09. 191. I think [ Killgore] alleges
that. I don' t see anything in there that would indicate any restrictions on either
parent' s behalf, so that' s a non factor.
RP at 168.
Killgore argues that the trial court' s finding is not supported by the record because the
trial court failed to acknowledge her testimony asserting two circumstances that should limit
Juden' s residential time with KBK. Killgore argues that the record demonstrated that Juden ( 1)
willfully abandoned KBK for an extended period of time and failed to perform any parenting
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functions" and ( 2) has " `` a history of acts of domestic violence.' " Br. of Appellant at 18, 20
quoting RCW 26. 09. 191( 1)( c)).
With regard to abandonment, Killgore points to her testimony that Juden did not
acknowledge KBK until his paternity was confirmed almost two years after KBK' s birth. She
also testified that after paternity was established and residential time ordered, Juden missed
videoconference visits in 2009, which prompted the court to suspend visitation for almost two
years, from November 2009 until October 2011. The trial court acknowledged that Juden did not
have contact with KBK for the first two years of his life and that after paternity was established
Juden' s visitation with KBK was inconsistent. However, the trial court also considered that in
the six months prior to trial, visitation under the temporary parenting plan had been consistent
and satisfactory.
With regard to Juden' s alleged history of domestic violence, Killgore directs this court to
evidence of a restraining order against Juden obtained by a former girlfriend and a charge of
domestic violence against Juden related to an incident that occurred at his wife' s office. Both
Juden and his wife testified that the incident at her workplace was blown out of proportion. They
testified that Juden and his wife accidently broke her glasses when the ill-fitting glasses fell off
her face during a struggle to reach a flash drive. A co- worker called the police. Juden and his
wife attended marriage counseling and the charges were dropped.
The trial court asked when the incident occurred that prompted the restraining order and
whether it resulted in conviction. Upon learning that there was no conviction and the incident
occurred in 2005 or 2006, before Juden and Killgore met, the trial court stated that it was beyond
the scope of the issues relevant in the relocation hearing. Thus, the trial court considered the
evidence and found it not probative.
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Contrary to Killgore' s assertion, the trial court expressly considered Killgore' s
allegations of abandonment and domestic violence along with other evidence and testimony and
found no circumstances warranting limitation of residential time. We do not review credibility
or reweigh the evidence. Fahey, 164 Wn. App. at 62. We conclude that the trial court' s finding
is supported by substantial evidence and that the trial court properly considered this factor.
D. RCW 26. 09. 520( 5) — Good Faith and Reasons for Seeking /Opposing Relocation
The fifth relocation factor requires the court to consider "[ t]he reasons of each person for
seeking or opposing the relocation and the good faith of each of the parties in requesting or
opposing the relocation." RCW 26. 09. 520( 5). Here, the trial court made the following written
findings:
Killgore]' s primary expressed reason for relocation is to be near her mother upon
whom she is dependent financially. The analysis of statutory relocation factors do
not justify [ Killgore] moving [ KBK] to Texas because [ she] wants to reside with
the maternal grandmother.
Killgore] also expresses the availability of educational opportunities for [ herself]
in Texas as a reason justifying [ her] relocation with [the] child.
There are plenty of quality nursing programs in Washington and Oregon. These
include Washington State University- Vancouver, Portland State University,
University of Portland, Concordia, Clark College ( which [ Killgore] has attended
off and on for seven years) and other programs.
Killgore] has a CNA credential and is employable.
It is disturbing to the court that the relocation issue arose right before trial.
Clerk' s Papers ( CP) at 329 -30. In its oral ruling the trial court also acknowledged that Killgore
and Juden both planned to make drastic changes —referring to Killgore' s plan to move to Texas
and Juden' s plan to move to Portland.
Killgore argues that the trial court ignored several of the reasons she articulated for
moving to Texas and did not adequately address her desire to be closer to her mother or her
educational pursuits in Texas. We agree.
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Killgore identified the following reasons why she and KBK would benefit from
relocating to Texas: ( 1) she did not have a job in Washington or a place to live; ( 2) she relies on
her mother for room and board in exchange for domestic services; ( 3) she can finish her
bachelor' s degree in nursing at Texas Women' s University; ( 4) she has been unable to get off the
waiting list for the nursing program at Clark College in Vancouver; ( 5) when she completes her
education she will have more job opportunities in Texas because there are more hospitals in the
Rowlett area than in Vancouver; ( 6) the schools for KBK are better in Texas; and ( 7) housing is
less costly in Texas.
Killgore' s reasons for moving to Texas fit under two broad categories: present financial
dependence on her mother and long term economic, housing, and educational benefits for
Killgore and KBK. Although Killgore had a CNA credential, was employable, had previously
shared expenses with a roommate in the Portland area, and had exchanged childcare services
with friends to keep childcare costs low in the past. Killgore testified that if she stayed in
Vancouver and found employment, with her current education, her salary would not cover her
living expenses and childcare costs. In Texas, Killgore will have the benefit of her support
network, including assistance with childcare and rent in exchange for providing cooking and
cleaning services for her mother. Killgore also testified that she was presently unemployed,
homeless, and reliant on her mother, who had already moved to Texas. With regard to
education, Killgore had apparently been on a waiting list for the nursing program at Clark
College for years; whereas, Texas Women' s University had assured her that she would be
admitted. Furthermore, she planned to live in Texas for six months before enrolling in school to
gain residency for reduced tuition. Killgore further testified that her employment opportunities
in Texas will be greater as there were 18 hospitals in the area where she intended to relocate.
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The undisputed evidence showed that Killgore' s mother, Killgore -
Lannan, and other
family members had been around KBK for his whole life and that Killgore -Lannan provided
room, board, and care for both KBK and Killgore until Killgore -
Lannan moved to Texas shortly
before the trial. Killgore was reliant upon the room, board, and care her mother provided in
order to complete her education. In addition, while Killgore had been unsuccessful in getting off
the waiting list for the nursing program at Clark College in Washington, she had met with Texas
Women' s University staff regarding her acceptance into their nursing program.
Juden' s cousin, a freshman in the nursing program at Concordia University in Portland,
testified that she worked at a part-time caregiving job and that similar jobs were plentiful in the
Portland/ Vancouver area. She also testified that she knew many parents who were working
toward their bachelor' s in nursing at Concordia and that Concordia and other schools in the area
offered part -
time night classes.
The trial court found that Killgore had been supported by her mother for several years,
she had not had full -
time employment for six years, she received child, support from Juden and
from the father of her other child, she had expressed no realistic plan to become self-supporting
in Texas in less than three years, and her financial and educational opportunities in Washington
and Oregon met or exceeded those in Texas, especially considering the amount of time she had
invested toward a degree in Washington. Apparently, the trial court relied on the testimony of
Juden' s niece, a first year student, about her educational and employment situation rather than
Killgore' s actual experiences in the Vancouver /Portland area in concluding that Killgore could
afford to pay for housing, food, college, and daycare while working nights as a CNA, as well as
its own opinion about the differences between Texas and Washington opportunities.
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While we might weigh this testimony differently, we do not reweigh evidence or make
credibility determinations on appeal. Fahey, 164 Wn. App. at 62. Our review is limited to
determining whether the trial court considered the statutory factors and whether the factual
findings are supported by the record. Horner, 151 Wn.2d at 896.
The evidence fails to support the trial court' s finding that Killgore merely " wants" to
reside with her mother, KBK' s maternal grandmother. Rather, the undisputed evidence showed
that Killgore relied upon the care and financial support Killgore -
Lannan provided to KBK and
Killgore. Furthermore, regardless of whether Killgore merely wanted to reside with her mother
or relied upon the care and financial support Killgore -
Lannan provided to KBK and Killgore,
there was no evidence that Killgore was seeking the relocation in bad faith. Moreover, the trial
court' s findings regarding Killgore' s educational opportunities were not based on the evidence,
but on its own opinion as to the educational opportunities in Washington versus Texas. Thus, the
trial court' s findings under the fifth factor are not supported by the record.
E. RCW 26. 09. 520( 6)— Impact of Relocation on Child' s Development
The sixth relocation factor requires the court to consider "[ t] he age, developmental stage,
and needs of the child, and the likely impact the relocation or its prevention will have on the
child' s physical, educational, and emotional development, taking into consideration any special
needs of the child." RCW 26. 09. 520( 6). Here, the trial court found that relocating KBK to
Texas would remove him from an environment that he is used to and that the opportunities for
KBK' s educational development in Washington or Oregon met or exceeded those in Texas. The
trial court also found that KBK had no special needs.
Killgore argues that the trial court did not consider KBK' s emotional and physical needs
because it failed to consider Killgore' s testimony that she and KBK were staying in a hotel and
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would become homeless if not permitted to relocate to Texas. Killgore also argues that the trial
court failed to acknowledge that KBK' s environment had already changed because his
grandmother, with whom he had resided for almost his entire life, had relocated to Texas.
Killgore is correct that the trial court did not expressly consider that KBK' s environment
had changed upon his grandmother' s relocation to Texas, essentially eliminating the status quo.
The major change for KBK was losing his maternal grandmother and uncles and the household
that he had grown up in. Killgore is correct that the trial court failed to adequately consider the
disruption to KBK' s stability by requiring his mother to rebuild her entire life without the
support she had relied on for her and her two children within her mother' s household. Thus, the
trial court' s finding that moving to Texas would take " KBK from an environment he is used to"
is not supported by substantial evidence. CP at 330.
Finally, Killgore challenges the trial court' s finding that the opportunities for KBK' s
educational development in Washington or Oregon met or exceeded those in Texas. She argues
that the finding is not supported by the record.
The only informationin the record about schools for KBK in Texas came from Killgore.
She testified that KBK would attend a school in the Garland Independent School District in
Rowlett, Texas. Further, she testified that based on her research the schools in that district were
award -winning and were rated as excellent facilities for education.
The trial court found that education in Washington or Oregon met or exceeded that of
Texas. There is no evidence in the record ( other than the trial court' s own opinion)6 that
supports its finding that KBK' s opportunity for educational development in Washington was
6 The trial court informed Killgore that Washington ranks in the top five states for college-
educated populaces.
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equal to or better than in Texas. Thus, we conclude that the trial court' s finding is not supported
by substantial evidence in the record.
F. RCW 26. 09. 520( 7)— Quality of Life in Current and Proposed Locations
The seventh relocation factor requires the court to consider "[ t]he quality of life,
resources, and opportunities available to the child and to the relocating party in the current and
proposed geographic locations." RCW 26. 09. 520( 7). Here, the trial court found that
Washington had a better quality of life than Texas, "[ The] [ g] uality of life, resources and
opportunities available to [ KBK] and to [ Killgore] are excellent in Washington and Oregon. The
quality of life is better in Washington than in Texas." CP at 331.
Killgore argues that the trial court' s finding is not supported by the record. We agree.
The trial court' s oral finding makes it clear that its finding was based on the court' s own
subjective opinion about the quality of life in Texas and Washington, rather than any evidence
about the quality of life, resources, and opportunities available to Killgore and KBK. This is not
a fact that a court may take judicial notice of. We conclude that the trial court' s general
comparison of the two states is a misapplication of the factor and its finding related to this factor
is not supported by the record.
Available Alternatives To Continue Relationship with
G. RCW 26. 09. 520( 8)—
Non -
Relocating Parent
The eighth relocation factor requires the court to consider "[ t]he availability of alternative
arrangements to foster and continue the child' s relationship with and access to the other parent."
RCW 26. 09. 520( 8). The trial court found that Juden is more than happy to relocate to Portland
and has a viable plan and time table for moving to Portland in the near future. The trial court
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also found that long distance travel between Texas and Los Angeles or Texas and Portland are
not good scenarios for KBK.
Killgore argues that the trial court failed to acknowledge that Juden had been residing in
another state for KBK' s entire life. Killgore also argues that Juden' s relationship with KBK has
always been long distance and, therefore, relocating KBK to Texas would not substantially
change his relationship with Juden as Juden could continue contact with KBK by flying to Texas.
Essentially, Killgore argues that long distance trips between Texas and Los Angeles or Texas
and Portland were no less favorable than the long distance trip between Portland and Los
Angeles, which was the status quo.
It is undisputed that Juden had resided in California for KBK' s entire life. But factor
eight is concerned with fostering and continuing KBK' s relationship with Juden in the future.
The trial court heard testimony from Juden, his wife, and his grandmother that the Judens
planned to relocate to Portland by the end of the year to be closer to KBK. This evidence
supports the trial court' s finding that Juden was happy to relocate to Portland and had a viable
plan to do so in the near future.
The trial court also recognized that granting the relocation would necessarily require
Juden or KBK to travel between Texas and Los Angeles or Texas and Portland to maintain
contact. The trial court found that neither scenario was favorable. Implicit in the trial court' s
finding is that Juden' s proposed plan to move to Portland would change the status quo that had
existed during KBK' s entire life; unite Juden, Killgore, and KBK in the same metropolitan area;
and eliminate the travel and long distance parenting. Therefore, in comparison to this scenario,
long distance travel between Texas and Los Angeles or Texas and Portland was unfavorable.
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We conclude that the trial court' s findings and implicit inferences are supported by
substantial evidence in the record. The trial court properly considered this factor.
H. RCW 26. 09. 520( 9)— Alternatives to Relocation and whether It Is Feasible and
Desirable for Other Party To Relocate Also
The ninth relocation factor requires the court to consider "[ t] he alternatives to relocation
and whether it is feasible and desirable for the other party to relocate also." RCW 26. 09. 520( 9).
Neither party presented evidence related to Juden' s desire or ability to relocate to Texas.
Instead, evidence and testimony focused on Juden' s plan to relocate to Portland and Killgore' s
alternative to relocating.
The trial court heard testimony that Juden grew up in Portland, both sides of his family .
lived there, he and his wife planned to move to Portland by the end of the year, and they had
arranged to rent a home from Juden' s grandparents, who were moving to a retirement
community. The trial court also heard testimony and inquired specifically about Killgore' s
ability to remain in Vancouver, including opportunities for housing, employment in the
caretaking field with her existing CNA qualification, and pursuit of her nursing degree in the
Vancouver /Portland area.
Here, the trial court repeated its findings that Juden was more than happy to relocate to
Portland and'had a viable plan and timetable for moving to Portland in the near future. The trial
court also found that Killgore had employment and educational opportunities available in
Washington and Oregon that met or exceeded those available to her in Texas. In its oral ruling,
the trial court opined that it did not know if Juden would want to move to Texas, but it highly
doubted that he would want to relocate to Texas because there were probably fewer opportunities
there in the film industry.
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The trial court made an unwarranted assumption in its oral ruling about Juden' s not
wanting to relocate to Texas, but this is not fatal because the court acknowledged that it did not
know if Juden wanted to go to Texas and was merely speculating based on Juden' s work history
in the film industry. Moreover, the trial court omitted its speculation from the written findings.
Because there was no evidence presented about the desirability or feasibility of Juden
relocating to Texas, the trial court' s written findings on factor nine focused on Killgore' s
alternative to relocating— remaining in the Vancouver /Portland metropolitan area and finding
housing, employment, and an alternate nursing program. As addressed above, Killgore' s
alternatives to relocation left her in the Vancouver area unemployed and homeless. Without the
benefit of her support network, Killgore' s employment opportunities based on her current
training would not allow her to cover her living expenses and childcare costs. Contrary to the
evidence, the trial court relied on its own opinion about the differences between opportunities in
Washington and Texas. Thus, the trial court' s findings on this factor were not supported by the
record and were based on untenable grounds.
I. RCW 26. 09. 520( 10)— Financial Impact of Relocation
The tenth relocation factor requires the court to consider "[ t] he financial impact and
logistics of the relocation or its prevention." RCW 26. 09. 520( 10). Here, the trial court found
Killgore had been residing in the Portland/Vancouver area for several years, had been supported
by her mother for several years, and had not had full -ime employment for six years. The trial
t
court also found that Killgore received child support from Juden and her other child' s father, and
she had expressed no realistic plan to become self -
supporting in Texas in less than three years.
Finally, the trial court found that Killgore' s financial and educational opportunities in
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No. 43560 -8 -II
Washington and Oregon met or exceeded those in Texas, especially considering the amount of
time she had invested toward a degree in Washington.
Killgore argues that the trial court' s finding related to her employment is not supported
by the record. The trial court' s oral ruling states that Killgore had not been employed for six
years, but the trial court corrected this finding in its written rulings to state that she had not had
full -ime employment in six years. This finding is supported by the record because Killgore
t
described only part-time work while she was attending college, which she had done since 2007.
Thus, the trial court' s finding is supported by the record.
Killgore also argues that the trial court failed to consider her testimony that she had not
been able to get a job in Washington, that she and her children would become homeless because
her mother no longer had a home in Washington, and that her job prospects and ability to
become self -
sufficient were better in Texas.
Killgore testified that she could not secure housing and a job with a salary that would
cover her living expenses in Washington. The trial court also heard testimony that Killgore had
a CNA certificate, that there were jobs in her field in the Vancouver / ortland area, and that she
P
received child support from Juden and the father of her other child. Based on this testimony and
its colloquy with Killgore about her opportunities for housing and job placement in Washington
and those in Texas, the trial court concluded that she could support herself and two children in a
household she did not have at the time.
While the trial court is solely responsible for weighing evidence and determining
credibility, Fahey, 164 Wn. App. at 62, the trial court did not make findings that allow us to
conclude that it considered the evidence before it on these issues rather than on its own belief
that Killgore should be required to stay in a community with no housing, job, or living wage
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employment. Therefore, we conclude that the trial court based its conclusions on this factor on
untenable grounds.
IV. CONCLUSION
The trial court did not adequately consider the mandatory factors, made numerous factual
findings that the record does not support, and made numerous findings based on its own opinions
rather than the evidence. Reliance on unsupported factual findings results in an untenable
decision. Horner, 151 Wn.2d at 894. Because the trial court' s decision was based on untenable
grounds, which constitutes an abuse of discretion, the trial court' s order restraining relocation is
vacated. This matter is remanded to the trial court for proper consideration of the relocation
factors.
The trial court' s injection of its own opinions regarding the quality of life and educational
opportunities in Texas and Washington evidences a clear bias in favor of Washington over
Texas. Therefore, we remand for trial before a different judge.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2. 06. 040, it is so ordered.
LEE, J/
We concur:
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