Brittany Frombach v. Dylan Frombach ( 2014 )

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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
In the Matter of the Marriage of
No. 71053-2-1
BRITTANY FROMBACH,
DIVISION ONE
Appellant,
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
and
DYLAN FROMBACH,
FILED: November 24, 2014
Respondent.
Leach, J. —Brittany Frombach appeals pro se from the entry of final
orders dissolving her marriage and providing for the care of her two daughters.
She contends that the court erred in admitting testimony at trial, placed undue
weight on certain evidence, and found, contrary to the evidence, that the father
had been the primary caretaker of the children before the parties separated.
Because Brittany fails to demonstrate any legal error or abuse of discretion in the
orders on review, we affirm.1
FACTS
Brittany Frombach (now Wagner) and Dylan Frombach married in 2002.
During their marriage, they had two daughters and lived in Federal Way. Brittany
filed a petition for dissolution in April 2012 following an argument that escalated
1 For clarity, we refer to the parties by their first names.
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into a physical confrontation and culminated in Brittany's arrest for simple
assault.2
The trial court entered temporary orders providing for equal residential
time with each parent. Shortly before trial, Brittany filed notice of intent to
relocate to Maple Valley. The parties' daughters were 10 and 8 years old at the
time of trial, and the children's residential schedule was the primary contested
issue. Dylan argued that the children should live with him in the family home in
Federal Way the majority of the time. Brittany, on the other hand, urged the court
to allow her to relocate and have the children reside primarily with her and her
mother in Maple Valley.
During the three-day trial in July 2013, the court heard the testimony of the
parties, various family members, friends, and acquaintances. A Family Court
Services social worker who conducted an evaluation testified about her
recommendations for a parenting plan. The court also considered the testimony
of Dylan's counselor and a psychotherapist who had several therapy sessions
with the parties' daughters.
The court entered a final parenting plan providing for the children to live
with Dylan in Federal Way the majority of the time. The court allowed Brittany to
2 Brittany was charged with fourth degree assault and exposing children to
domestic violence. The State agreed to dismiss the latter charge with prejudice,
and the assault charge was resolved by a stipulated order requiring Brittany to
comply with certain conditions.
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relocate, and the parenting plan allows for the children to reside with her
overnight every Thursday and, on alternate weeks, from Thursday afternoon until
Monday morning. The plan also allocates major decision-making authority to
Dylan, except with respect to religious issues. Brittany appeals.
ANALYSIS
We review a trial court's parenting plan for abuse of discretion.3 We defer
to the trial court because of its unique opportunity to observe the parties,
determine their credibility, and sort out conflicting evidence.4 A trial court abuses
its discretion if its decision is manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable
grounds or untenable reasons.5
Brittany claims that the trial court erred in admitting the testimony of Nancy
Paul, who testified about seven therapy sessions she conducted with the parties'
daughters in late 2012 and early 2013. But it does not appear that Brittany
objected or moved to exclude Paul's testimony at trial. Consequently, Brittany
has not preserved this claim of error for review.6
Moreover, Brittany has not identified any valid legal basis to exclude
Paul's testimony. She asserts that Paul was biased in favor of Dylan and claims
3 In re Marriage of Katare. 175 Wn.2d 23, 35, 283 P.3d 546 (2012), cert-
denied. 133 S. Ct. 889 (2013).
4 In re Marriage of Woffinden, 33 Wn. App. 326, 330, 654 P.2d 1219(1982).
5 Katare, 175 Wn.2d at 35.
6 See RAP 2.5(a) (failure to timely object waives nonconstitutional errors).
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the evidence was "unfair" to her. Brittany cites two cases to support her claim,
an unpublished decision of Division Two of this court and an Illinois appellate
court decision. We do not consider unpublished decisions of this court.7 The
Illinois case involves a trial court's exclusion of certain portions of a therapist's
testimony based on an erroneous interpretation of parental consent provisions of
an Illinois statute.8 That case has no application to this one.
Brittany bases her objections to the testimony upon two circumstances:
(1) the fact that she was not informed and did not consent to her daughters'
participation in the therapy and (2) Dylan's presence during the counseling.
However, these issues go to the weight and credibility of the evidence, not its
admissibility. And Brittany's trial counsel emphasized these facts in arguing that
the father's decision to enroll the children in counseling without consulting the
mother not only violated the court's temporary orders but also demonstrated poor
judgment and willingness to involve the children in the conflict. Counsel also
argued that Dylan's presence during the sessions severely undermined the value
of any statements made by the children to Paul. Brittany fails to demonstrate
7 GR 14.1(a).
s See In re Marriage of Kerman, 253 III. App. 3d 492, 624 N.E.2d 870, 191
Dec. 682(1993).
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NO. 71053-2-1/5
that the trial court abused its discretion in any manner with respect to the
evidence.9
In a similar vein, Brittany challenges the trial court's reliance upon the
recommendations of the social worker, Emily Brewer. Brittany argues that
Brewer's contact with Paul and reliance on Paul's opinions, which were biased in
favor of Dylan, tainted Brewer's recommendations to the court. But this court
does not retry the facts on appeal. "An appellate court may not substitute its
evaluation of the evidence for that made by the trier of fact."10 The trier of fact
resolves conflicting testimony and evaluates the evidence and credibility of the
witnesses.11
In any event, the social worker's recommendations do not appear
unfavorable to Brittany. Brewer concluded that no basis existed for domestic
violence restrictions, in spite of Dylan's allegations and Brittany's arrest. She
also rejected Dylan's position that he was more closely bonded to the children
and concluded that both parents were equally connected to them and that both
parents had been primary caregivers. Brewer recommended a residential
schedule that provided for approximately equal residential time with each parent
9 City of Spokane v. Neff. 152 Wn.2d 85, 91, 93 P.3d 158 (2004) (trial
court's evidentiary rulings are reviewed for an abuse of discretion).
10 Goodman v. Boeing Co.. 75 Wn. App. 60, 82-83, 877 P.2d 703 (1994),
aff'd. 127Wn.2d401,899P.2d 1265(1995).
11 Thompson v. Hanson. 142 Wn. App. 53, 60, 174 P.3d 120 (2007), affd,
168 Wn.2d 738, 239 P.3d 537 (2009).
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and joint decision making for major decisions. Brittany fails to show how these
recommendations reflect negative "preconceived notions" about her. In addition,
the particular provisions of the final parenting plan that Brittany challenges do
not, in fact, coincide with the social worker's recommendations. Therefore, the
record does not support Brittany's argument that Brewer's recommendations
unduly influenced the court.
Brittany recites evidence in the record supporting her position that even
when she worked full time and Dylan did not work, she performed the majority of
caretaking functions. She argues that, in the absence of evidence, the court
found otherwise. But, as explained, this court does not resolve conflicts in the
testimony. And perhaps more importantly, Brittany fails to identify any finding
made by the court identifying Dylan as the primary caretaker of the children.
Although she does not cite the pertinent Washington statute and relies
upon statutory factors that apply in other jurisdictions, Brittany claims, in
essence, that the court imposed a parenting plan that is not in the best interests
of the children. She claims that the court failed to consider her role as the
primary caretaker, her relocation to a better school district, and Dylan's lack of
support for her relationship with the children.
RCW 26.09.187 sets forth the criteria for establishing a permanent
parenting plan. The court must consider the following seven factors:
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(i) The relative strength, nature, and stability of the child's
relationship with each parent;
(ii) The agreements of the parties, provided they were
entered into knowingly and voluntarily;
(iii) Each parent's past and potential for future performance
of parenting functions as defined in RCW 26.09.004(3), including
whether a parent has taken greater responsibility for performing
parenting functions relating to the daily needs of the child;
(iv) The emotional needs and developmental level of the
child;
(v) The child's relationship with siblings and with other
significant adults, as well as the child's involvement with his or her
physical surroundings, school, or other significant activities;
(vi) The wishes of the parents and the wishes of a child who
is sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent
preferences as to his or her residential schedule; and
(vii) Each parent's employment schedule, and shall make
accommodations consistent with those schedules.[12]
Brittany relies on her subjective interpretation of conflicting evidence to
support her claim that the facts support only a parenting plan where the children
reside primarily with her in Maple Valley. The court was entitled to rely on
evidence indicating that Dylan has an equally strong relationship with the children
and that both parties were involved in the day-to-day caretaking. RCW
26.09.187 does not require that the court compare school districts. On the other
hand, this statute does require the court to consider the children's ties and
12 RCW 26.09.187(3)(a).
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involvement in their community and school. This factor weighed in favor of a
plan providing continuity by allowing the children to maintain many of their
routines and attend the same school in Federal Way.13
Brittany argues that the court's failure to provide for joint decision making
is "not only unfair but cruel." She asserts that it is better for "both parents to
debate and discuss major decisions." While perhaps true as a general
proposition, the record amply demonstrates the parties' inability or unwillingness
to get along to the extent necessary to make appropriate decisions together in
their children's best interests.
Finally, Brittany claims the record establishes sufficient grounds to justify
modifying the existing residential schedule. But Brittany has not sought
modification of the parenting plan under RCW 26.09.270 or alleged any
substantial change in circumstances to support such a request.
Affirmed.
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WE CONCUR:
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13 See RCW 26.09.187(3)(a)(v).
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