Easton Armstrong v. Holly Curtis

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 20-0632
Filed January 21, 2021
EASTON ARMSTRONG,
Petitioner-Appellee,
vs.
HOLLY CURTIS,
Respondent-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Scott County, John D. Telleen,
Judge.
A mother appeals the district court’s ruling awarding physical care of the
parties’ minor child to the father and restricting her rights as a joint legal custodian.
AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.
Andrew B. Howie of Shindler, Anderson, Goplerud & Weese, P.C., West
Des Moines, for appellant.
Catherine Z. Cartee and Chase Cartee of Cartee Law Firm, P.C.,
Davenport, for appellee.
Considered by Doyle, P.J., Mullins, J., and Mahan, S.J.*
*Senior judge assigned by order pursuant to Iowa Code section 602.9206
(2021).
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DOYLE, Presiding Judge.
After trial on a petition to establish paternity, custody and visitation, the
district court awarded the parties joint legal custody of their minor child, but ordered
that all medical care and educational decisions be made by the father. The court
also awarded physical care of the child to the father. The mother appeals. She
argues the district court erred in granting the father sole discretion to make medical
and educational decisions. She also argues it is in the best interests of the child
that he be placed in her physical care. Clear and convincing evidence does not
support awarding the father sole discretion in deciding on the child’s medical care
and education. We therefore modify the district court’s order to provide that the
parties are awarded unqualified joint legal custody of the parties’ minor child. We
affirm the court’s order in all other respects.
I. Proceedings and Facts.
Holly Curtis and Easton Armstrong are the parents of S.J.A. They never
married. Holly and Easton knew each other in high school but did not become
romantically involved until 2017. Holly became pregnant. Their relationship was
rocky during the pregnancy. The parties became argumentative, and by July 2018,
Easton began surreptitiously recording Holly’s outbursts. S.J.A was born in
November 2018.
Holly and Easton continued to fight and there were physical altercations.
By February 2019, the parties filed dueling petitions for relief from domestic abuse.
The court entered a temporary protection order against Holly. S.J.A. was placed
in Easton’s physical care, where he has remained ever since. After a trial in May
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2019 on Easton’s petition, the court entered a final domestic abuse protective order
against Holly and granted Easton temporary custody of S.J.A.
Also in February 2019, Easton petitioned to establish paternity, custody and
visitation. The matter was tried over three days in December 2019.
At the time of trial, Holly was thirty-three years-old. She is a high school
graduate. She obtained an esthetics diploma and in 2016, Holly started an esthetic
business working from her home. She treats skin through facial treatments, peel
waxing, tinting on brows and lashes. Speed waxing is about ninety percent of her
business. She averages twenty clients a week handles all the tasks associated
with the operation of her business.
Holly has three children by a previous relationship—twin daughters, aged
eight at time of trial, and a son, aged five. She homeschools the three children.
Holly juggles her time between homeschooling her children and working in her at-
home esthetic salon. Holly admits being a single parent is difficult but she has a
strong support network to help her.
Easton was thirty-six years-old at the time of trial and a college graduate.
He is self-employed and owns a company that sells materials to the construction
industry. After his father passed away, Easton became the sole owner of the
business. He reduced his work hours to care for S.J.A. Since February 2019,
Easton has provided most of the daily care for S.J.A. with help from his mother.
In March 2020, the district court entered its findings of fact, conclusions of
law, and order establishing paternity, custody and visitation. Pertinent to this
appeal, the court awarded the parties joint legal custody of S.J.A., but reserved for
Easton the sole right to decide on S.J.A.’s medical care and education. Easton
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was granted physical care of S.J.A. Holly appeals arguing she should be awarded
physical care of S.J.A and “unconditional” joint legal custody.
II. Scope and Standard of Review.
The district court tries custody matters in equity, so we review the
proceedings de novo. Iowa R. App. P. 6.907. We give weight to the district court’s
fact findings, but we are not bound by them. In re Marriage of Mauer, 874 N.W.2d
103, 106 (Iowa 2016).
III. Analysis.
“Iowa Code chapter 600B confers subject matter jurisdiction upon the
district court to decide cases of paternity, custody, visitation and support between
unmarried parties.” Montgomery v. Wells, 708 N.W.2d 704, 707 (Iowa Ct. App.
2005). Relevant here, “section 600B.40 grants the district court authority to
determine matters of custody and visitation as it would under Iowa Code section
598.41”—section 600B.40’s counterpart for divorcing or separating parents. See
id.; see also Braunschweig v. Fahrenkrog, 773 N.W.2d 888, 891 n.3 (Iowa 2009);
Hensch v. Mysak, 902 N.W.2d 822, 825 (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
A. Legal Custody.
Joint legal custody constitutes parental rights and responsibilities that
“include but are not limited to equal participation in decisions affecting the child’s
legal status, medical care, education, extracurricular activities, and religious
instruction.” Iowa Code § 598.1(3) (2019). Joint legal custody means that “neither
parent has legal custodial rights superior to those of the other parent.” Id.; In re
Marriage of Hynick, 727 N.W.2d 575, 579 (Iowa 2007).
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Our overriding consideration is the best interests of the child. See Iowa R.
App. P. 6.904(3)(o). In considering what custodial arrangement is in the child’s
best interests, we consider the nonexclusive factors set out by our legislature in
Iowa Code section 598.41(3). See Iowa Code § 600B.40(2) (“In determining the
visitation or custody arrangements of a child born out of wedlock, . . . the court
shall consider the factors specified in section 598.41, subsection 3.”). Some of the
pertinent factors here are: whether each parent would be a suitable custodian for
the child, whether the parents can communicate with each other about the child’s
needs, whether both parents have actively cared for the child before and since the
separation, whether each parent can support the other parent’s relationship with
the child, whether one or both parents agree or oppose joint custody, the
geographic proximity of the parents, whether the safety of the child . . . or the other
parent will be jeopardized by the awarding of joint custody or by unsupervised or
unrestricted visitation, and whether a history of domestic abuse, as defined in
section 236.2, exists. Id. § 598.41(3)(a)-(j).
Parents’ “utter inability to communicate with each other” as a result of their
“toxic relationship” weighs against joint legal custody. See In re Marriage of
Gensley, 777 N.W.2d 705, 715 (Iowa Ct. App. 2009). But the parties’ inability to
communicate and cooperate must rise above the “usual acrimony that
accompanies a divorce.” In re Marriage of Ertmann, 376 N.W.2d 918, 920 (Iowa
Ct. App. 1985). Tension between the parents is not alone sufficient to show joint
legal custody will not work. In re Marriage of Bolin, 336 N.W.2d 441, 446 (Iowa
1983).
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“If the district court does not grant joint legal custody, the court must cite
clear and convincing evidence, according to the enumerated factors listed above,
that joint legal custody is unreasonable and not in the child[]’s best interests ‘to the
extent that the legal custodial relationship between the child and a parent should
be severed.’” Gensley, 777 N.W.2d at 714 (citing Iowa Code § 598.41(2)(b)).
B. Hybrid Legal Custody.
Both parties requested joint legal custody of S.J.A. The district court
awarded the parties joint legal custody, but did not award full “joint legal custody,”
as that term is defined. See Iowa Code § 598.1(3) (listing rights and
responsibilities as including “equal participation in decisions affecting the child’s
legal status, medical care, education, extracurricular activities, and religious
instruction”); Hynick, 727 N.W.2d at 579. Instead, the court unbundled those rights
and ordered that all decisions concerning medical care, including vaccinations, and
education be made by Easton.
Neither party challenges the validity of the hybrid legal custody decision—
instead they concentrate on the merits of the decision. So we are not cited any
authority either allowing or prohibiting the practice. Turning to chapter 598, it
appears to consider joint custody and sole custody as all-or-nothing propositions.
See In re Marriage of Milne, No. 20-0228, 2020 WL 5230461, at *4 (Iowa Ct. App.
Sept. 2, 2020). When parties are awarded “joint legal custody,” “both parents have
legal custodial rights and responsibilities toward the child” and “neither parent has
legal custodial rights superior to those of the other parent.” Iowa Code § 598.1(3);
In re Marriage of Hansen, 733 N.W.2d 683, 690 (Iowa 2007). The statutes mention
nothing about assigning sole decision-making authority for some responsibilities
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and joint participation for others. Iowa’s legal landscape is virtually barren of
appellate cases in which the district court unbundled legal custody rights. See,
e.g., Sloan v. Casey, No. 15-0921, 2015 WL 9451093, at * 7–8 (Iowa Ct. App.
Dec. 23, 2015) (upholding modification of joint legal custody to make one parent
solely responsible for scheduling medical appointments for child); In re Marriage
of Bates, No. 11-1293, 2012 WL 1440340, at *4 (Iowa Ct. App. Apr. 25,
2012) (affirming it was in children’s best interests that one parent have the sole
responsibility for decisions involving their medical care). Our supreme court has
not spoken on the matter. But, in view of our disposition, we need not decide here
the propriety of unbundling legal custody rights.
Holly asserts the district court erred in limiting her rights as a joint legal
custodian. The district court voiced its concerns about Holly’s parenting regarding
her children’s’ vaccinations and education:
The evidence clearly indicates that Holly does not believe the
children should be vaccinated. Her oldest children apparently had
the first early round of vaccinations but none further. In this litigation
Holly refused to produce their medical records in order to allow
opposing counsel to inquire into this. During her testimony, Holly
was very evasive concerning the vaccination issue. Her son who is
five has not been vaccinated. The applicable Iowa statutes and
Department of Public Health regulations clearly strongly favor
vaccinations and require them except in limited circumstances. [1]
“Iowa Courts have historically favored a parent who provides
immunizations when determining which parent should have physical
care of a child.” In re Marriage of Asefi, [No. 12-1787, 2013 WL
4011156, at *4 (Iowa Ct. App. Aug. 7, 2013)] citing Lambert v.
Everist, 418 N.W.2d 40, 43 (Iowa 1988). Given the overwhelming
1See Iowa Code § 139A.8(1) requiring parents or legal guardians to assure minor
children are immunized against certain diseases. See Rodgers v. Clark, No. 06-
0802, 2007 WL 108486, at *3 (Iowa Ct. App. Jan. 18, 2007). The statute also
precludes a child’s enrollment in any licensed child care center, elementary or
secondary school in Iowa if the child is not so vaccinated. Iowa Code § 139A.8(2).
Certain exceptions apply. Id. § 139A.8(4).
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weight of medical authority supporting vaccinations, the Court
questions her judgment in refusing to vaccinate her children. Holly
obviously feels very strongly about this issue.
The court noted “Holly also does not particularly believe in traditional medicine and
prefers holistic nontraditional methods.” In granting Easton sole authority to make
medical decisions, the court reasoned:
Easton expressed concern over their inability to agree such things
as vaccination and education. While the evidence does indicate that
at one point early on Easton was willing to go along with Holly’s
decision not vaccinate the children, he clearly is no longer of this
view. He filed a motion for a Court order allowing the children to be
vaccinated which Holly has strenuously resisted. She asserted
among other things that the child should have DNA testing before
any decision regarding vaccination was made. The Court believes
there is no scientific support for Holly’s belief in this regard.
As to education, the district court “was far from impressed with the homeschooling
education being provided by Holly.”
In unbundling the authority to make medical and educational decisions and
awarding that power to Easton, the court in effect awarded Easton sole legal
custody over those issues. If the district court grants sole custody to one parent,
it must cite clear and convincing evidence that joint custody is unreasonable and
not in the child’s best interests to the extent that the legal custodial relationship
between the child and a parent should be severed. Iowa Code § 589.41(2)(b). On
appeal, Holly argues clear and convincing evidence does not support a limitation
of her rights as a joint legal custodian regarding medical and educational decisions.
We agree.
There is no dispute that Holly’s children are healthy. When asked if she
believed in modern medicine, she replied:
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I believe in modern medicine, but my first approach is always
homeopathic. If I can do something at home first that is going to treat
a cold or prevent getting something, you know, we stay on vitamins
and that kind of thing.
We also believe in chiropractic care, so we routinely see a
chiropractor, and like I said, we’ll go to more drastic measures
whenever needed.
Holly also testified:
It’s our child and his well-being so that’s the most important
thing at the forefront, so we need to be able to come to an agreement
with one another, no matter whose care he is in.
She wanted “the best possible outcome for [S.J.A.’s] health.” That having been
said, the parties should be able to work together on medical issues such as
vaccinations.
Taking into account the requisite factors, we do not find that the evidence
rises to a level of clear and convincing evidence showing joint legal custody is
unreasonable and not in the S.J.A.’s best interests to the extent that the legal
custodial relationship between S.J.A. and his mother should be severed for
medical decisions. The difference of opinion between Holly and Easton on medical
issues does not appear to be intractable.
The same can be said of the education issue. Holly testified,
Education wise, it’s—I have not planned out five years down
the road. I never honestly planned indefinitely to be homeschooling
forever. I mean, it just—we started out that way, and it’s been going
really well.
As far as [S.J.A.], Easton and I had big differences on his
education, and I just have my preference as to a private Christian
school.
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Holly had the children enrolled at a private Christian school in 2019 but they did
not attend due to lack of finances.2 Holly testified,
I said I would prefer a Christian private school. . . . [Easton]
said he would not pay for one, and he said he’d prefer public school.
And I basically did not want to continue to talk about something that
felt so far down the road. But I never had plans to homeschool
[S.J.A.].
On appeal, Holly argues clear and convincing evidence does not support Easton
receiving sole legal custody to make educational decisions for thirteen-month-old
S.J.A. Again, we agree. While Holly and Easton may now disagree about whether
to send S.J.A. to parochial or public school, their disagreement does not appear to
be intractable. In any event, S.J.A is still very young and years from even starting
pre-school.
Even though the parties disagree on some matters, these problems should
be able to be resolved to the benefit of the child. See Gensley, 777 N.W.2d at 716.
Because clear and convincing evidence does not support awarding Easton sole
legal custody to make medical and educational decisions on behalf of S.J.A., we
modify the district court’s order. We eliminate the provision awarding Easton sole
decision making authority on S.J.A.’s medical care and educational matters. The
parties are therefore awarded unqualified joint legal custody of the parties’ minor
child S.J.A.
C. Physical Care.
“Physical care” is “the right and responsibility to maintain a home for the
minor child and provide for routine care of the child.” Iowa Code § 598.1(7). Here,
2Holly’s oldest son may have attended the school in 2018, but the testimony is not
absolutely clear.
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each party sought physical care and neither requested a joint physical care
arrangement. In any event, because of the history of disputes and absence of
mutual respect between Holly and Easton, joint physical care is not warranted. See
Hynick, 727 N.W.2d at 579. “When joint physical care is not warranted, the court
must choose one parent to be the primary caretaker, awarding the other parent
visitation rights.” Id.In determining what physical care arrangement is in the child’s best
interests, the district court is guided by the factors enumerated in section
598.41(3), as well as other nonexclusive factors set out in In re Marriage of Winter,
223 N.W.2d 165, 166-67 (Iowa 1974). See Hansen, 733 N.W.2d at 696-99(holding that although section 598.41(3) does not directly apply to physical care
decisions, “the factors listed [in this code section] as well as other facts and
circumstances are relevant in determining whether joint physical care is in the best
interest of the child”); McKee v. Dicus, 785 N.W.2d 733, 737 (Iowa Ct. App. 2010).
Although consideration is given in any custody dispute to allowing the child to
remain with a parent who has been the primary caretaker, see Hansen, 733
N.W.2d at 696, the fact that a parent was the primary caretaker of the child before
separation does not assure an award of physical care, see In re Marriage of
Toedter, 473 N.W.2d 233, 234 (Iowa Ct. App. 1991). Our law requires that a
custody award will “assure the child maximum continuing physical and emotional
contact with both parents.” Iowa Code § 598.41(1)(a). But the ultimate objective
of a physical care determination is to place the child in the environment most likely
to bring the child to healthy physical, mental, and social maturity. See in re
Marriage of Murphy, 592 N.W.2d 681, 683 (Iowa 1999); In re Marriage of Courtade,
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560 N.W.2d 36, 38 (Iowa Ct. App. 1996). The best-interest determination is not
based “upon perceived fairness to the [parents].” Hansen, 733 N.W.2d at 695.
Because each family is unique, the decision mainly turns on the particular
circumstances of each case. See id. at 699.
Holly argues she should be awarded physical care of S.J.A. Holly contends
the district court placed too much weight on Easton’s audio recordings of their
arguments.
The district court had the advantage of listening and observing each
witness’s demeanor firsthand. It is clear the district court’s findings turned on its
assessment of the credibility of the witnesses, or, more specifically, the court’s
determination that Easton testified credibly. On the other hand, the court found
some of Holly’s testimony to be “evasive.”
Some of the factors considered by the district court were the character,
stability and mental health of each parent and the ability of each parent to co-
parent and support the relationship with the child with the other parent. The court
found,
[a] parent that frequently viciously attacks, berates, belittles and
swears at the other parent does not demonstrate the appropriate
attributes to be awarded primary care, even if that parent has
otherwise done a good job raising other children. Unfortunately, with
respect to Holly, that is what the evidence demonstrates here.
Without repeating that evidence here, we agree the evidence supports the district
court’s assessment. And the court noted,
The bottom line to all of the above is that Holly did commit domestic
abuse and the Court has real concerns about her being able to
control her anger and her emotional stability. Many of her tirades
took place with the children present. This sets a very poor example
for them. It also is highly unlikely that she would be willing to support
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Easton’s relationship with S.J.A. if she were to be awarded primary
care.
Aside from medical issues and what it viewed as sub-par homeschooling, the court
also had concerns that Holly did not co-parent well with the father of her older three
children, “making it less likely she could do so with Easton.” In that regard, the
court found,
While Holly may be a good mother to her children when she
is by herself, it appeared to the Court that she does not successfully
co-parent with the fathers of her children, especially Easton. She is
controlling and insists on having things her way. When she does not
get things her way she flies off the handle and explodes into an angry
tirade, many times including physical violence. The tapes and
Easton’s testimony reveal that she often has these tirades in front of
the children.
The district court then turned to Easton’s characteristics as a father and
stated:
Turning to Easton’s characteristics as a father, given the fact
that S.J.A. is only a little over a year old, Easton has a limited track
record, but the evidence the Court did receive is positive. The
evidence demonstrates that he personally cares for all of the daily
needs for S.J.A. He drastically reduced his work hours in order to be
able to do so. As noted above, he set up a crib in his office. His
mother understandably helps out, but Easton provides most of the
care. He feeds, bathes, and plays with his son. His family members
credibly testified he is a devoted father and does a good job. In
comparing the two parents, Easton is by far the more stable and
mature individual. He values education, and the Court has no doubt
he will instill a positive work ethic. He is obviously well able to take
care of all of the material needs of S.J.A. Especially given his college
education and successful business, the Court believes it is likely
S.J.A. will be placed on a successful career path. [Easton] is close
to his family and S.J.A. will be raised near his extended family.
...
The evidence also indicates that Easton had his mother care
for S.J.A. when Easton was out of town for ten days, without offering
any extra time to Holly. He provided Holly only with her scheduled
visitation. This also seems to have been rather punitive. The Court
understands that in the midst of a highly charged custody case and
after a lengthy domestic abuse trial, he would not have been too
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inclined to extend an olive branch of extra time. The Court also bears
in mind that on two separate occasions Holly reported Easton to the
DHS for unfounded reasons and this probably made him less inclined
to give her any more time and ordered the Court.
After considering all the evidence, the district court determined:
that it will be in the long-term interest of S.J.A. to award [physical]
care to Easton. He is by far the more mentally stable and mature
parent. He is well able to satisfy the emotional, social, moral,
material and educational needs of the child. The Court concludes he
would be far more likely to support Holly’s relationship with S.J.A.
than Holly would to support Easton’s relationship with S.J.A. if Holly
were to be awarded [physical] care.
In reaching this conclusion the Court did consider the fact that
S.J.A. has siblings but that is not a terribly important factor given that
S.J.A. has been living with Easton since three or four months of age.
The Court also considered the fact that S.J.A. has now been living
with Easton for over a year. While the Court does conclude from the
testimony Easton has been doing a fine job raising S.J.A.,
considering the circumstances under which he first obtained custody,
the Court did not believe it would be equitable to place much weight
on the fact that he has been the primary care provider since that was
as a result of the Court order.
After a de novo review of the evidence, we agree.
We do not discount the fact that Holly is a good mother, but we cannot
ignore the district court’s findings that she does not successfully co-parent with the
fathers of her children. “The Iowa courts have been clear that the ability to support
the other parent and not exhibit hostility or ill will toward them is an important factor
to consider in making a custodial award.” In re Marriage of Johnston, No. 01-0606,
2002 WL 535104, at *2 (Iowa Ct. App. April 10, 2002).
We also consider the presumption that siblings, including half-siblings,
should not be separated. In re Marriage of Smiley, 518 N.W.2d 376, 380 (Iowa
1994); In re Marriage of Quirk–Edwards, 509 N.W.2d 476, 480 (Iowa 1993); In re
Marriage of Orte, 389 N.W.2d 373, 374 (Iowa 1986); In re Marriage of Dimartino,
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No. 13-0727, 2014 WL 5861816, at *7 (Iowa Ct. App., Nov. 13, 2014); Willenbring
v. Roepcke, No. 05-1261, 2006 WL 624578, at *3 (Iowa Ct. App. Mar. 15, 2006).
S.J.A has three older siblings and Holly’s testimony shows that their relationship is
very loving. S.J.A. starts squealing and grabbing his siblings because he is so
excited to see them during visits. The presumption that siblings should reside
together may be overcome only if their separation “may better promote the long-
range interests of children.” Orte, 389 N.W.2d at 374. Here, the long-range
interests of S.J.A. are best served in Easton’s physical care. For these reasons
we affirm the district court’s order awarding Easton physical care of S.J.A.
D. Appellate Attorney Fees
Holly requests that we award her attorney’ fees on appeal. In support of
her request she claims she earns $17,000 and Easton makes at least $250,000
annually. “In a proceeding to determine custody or visitation, . . . the court may
award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees.” Iowa Code § 600B.26. “An
award of appellate attorney fees is within the discretion of the appellate court.” In
re Fiscus, 819 N.W.2d 420, 425 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012) (citation omitted). In
determining whether to award attorney fees, we consider “the needs of the party
making the request, the ability of the other party to pay, and whether the party
making the request was obligated to defend the trial court’s decision on appeal.”
Id. (citation omitted). Such an award may be granted depending on the parties’
respective abilities to pay. In re Marriage of Willcoxson, 250 N.W.2d 425, 427
(Iowa 1977); In re Marriage of Giles, 338 N.W.2d 544, 546 (Iowa Ct. App. 1983).
Although Holly achieved a small victory in this appeal, she can hardly be
seen as the “prevailing party.” But she did prevail on one issue, thus we have
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some discretion in awarding her appellate attorney fees. Her attorney fee affidavit
shows appellate attorney fees and costs totaling $25,090.00. Her appellate
attorney was not her trial attorney, so to get up to speed, he had to familiarize
himself with over 1300 pages of trial transcript, over 1000 pages of exhibits, and
over 400 pages of district court pleadings. We find the attorney fees and costs
well within reason. Easton can pay and Holly has the need. But in view of Holly’s
limited success, we order Easton to pay one-third of Holly’s appellate attorney fees
and costs. Court costs are assessed equally to the parties.
AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.