In Re the Marriage of Klatt

January 29 2013
DA 12-0205
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
2013 MT 17IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF
SHEILA KLATT,
Petitioner and Appellee,
and
SHILOH W.B. KLATT,
Respondent and Appellant.
APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Fifth Judicial District,
In and For the County of Madison, Cause No. DR 06-14
Honorable Loren Tucker, Presiding Judge
COUNSEL OF RECORD:
For Appellant:
Shiloh W.B. Klatt, self-represented, Ennis, Montana
For Appellee:
Christopher J. Gillette; Law Office of Christopher J. Gillette;
Bozeman, Montana
Submitted on Briefs: November 28, 2012
Decided: January 29, 2013
Filed:
__________________________________________
Clerk
Justice Beth Baker delivered the Opinion of the Court.
¶1 Shiloh Klatt appeals the Fifth Judicial District Court’s order amending a prior
parenting plan and granting to his former spouse, Sheila Klatt, primary custody of their
three children. We affirm.
¶2 We address the following issues on appeal:
¶3 1. Did the District Court comply with § 40-4-219, MCA, when it amended the
prior parenting plan?
¶4 2. Did the District Court err in determining the best interest of the Klatt
children?
PROCEDURAL AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND
¶5 Shiloh and Sheila Klatt were married in Gallatin County, Montana, in 1993.
Between the years of 1998 and 2002, the Klatts had a daughter and two sons: C.J.K.,
T.S.K. and C.S.K., respectively. In June 2006, after Sheila filed a petition for dissolution
of their marriage, the Klatts entered a Marital Dissolution Agreement and Parenting Plan
(June 2006 Parenting Plan), which provided in part that “the parties shall share alternate
two weeks of parenting with the minor children, with all the children being together
whenever possible. The parties shall each enjoy five weeks of uninterrupted parenting a
year to allow for vacation time with the minor children.” At that time, Sheila was a
non-practicing licensed cosmetologist, who stayed at home full-time to care for the
children. Shiloh worked as a self-employed certified public accountant (CPA) and
2
agreed to pay maintenance and child support to Sheila pursuant to the parenting plan.
Following entry of the parenting plan, Shiloh often took the children on extended
international trips during his parenting time.
¶6 On September 28, 2009, Sheila filed a motion to modify the June 2006 Parenting
Plan. She stated that the Klatts had not followed the plan due to Shiloh’s business
activities and personal trips, which caused a significant decrease in his visitation with the
children. Particularly during tax season—January through April—when Shiloh’s
professional activities increased, the children resided with Sheila on a full-time basis.
Her motion alleged, “[t]he fact that the children are and have been spending substantially
less time with their father than what is allowed in the existing parenting plan constitutes a
substantial change of circumstances as contemplated by § 40-4-219[,] MCA.” Shiloh
filed a response denying that his business and personal trips had decreased his parenting
time. He alleged that Sheila remained underemployed and, as a result of her financial
difficulties, the parties had agreed to increase Shiloh’s work during tax season so that he
could provide additional support to the family.
¶7 After attending mediation in January 2010, the parties stipulated to hiring
Christopher Hahn, Ph.D., as Guardian ad Litem and Parenting Plan Coordinator. They
stipulated that Dr. Hahn would, among other things, “have some of the authority
ordinarily reserved to the Court to make decisions clarifying, augmenting, implementing,
adapting, and to a certain extent, interpreting and modifying the court-ordered parenting
plan when the parents disagree.” They agreed that Dr. Hahn would “base all decisions on
3
the best interests of the children.” The District Court’s April 2, 2010 order appointed
Dr. Hahn as Guardian ad Litem, directed him to prepare a report of his observations of
the family by June 4, 2010, and stated that the court would “review the results” of the
Klatts’ stipulation rather than mandate conformance to its terms. Dr. Hahn filed an Initial
Report on June 4, 2010, stating that he had limited opportunity to observe the Klatts,
particularly the interaction of the children with their father, and that he would file
additional reports as he gathered information and spent more time with the family.
¶8 On October 25, 2010, Shiloh agreed to a temporary child residency arrangement,
under which the Klatt children would reside with Sheila from September 1, 2010, through
May 31, 2011, but would have varying weekend visitation with Shiloh. Beginning
June 1, 2011, the children would continually alternate between three weeks with Shiloh
and two weeks with Sheila until August 31, 2011, when the arrangement would expire.
¶9 On October 20, 2011, after observing the Klatt family for about one and one-half
years, Dr. Hahn filed a full report. He recommended that “the parenting plan be amended
to reflect the changes that were made by stipulation for the 2010/2011 school year.”
Dr. Hahn now had observed closely the interactions between the children and each
parent, had on numerous occasions communicated individually with the Klatt children
and each parent, and also had met once with the whole family. Dr. Hahn’s report
revealed that the Klatt children “strongly preferred” residing with their mother and
emphasized, “[i]t is remarkable how strong, constant, and unified the opinions of the
children have been throughout the duration of my term as parenting plan coordinator.
4
They have never wavered in their basic wishes.” For that reason, Dr. Hahn suggested
that the “wishes of the child,” under § 40-4-212(1)(b), MCA, would be a “particularly
relevant” factor in determining the best interest of the Klatt children. According to
Dr. Hahn, the children expressed frustration with Shiloh’s failure to provide for their
basic needs and described experiences while in their father’s care that caused them
apprehension, fear, and anger—including an incident when Shiloh became angry while
driving on the interstate highway and slammed on the brakes so hard that his vehicle, in
which the children were passengers, spun 180 degrees in the roadway. Dr. Hahn
concluded in summary, “I believe that the children would want more time with their Dad
if their basic parenting needs are better met by him, but at the present time and for the
entire period of time that I have been involved with this case, the children are highly
frustrated and sometimes angry about the time they have to spend with their Dad.”
¶10 On December 16, 2011, Shiloh filed a motion to dismiss Dr. Hahn and rescind the
contract appointing him as Guardian ad Litem. He requested that the District Court strike
Dr. Hahn’s October 2011 report, as it was made after the court-ordered date of June 4,
2010, and was based on “factual misstatements.” Sheila filed a response on
December 30, 2011, reiterating her reasons for requesting an amendment to the parenting
plan and suggesting that the District Court adopt Dr. Hahn’s recommendations. On
January 9, 2012, Shiloh filed a petition to hold Sheila in contempt under § 3-1-501(e),
MCA, for failing to follow the court’s orders and the June 2006 Parenting Plan. He
alleged that Sheila had prevented, obstructed, or frustrated his contact with the children,
5
in particular his communication with their thirteen-year-old daughter, C.J.K. His
supporting affidavit stated that Sheila had blocked calls from Shiloh to C.J.K., would not
allow C.J.K. to speak with Shiloh alone, and, in January 2012, supported C.J.K.’s refusal
to stay with Shiloh, in disregard of the June 2006 Parenting Plan.
¶11 The District Court held a hearing on February 13, 2012, in which it heard
testimony from Sheila, Shiloh, Dr. Hahn and other witnesses, and questioned the parties.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the court discussed on the record the § 40-4-212, MCA,
factors used to determine the best interest of the child. The court found the evidence did
not support Shiloh’s allegation that Sheila had obstructed his communication and contact
with the children and stated that “respect” had become an issue central to the family. The
court stated that mutual anger existed between the children and their father, which could
adversely affect the children, and noted the incident where Shiloh “slammed on the
[brakes], the vehicle spun around and scared the kids badly.” The court also stated that
credible evidence indicated that “at least from time to time, if not constantly, the children
are frightened.” Shiloh had conceded during the hearing that he had on occasion
over-disciplined the children. The court agreed with Dr. Hahn that the wishes of the
children and the § 40-4-212, MCA, factors, including continuity and stability of care,
were “cogent here” and expressed concern that if the historical divergence from the
parenting plan continued, the children would experience a lack of structure and
consistency. On February 29, 2012, the District Court ordered a new parenting plan
6
providing that the children primarily would reside with Sheila during the school year and
granting Shiloh visitation on one weekday each week and every other weekend.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
¶12 We review for clear error the findings of fact underlying a district court’s decision
to modify a parenting plan. In re Marriage of Banka, 2009 MT 33, ¶ 9, 349 Mont. 193,
201 P.3d 830 (citing Jacobsen v. Thomas, 2006 MT 212, ¶ 13, 333 Mont. 323, 142 P.3d
859). If its findings are not clearly erroneous, “we will reverse the district court’s
decision only where an abuse of discretion is clearly demonstrated.” Jacobsen, ¶ 13
(citing In re Marriage of Oehlke, 2002 MT 79, ¶ 9, 309 Mont. 254, 46 P.3d 49). We
review de novo whether a court’s action conforms to statutory requirements. Jacobsen,
¶ 13.
¶13 We have repeated on numerous occasions that the trial court’s decision is to be
accorded great deference because it “is in a better position than this Court to resolve child
custody issues.” In re Marriage of Wilson, 2009 MT 203, ¶ 15, 351 Mont. 204, 210 P.3d
170 (quoting In re Marriage of McKenna, 2000 MT 58, ¶ 17, 299 Mont. 13, 996 P.2d
386); see also Pankratz v. Teske, 2002 MT 112, ¶ 12, 309 Mont. 499, 48 P.3d 30.
DISCUSSION
¶14 1. Did the District Court comply with § 40-4-219, MCA, when it amended the
prior parenting plan?
7
¶15 Shiloh contends that the District Court erred by failing to make a finding of
changed circumstances as required by § 40-4-219, MCA. Section 40-4-219(1), MCA,
provides in relevant part as follows:
The court may in its discretion amend a prior parenting plan if it finds,
upon the basis of facts that have arisen since the prior plan or that were
unknown to the court at the time of entry of the prior plan, that a change
has occurred in the circumstances of the child and that the amendment is
necessary to serve the best interest of the child.
¶16 The District Court did not expressly discuss changed circumstances in its order,
but, on the record, acknowledged the § 40-4-219, MCA, requirements and noted
numerous facts that had arisen since the parties entered the June 2006 Parenting Plan.
Our precedents provide that, while an explicit finding is “preferable,” a district court may
satisfy the requirement by “clearly stat[ing] the component parts of a change in
circumstances finding[.]” In re Marriage of Burk, 2002 MT 173, ¶ 11, 310 Mont. 498,
51 P.3d 1149. We have reversed the district court’s custody modification order when
there is “no explicit indication that the court found, based on new or previously unknown
facts, a change in circumstances[.]” Jacobsen, ¶¶ 18, 21 (remanding for entry of factual
findings where the district court entered a one sentence order of modification and
provided no account of the “evidence relative to the statutory requirements necessary to
modify an existing parenting plan”); see also Banka, ¶¶ 8, 11 (reversing because the
district court modified the parenting plan without holding a hearing or entering written
findings and the Court was “unable to ascertain what essential and determining facts the
District Court relied upon”); see also In re Marriage of Whyte, 2012 MT 45, ¶¶ 20, 24,
8
364 Mont. 219, 272 P.3d 102 (reversing decision to modify where the district court did
not provide account of facts arising since prior parenting plan, and prior plan was
“faithfully followed over many years and work[ed] well.”).
¶17 In contrast, a change of circumstances has been established where, as here, the
evidence showed facts that had arisen since the prior parenting plan—including the
parties’ failure to follow the plan. See e.g. Burk, ¶ 10 (father had moved the children to
his parents’ home when parenting plan ordered that children would reside with him at his
residence); In re Marriage of Robison, 2002 MT 207, ¶ 34, 311 Mont. 246, 53 P.3d 1279(the parties’ actual arrangement differed from the parenting plan). Sheila points out that
the parties sought the assistance of Dr. Hahn and entered a temporary parenting schedule
because they agreed they had substantially deviated from the June 2006 Parenting Plan.
The Klatts’ stipulation confirms that Sheila and Shiloh expressly contemplated
“modification of a court-ordered parenting plan through the informal process described in
this Order.” While the stipulation did not carry the force of a court order, it reflects the
parties’ agreement that the June 2006 Parenting Plan could be subject to modification.
¶18 Sheila also notes that the District Court expressed concern during the hearing,
based in part on Dr. Hahn’s commentary, that, during his parenting time, Shiloh had
tended to over-discipline the children in a fashion that was “potentially abusive.” Shiloh
acknowledged that he had sometimes “lost control of my anger,” grabbed the children
“by the back of the neck and I’ve grabbed them by the hairs of the back of their neck.”
The District Court referred to these and other incidents when it concluded, “I understand
9
that the children are angry. It’s very apparent their father is angry, too, very angry.”
Sheila testified that fear and a lack of mutual respect between Shiloh and the children had
recently caused an increase in the children’s behavioral issues. This testimony supports
the District Court’s decision that a change in circumstances required re-evaluating the
best interest of the children.
¶19 Shiloh also argues that the District Court applied an incorrect legal standard when
it amended the June 2006 Parenting Plan. He alleges that the court failed to make any
findings of fact or conclusions of law relating to § 40-4-219, MCA, which governs
amendment of the parenting plan, but instead relied on § 40-2-212, MCA, which lists the
factors relevant to determining the “best interest of the child.”
¶20 Section 40-4-219, MCA, provides that:
(1) . . . In determining the child’s best interest under this section, the court
may, in addition to the criteria in 40-4-212, also consider whether:
(a) the parents agree to the amendment;
(b) the child has been integrated into the family of the petitioner with
consent of the parents;
(c) the child is 14 years of age or older and desires the amendment;
(d) one parent has willfully and consistently:
(i) refused to allow the child to have any contact with the other parent; or
(ii) attempted to frustrate or deny contact with the child by the other parent;
or
(e) one parent has changed or intends to change the child’s residence in a
manner that significantly affects the child’s contact with the other parent.
10
. . .
(3) The court shall presume a parent is not acting in the child’s best interest
if the parent does any of the acts specified in subsection (1)(d) . . . .
Contrary to Shiloh’s assertion, the statutory language makes clear that, in deciding
whether to modify a parenting plan, the court may rely on the factors listed in § 40-4-212,
MCA, to determine the best interest of the child.
¶21 Shiloh argues that the District Court was required under § 40-4-219, MCA, to
consider the allegations in his contempt petition and supporting affidavit that Sheila had
denied him contact with C.J.K. He points out that Sheila conceded during the hearing
that she had blocked Shiloh’s calls to C.J.K.’s phone and supported C.J.K.’s decision not
to return to Shiloh’s custody as required by the June 2006 Parenting Plan. He contends
that “[h]ad the court addressed § 40-4-219(3), it would have made a different conclusion
in its determination of the best interests of the children[.]”
¶22 Section 40-4-219, MCA, provides the trial court broad discretion in evaluating
which factors are relevant to the child’s best interest and how much weight to give each
factor—it states the court “may” consider the listed criteria in addition to those provided
in § 40-4-212, MCA. Moreover, our review of the record reveals that the District Court
considered the allegations in Shiloh’s contempt petition and affidavit but found them
unsupported by the evidence:
Now, as I’ve said that there isn’t any evidence that Mother has maneuvered
to try to place a wedge between Father and the children, I reiterate that; I
don’t see that’s the case.
11
Sheila testified that she blocked Shiloh from contacting C.J.K.’s cell phone in response to
“disrespectful” text messages he sent to C.J.K., including “You have no guts, you disgust
me,” and, “You make me sick.” She stated that she also let Shiloh know at that time that
he could contact the home to talk with the children. The District Court’s discussion on
the record indicates that it considered the § 40-4-219, MCA, factors, including subsection
(3), and decided that they were not pertinent. We defer to its evaluation of the facts. “It
is the function of the district court”—not the appellate court—“to resolve conflicts
regarding evidence.” Pankratz, ¶ 12. “Child custody cases often present the court with
difficult decisions. We must presume that the court carefully considered the evidence
and made the correct decision.” In re Marriage of Tummarello, 2012 MT 18, ¶ 34, 363
Mont. 387, 270 P.3d 28 (quoting In re Parenting of N.S., 2011 MT 98, ¶ 18, 360 Mont.
288, 253 P.3d 863). The court did not clearly err in determining that § 40-4-219(3),
MCA, did not apply in this case and did not abuse its discretion in relying on the factors
listed in § 40-4-212, MCA, when deciding the best interest of the children.
¶23 2. Did the District Court err in determining the best interest of the Klatt children?
¶24 Shiloh argues that the District Court erred in determining the best interest of the
children because it failed to rule on his petition for contempt. He also reiterates his
earlier argument that the court did not “adequately consider § 40-4-219(3)” and did not
deliver sufficient findings of fact and conclusions of law.
12
¶25 Shiloh contends that the June 2006 Parenting Plan should have been enforced and
that the court was obligated to hold Sheila in contempt for violating its terms. We
disagree because the District Court addressed Shiloh’s concerns during the hearing.
Sheila’s motion to modify the June 2006 Parenting Plan was pending for nearly two and
one-half years, during which time the parties participated in mediation, hired a Guardian
ad Litem, and attempted to resolve the differences that had arisen since entry of the initial
plan. There was substantial evidence to show that Sheila had not willfully disregarded
the terms of the parenting plan and the District Court’s rulings make clear that it did not
agree with Shiloh’s position.
¶26 It bears emphasis that the District Court made findings as to each of the following
§ 40-4-212, MCA, parenting factors:
(a) the wishes of the child’s parent or parents;
(b) the wishes of the child;
(c) the interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child’s parent
or parents and siblings and with any other person who significantly affects
the child’s best interest;
(d) the child’s adjustment to home, school, and community;
. . .
(h) continuity of and stability of care;
The evidence supported the District Court’s findings that the children feared their father,
were angered by him, felt frustrated by the lack of structure provided in his home, and
desired unequivocally to be with their mother, even at times when they reported positive
experiences with their father. The court was fully within its discretion when it concluded
13
that the wishes of the children, continuity of and stability of care, and other factors
weighed in favor of modifying the parenting plan.
¶27 For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the District Court is affirmed.
/S/ Beth Baker
We concur:
/S/ Mike McGrath
/S/ Patricia O. Cotter
/S/ Michael E Wheat
/S/ Brian Morris
14