Rarden v. Rarden

2013 Ohio 4985

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: November 12, 2013
• Docket: CA2013-06-054
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as Rarden v. Rarden, 2013-Ohio-4985.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO

WARREN COUNTY

TIMOTHY H. RARDEN, :

Plaintiff-Appellee, : CASE NO. CA2013-06-054

: OPINION - vs - 11/12/2013 :

AMY K. RARDEN, :

Defendant-Appellant. :

APPEAL FROM WARREN COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION Case No. 12DR35757

Robert D. Todd, 8401 Claude Thomas Road, Suite 38, Franklin, Ohio 45005, for plaintiff- appellee

John D. Smith Co., LPA, Andrew P. Meier, 140 North Main Street, Suite B, Springboro, Ohio 45066, for defendant-appellant

Jeffrey T. Kirby, 4 Sycamore Drive, P.O. Box 638, Springboro, Ohio 45066, guardian ad litem

RINGLAND, P.J.

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Amy K. Rarden ("Mother"), appeals a decision of the

Warren County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division, granting a divorce and Warren CA2013-06-054

allocating parenting rights between her and plaintiff-appellee, Timothy H. Rarden ("Father").1

For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

{¶ 2} Mother and Father were married on September 29, 2000 and have one child:

Liam, born in 2004. The parties resided together in the Middletown/Franklin, Ohio area for

approximately 11 years, living for some extended period of time with Father's parents.

During this time, Liam attended the Goddard School for preschool, Carlisle for kindergarten,

and Middletown Preparatory and Fitness Academy ("Middletown Prep") for first grade.

{¶ 3} In April 2011, Mother acquired a degree in sonography and accepted a job at 2 Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. When Mother accepted the job, she knew she would

soon be transferred to Kentucky and, in July 2011, Mother's employer transferred her to

Burlington, Kentucky. From July until October of 2011, Mother lived in the

Middletown/Franklin area and commuted approximately one hour to and from Burlington.

However, in October, Mother moved to Burlington fulltime with the help of Father's parents.

Liam then began spending the majority of his time with Father's parents while Mother stayed

in Burlington and Father worked. In July 2012, Mother moved Liam to Burlington with her

and enrolled him in the Boone County, Kentucky school district.

{¶ 4} In August 2012, Father filed for divorce and Mother filed an answer and

counterclaim for divorce. Upon the divorce filings, Mother was granted temporary custody of

Liam and Father was granted parenting time every Wednesday overnight and every other

weekend from Friday evening until Monday evening. Though both parties sought to be

named residential parent and legal custodian of Liam, they jointly filed a stipulation which laid

out a parenting schedule for the to-be-determined nonresidential parent. Essentially, the

1. Pursuant to Loc.R. 6(A), we sua sponte remove this case from the accelerated calendar and place it on the regular calendar for purposes of issuing this opinion.

2. A sonographer is a specialist in the use of ultrasound. -2- Warren CA2013-06-054

parties agreed that the nonresidential parent would have parenting time every Wednesday

and alternating weekends.

{¶ 5} On March 26, 2013, the parties appeared for a final divorce hearing on the sole

issues of custody, daycare, and child support. Testimony was given by Mother, Father,

Father's sister, and others. A guardian ad litem's report was also submitted for the trial

court's review. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court made the following order:

I'm going to allow Mother to have custody to the extent that she intends to move back to the Middletown/Franklin area. If she does not move back to the Middletown/Franklin area, then at that point in time I am going to determine that it is in the best interests of the child that Father have custody of Liam. * * * [I]f [Mother] moves back here, the Court believes that she has been the primary caregiver of this particular child.

On May 20, 2013, the trial court filed its Judgment Entry and Decree of Divorce, which

journalized the trial court's previous order:

Effective March 23, 2013, the child shall reside with Mother and she is named the residential parent and legal custodian. Effective September 1, 2013, Mother shall move to the Middletown/Franklin area. If Mother fails to move to the Middletown/Franklin area, Father shall be named the residential parent and legal custodian.

The trial court then enumerated two different parenting plans dependent upon Mother's

choice of moving from Burlington back to the Middletown/Franklin area. If Mother moved

back to Middletown/Franklin, she would retain custody of Liam and the parties would equally

divide parenting time. However, if Mother refused to move back to Middletown/Franklin, then

Father would be granted custody and Mother would be granted parenting time based upon

the parties' stipulation. The trial court further ordered that Liam must attend Middletown Prep

beginning September 1, 2013 for the 2013/2014 school year.

{¶ 6} From the trial court's order requiring Liam to attend Middletown Prep, requiring

Mother to relocate to the Middletown/Franklin area in order to retain custody of Liam, and

-3- Warren CA2013-06-054

granting Father equal parenting time, Mother appeals, raising a single assignment of error:

{¶ 7} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ALLOCATING PARENTAL RIGHTS AND

RESPONSIBILITIES.

{¶ 8} Within her sole assignment of error, Mother raises two arguments. First,

Mother argues the trial court abused its discretion in requiring her to move back to the

Middletown/Franklin area and enroll Liam in Middletown Prep. Second, Mother contends the

trial court abused its discretion by ignoring the parties' stipulation and giving Father equal

parenting time with Liam if Mother moves back to Ohio and remains the residential parent

and legal custodian.

{¶ 9} A trial court's decision regarding custody will not be disturbed on appeal absent

an abuse of discretion. Valentine v. Valentine, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2010-12-320, 2012-

Ohio-426, ¶ 10, citing Hetterich v. Hetterich, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2000-06-122, 2001 WL

337236, *4 (Apr. 9, 2001). An abuse of discretion is more than an error in judgment or law

and connotes that the trial court's decision is arbitrary, unreasonable, or unconscionable. Id.,

citing Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219 (1983). When reviewing a trial court's

decision, the reviewing court should be "guided by the presumption that the trial court's

findings were indeed correct." Id., citing Miller v. Miller, 37 Ohio St.3d 71, 74 (1988).

{¶ 10} When applying an abuse of discretion standard, the reviewing court is "not free

merely to substitute its judgment for that of the trial court." In re L.S., 152 Ohio App.3d 500,

2003-Ohio-2045, ¶ 12 (8th Dist.). "This highly deferential standard of review rests on the

premise that the trial judge is in the best position to determine the credibility of witnesses

because he or she is able to observe their demeanor, gestures, and attitude." Id. This is

especially true in cases involving child custody, "since there may be much that is evident in

the parties' demeanor and attitude that does not translate well to the record." Id.; see also

Kenney v. Kenney, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2003-07-078, 2004-Ohio-3912, ¶ 6 ("[T]he -4- Warren CA2013-06-054

power of the trial court to exercise discretion is peculiarly important in proceedings involving

the custody and welfare of children"). Thus, the "discretion a trial court enjoys in custody

matters should be accorded the utmost respect, given the nature of the proceeding and the

impact the court's determination has on the lives of the parties concerned." Kenney at ¶ 6;

Davis v. Flickinger, 77 Ohio St.3d 415, 418 (1997).

REQUIREMENT TO MOVE

{¶ 11} Mother first asserts that the trial court abused its discretion by conditioning her

status as the sole residential parent and legal custodian of Liam on her relocation to the

Middletown/Franklin area and her enrolling Liam in Middletown Prep. Specifically, Mother

argues that the trial court erred by erroneously overemphasizing Mother's out-of-state

relocation, improperly conditioning its award of custody to Mother on her relocation, and

ignoring overwhelming evidence that weighs in favor of Liam staying in Kentucky.

{¶ 12} Pursuant to R.C. 3109.04, if neither parent requests shared parenting, then the

trial court, in a manner consistent with the best interests of the children:

shall allocate the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children primarily to one of the parents, designate that parent as the residential parent and the legal custodian of the child, and divide between the parents the other rights and responsibilities for the care of the children, including, but not limited to, * * * the right of the parent who is not the residential parent to have continuing contact with the children.

R.C. 3109.04(A)(1); Ornelas v. Ornelas, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2011-08-094, 2012-Ohio-

4106, ¶ 11; Lumley v. Lumley, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 09AP-556, 2009-Ohio-6992, ¶ 8. In

determining the best interests of the child, the trial court must consider all relevant factors

including, but not limited to, the enumerated factors in R.C. 3109.04(F)(1). These factors

include the "child's interaction and interrelationship with the child's parents, siblings, and any

other person who may significantly affect the child's best interest," the "child's adjustment to

the child's home, school, and community," and "[w]hether either parent has established a -5- Warren CA2013-06-054

residence, or is planning to establish a residence, outside this state." R.C. 3109.04(F)(1)(c),

(d), and (j).

{¶ 13} Although R.C. 3109.04(F)(1)(j) requires a trial court to consider whether a

parent has established a residence outside of Ohio, "nonresidence alone should not deprive

a parent of custody." Ornelas at ¶ 13, citing Marshall v. Marshall, 117 Ohio App.3d 182, 187

(3d Dist.1997). Pursuant to the Eighth Appellate District:

The overwhelming weight of authority is to the effect that a nonresident or one who intends to become a nonresident will not be deprived of the right to custody of a child merely because of his nonresidence; and that if the best interests of the child will be promoted, custody will be awarded to nonresidents, the same as it would be to residents; one intending to become a nonresident will be permitted to remove the child to his or her new residence.

In re Marriage of Barber, 8 Ohio App.3d 372, 375 (8th Dist.1983); Ornelas at ¶ 13.

{¶ 14} Upon a thorough review of the record, we do not find it was an abuse of

discretion for the trial court to condition Mother's designation as residential parent upon her

return to the Middletown/Franklin area and her enrollment of Liam in Middletown Prep.

Although one of the best interest factors for a custody determination is whether a parent has

established a residence outside of the state, the evidence shows that the other best interest

factors lean in favor of the trial court's decision. The guardian ad litem's report revealed that

Liam loves both his parents and his paternal grandparents and has close relationships with

his cousins and aunt as well. In fact, Liam is able to spend time after school with his aunt,

cousins, and grandparents while Father is at work. This assistance comes at no financial

cost to either Mother or Father. On the other hand, Liam has no relatives in the

Burlington/Florence, Kentucky area and is required to go to daycare before and after school

until Mother finishes work. Mother pays approximately $75 per week for Liam's daycare.

{¶ 15} The trial court further found that Mother was the primary caregiver of Liam for

the majority of his life. While Father was the financial provider of the family, Mother stayed -6- Warren CA2013-06-054

home and raised Liam. When Mother was unavailable, Liam's care often fell to Father's

parents. Nevertheless, it was Father who enrolled Liam in extracurricular activities in

Middletown including baseball and soccer. Father also attended almost every game and

practice while Mother attended almost none. In addition, Mother has failed to enroll Liam in

any extracurricular activities since she moved him to Kentucky in July 2012.

{¶ 16} Furthermore, the trial court focused not so much on Mother's nonresidency, but

on Mother's choice to relocate Liam without any discussion with Father. The trial court found

Mother's unilateral decision to "move to Kentucky without making any attempts whatsoever of

maintaining a continuing relationship" between Liam and his Father, grandparents, and other

relatives to be a "really, really poor decision." Therefore, the trial court found that, in order for

Liam to maintain relationships with his Father, grandparents, and other relatives, it was in

Liam's best interest to move back to the Middletown/Franklin area.

{¶ 17} We agree with the trial court that the factors discussed above establish that it is

in the best interest of Liam to live in the Middletown/Franklin area where he has a large

support system and can participate in extracurricular activities. We also agree with the trial

court that Mother has been the primary caregiver of Liam and, if possible, should be

designated the residential parent and legal custodian so long as she is able to return to the

Middletown/Franklin area. Therefore, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in

conditioning Mother's status as residential parent and legal custodian upon her return to

Ohio. The trial court did not deny Mother custody merely because she is a nonresident or will

become a nonresident, but based its decision on a review of all of the best interest factors of

R.C. 3109.04(F)(1).

EQUAL PARENTING TIME

{¶ 18} Mother additionally argues the trial court abused its discretion by ignoring the

parties' stipulation regarding visitation by the nonresidential parent and granting Father equal -7- Warren CA2013-06-054

parenting time if Mother moved back to the Middletown/Franklin area.

{¶ 19} On March 25, 2013, the parties entered the following stipulation regarding the

nonresidential parent's parenting time:

During the school year, the parent that does not obtain custody shall have Wednesday parenting time from 6:00-8:00 p.m., with the non-custodial parent driving to the custodial parent's residence to pick up the minor child, exercise the parenting time locally, i.e., dinner, movie, bowling, etc., and then returning the child to the custodial parent's residence. Also, during the school year, the non-custodial parent shall have the minor child every other weekend from Friday at 6:30 p.m. until Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Transportation shall be provided by the parent who is to receive the minor child.

A similar provision was stipulated to regarding parenting time in the summer.

{¶ 20} Yet, in its May 20, 2013 divorce decree, the trial court ordered that, if Mother is

named the residential parent (by moving back to the Middletown/Franklin area), Father shall

be entitled to "fifty-fifty time allocation" with Mother having parenting time Monday through

Wednesday and Father having visitation Wednesday through Friday with alternating

weekend visitation. However, if Father is named the residential parent, Mother shall only be

entitled to the Wednesdays and every other weekend parenting time provided by the parties

in their March 25, 2013 stipulation. Because the trial court did not apply the parties'

stipulation as to the nonresidential parent's parenting time if Mother is named residential

parent, Mother argues the trial court abused its discretion.

{¶ 21} A stipulation is "a voluntary agreement entered into between opposing parties

concerning the disposition of some relevant point in order to avoid the necessity for proof on

an issue" or to "narrow the range of issues to be litigated." Wilson v. Harvey, 164 Ohio

App.3d 278, 2005-Ohio-5722, ¶ 12 (8th Dist.), citing In re All Kelley & Ferraro Asbestos

Cases, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 83348 and 83628, 2005-Ohio-2608, ¶ 10, and State v.

Small, 162 Ohio App.3d 375, 2005-Ohio-3813, ¶ 35 (10th Dist.). A stipulation, "once entered

-8- Warren CA2013-06-054

into, filed and accepted by the court, is binding upon the parties and is a fact deemed

adjudicated for purposes of determining the remaining issues in the case." Whitehall ex rel.

Fennessy v. Bambi Motel, 131 Ohio App.3d 734, 742 (10th Dist.1998). "If the parties wish to

agree or to stipulate to various facts or procedures, * * * courts should be permitted to accept

freely entered into agreements or stipulations unless such agreements or stipulations are not

in the child's best interest." Melvin v. Martin, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 05CA44, 2006-Ohio-

5473, ¶ 13.

{¶ 22} At the conclusion of the March 26, 2013 divorce hearing, the trial court orally

addressed the issue of parenting time, holding that it would be in the best interest of Liam to

live in the Middletown/Franklin area with Mother as residential parent and legal custodian "to

the extent that she intends to move back to the Middletown/Franklin area." If Mother did

choose to return to the Middletown/Franklin area, the trial court found it to be in Liam's best

interest, due to the "special relationship" between Father and Liam, that Father receive equal

parenting time. The following exchange then took place:

THE COURT: So [Mother] will have…[Mother] will have custody but you folks have agreed to, that I recall, you agreed to an equal parenting time schedule?

FATHER'S ATTORNEY: No, no we did not…no we did not.

MOTHER'S ATTORNEY: No, we did not.

THE COURT: Maybe I miss…maybe I…ok. Did you, did you provide for that in your Stipulations?

FATHER'S ATTORNEY: We did not Your Honor. It was part of the Guardian's report.

THE COURT: Ok. All right. Ok. Again, the Court then is going to order then it will be an equal parenting time situation when [Mother], assuming that she moves back, and the Court will allow them to initially try to work out how they're going to do that, whether that's going to be a Monday/Tuesday, Wednesday/Thursday, alternate weekends, or it's going to be a week-to-week schedule. I'll let them initially work that out.

-9- Warren CA2013-06-054

{¶ 23} Based upon our review of the record, the trial court was aware of the existence 3 of a stipulation regarding parenting time but was incorrect as to what the stipulation stated.

Regardless of the trial court's knowledge of the details of the stipulation, it found that equal

parenting time was in the best interest of Liam and, therefore, more appropriate than any

other schedule. Thus, the trial court essentially refused to accept the parties' parenting time

stipulation based upon what was in the best interest of Liam. As it is "generally conceded

that the parties cannot by stipulation interfere with the court's discharge of its duty to consider

the best interest of the child in rendering its judgment," we find the trial court did not abuse its

discretion in refusing to accept the parties' stipulation regarding parenting time of the

nonresidential parent. Willis v. Willis, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 70937, 1997 WL 272377, *3

(May 22, 1997).

{¶ 24} Having found no merit to Wife's arguments, we find the trial court did not err in

allocating parental rights and responsibilities between the parties. Accordingly, Wife's sole

assignment of error is overruled.

{¶ 25} Judgment affirmed.

PIPER and M. POWELL, JJ., concur.

3. At the beginning of the hearing, the trial court stated: "Counsel, as I read these Stipulations * * * you've agreed to everything except the custody, daycare, [and] child support…[.]" - 10 -