Siufanua v. Fuga

387 P.3d 707, 187 Wash. 2d 567

• Court: Washington Supreme Court
• Decided: January 19, 2017
• Docket: No. 92897-5
• Status: Published

Opinions

Fairhurst, C.J.

¶1 Before a trial on the merits of a nonparental custody petition, the petitioner must satisfy a threshold requirement of “adequate cause” by showing that the biological parent is either unfit or that placing the child in the parent’s custody would result in actual detriment to the child’s growth and development. RCW 26.10.032(2). This standard protects biological parents’ constitutional rights to raise their children. Here, Faualuga and Billie Siufanua (the grandparents) sought custody of L.M.S., their granddaughter. The grandparents contend that placing L.M.S. with Tony Fuga, her biological father, will cause actual detriment because the father has been mostly absent from her life and because they are the only parents she has known. But absent additional circumstances, we cannot assume that interfering with the parent-like relationship between L.M.S. and her grandparents amounts to actual detriment. Fuga has a positive relationship with L.M.S., and he is able and willing to raise her. The grandparents failed to present sufficient facts demonstrating a specific detriment that would ensue if L.M.S. is placed with Fuga. Under these circumstances, the trial court correctly denied the grandparents’ nonparental custody petition for lacking adequate cause. We affirm.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

¶2 L.M.S. was born to Fuga and Lisa Siufanua in December 2005. At the time, Fuga and Siufanua were living with Siufanua’s parents, the grandparents. Sometime during the next three years, Fuga separated from Siufanua and moved to San Diego. Siufanua and L.M.S. remained with the grandparents. The grandparents claim that Fuga left Washington when L.M.S. was one year old. Fuga claims he left sometime in 2008, before L.M.S.’s third birthday.

¶3 In October 2008, Fuga married his current wife, Vaelua Fiatoa-Fuga, with whom he has two sons, ages five and six years old. Fiatoa-Fuga submitted an undisputed declaration attesting to the stable home life she and Fuga established for their two children.

¶4 Since moving to San Diego, Fuga has had minimal contact with L.M.S. In a December 2011 Facebook post to L.M.S., he wrote that “[it’s] been 5 years since [I’ve] seen you or heard your voice.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 39. Fuga claims he did not have an accurate address or phone number for L.M.S. Fuga also claims he sent Siufanua money, diapers, and other items to support her and L.M.S. Fuga’s parents (L.M.S.’s paternal grandparents), who lived near Siufanua, would occasionally babysit L.M.S. on weekends and pay for some of L.M.S.’s expenses like school clothes. Fuga did see L.M.S. briefly when Siufanua brought her to San Diego for vacation in the summer of 2012. During the trip, L.M.S. met with Fuga and members of Fuga’s family. Fuga and Siufanua exchanged contact information so they could communicate in the future. However, when Fuga tried calling the telephone number Siufanua provided, he discovered it was disconnected.

¶5 L.M.S. was essentially raised by her grandparents. Although Siufanua and L.M.S. may have lived in a separate apartment for a brief period, they have mostly resided at the grandparents’ house since L.M.S. was born. Due to Siufanua’s untreated drug addiction, the grandparents served as L.M.S.’s primary caretakers.

¶6 In a September 2012 order determining parentage, the King County Superior Court legally established Fuga as L.M.S.’s father, ordered him to pay child support, including back support, and gave custody of L.M.S. to Siufanua. The grandparents concede that Fuga has complied with the order.

¶7 In October 2014, Fuga learned that Siufanua had been incarcerated. He returned to Washington to obtain custody of L.M.S. On October 8,2014, Fuga filed a motion to modify the 2012 order determining parentage, asking the court to designate him as L.M.S.’s primary parent. On October 24, 2014, the grandparents filed a nonparental custody petition, seeking custody of L.M.S.

¶8 The grandparents argued they had adequate cause to seek custody for L.M.S., pointing to Fuga’s absence during L.M.S.’s life and a domestic violence incident occurring before L.M.S. was born. In April 2005—eight months before L.M.S. was born—Fuga was arrested for assaulting Siuf-anua. Fuga was charged with fourth degree assault, but the case was dismissed after Fuga voluntarily entered and completed a domestic violence therapy program.

¶9 On November 14, 2014, a superior court commissioner issued an order concluding the grandparents failed to demonstrate adequate cause for a hearing on the merits, finding (1) no evidence that Fuga is unfit to parent, (2) that he is willing and able to take custody, and (3) that no actual harm would occur to the child in Fuga’s custody. The trial court denied the grandparents’ subsequent motion to revise the commissioner’s order. The grandparents appealed, and the Court of Appeals, Division One, affirmed the trial court’s order in an unpublished opinion. In re Custody of L.M.S., No. 72938-1-I, slip op. at 1 (Wash. Ct. App. Feb. 8, 2016) (unpublished), http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf /729381.pdf. We granted the grandparents’ petition for review. In re Custody of L.M.S., 185 Wn.2d 1033, 377 P.3d 742 (2016).

II. ISSUE

¶10 Did the grandparents present facts that, if proved true, would establish that Fuga is either unfit or that placement with Fuga would cause actual detriment to L.M.S.’s growth and development?

III. ANALYSIS

¶11 We have not definitively articulated what standard of review applies to consideration of a trial court’s adequate cause determination on a nonparental custody petition. See In re Custody of B.M.H., 179 Wn.2d 224, 239 n.1, 315 P.3d 470 (2013) (“we need not answer today whether a more deferential standard of review is appropriate for our review of a trial court’s adequate cause determination on a nonparental custody petition”). Although the Court of Appeals in B.M.H. applied a de novo standard, which no party appealed, we typically apply a more deferential standard of review to adequate cause determinations in similar contexts. Id.; see, e.g., In re Parentage of Jannot, 149 Wn.2d 123, 128, 65 P.3d 664 (2003); see also In re Marriage of McDole, 122 Wn.2d 604, 610, 859 P.2d 1239 (1993) (“[T]rial courts are given broad discretion in matters dealing with the welfare of children.”).

¶12 Today, we articulate that we review a trial court’s adequate cause determination on a nonparental custody petition for an abuse of discretion, like we do in other custody determinations. “A trial court abuses its discretion if its decision is manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds or untenable reasons.” In re Marriage of Littlefield, 133 Wn.2d 39, 46-47, 940 P.2d 1362 (1997).

The grandparents failed to demonstrate adequate cause

¶13 A person other than a parent may petition for custody of a child “if the child is not in the physical custody of one of its parents or if the petitioner alleges that neither parent is a suitable custodian.” RCW 26.10.030(1). In 2003, the legislature amended the nonparental custody statute to require a threshold determination of “adequate cause” prior to a hearing on a third party nonparental custody petition:

(1)A party seeking a custody order shall submit, along with his or her motion, an affidavit declaring that the child is not in the physical custody of one of its parents or that neither parent is a suitable custodian and setting forth facts supporting the requested order. The party seeking custody shall give notice, along with a copy of the affidavit, to other parties to the proceedings, who may file opposing affidavits.

(2) The court shall deny the motion unless it finds that adequate cause for hearing the motion is established by the affidavits, in which case it shall set a date for hearing on an order to show cause why the requested order should not be granted.

RCW 26.10.032.

¶14 When the grandparents filed their nonparental custody petition, L.M.S. was not in the custody of either Fuga or Siufanua, thus satisfying the requirements in RCW 26.10.030(1). The only issue is whether the trial court abused its discretion when it concluded the grandparents failed to establish adequate cause under RCW 26.10.032(2).

¶15 Adequate cause is a high burden. Courts have “long recognized that a parent’s interests in the nurture, upbringing, companionship, care, and custody of children are generally protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.” Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 77, 120 S. Ct. 2054, 147 L. Ed. 2d 49 (2000) (Souter, J., concurring). “[O]nly under ‘extraordinary circumstances’ does there exist a compelling state interest that justifies interference with ... parental rights.”179 Wn.2d at 235 (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting In re Custody of Shields, 157 Wn.2d 126, 145, 136 P.3d 117 (2006)). “[Constitutionally protected parental rights may not be infringed merely because of a finding that someone else could do a better parenting job.” In re Custody of E.A.T.W., 168 Wn.2d 335, 346-47, 227 P.3d 1284 (2010). A mere showing that nonparental custody is in the best interests of the child is insufficient to establish adequate cause. In re Custody of S.C.D.-L., 170 Wn.2d 513, 516-17, 243 P.3d 918 (2010). Likewise, a nonparent petitioner cannot establish adequate cause by presenting facts showing that the child is not in the parent’s custody. E.A.T.W., 168 Wn.2d at 345. Instead, “the requisite showing [of adequate cause] by the nonparent is substantial and a nonparent will be able to meet this substantial standard in only ‘extraordinary circumstances.’” 179 Wn.2d at 236 (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Shields, 157 Wn.2d at 145).

¶16 To demonstrate adequate cause, the nonparent petitioner must allege specific facts that, if proved true, would establish a prima facie case “that the parent is unfit or that placing the child with the parent would result in actual detriment to the child’s growth and development.” E.A.T.W., 168 Wn.2d at 338.

¶17 A parent is unfit if he or she cannot meet a child’s basic needs. 179 Wn.2d at 236; see also RCW 26.44.010 (the State may intervene into the parent-child relationship in “instances of nonaccidental injury, neglect, death, sexual abuse and cruelty to children by their parents ... and in the instance where a child is deprived of his or her right to conditions of minimal nurture, health, and safety”). “Whether placement with a parent will result in actual detriment to a child’s growth and development is a highly fact-specific inquiry, and ‘[precisely what might [constitute actual detriment to] outweigh parental rights must be determined on a case-by-case basis.’ ” B.M.H., 179 Wn.2d at 236 (alterations in original) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Shields, 157 Wn.2d at 143).

1. Granting Fuga custody of L.M.S. would not cause actual detriment to her growth and development

¶18 The grandparents claim that due to Fuga’s absence during L.M.S.’s childhood, he is essentially a stranger to her. They argue that placing L.M.S. in Fuga’s custody would therefore cause actual detriment to her growth and development because it would remove her from the only parents she has known. Though a child’s psychological attachment to a nonparent may be a factor in considering a nonparent custody petition, the grandparents here failed to present sufficient facts demonstrating any specific detriment to L.M.S.’s growth and development that would ensue if Fuga gains custody.

¶19 The grandparents contend that their parent-like relationship with L.M.S. is sufficient to infer actual detriment. Washington courts have recognized that a child’s psychological attachment to a nonparent may be a factor in considering whether placing the child with the parent will cause actual detriment. In re Marriage of Allen, 28 Wn. App. 637, 648, 626 P.2d 16 (1981); In re Custody of Stell, 56 Wn. App. 356, 369, 783 P.2d 615 (1989). In Allen, the child’s stepmother sought custody after divorcing from the child’s biological father. 28 Wn. App. at 640-41. In awarding custody to the stepmother, the court noted a relevant factor was the child’s bond with her and her three children:

Joshua had become integrated into the family unit formed by the marriage of Joe and Jeannie and his adoption of her three children. By the award of custody to Jeannie, the family unit remains essentially the same. Where the reason for deferring to parental rights—the goal of preserving families—would be ill-served by maintaining parental custody, as where a child is integrated into the nonparent’s family, the de facto family relationship does not exist as to the natural parent and need not be supported. In such a case, custody might lie with a nonparent. As noted in In re [Welfare of] Aschauer, [93 Wn.2d 689,] 697 n.5[, 611 P.2d 1245 (1980)]:

[I]t was formerly thought that blood ties between parent and child were extremely important. Now it is learned that kinship is not as important as stability of environment and care and attention to the child’s needs. See J. Goldstien, A. Freud, A. Solnit, Beyond the Best Interests of the Child (1973).

Id. at 648 (fourth alteration in original) (footnote and citations omitted). Relying on Allen, the Stell court noted that expert testimony establishing that a child’s aunt had become his psychological parent was a relevant consideration in the custody dispute with the biological father. 56 Wn. App. at 369.

¶20 But these cases do not demonstrate that a strong psychological connection, on its own, is sufficient to establish adequate cause. For one thing, Allen and Stell were decided before the legislature instituted the adequate cause threshold. More importantly, both Allen and Stell involve unique and extreme circumstances such that placement with the parent would have resulted in actual detriment.

¶21 For instance, in Allen, the child was deaf and the stepmother and her three children were fluent in sign language but the father was not. 28 Wn. App. at 641-42. Further, the court describes in great detail the stepmother’s admirable efforts to accommodate the child’s disability. Id. at 640-41 (‘What makes this case exceptional is not only the fact that Joshua is deaf, but the dedication and effort Jeannie put forth to obtain assistance for him during the marriage.”). The court further noted that the stepmother believed that “Joshua has unlimited potential and that he can reach any goal,” while the father’s attitude regarding raising a deaf child was “apathetic and fatalistic.” Id. at 642. The child’s psychological integration into the stepmother’s family was possible only specifically because they could all communicate with sign language: “We conclude that Joshua’s disability and Jeannie’s dedication demanded that he be placed with Jeannie. By placing the child with the stepmother, along with the other three children, the continuity of that family unit could be retained.” Id. at 649.

¶22 In Stell, the child struggled with debilitating mental health issues due to a history of physical and sexual abuse. 56 Wn. App. at 360-62. The child’s aunt provided a stable home environment and was actively engaged in his therapy and mental health treatment. Id. The aunt had demonstrated a commitment and an ability to address the child’s needs that the father—who was only intermittently employed and had moved residences frequently—could not. Id. Although the court noted the importance of the child’s psychological connection to his aunt, relying on Allen, it also concluded that unlike his father, the aunt could provide him with the stable environment he needed. Id. at 369.

¶23 We have suggested that absent these “extreme and unusual circumstances,” a parent-like relationship with a child is insufficient to demonstrate adequate cause. 179 Wn.2d at 239. In Shields, we expressed doubt regarding Allen’s discussion of the psychological attachment to nonparents:

Although we approve the actual detriment standard articulated in Allen, we are concerned with references in that opinion to the concept of a “de facto family.” In Allen the court found that the nonparent, her children, and the child consisted of a “de facto family” and that in such a case, “custody might lie with a nonparent.” Allen, 28 Wn. App. at 648 (emphasis added). As we recently stated in L.B., incautious use of terms such as psychological parent, in loco parentis, and de facto parent has led to great confusion. [In re Parentage of] L.B., 155 Wn.2d [679,] 691 n.7[, 122 P.3d 161 (2005)]. . . . Contrary to the suggestion in Allen, this court has not recognized “de facto family” as a legal status.

Shields, 157 Wn.2d at 145-46. Indeed, in B.M.H., we concluded a nonparent failed to establish adequate cause despite evidence that he had become the child’s psychological parent. 179 Wn.2d at 239. There, a stepfather filed a nonparental custody petition after he learned the mother planned to move with the child 50 miles away. Id. at 230. Because the child’s biological father passed away before his birth, the stepfather had developed a strong parental relationship with the child. Id. The stepfather fulfilled traditional parenting duties until he divorced the mother when the child was approximately three years old, and he continued to be actively involved in the child’s life after the divorce. Id.

¶24 The stepfather made the same argument that the grandparents present here—that the child viewed him as his father and that interfering with this relationship would cause actual detriment. The guardian ad litem assigned to the case submitted a report declaring that “B.M.H. viewed Mr. Holt as a father and that it would be detrimental for B.M.H. to terminate contact with Mr. Holt.” Id. at 233. But despite this evidence, we concluded that the stepfather failed to demonstrate adequate cause, specifically distinguishing the unique circumstances in Allen and Stell:

[Wjithout more extraordinary facts bearing on B.M.H.’s welfare, the prerequisites for a nonparental custody action have not been met. The concern that Ms. Holt might interfere with Mr. Holt and B.M.H.’s relationship is insufficient to show actual detriment under Shields and to meet the burden of production for adequate cause under E.A.T.W. Although the importance of preserving fundamental psychological relationships and family units was part of the court’s analysis in Allen and Stell, there were more extreme and unusual circumstances that contributed to the finding of actual detriment. In each case, the child had significant special needs that would not be met if the child were in the custody of the parent. Continuity of psychological relationships and family units was particularly important where a child had these special needs. Here, additional circumstances have not been alleged.

Id. at 239 (footnote omitted). Our conclusion in B.M.H. controls here.

¶25 The grandparents argue that B.M.H. is distinguishable due to some notable differences in this case. For example, in B.M.H. the biological mother already had custody of the child, and he had lived with her more or less consistently throughout his life. Here, on the other hand, L.M.S. lived mainly with her grandparents during her early years while Fuga was absent.

¶26 But these differences do not justify finding adequate cause here. The main evidence the grandparents rely on is their own declarations asserting that L.M.S. has lived with them for her entire life and that she calls them “ ‘mom’ ” and “ ‘dad.’ ” CP at 28. Although L.M.S. undeniably has a strong bond with her grandparents, they failed to present facts showing any specific detriment that would ensue if Fuga gains primary custody.

¶27 On the contrary, Fuga is a fit, capable parent willing to raise L.M.S. The record shows that Fuga and his wife are successfully raising two children in San Diego. Despite Fuga’s early absence in L.M.S.’s life, the record shows he had reinitiated contact with her. L.M.S. had a positive visit with Fuga and his family in 2012, during which she “never once left [Fuga’s] side” and called him ‘“[d]addy.’” CP at 235. L.M.S. recognizes Fuga as her father and has a positive relationship with him.

¶28 Under these circumstances, the grandparents failed to demonstrate what, specifically, about the nature of Fuga’s custody would harm L.M.S.’s growth and development. Without more, we cannot assume that interfering with the strong relationship between L.M.S. and her grandparents would amount to actual detriment. Transitioning to Fuga’s custody will undoubtedly be challenging because change is always hard. But nothing in the record here suggests this change amounts to the level of actual detriment contemplated by the adequate cause standard. We have repeatedly stated that a nonparent petitioner will be able to demonstrate adequate cause only in “ ‘extraordinary circumstances.’ ” 179 Wn.2d at 236 (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Shields, 157 Wn.2d at 145). The circumstances alleged by the grandparents are compelling, but they are not extraordinary. Indeed, due to the na-ure of the proceeding, many nonparent petitioners seeking custody of a child will allege a parent-like relationship with the child. In B.M.H., we held that a similar relationship was insufficient for adequate cause without additional circumstances. Id. at 239. Likewise, though we do not foreclose the possibility that interfering with such a relationship might result in actual detriment, the grandparents failed to present sufficient facts here. Id. at 236 (what causes actual detriment must be determined on a case-by-case basis).

¶29 We find the grandparents’ other arguments unpersuasive. First, they argue that B.M.H. does not require demonstrating that the child has a special need that the parent is unable to accommodate. Evidence of a child’s special needs can be a factor weighing in favor of a nonparent seeking custody of a child. See id. at 239 (“Continuity of psychological relationships and family units was particularly important where a child had these special needs. Here, additional circumstances have not been alleged.”); see also Allen, 28 Wn. App. at 640-41 (father was unable to communicate with deaf child); Stell, 56 Wn. App. at 368 (child abuse victim required extensive therapy and stability that parent could not provide); In re Custody of R.R.B., 108 Wn. App. 602, 31 P.3d 1212 (2001) (suicidal child required extensive therapy and stability that parent could not provide). But the grandparents are correct that B.M.H. did not establish a bright-line rule requiring evidence of a child’s special needs to prove adequate cause. However, this does not mean they established adequate cause. Adequate cause requires actual detriment, which the grandparents failed to prove.

¶30 Next, the grandparents argue that they need not prove their allegations, but instead need only present facts that, “if proved true,” would show actual detriment. B.M.H., 179 Wn.2d at 236. But courts need not take every allegation at face value. Nonparent petitioners seeking custody of a child still must satisfy a burden of production to show adequate cause. Id. The grandparents have not met their burden here.

2. Fuga’s alleged prior abandonment does not render him unfit

¶31 The grandparents also allege that Fuga is an unfit parent because he abandoned L.M.S. See id. at 235 (adequate cause requires a showing that parental custody would cause actual detriment to the child or that the parent is “unfit”). They rely on two statutes. First, RCW 13.34.030(1) defines “abandoned” as “when the child’s parent. . . has expressed, either by statement or conduct, an intent to forego, for an extended period, parental rights or responsibilities despite an ability to exercise such rights or responsibilities.” Second, RCW 26.10.160(2)(a) provides that “[v]isitation with the child shall be limited if it is found that the parent seeking visitation has engaged in . . . (i) [w]illful abandonment that continues for an extended period of time or substantial refusal to perform parenting functions.”

¶32 Although Fuga’s absence during L.M.S.’s early years is troubling, we are skeptical that it rises to abandonment. Fuga claims he maintained occasional contact with L.M.S. and Siufanua after moving to San Diego. He also claims he provided money, diapers, and other items for L.M.S. Fuga’s parents also had a relationship with L.M.S. Fuga alleges he lost contact with L.M.S. and Siufanua when she moved without leaving a forwarding address. Neither Fuga nor his parents could locate them despite their efforts. The record suggests that the grandparents played a role in discouraging Fuga’s efforts to contact L.M.S., particularly when he returned to Washington seeking custody. Of course, the grandparents dispute most of Fuga’s claims. In any event, the record does not indisputably demonstrate that Fuga’s absence constitutes legal abandonment.

¶33 But even if we assume, without deciding, that Fuga’s prior conduct constitutes abandonment under the statutory provisions the grandparents cite, they provide no authority supporting their argument that past abandonment justifies a conclusion of current unfitness. They rely on In re Interest of Mahaney, 146 Wn.2d 878, 894, 51 P.3d 776 (2002), where the court stated that “[e]ven where there is no showing of present parental unfitness, in determining the best interests of the child the court may take into consideration emotional and psychological damage from prior unfitness of a parent and the child’s current special needs for treatment and care.”

¶34 But Mahaney is inapposite. The children in that case suffered from mental and behavioral illnesses that resulted from their parents’ past behavior, including domestic violence, substance abuse, and allegations of sexual abuse. Id. at 884-85. The parents’ prior abuse and the children’s resulting disorders were documented by experts. Id. Here, the grandparents have failed to present facts demonstrating that Fuga’s alleged prior abandonment similarly affected L.M.S. They also do not explain how Fuga’s prior abandonment threatens L.M.S. currently or in the future. This is unlike Mahaney, where the parents’ unfitness manifested in directly harmful and dangerous behavior.

¶35 The record unambiguously shows that Fuga is able and willing to parent L.M.S. He has complied with a child support order since 2012. He traveled from California in 2014 specifically because he learned L.M.S.’s mother had been incarcerated and was unable to parent L.M.S. In fact, the grandparents did not file a nonparental custody petition until nearly three weeks after Fuga asserted his custody rights. The grandparents’ claim that Fuga’s prior abandonment makes him currently unfit is factually unsupported and legally insufficient to show adequate cause.

¶36 We also note that the grandparents do not allege in their petition for review that Fuga is unfit due to a propensity for domestic violence. Though they made this argument at the Court of Appeals, it appears they may have abandoned it here. In any event, Fuga’s alleged history of domestic violence does not support a conclusion that he is currently an unfit parent. The record shows one incident of domestic violence that occurred over 10 years ago, 8 months before L.M.S. was born. This incident is too remote in time to support a conclusion of unfitness, particularly when the record shows Fuga is successfully raising two other children. The grandparents’ other vague references to incidents involving Fuga are unsupported by the record. At best, the record shows that Fuga and the grandparents got into an argument when he arrived at their house, looking for L.M.S. There is no other evidence of domestic violence incidents involving Fuga.

¶37 Finally, the grandparents note that the trial court declined to appoint a guardian ad litem. The trial court certainly had the discretion to do so, but it was not required here. The primary purpose of the adequate cause threshold is to prevent a prolonged investigatory process that is an “unnecessary disruption and an evil to be avoided." E.A.T.W., 168 Wn.2d at 348. If a petitioner fails to provide sufficient facts to prove adequate cause, the court need not unnecessarily extend the proceedings by appointing a guardian ad litem.

IV. CONCLUSION

¶38 This case presents difficult circumstances. Fuga’s absence from L.M.S.’s life is unfortunate, and the grandparents clearly have a close bond with L.M.S. But Fuga is capable and willing to raise her. The grandparents have failed to present sufficient facts demonstrating that Fuga is unfit or that placement with Fuga would cause actual detriment to L.M.S.’s growth and development. We therefore hold the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied the grandparents’ nonparental custody petition for lack of adequate cause.

Johnson, Owens, Stephens, and Wiggins, JJ., concur.