Todd M. Pieszchala v. Jamie Pieszchala (mem. dec.)

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: November 19, 2020
• Docket: 20A-DR-969
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED regarded as precedent or cited before any Nov 19 2020, 8:40 am court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT Cory A. Shoffner Brody B. Shoffner Shoffner & Shoffner, LLP LaPorte, Indiana

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

In the Matter of the Marriage of: November 19, 2020

Todd M. Pieszchala, Court of Appeals Case No. 20A-DR-969 Appellant-Respondent, Appeal from the v. LaPorte Superior Court The Honorable Jamie Pieszchala, Richard R. Stalbrink, Jr., Judge Trial Court Cause No. Appellee-Petitioner. 46D02-1305-DR-236

Kirsch, Judge.

[1] Todd M. Pieszchala (“Father”) appeals the trial court’s order denying his

petition to modify child custody. He raises the following issue for our review:

whether the trial court erred in finding that he did not meet his burden that a

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 1 of 12 modification was in the best interests of the children and that there was a

substantial change in circumstances.

[2] We affirm.

Facts and Procedural History [3] Father and Mother are the parents of Ai.P., who was ten years old at the time

of the order denying Father’s petition to modify custody, and Ad.P., who was

nine years old (together, “the Children”). Tr. Vol. II at 27. The marriage

between Father and Mother was dissolved in 2014, and a Stipulated

Modification of Custody was entered on April 28, 2017. Appellant’s App. Vol. II

at 11. At that time, both parties were granted joint physical custody of the

children, with Father exercising parenting time “every Wednesday after school

to Friday morning and alternating weekends commencing Friday after school

until Sunday at 4:30 p.m.” Id. On June 24, 2019, Father filed a motion to

modify custody. Id. at 7. A bifurcated hearing was held on the petition on

December 18, 2019 and on March 2, 2020. Id. at 9; Tr. Vol. II at 8, 126.

[4] At the hearing, Mother testified that, since the dissolution, she had four

different places of employment in the last five years, and she has lived at five

different locations with the Children. Id. at 23-24, 37. In February 2018,

Mother had been asked to leave the home she was renting or be evicted due to

failure to pay rent consistently. Id. at 23-24, 99. Mother also testified that there

was an order to vacate filed for the home she was renting at the time of the

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 2 of 12 hearing, but that she had paid her rent, and the landlord allowed her to remain

in the home. Id. at 15-16, 142.

[5] Evidence was presented that Mother had received several disconnect notices for

her water dated May 22, 2019, August 22, 2019, and September 19, 2019. Id. at

17; Appellant’s App. Vol II at 19-30. Mother testified that her water had been

shut off “once” and was “paid and restored on the same day.” Tr. Vol. II at 18-

19. Mother disputed the records from the water company indicating that her

water was shut off on July 2, 2019 through July 8, 2019, on September 4, 2019

through September 10, 2019, and on December 2, 2019 through December 4,

2019, stating that “we can’t go six days without water at our house.” Id. at 20;

Appellant’s App. Vol II at 31-50. Mother was later asked “your water hasn’t been

shut off three times,” to which she responded, “I’m not saying it hasn’t been

turned off three times. I’m saying I haven’t gone without water on a numerous

daily basis.” Id. at 21. The custodian of records for the Westville Water

Department testified that the water was shut off for the time periods mentioned

above. Id. at 133. Evidence was also presented of gas and electric disconnect

notices for Mother’s prior address, indicating a shut off from July 23, 2018 to

July 25, 2018.1 Id. at 22; Appellant’s App. Vol II at 51-130.

1 We note there is a discrepancy in the dates that Mother lived at this prior address, as she testified that she was asked to move out of the address in February 2018, but evidence was also presented that her gas and electric had been shut off at that address from July 23, 2018 to July 25, 2018. Tr. Vol. II at 23-24,

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 3 of 12 [6] Mother testified that during spring break in 2019 and the summer of 2019, she

allowed the Children, who were ten years old and almost nine years old at the

time, to stay home alone for periods of time while she worked. Tr. Vol. II at 28.

She testified that her employer was flexible and allowed her to come and go as

she needed to check on the Children and that she had lunch with them every

day. Id. Mother testified that she allowed the Children to take baths while she

was not home and stated that she believed that they were responsible enough to

do so. Id. at 35. Mother stated that she believed that the Children were mature

enough and old enough to be left alone for certain periods of time. Id. at 60.

[7] Evidence was presented that Ai.P. was diagnosed with ADHD and takes

medication. Id. at 28. Mother stated that in the prior year there were two or

three times that Ai.P. had not taken his medication while in her care. Id. at 45.

Ai.P.’s teacher testified that there were at least two occasions that she suspected

Ai.P. had not taken his medication. Id. at 79. Testimony was also presented

that Ad.P. wears glasses and that there were multiple times where Ad.P. would

forget to wear her glasses to school and Mother would need to bring them to

school. Id. at 31, 92. There was testimony presented that Ai.P. was browsing

inappropriate websites on his cell phone on more than one occasion and was

caught by Father, who made Mother aware of it. Id. at 35. Mother stated that,

after discovering this, she installed an app on the cell phone to allow her to

monitor Ai.P.’s phone. Id. Mother admitted that there had been issues where

Ai.P. was not turning in his homework and was suspended from playing

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 4 of 12 basketball for a week. Id. at 33. She testified that this prompted her to

physically check his homework every night. Id. at 32-33.

[8] Father testified that he suspected on three different days after the children were

in Mother’s care that the children had not brushed their teeth. Id. at 10. When

Mother was asked if she made sure that the Children brushed their teeth before

they went to school, she responded that she always instructed them to, but that

she did not “stand over their shoulder every morning.” Id. at 46.

[9] At the first hearing date, Mother testified that the children “have emotional

damage” and are “in therapy right now on my days.” Id. at 65-66. At the

second hearing, Mother then acknowledged that “[the children] hadn’t started

therapy” despite her previous testimony and stated it was because Father would

not agree to anything. Id. at 141, 148. Testimony was presented that Ad.P. had

been given a special needs diagnosis and “both [Father] and [Mother] have kept

up in communication with her teachers and the schools to help develop a plan

to get her to where she needs to be.” Id. at 68, 69. Ad.P.’s second grade

teacher testified that several meetings were scheduled and that Mother did not

come to one, was late to another, and canceled another meeting. Id. at 87. The

teacher further testified that she and Father had communicated during the

spring of 2019 regarding learning disability testing meetings, but Father could

not make the decision because of his lack of educational custody. Id. at 88.

When asked if it was fair to say that Mother’s cancellation delayed the testing,

the teacher responded, “Sure.” Id. at 89.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 5 of 12 [10] Mother and Father testified that the communication between the parties was

extremely poor. Id. at 62, 63, 113. Mother acknowledged that she struggled

financially and had “come up against a brick wall a few times over the last

couple years,” but managed to make it work. Id. at 61. She testified that she

worked hard to provide for the Children and that “[t]hey are loved. They are

healthy. They are cared for.” Id. Father testified that he was gainfully

employed, was remarried, and that he could provide the stable environment

that the children need, including supervising their homework and ensuring

Ad.P. goes to school with her glasses every day. Id. at 103, 107-08. Father also

stated that he would check in with Ai.P. on Mother’s days to ensure his

homework was being completed. Id. at 107-08.

[11] At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court issued an order denying

Father’s petition to modify custody. Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 11-18. The trial

court concluded that:

Mother is not financially well off. She struggles in comparison to Father’s financial resources, but that does not make her a poor mother. Mother has made some mistakes and has openly admitted to the mistakes in court; however, based on a review of the evidence presented and considered by the court in its entirety, the court finds that Father has not met his burden and Father’s "Motion for Modification of Custody" is hereby denied.

Id. at 18. Father now appeals.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 6 of 12 Discussion and Decision [12] We begin by noting that Mother has not filed an appellee’s brief. 2 When an

appellee fails to file a brief, we need not undertake the burden of developing an

argument on appellee’s behalf. C.V. v. C.R., 64 N.E.3d 850, 852 (Ind. Ct. App.

2016). Instead, applying a less stringent standard of review, we may reverse the

trial court’s judgment if the appellant can prove a case of prima facie error. Id.

“Prima facie error in this context is defined as, ‘at first sight, on first appearance,

or on the face of it.’” Trinity Homes, LLC v. Fang, 848 N.E.2d 1065, 1068 (Ind.

2006) (quoting Santana v. Santana, 708 N.E.2d 886, 887 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999)).

[13] The trial court entered findings of fact and conclusion of law in its order

denying modification of custody. Pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 52(A), the

reviewing court will “‘not set aside the findings or judgment unless clearly

erroneous, and due regard shall be given to the opportunity of the trial court to

judge the credibility of the witnesses.’” Steele-Giri v. Steele, 51 N.E.3d 119, 123

(Ind. 2016) (quoting D.C. v. J.A.C., 977 N.E.2d 951, 953 (Ind. 2012)). Where a

trial court enters findings sua sponte, the appellate court reviews issues covered

by the findings with a two-tiered standard of review that asks whether the

2 Mother did not file an appearance and did not file a brief in this case. She did make a filing with this court that is styled as a letter and contends that the trial court’s order should be affirmed. However, this filing does not follow the Indiana Rule of Appellate Procedure and does not contain any citation to the record or legal authority. It is well settled that pro se litigants are held to the same legal standards as licensed attorneys. Lowrance v. State, 64 N.E.3d 935, 938 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016). This means that pro se litigants are bound to follow the established rules of procedure and must be prepared to accept the consequences of their failure to do so. Id. We will not become an “advocate for a party, or address arguments that are inappropriate or too poorly developed or expressed to be understood.” Id.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 7 of 12 evidence supports the findings, and whether the findings support the judgment.

Id. Any issue not covered by the findings is reviewed under the general

judgment standard, meaning a reviewing court should affirm based on any legal

theory supported by the evidence. Id. at 123-24.

[14] There is a well-established preference in Indiana “for granting latitude and

deference to our trial judges in family law matters.” Id. at 124 (citing In re

Marriage of Richardson, 622 N.E.2d 178, 179 (Ind. 1993)). Appellate courts “are

in a poor position to look at a cold transcript of the record, and conclude that

the trial judge, who saw the witnesses, observed their demeanor, and

scrutinized their testimony as it came from the witness stand, did not properly

understand the significance of the evidence.” Kirk v. Kirk, 770 N.E.2d 304, 307

(Ind. 2002) (quoting Brickley v. Brickley, 247 Ind. 201, 204, 210 N.E.2d 850, 852

(1965)). “On appeal it is not enough that the evidence might support some

other conclusion, but it must positively require the conclusion contended for by

appellant before there is a basis for reversal.” Id. “Appellate judges are not to

reweigh the evidence nor reassess witness credibility, and the evidence should

be viewed most favorably to the judgment.” Best v. Best, 941 N.E.2d 499, 502

(Ind. 2011) (citations omitted).

[15] Father argues that the trial court erred in denying his petition to modify

custody. He specifically asserts that the trial court erred by excluding in its

order evidence regarding the best interests of the Children and a substantial

change in circumstances that he claims was essential and undisputed. Father

contends that this evidence was material to both the best interests of the

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 8 of 12 Children and showed a substantial change in circumstances regarding the

mental and physical health of the Children, the Children’s adjustment to home

and school, and the interactions between the Children and Mother. He

maintains that all of the evidence taken as a whole did not support the trial

court’s decision to deny his petition to modify custody, and the ruling was

clearly against the logic of the facts and circumstances.

[16] The party seeking modification of a custody order “bears the burden of

demonstrating [that] the existing custody should be altered.” Steele-Giri , 51

N.E.3d at 124. “This more stringent standard is required to support a change in

custody because permanence and stability are considered best for the welfare

and happiness of the child.” Riggen v. Riggen, 71 N.E.3d 420, 422 (Ind. Ct.

App. 2017) (internal quotations omitted).

[17] Indiana Code section 31-17-2-21 provides that a trial court “may not modify a

child custody order unless: (1) the modification is in the best interests of the

child; and (2) there is a substantial change in one (1) or more of the factors that

the court may consider under [Indiana Code section 31-17-2-8] . . . .” Indiana

Code section 31-17-2-8 provides that the trial court is to consider all relevant

factors, including:

(1) The age and sex of the child.

(2) The wishes of the child’s parent or parents.

(3) The wishes of the child, with more consideration given to the child’s wishes if the child is at least fourteen (14) years of age. Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 9 of 12 (4) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with:

(A) the child’s parent or parents;

(B) the child’s sibling; and

(C) any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interests.

(5) The child’s adjustment to the child’s:

(A) home;

(B) school; and

(C) community.

(6) The mental and physical health of all individuals involved.

(7) Evidence of a pattern of domestic or family violence by either parent.

(8) Evidence that the child has been cared for by a de facto custodian . . . .

[18] A child custody determination is fact sensitive. In this case, the trial court

listened to evidence over the course of two days. It heard testimony from

multiple witnesses including Father, Mother, and the Children’s teachers. In its

order, the trial court examined each of the factors listed above, considered the

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 10 of 12 evidence presented that it believed was pertinent and determined that Father

did not meet his burden and that custody should not be modified.

[19] Father’s arguments focus on his claim that the trial court failed to consider

certain evidence that he maintains was undisputed and material. Contrary to

Father’s assertion that the trial court ignored undisputed, material evidence, the

evidence he asserts was ignored was actually contradicted by Mother’s

testimony. We grant latitude and deference to our trial judges in family law

matters because appellate courts are in a poor position to look at a cold

transcript of the record, and conclude that the trial judge, who saw the

witnesses, observed their demeanor, and scrutinized their testimony as it came

from the witness stand, did not properly understand the significance of the

evidence. Steele-Giri, 51 N.E.3d at 124. Here, the trial court was able to

observe the witnesses and scrutinize their testimony and then made a

determination on what evidence it deemed to be pertinent and credible. The

trial court was within its authority to do so, and we do not second guess the

trial court’s determinations. Father’s arguments are simply a request for this

court to reweigh the evidence and reassess the credibility of the witnesses,

which we do not do on appeal. Id.

[20] Father does not assert that the evidence presented at the hearing did not support

the trial court’s findings or that the findings made by the trial court did not

support the trial court’s conclusions. The evidence presented at the hearing

supported each of the trial court’s factual findings such that they were not

clearly erroneous. Relying on these findings, the trial court concluded that,

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 11 of 12 “Mother is not financially well off. She struggles in comparison to Father’s

financial resources, but that does not make her a poor mother. Mother has

made some mistakes and has openly admitted to the mistakes in court.”

Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 18. The trial court then concluded that based on a

review of the evidence presented and “considered by the court in its entirety,”

Father had not met his burden. Id. We conclude that there was ample evidence

in the record to support a determination that there was not a substantial change

in the circumstances and that a custody modification was not in the Children’s

best interests. “On appeal it is not enough that the evidence might support

some other conclusion, but it must positively require the conclusion contended

for by appellant before there is a basis for reversal.” Steele-Giri, 51 N.E.3d at

124. The trial court did not err in concluding that Father failed to meet his

burden.

[21] Affirmed.

Pyle, J., and Tavitas, J., concur.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-DR-969 | November 19, 2020 Page 12 of 12