J-S83043-16
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
D.W. AND D.W. : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellants :
:
v. :
:
F.T. AND J.T. :
:
Appellees : No. 1007 WDA 2016
Appeal from the Order Entered June 6, 2016
in the Court of Common Pleas of Indiana County
Civil Division at No(s): 11815 C.D. 2014
BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., SHOGAN, and STRASSBURGER*, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY STRASSBURGER, J.: FILED JANUARY 27, 2017
D.W. (Maternal Grandmother) and D.W. (Maternal Grandfather)
(collectively, Grandparents) appeal from the order entered June 6, 2016,
which denied their complaint for partial physical custody of their
grandchildren, J.S.T., a male born in January of 2006; W.M.T., a male born
in January of 2008; and P.R.T., a female born in May of 2012 (collectively,
Children). After careful review, we affirm.
The trial court summarized the factual and procedural history of this
matter as follows.
[F.T. (Mother)] and [J.T. (Father)] (hereinafter Parents)
were married for approximately seven years and had [ C]hildren
during the course of their relationship. Parents separated in May
2013. Since May 2013, Father has had primary custody of
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* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
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[C]hildren and Mother has had partial supervised custody twice a
week. [] Grandparents currently have no custody provision for
seeing [C]hildren and testified that they have not been
significantly involved or included in [C]hildren[’s] lives since the
2013 separation.
In November 2014, 18 months after Parents’ separation,
Grandparents filed a complaint seeking partial custody of
[C]hildren. On January 12, 2015, the [trial] court ordered that
the parties attend mediation in hopes of resolving the matter. A
mediation conference was held on April 8[], 2015. The parties
were unable to reach an agreement at the mediation conference.
Trial Court Opinion, 6/6/2016, at 3.
The trial court held a custody hearing on September 10, 2015.
Following the hearing, on November 5, 2015, the court entered an order
denying Grandparents’ custody complaint. Grandparents appealed. On May
6, 2016, a prior panel of this Court vacated the November 5, 2015 order.
See D.W. and D.W. v. F.T. and J.T., 2016 Pa. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 1516,
2016 WL 2625910 (Pa. Super. 2016) (unpublished judgment order). The
panel concluded that the trial court erred by failing to discuss the custody
factors set forth at 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a) in its opinion, and instead
discussing only the factors set forth at 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(c)(1). The panel
remanded the case to the trial court for the preparation of an order and
opinion considering both sets of factors.
On June 6, 2016, the trial court entered a new custody order, in which
it denied Grandparents’ custody complaint for a second time. Grandparents
again appealed. On December 16, 2016, this Court issued an unpublished
memorandum quashing Grandparents’ appeal, on the basis that they failed
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to file timely their notice of appeal. See D.W. and D.W. v. F.T. and J.T.,
2016 Pa. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 4593, 2016 WL 7324301 (Pa. Super. 2016)
(withdrawn unpublished memorandum). In concluding that Grandparents’
appeal was untimely, we observed that the notice of appeal contained in the
certified record is stamped and docketed as having been filed on July 8,
2016, two days after the thirty-day appeal period expired on July 6, 2016.
On December 22, 2016, Grandparents filed an application for relief and an
application for reargument in this Court. In their applications, Grandparents
averred that they timely filed their notice of appeal on July 6, 2016, but that
the notice of appeal was filed in this Court by mistake and then forwarded to
the trial court. Grandparents attached copies of their notice of appeal to
their applications. Unlike the notice of appeal contained in the certified
record, the notice of appeal provided by Grandparents includes a Superior
Court time stamp, indicating that it was timely filed in this Court on July 6,
2016. See Pa.R.A.P. 905(a)(4) (providing that a notice of appeal filed
mistakenly in an appellate court will be stamped and forwarded to the clerk
of the court which entered the order appealed from, and that the notice will
be deemed filed in the trial court on the date it was filed in the appellate
court). In light of this new information, we entered a per curiam order on
January 3, 2017, withdrawing our December 16, 2016 memorandum.
Because we are now satisfied that Grandparents’ appeal is properly before
us, we can proceed to address the merits of the issues presented by
Grandparents in their appellate brief.
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Grandparents present the following issues for our review.
1. The [t]rial [c]ourt committed an abuse of discretion or an
error of law by failing to grant [] [G]randparents any rights of
partial physical custody thereby severing all ties between
[C]hildren and their [] [G]randparents.
2. The [t]rial [c]ourt committed an abuse of discretion or an
error of law by failing to grant [] [G]randparents any rights of
partial physical custody whatsoever in direct contravention of
long-standing case law and the purpose and intent of 23
Pa.C.S.[] § 5325, et seq.
3. The [t]rial [c]ourt committed an abuse of discretion or an
error of law in dismissing [Grandparents’] [m]otion for [p]artial
[c]ustody despite acknowledging that [Grandparents] have
standing in this matter.
4. The [t]rial [c]ourt committed an abuse of discretion or an
error of law in failing to consider all of the testimony and
evidence on record in making the determination that []
[G]randparents should not have any rights of partial physical
custody whatsoever.
5. The [t]rial [c]ourt committed an abuse of discretion or an
error of law in misapplying both the law and the evidence
presented during trial when reaching its conclusion.
Grandparents’ brief at 4.
We consider these issues mindful of our well-settled standard of
review.
In reviewing a custody order, our scope is of the broadest type
and our standard is abuse of discretion. We must accept
findings of the trial court that are supported by competent
evidence of record, as our role does not include making
independent factual determinations. In addition, with regard to
issues of credibility and weight of the evidence, we must defer to
the presiding trial judge who viewed and assessed the witnesses
first-hand. However, we are not bound by the trial court’s
deductions or inferences from its factual findings. Ultimately,
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the test is whether the trial court’s conclusions are unreasonable
as shown by the evidence of record. We may reject the
conclusions of the trial court only if they involve an error of law,
or are unreasonable in light of the sustainable findings of the
trial court.
V.B. v. J.E.B., 55 A.3d 1193, 1197 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citations omitted).
“When a trial court orders a form of custody, the best interest of the
child is paramount.” S.W.D. v. S.A.R., 96 A.3d 396, 400 (Pa. Super. 2014)
(citation omitted). The factors to be considered by a court when awarding
custody are set forth at 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a).
(a) Factors.--In ordering any form of custody, the court shall
determine the best interest of the child by considering all
relevant factors, giving weighted consideration to those factors
which affect the safety of the child, including the following:
(1) Which party is more likely to encourage and
permit frequent and continuing contact between the
child and another party.
(2) The present and past abuse committed by a
party or member of the party’s household, whether
there is a continued risk of harm to the child or an
abused party and which party can better provide
adequate physical safeguards and supervision of the
child.
(2.1) The information set forth in section 5329.1(a)
(relating to consideration of child abuse and
involvement with protective services).
(3) The parental duties performed by each party on
behalf of the child.
(4) The need for stability and continuity in the child’s
education, family life and community life.
(5) The availability of extended family.
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(6) The child’s sibling relationships.
(7) The well-reasoned preference of the child, based
on the child’s maturity and judgment.
(8) The attempts of a parent to turn the child against
the other parent, except in cases of domestic
violence where reasonable safety measures are
necessary to protect the child from harm.
(9) Which party is more likely to maintain a loving,
stable, consistent and nurturing relationship with the
child adequate for the child’s emotional needs.
(10) Which party is more likely to attend to the daily
physical, emotional, developmental, educational and
special needs of the child.
(11) The proximity of the residences of the parties.
(12) Each party’s availability to care for the child or
ability to make appropriate child-care arrangements.
(13) The level of conflict between the parties and the
willingness and ability of the parties to cooperate
with one another. A party’s effort to protect a child
from abuse by another party is not evidence of
unwillingness or inability to cooperate with that
party.
(14) The history of drug or alcohol abuse of a party
or member of a party’s household.
(15) The mental and physical condition of a party or
member of a party’s household.
(16) Any other relevant factor.
23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a).
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In addition, when awarding partial physical custody to a grandparent
who has standing pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 5325(1) or (2), the court must
consider the following factors.1
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1
Section 5325(1) and (2) provides as follows.
In addition to situations set forth in section 5324 (relating to
standing for any form of physical custody or legal custody),
grandparents and great-grandparents may file an action under
this chapter for partial physical custody or supervised physical
custody in the following situations:
(1) where the parent of the child is deceased, a
parent or grandparent of the deceased parent may
file an action under this section;
(2) where the parents of the child have been
separated for a period of at least six months or have
commenced and continued a proceeding to dissolve
their marriage ….
23 Pa.C.S. § 5325(1)-(2) (emphasis added).
Here, Grandparents contended that they had standing pursuant to the
first half of section 5325(2), because Parents were separated for more than
six months at the time they filed their custody complaint on November 6,
2014. Grandparents’ brief at 5. On September 9, 2016, this portion of
section 5325(2) was held to be unconstitutional by our Supreme Court. See
D.P. v. G.J.P., 146 A.3d 204, 216 (Pa. 2016) (holding that the portion of
section 5325(2) providing for standing due to parental separation for six
months “cannot survive strict scrutiny and, as such, it violates the
fundamental rights of parents safeguarded by the Due Process Clause”).
However, at this juncture, it appears that Parents are divorced. See Father’s
brief at 2 ([C]hildren are in a stable, loving and caring atmosphere and have
needed therapy to deal with [P]arents’ divorce.”).
[P]aragraph (2) is itself divided into two parts and phrased in the
disjunctive, as it provides for grandparent standing “where the
parents of the child have been separated for a period of at least
six months or have commenced and continued a proceeding to
(Footnote Continued Next Page)
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(i) the amount of personal contact between the child and the
party prior to the filing of the action;
(ii) whether the award interferes with any parent-child
relationship; and
(iii) whether the award is in the best interest of the child.
23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(c)(1).
Instantly, in its June 6, 2016 opinion, the trial court discussed nearly
all of the Section 5328(a) factors, as well as the factors listed at Section
5328(c)(1).2 The court found that Section 5328(a)(3), (4), (9), (10), (12),
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(Footnote Continued)
dissolve their marriage[.]” 23 Pa.C.S. § 5325(2) (emphasis
added). It is noteworthy that these are separate and
independent preconditions for grandparent standing, since it is
possible for parents who have not been separated for at least six
months to commence and continue a dissolution proceeding.
Thus, the difficulties apparent in the first half of paragraph (2)
do not imply that the second half … is also problematic.
D.P., 146 A.3d at 216. Accordingly, Grandparents continue to have
standing in this case on this basis, despite the fact their original basis for
standing was deemed unconstitutional. In addition, Parents have not raised
an issue with respect to standing, and “[w]e have consistently held that we
will not raise standing claims sua sponte.” Robinson Twp., Washington
Cty. v. Com., 83 A.3d 901, 918 (Pa. 2013).
We are aware that Justices Baer and Wecht, the only two justices in
D.T. who reached the issue of the constitutionality of the second half of
paragraph 2, would hold that it is unconstitutional for the same reason as
regards the first half of paragraph 2. However, given 1) standing was not
raised, 2) we affirm on the merits, and 3) the long-standing practice not to
reach a constitutional issue if a case can be decided on other grounds, see
Commonwealth v. Dilworth, 246 A.2d 859 (Pa. 1968), we decline to
address the constitutionality of the second half of paragraph 2.
2
The trial court failed to address Section 5328(a)(2.1) in its opinion.
However, there was no evidence presented during the custody hearing which
related to this factor.
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(13), and (15), as well as Section 5328(c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii), weighed in
favor of Parents, while Section 5328(a)(7) weighed in favor of Grandparents.
Trial Court Opinion, 6/6/2016, at 6-16. The court found that the remaining
factors were neutral. Id. at 5-12. In concluding that an award of partial
physical custody to Grandparents would be contrary to Children’s best
interests, the court emphasized that Grandparents made little, if any, effort
to have contact with Children following Parents’ separation. Id. at 16. The
court further emphasized that Grandparents incited conflict with Parents
during the rare occasions that they did have contact with Children. Id. at
16-17.
On appeal, Grandparents present five interrelated claims, which we
address together. The crux of Grandparents’ claims is that the trial court
abused its discretion or erred by effectively severing all ties between them
and Children. Grandparents’ brief at 8. Grandparents challenge the court’s
factual findings that they failed to have contact with the Children and are a
source of constant conflict when they do have contact with Children.
Grandparents contend that they visited the Children regularly prior to
Parents’ separation, and that they attempted to maintain contact with
Children after the separation by calling them on the phone. Id. at 11, 15.
According to Grandparents, their phone calls were rebuffed or never
returned. Id. at 11-13. Grandparents further contend that any conflict that
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arose during their recent visits with Children was caused not by them but by
others. Id. at 12-13.
Moreover, Grandparents argue that the Child Custody Act does not
require grandparents seeking partial physical custody to make constant
attempts at contacting their grandchildren, nor does the Act require that
grandparents have an amicable relationship with their grandchildren’s
parents. Id. at 8-9, 20. Grandparents assert that hostilities between
parties in a child custody action are only relevant to the extent they
constitute a threat to the child or affect the child’s welfare. Id. at 17 (citing
K.T. v. L.R., 118 A.3d 1136, 1161 (Pa. Super. 2015)). According to
Grandparents, no evidence was presented during the custody hearing which
indicates that the animosity between Grandparents and Parents poses a
threat to the Children or their welfare. Id. at 14, 18. Grandparents also
emphasize that Children stated to the trial court during the custody hearing
that they would like to visit Grandparents. Id. at 10-11, 13.
After carefully reviewing the certified record in this matter, we
conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by declining to
award Grandparents partial physical custody of the Children. During the
custody hearing, Father testified that Grandparents visited with the Children
sporadically prior to Parents’ separation. Father testified that Mother
dropped the Children off to spend the weekend with Grandparents “maybe,
once a month.” N.T., 9/10/2015, at 56. However, Father noted that
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Maternal Grandmother would often call Mother on Saturday and ask her to
pick the Children up so she could go play bingo. Id.
Father further testified that Grandparents made little, if any, effort to
remain in contact with the Children following his separation from Mother.
Grandparents did not send letters or cards to the Children, nor did they
attend extracurricular activities. Id. at 78-79. Father was adamant that
Grandparents did not call him or the Children on the phone, although he
acknowledged that Grandparents did speak to the Children on the phone on
one occasion. Id. at 63, 75-76. Moreover, Father testified that
Grandparents visited with the Children only three times following Parents’
separation, and that these visits resulted in conflict. Id. at 58-62.
Father first described a visit that took place in “later 2013,” when
Maternal Grandmother attended one of Mother’s supervised visits with
Children at the home of Father’s parents. Id. at 59. Father reported that “a
little altercation” took place after J.S.T. stated that he wanted his paternal
grandmother to participate in the game they were playing. Id. at 60.
According to Father, Maternal Grandmother refused J.S.T.’s request. Id.
Grandparents also visited with the Children during a birthday party at Chuck
E. Cheese in February 2014. Id. at 61. Father recalled that Grandparents
were the first to arrive at the party, but that they only “were there five or
ten minutes. They came over never said a word, picked their jackets up and
stormed out.” Id. Finally, Father testified that Parents, Maternal
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Grandmother, and Children, among others, went trick-or-treating during one
of Mother’s supervised visits. Id. at 61-62. Father explained that he was
holding the hand of one of Children, but that Maternal Grandmother “ripped
his hand out of my hand,” stating, “‘[t]his is your mother’s visitation. Get up
here with your mother.’”3 Id. at 62.
In addition to these three visits, Father testified that Grandparents
briefly encountered Children at the parties’ custody mediation. Father
recalled that Maternal Grandmother asked to see Children after the
mediation concluded, and Father replied that he would need to consult with
his attorney first. Id. at 66. After Parents, Children, and Father’s attorney
entered a room, Maternal Grandmother attempted to push her way in,
demanding to see Children and using profanity. Id. Mother testified that
Children witnessed this incident, and that it caused them distress. Mother
stated, “[J.S.T.], was upset about it I do believe. You can tell he was getting
tears in his eyes. [W.M.T.] … holds everything in. He was just
staring….[Y]ou could tell it bothered them.” Id. at 94.
Thus, the record supports the trial court’s finding that Grandparents
had only sporadic contact with Children prior to Parents’ separation.
Following separation, Grandparents visited with Children on four occasions at
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3
Mother testified that Grandparents also visited Children on a fourth
occasion in June 2013, during which Children stayed at Grandparents’ home
“for a couple of days.” N.T., 9/10/2015, at 91.
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most. Grandparents made little, if any, other effort to maintain a
relationship with Children. While Grandparents testified that they attempted
to call Children on the phone, the trial court was free to reject this
testimony, and to accept the testimony presented by Father that
Grandparents did not make phone calls.
Further, the record supports the trial court’s finding that Grandparents
incited conflict with Parents during the rare occasions that they did visit with
the Children. This conflict poses a considerable threat to Children’s welfare,
as demonstrated by the distress that Children experienced due to Maternal
Grandmother’s behavior during the parties’ custody mediation. It was well
within the court’s discretion to conclude that an award of partial physical
custody to Grandparents would be contrary to Children’s best interests,
given that Grandparents have expressed little, if any, interest in Children
over the last several years, and given that such an award would risk creating
additional distress and turmoil in Children’s lives.
Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse
its discretion by declining to award partial physical custody of Children to
Grandparents. We therefore affirm the court’s June 6, 2016 order.
Order affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 1/27/2017
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