An unpublished opinion of the North Carolina Court of Appeals does not constitute
controlling legal authority. Citation is disfavored, but may be permitted in accordance with
the provisions of Rule 30(e)(3) of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure.
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No. COA15-88
Filed: 6 October 2015
Wilson County, No. 09 CVD 2139
CHRISTOPHER W. ABELLS, Plaintiff,
v.
TIFFANY J. MARTIN (formerly Abells), Defendant.
Appeal by defendant from orders entered 21 and 23 July 2014 by Judge John
J. Covolo in Wilson County District Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 11 August
2015.
No brief filed for plaintiff-appellee.
Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, L.L.P., by Alicia Jurney, for
defendant-appellant.
BRYANT, Judge.
Where the trial court made sufficient findings of fact to support its conclusions
of law that a motion to relocate the minor children and a motion to modify child
custody should be denied, we affirm the rulings of the trial court. Where the trial
court failed to make findings of fact as to the hourly rate, skills, and services of a
party’s attorney, we remand for the entry of these findings to support an award of
attorneys’ fees.
ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
Plaintiff Christopher W. Abells and defendant Tiffany J. Martin (formerly
Abells) were married in 1996. Two minor children were born of the marriage. On 14
October 2009, plaintiff filed a complaint against defendant for temporary and
permanent child custody and support, and equitable distribution. Defendant filed an
answer and counterclaim for custody, child support, post-separation support,
alimony, and equitable distribution on 19 November.
On 21 January 2010, the trial court entered an order granting primary custody
of the minor children to defendant and secondary custody to plaintiff. Defendant filed
a motion to relocate herself and the minor children to California, where defendant’s
fiancé resided, on 2 June 2011. A formal order denying defendant’s motion for
relocation was entered 19 January 2012.
In September 2012, both parties entered motions to modify child custody. After
conducting a hearing on the matter on 8—9 May 2014, the trial court, by order
entered 21 July 2014, denied both parties’ motions to modify child custody. The trial
court awarded attorneys’ fees to plaintiff. On 23 July 2014, the court filed an order
“[r]egarding [e]nrollment of [c]hildren in [s]chool and [t]ransportation.” Defendant
appeals.
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
Defendant raises three issues as to whether the trial court erred: (I) in denying
defendant’s request to relocate with the minor children; (II) in denying defendant’s
motion to modify child custody; and (III) in awarding attorneys’ fees to plaintiff.
I
Defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying her request to relocate
with the minor children. Specifically, defendant raises several arguments that the
trial court’s conclusions of law ruling that a relocation of the minor children to
California would not be in the children’s best interest were not supported by its
findings of fact. We disagree.
“When reviewing a trial court's decision to grant or deny a motion for the
modification of an existing child custody order, the appellate courts must examine
the trial court's findings of fact to determine whether they are supported by
substantial evidence.” Shipman v. Shipman, 357 N.C 471, 474, 586 S.E.2d 250, 253
(2003) (citation omitted). “Substantial evidence has been defined as such relevant
evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a
conclusion.” McConnell v. McConnell, 151 N.C. App. 622, 626, 566 S.E.2d 801, 804
(2002) (citation and quotation omitted). “In a custody proceeding, the trial court's
findings of fact are conclusive on appeal if there is evidence to support them, even
though the evidence might sustain findings to the contrary.” Senner v. Senner, 161
N.C. App. 78, 83, 587 S.E.2d 675, 678 (2003) (citations omitted).
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
Defendant contends the trial court erred in denying her motion to relocate the
minor children to California because the trial court’s conclusions of law were not
supported by its findings of fact. In its order denying defendant’s motion, the trial
court noted that plaintiff “regularly participates in the children’s school and
extracurricular activities”; “[t]he children have lived in the Wilson community
continuously since the year 2005, and are thriving in the Wilson community”; “[t]he
children have traveled to California only one time and do not know anyone [there]. .
. . The children have only been in the physical presence of [defendant’s fiancé] on
three different occasions”; and “[t]he children are excelling and thriving in their
current situation.”1 In addition, the trial court found:
21. The Court finds that the proposed relocation of
the children to the . . . California area would constitute a
substantial change in the circumstances of the minor
children that would adversely affect their welfare, and that
it is not in the best interest of the children to modify the
existing visitation Order.
22. The Court finds that due to the excellent
relationship that the children have with both of their
parents, and due to their extensive and successful
involvement in school and community activities, that the
proposed relocation is unlikely to improve the lives of the
children.
23. The Court questions the sincerity of [defendant]
in seeking a relocation based on her contention that she is
financially unable to provide for the children due to her
failure to be employed full-time in that the Court believes
1 The minor children did not testify or otherwise speak to the trial court.
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
[defendant] has not pursued full-time employment in this
area vigorously.
24. Based on [plaintiff’s] extensive involvement in
the children’s lives through his exercise of his existing
visitation and his desire to have additional time with the
children, the Court finds that [plaintiff] is sincere in
resisting the relocation of the children.
25. The Court finds that it is very unlikely that a
realistic visitation schedule can be arranged which will
preserve and foster the parental relationship with
[plaintiff] if the children are relocated to California.
26. The Court finds that the disadvantages to the
children which would result due to the proposed relocation
to California greatly outweigh any advantages.
27. The Court finds that due to the uncertainty of
the relationship between [defendant] and [defendant’s
fiancé], if the children relocated to California, it is not clear
that they could be financially supported without a
contribution from [plaintiff].
28. The Court finds that [defendant] offered to
reduce child support and/or reduce or eliminate her claims
for post separation support and alimony in exchange for
the proposed relocation of the children to California, which
proposal [plaintiff] has consistently and adamantly
rejected.
Defendant’s contention that the trial court erred must fail. The trial court, upon
hearing the arguments of counsel and reviewing the record before it, made numerous
and specific findings of fact that the minor children would not benefit from a
relocation to California; these findings of fact then supported the court’s conclusions
of law that defendant’s motion for relocation should be denied. See Spoon v. Spoon,
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
___ N.C. App. ___, ___, 755 S.E.2d 66, 69 (2014) (“[T]he trial court's findings of fact
are conclusive on appeal if supported by evidence in the record, even if the evidence
might also support a contrary finding.”). Defendant’s argument is, therefore,
overruled.
II
Defendant next argues that the trial court erred in denying her motion to
modify child custody. We disagree.
The trial court has the authority to modify a prior
custody order when a substantial change in circumstances
has occurred, which affects the child's welfare. The party
moving for modification bears the burden of demonstrating
that such a change has occurred. The trial court's order
modifying a previous custody order must contain findings
of fact, which are supported by substantial, competent
evidence. The trial court is vested with broad discretion in
cases involving child custody, and its decision will not be
reversed on appeal absent a clear showing of abuse of
discretion. In determining whether a substantial change
in circumstances has occurred: [C]ourts must consider and
weigh all evidence of changed circumstances which effect
or will affect the best interests of the child, both changed
circumstances which will have salutary effects upon the
child and those which will have adverse effects upon the
child. In appropriate cases, either may support a
modification of custody on the ground of a change in
circumstances.
Karger v. Wood, 174 N.C. App. 703, 705—06, 622 S.E.2d 197, 200 (2005) (citations
and quotation marks omitted).
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
Defendant contends the trial court erred in denying her motion to modify child
custody, arguing that the trial court erred in not finding that the relocation of the
minor children to California would allow the children a better standard of living.
During the hearing, the trial court heard the testimony of plaintiff, defendant, and
defendant’s now-husband, as well as the testimony of various family and friends of
both parties. The testimony generally indicated that both plaintiff and defendant
were fit and proper parents and that the minor children were currently thriving
academically within their respective schools in Wilson. Defendant acknowledged that
the minor children were successful in their current schools, but testified that the
minor children would have access to a wider range of educational opportunities in
California; defendant presented to the trial court packets of information on the public
schools the minor children would be eligible to attend in California. Defendant
further testified that she felt that the minor children would do better if allowed to
relocate to California because the public schools in California are rated more highly
than the minor children’s current schools in Wilson.
In its order, the trial court made numerous findings of fact regarding the roles
plaintiff and defendant have played regarding the welfare of the minor children. The
trial court then concluded that, despite each party’s contributions to the welfare of
the minor children, neither party had demonstrated a change in circumstances
sufficient enough to justify a change to the child custody order. On this record,
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
because the trial court’s findings of fact were supported by competent evidence, which
in turn supported its conclusions of law, we cannot say the trial court abused its
discretion in denying defendant’s motion to modify child support. See Biggs v. Greer,
136 N.C. App. 294, 296–97, 524 S.E.2d 577, 581 (2000) (“Child support orders entered
by a trial court are accorded substantial deference by appellate courts and our review
is limited to a determination of whether there was a clear abuse of discretion[.] . .
. [T]he trial court's ruling will be upset only upon a showing that it was so arbitrary
that it could not have been the result of a reasoned decision.” (citation and quotation
omitted)). Accordingly, defendant’s argument is overruled.
III
Finally, defendant contends the trial court erred in awarding attorneys’ fees to
plaintiff.
G.S. § 50-13.6, governing the award of attorney's fees in actions for custody and
support of minor children, provides:
In an action or proceeding for the custody or support, or
both, of a minor child, including a motion in the cause for
the modification or revocation of an existing order for
custody or support, or both, the court may in its discretion
order payment of reasonable attorney's fees to an
interested party acting in good faith who has insufficient
means to defray the expense of the suit. Before ordering
payment of a fee in a support action, the court must find as
a fact that the party ordered to furnish support has refused
to provide support which is adequate under the
circumstances existing at the time of the institution of the
action or proceeding; provided however, should the court
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
find as a fact that the supporting party has initiated a
frivolous action or proceeding the court may order payment
of reasonable attorney's fees to an interested party as
deemed appropriate under the circumstances.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.6 (2014). "Whether these statutory requirements have been
met is a question of law, reviewable on appeal." Hudson v. Hudson, 299 N.C. 465,
472, 263 S.E.2d 719, 724 (1980). Only when these requirements have been met does
the standard of review change to abuse of discretion for an examination of the amount
of attorney's fees awarded. Id.
Defendant contends the trial court erred in awarding attorneys’ fees to plaintiff
because it erroneously found that defendant’s motion to modify child support was
frivolous. Defendant further argues that even if the trial court did not err in finding
her motion to modify child custody to be frivolous, the trial court “nevertheless failed
to make the findings of fact required for an award of counsel fees.”
As stated above, a trial court may, in its discretion, award attorneys’ fees upon
a finding that an action is frivolous, or where it is determined that a party has acted
in good faith and is unable to defray the costs of litigation. N.C.G.S. § 50-13.6.
However,
[b]efore awarding attorney's fees, the trial court must
make specific findings of fact concerning:
(1) the ability of the [interested party] to defray the cost of
the suit, i.e., that the [interested party is] unable to employ
adequate counsel in order to proceed as a litigant to meet
the other litigants in the suit;
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
(2) the good faith of the [interested party] in proceeding in
this suit;
(3) the lawyer's skill;
(4) the lawyer's hourly rate;
(5) the nature and scope of the legal services rendered.
In re Scearce, 81 N.C. App. 662, 663—64, 345 S.E.2d 411, 413 (1986) (citations
omitted).
In its order awarding attorneys’ fees to plaintiff, the trial court made findings
of fact that defendant had scheduled depositions of third parties “for the purpose of
harassing . . . Plaintiff in an effort to increase needlessly . . . Plaintiff’s litigation
expenses,” “Defendant’s Motion for Drug testing of . . . Plaintiff was not well-grounded
in fact and interposed for the purpose of harassing . . . Plaintiff and needlessly caused
an increase in . . . Plaintiff’s [litigation] expenses,” “[t]he acts of . . . Defendant in
causing her attorney to file the Motion to Modify Custody . . . constitutes repeated
and unwarranted litigation with the motive of interfering with . . . Plaintiff’s
visitation with the minor children,” and that defendant’s actions caused plaintiff to
“expend[] and incur[] substantial attorney fees necessary to defend against . . .
Defendant[].” The trial court then made the following conclusions of law:
4. . . . Plaintiff does not have sufficient means to defray the
expense of this litigation and: (a.) . . . Plaintiff was acting
in good faith in defending against Defendant’s Motion for
Modification of Custody; and, (b.) . . . Plaintiff was acting
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
in good faith in prosecuting his Motion for Modification of
Custody.
5. . . . Defendant’s Motion to Modify Custody, wherein . . .
Defendant requested that she and the minor children be
allowed to locate their residence to California, constitutes
a frivolous action.
The trial court then awarded plaintiff “an award of a portion of his attorney fees . . .
in the amount of $3,000.00.”
Defendant’s contention that the trial court erred in its finding of fact that her
actions were frivolous is without merit. The trial court made sufficient findings of
fact to support its award of attorneys’ fees to plaintiff both on grounds that plaintiff
had acted in good faith and could not afford to defray the costs of litigation, and that
defendant’s actions against plaintiff were frivolous. However, defendant is correct in
her assertion that the trial court erred by not making findings of fact as to the skill,
hourly rate, and services rendered by plaintiff’s attorney in its award of attorneys’
fees to plaintiff. See id. Indeed, a review of the transcript indicates that although
plaintiff gave the trial court an affidavit as to plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees, the trial court
failed to incorporate any findings as to this affidavit in its order. As such, although
we find no abuse of discretion by the trial court in its award of attorneys’ fees to
plaintiff, we must remand this order to the trial court for entry of findings of fact as
required by N.C.G.S. § 50-13.6 to support the amount of the award of attorneys’ fees.
Id.
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ABELLS V ABELLS
Opinion of the Court
AFFIRMED IN PART; REMANDED IN PART.
Judges STEPHENS and DIETZ concur.
Report per Rule 30(e).
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Abells v. Abells
Combined Opinion