FOR PUBLICATION
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT: ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE:
ANDREW Z. SOSHNICK MONTY K. WOOLSEY
ALAN L. McLAUGHLIN Miroff, Cross & Klineman
Baker & Daniels Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
JOHN HEILIGENSTEIN, )
)
Appellant-Respondent, )
)
vs. ) No. 49A05-9706-CV-225
)
CELESTINE (DeTRANA ) MATNEY, )
)
Appellee-Petitioner. )
BARTEAU, Judge
2. Did the trial judge properly deny Heiligenstein's petition for
modification of custody rights?
3. Did the trial judge properly deny Heiligenstein's petition for
modification of child support payments?
4. Did the trial judge properly order Heiligenstein to pay attorney
fees of $8000?
Celestine Matney cross-appeals. We restate the issues she has raised for our review:
1. Did the trial judge properly order Heiligenstein to pay only one-
half of future child care expenses?
2. Did the trial judge implement a proper method of calculating
child care expenses?
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
Modification of Custody and Consolidation of Issues" in which he requested modification
of the existing custody arrangement. An evidentiary hearing on these petitions was held on
March 7, 1997. At the end of this hearing, the trial judge read aloud, in open court, his
decision which included findings of fact and conclusions of law. On March 10, 1997, the
trial judge issued his written "Findings of Fact[,] Conclusions and Judgment" (hereinafter
"Judgment"). The content of the March 10 written Judgment is not identical to that of the
March 7 orally-delivered decision; the March 10 Judgment not only sets forth most of the
March 7 decision, but also includes additional legal analysis.See footnote
1
Heiligenstein and Matney now
appeal the Judgment, which contains the following rulings:
The court now finds that [Heiligenstein] has failed to meet the burden
of proof. Therefore [Heiligenstein's] request to modify custody is denied.
. . . .
It is further found, that support modification shall [be] denied except
that from this time forward [Heiligenstein] shall pay ½ of child care
determined to be an amount equal [to] the number of hours the parties[']
children are actually in child care multiplied by 2 times the per child rate.
It is further found, that [Heiligenstein] shall pay [Matney's] attorney the
sum of $8,000.00.
R. 262.
Lake Corp., 674 N.E.2d 208, 211 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996). "The trial court's findings and
judgment which flow therefrom will not be set aside on appeal unless they are clearly
erroneous." Id. "Findings of fact are clearly erroneous if the record contains no facts which
support the findings either directly or by inference." Id. "The judgment is clearly erroneous
if it is unsupported by the findings of fact and the conclusions which rely on those findings."
Id. "In determining whether the findings and judgment are clearly erroneous, we will neither
reweigh the evidence nor judge witness credibility, but we will consider only the evidence
and reasonable inferences therefrom which support the judgment." DeHaan v. DeHaan, 572
N.E.2d 1315, 1320 (Ind. Ct. App. 1991). "The purpose of making findings of facts and
conclusions of law is to provide the parties and the reviewing courts with the theory upon
which the case was decided. Such findings effectively preserve the right of review for error."
Sandoval v. Hamersley, 419 N.E.2d 813, 816 (Ind. Ct. App. 1981).
rendering his decision so soon after the hearing ended, could not have evaluated the
evidence. Heiligenstein then seems to argue that, if the evidence was not evaluated, then he
was denied the right to present evidence, and reversible error has therefore occurred.
We fail to find error here. Even if we were to agree that a litigant's right to present
evidence is denied when a trial judge does not evaluate the evidence, we nevertheless refuse
to hold that a trial judge could not have evaluated the evidence when he renders a decision
immediately after a hearing. Heiligenstein has not presented, and we cannot find, any
Indiana authority which holds that evaluation of evidence cannot have occurred when a
decision is rendered immediately after an evidentiary hearing. In the absence of such
authority, we refuse to assume that evaluation of the evidence did not occur here, especially
when the trial judge's orally-delivered decision notes that "evidence was submitted to the
Court" and that "[t]he Court having considered the evidence now finds as follows[.]" R. 632.
We therefore hold that the timing of the trial judge's decision did not deny Heiligenstein the
right to present evidence.
Ind. Code § 31-1-11.5-22(e) (current version at Ind. Code § 31-17-2-21(b)). Among these
factors are:
(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;
(4) the interaction and interrelationship of the child with his parent or parents,
his siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best
interests;
(5) the child's adjustment to his home, school, and community;
(6) the mental and physical health of all individuals involved; and
(7) evidence of a pattern of domestic violence by either parent.
Ind. Code § 31-1-11.5-21(a) (current version at Ind. Code § 31-17-2-8). "[I]nherent in a
custody modification proceeding is the issue of visitation." In re Marriage of Ginsberg, 425
N.E.2d 656, 659 (Ind. Ct. App. 1981). "A trial court may change visitation when
such
change is in the childrens' [sic] best interests." Huffman v. Huffman, 623 N.E.2d 445, 448-
49 (Ind. Ct. App. 1993). "[C]ontinuity in custody remains a key element in determining the
best interests of a child." Wallin v. Wallin, 668 N.E.2d 259, 262 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996). "[A]
trial court must . . . balance the effects of a change in custody with the effects of maintaining
the status quo." Id. at 249.
Heiligenstein claims that the trial court resolved the issues raised in his petitions by
applying an erroneous legal standard. He finds support for this claim in the Judgment
rendered by the trial judge, and in remarks made by the trial judge at the evidentiary hearing's
opening.
In our view, the trial judge's remarksSee footnote
3
do not compel a conclusion that an
inappropriate legal standard was applied to the evidence. What a trial judge says during an
evidentiary hearing is not necessarily indicative of the legal standard he will apply once all
of the evidence has been presented to him. A trial judge's understanding of the applicable
legal standard may change during the course of, or after, an evidentiary hearing. Only an
examination of a trial judge's final decision can clearly reveal which legal standard was
applied to the evidence. Our determination of whether a proper legal standard was utilized
is therefore guided by an examination of the final decision which is contained in the trial
court's Judgment.
According to Heiligenstein, an examination of the Judgment reveals that the trial
judge applied an erroneous legal standard. Correctly noting that the issue of visitation is
always before the court during custody modification proceedings, Heiligenstein claims that
the court did not consider whether he was entitled to more visitation with his children. But
we do not believe this claim is accurate, for the Judgment shows that the trial court did
consider Heiligenstein's visitation rights.See footnote
4
Because the trial judge recognized his legal
obligation to consider the visitation issue, we cannot say that he applied an inappropriate
legal standard to the evidence.
Heiligenstein also argues that a proper consideration of visitation could not have
occurred because, he seems to claim, the trial judge did not evaluate visitation solely in light
of the "best interests" standard. Heiligenstein's claim is not without merit. The trial judge
may have held that visitation could not be modified unless it was in the children's best
interests and unless there had been a substantial change in at least one of the factors set forth
in Indiana Code Section 31-1-11.5-21(a). If the trial judge held this, then he applied an
erroneous legal standard to the issue of visitation change, which is to be evaluated solely in
light of what serves a child's best interests. Ind. Code § 31-1-11.5-24(b) (current version at
Ind. Code § 31-17-4-2). But to the extent that the trial judge might have evaluated the
visitation issue under a standard other than "best interests," it is unlikely that the error
resulted in prejudice to Heiligenstein.
The Judgment indicates that it may be in a child's best
interest to maintain stability in his life. R. 261 (noting that "[s]tability and finality are
considerations of the court in evaluating . . . the child's best interest.").
The Judgment also
indicates that maintaining stability was among the grounds on which Heiligenstein's custody
modification petition was denied
. It is therefore clear that, even if "best interests" had been
the only legal standard applied, the trial judge could still have concluded that modification
of visitation arrangements was stability-threatening and was therefore not in the children's
best interests. We fail to find reversible error here.
Heiligenstein next claims that the Judgment's legal standard places too much emphasis
on "stability." But we are convinced that the concept of stability receives a proper amount
of emphasis in the Judgment, which consistently indicates that maintaining stability is among
the factors relevant to a "best interests" determination. Even if the trial judge made stability
a significant component of his inquiry into what was in the children's best interests, he was
entitled to do this. See
Dwyer v. Wynkoop, 684 N.E.2d 245, 248-49 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997),
trans. denied (noting that "maintaining stability in a child's life is . . . a significant component
of a best interests determination.").
Heiligenstein has observed that the Judgment cites authorities which contain a
superseded legal standard. Although Heiligenstein's observation is accurate, there is no error
here. The trial judge realized that a superseded legal standard was contained in some of the
authorities he cited. "Prior to July 1, 1994, a trial court could modify a custody arrangement
'only upon a showing of changed circumstances so substantial and continuing as to make the
existing custody order unreasonable.'" Wallin, 668 N.E.2d at 260 (quoting Lamb v. Wenning,
600 N.E.2d 96, 98 (Ind. 1992)). "Effective July 1, 1994, however, our legislature moved
away from the long-standing, rather stringent standard by amending [Indiana Code Section
31-1-11.5-22(d)] . . . ." Wallin, 668 N.E.2d at 260. That the trial judge was aware of this
change in legal standard is apparent from the Judgment which states that "the statute
governing modification has changed . . . . The burden [of proof] is still high whether under
the current legislation or the former which required a substantial and continuing change of
circumstances making the current order unreasonable." R. 261 (emphasis deleted). Because
the trial judge acknowledged the change of legal standard, and because the Judgment
accurately sets forth the current legal standard,See footnote
5
we refuse to hold that an erroneous legal
standard was applied to the evidence.
Heiligenstein challenges the Judgment's Finding 11, which relates to the testimony
of Dr. Linn LaClave. Finding 11 states in part:
In [Dr. LaClave's] opinion predictability and stability are important in a child
feeling secure. She believes children need a home base. She thinks alternating
homes weekly would not allow children this stability.
R. 260. Heiligenstein seems to claim that this finding is clearly erroneous, but we do not believe that this claim is accurate because Finding 11 is supported by the evidence of record.See footnote 6
Heiligenstein also seems to claim that the trial court should not have credited Dr.
LaClave's testimony. Heiligenstein argues that the recommendations contained in Dr. Jonni
Gonso's reportSee footnote
7
were entitled to more credit than were Dr. LaClave's opinions. Heiligenstein
correctly observes that, while Dr. LaClave's opinions were not about the sons of
Heiligenstein and Matney, but were instead about children in general, Dr. Gonso's
recommendations relate specifically to the parties and were based on personal observation
of Heiligenstein, Matney, and their sons. Although Heiligenstein's observations are accurate,
the trial judge was nevertheless free to credit Dr. LaClave's opinions and to discount Dr.
Gonso's recommendations. Cf. Periquet-Febres v. Febres, 659 N.E.2d 602, 607 (Ind. Ct.
App. 1995) (holding that "[t]he trial court was free to reject the testimony of the psychologist
as to what custody arrangement was in [the child's] best interest and to make its own
determination based upon all of the evidence before it.").
because it is unsupported by the findings of fact and the conclusions which rely on those
findings.
In Scott v. Scott, 668 N.E.2d 691, 704 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996), at issue was "whether the
trial court provided an adequate basis for its child support award." We noted initially that:
In our review, we must start with the observation that our trial courts are
required to make support orders in compliance with the [Child Support
Guidelines] and to spell out the reasons for any support orders which deviate
from the guideline results. We cannot review a support order to determine if
it complies with the guidelines unless the order reveals the basis for the
amount awarded. Such revelation could be accomplished either by specific
findings or by incorporation of a proper worksheet.
Id. (quoting Cobb v. Cobb, 588 N.E.2d 571, 574 (Ind. Ct. App. 1992)). We then observed
that grounds for the child support award were not provided in the trial court's findings. Id.
at 704-05. We also observed that the trial court did not adopt the child support worksheets
which were submitted by the parties. Id. at 705. We concluded that "[b]ecause the trial
court's order does not reveal the basis for the award either by specific findings or by
incorporation of the parties' worksheets, we cannot review the support award to determine
whether it complies with the guidelines." Id. We then remanded the case, instructing the
trial court to set forth a basis for the child support award. Id.
Although Scott involved review of a trial court order which followed dissolution
proceedings, we believe that the principles of review announced in Scott also apply to orders
which follow child support modification proceedings. When we are presented with an order
which denies or grants modification of child support, we must determine whether the order
complies with the Child Support Guidelines.
We note that the Judgment does not contain any finding or conclusion which would
indicate how the trial court arrived at its child support award. We also note that the trial
court did not adopt the child support worksheets submitted by the parties.See footnote
8
Under these
circumstances, we cannot determine whether the trial court's child support award complies
with the Child Support Guidelines. We also cannot say that the trial court's child support
award is not clearly erroneous, for no findings of fact or conclusions of law support this
award. We therefore remand to the trial court, instructing it "to provide a basis for its child
support award." Scott, 668 N.E.2d at 705.
We note that the parties have raised many sub-issues which relate to the trial court's
child support award. Heiligenstein has asked us to determine whether the trial court properly
refused to require Matney to pay ordinary uninsured medical expenses up to 6% of the basic
child support obligation, and whether the trial court gave proper weight to a stipulation
entered into by the parties. Matney has asked us to determine whether the trial judge
properly ordered Heiligenstein to pay only one-half of future child care expenses, and
whether the trial judge used a proper method of calculating child care expenses. Because we
remand for further proceedings on the child support award, we do not address any of these
sub-issues.
court may consider such factors as the hourly rate, the result achieved . . . and the difficulty
of the issues." Dougherty v. Leavell, 582 N.E.2d 442, 443 (Ind. Ct. App. 1991). The exhibit
introduced by Matney provided evidence of the hourly rate her attorney charged. But there
was more evidence before the trial judge than this. There was also testimony that the
proceedings involved complicated issues,See footnote
9
and that Matney's exhibit may have
underestimated the amount of fees she claims to have incurred.See footnote
10
Under these circumstances,
we will assume that the facts before the court gave rise to a proper consideration of the
various factors used to determine an attorney fee award. We will further assume that the
$8000 amount does not represent the value of any particular legal service, but rather
represents the cumulative, reasonable value of all legal services rendered to Matney in the
present action. We therefore cannot say that the $8000 award is composed of attorney fees
which were not incurred in the present litigation.
Heiligenstein also claims that public policy prohibits an award of attorney fees to
Matney. He supports this claim with Beeson v. Christian, which states that "[t]he statute
permitting the award of attorney fees serves to insure equal access to the courts despite the
relative financial conditions of the parties." 594 N.E.2d 441, 443 (Ind. 1992) (quoting P.B.
v. T.D., 561 N.E.2d 749, 750 (Ind. 1990)). According to Heiligenstein, Matney, "a physician
married to a physician, cannot sustain a claim that her income and economic resources do not
afford her access to the courts." Brief of Appellant at 24. We are not convinced by
Heiligenstein's argument. Because the trial judge heard evidence that Matney's financial
condition was not ideal,See footnote
11
we cannot say that the attorney fee award is inconsistent with
public policy.
We conclude the portion of the Judgment which requires Heiligenstein to pay
Matney's attorney fees is not clearly erroneous. The Judgment is supported by Finding 2,
which indicates that Heiligenstein's income is greater than Matney's.See footnote
12
See Olds v. Olds, 531
N.E.2d 1219, 1221 (Ind. Ct. App. 1988) (holding that, in a marriage dissolution action,
husband was properly ordered to pay wife's attorney/expert witness fees when husband
"enjoyed superior earning power"); Reese v. Reese, 671 N.E.2d 187, 193 (Ind. Ct. App.
1996), trans. denied (holding that "[a]n award of attorney fees is proper when one party is
in a superior position to pay the fees of the other party."). The trial court properly ordered
Heiligenstein to pay Matney's attorney fees.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for proceedings consistent with this
opinion.
SHARPNACK, C.J., and FRIEDLANDER, J., concur.
R. 432-33.
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