NICKELL, JUDGE.
James M. Wethington (Wethington) appeals from the March 1, 2011, findings of fact, conclusions of law and judgment of the Green Circuit Court, awarding him joint custody of his two minor twins along with Melissa Ann and Scott Coffey (the Coffeys). The judgment also ordered that the twins reside primarily with the Coffeys and further provided a visitation schedule for Wethington. Because we hold that the Coffeys did not have standing to pursue the underlying action, we vacate and remand.
Wethington and his late wife, JoAnn, are the biological parents of twins
In 2004, JoAnn moved to suspend Wethington's visitation, following a social services action alleging he had sexually abused another child, the half-sister of the twins. Visitation was suspended until 2005, when the parties entered into an agreed order granting Wethington visitation one day a week for six hours. The same order provided that the parties would reevaluate the visitation schedule on January 1, 2006, and attempt to establish a long-term visitation schedule. Wethington testified that he failed to exercise his visitation pursuant to the court-ordered schedule, but blamed JoAnn for his inability to do so. The record, however, is devoid of any attempts by Wethington to rectify any alleged interference with court-ordered visitation. Additionally, Wethington failed to seek modification of the 2005 visitation schedule or otherwise establish a long-term schedule.
Testimony from Wethington and the twins indicated Wethington's visitation was sporadic; the twins only saw Wethington about four times a year; they had spent the night with him only twice since the divorce; and Wethington had not seen the twins since 2008. Testimony also indicated that Wethington was unfamiliar with the ages and grades of the twins, inactive in their school life, and uninvolved in their medical care.
Scott Coffey is JoAnn's nephew and the first cousin of the twins. He is married to Melissa Coffey. Testimony from the Coffeys and the twins indicated the parties shared a close relationship; the parties saw each other several times a week; and the twins often accompanied the Coffeys and their 15-year-old son on vacations and amusement park outings.
JoAnn died on January 23, 2010. That same day, the Coffeys petitioned the Green District Court for emergency custody of the twins. The petition indicated the mother of the twins was deceased and Wethington's whereabouts were unknown. The Coffeys were awarded emergency custody on January 23, 2010. Thereafter, Wethington and the Coffeys attended a temporary removal hearing on January 25, 2010. Following the hearing, the district court issued a temporary custody order granting temporary custody to the Coffeys. The order indicated the twins were dependent, due to the death of their mother and due to Wethington's whereabouts being unknown at the time of the emergency placement.
On February 17, 2010, the Coffeys filed a petition for custody with the Green Circuit Court in which they sought permanent custody of the twins. Following an agreement between the parties at a May 13, 2010, temporary custody hearing, Wethington was awarded generous visitation with the twins four days a week during the next two months. Wethington exercised visitation only one day during all but one week. A new custody order was entered on July 28, 2010, in which the trial court ordered temporary custody was to remain with the Coffeys and gave Wethington visitation every other weekend for twelve hours on Saturday and six hours on Sunday. Wethington again failed to exercise his visitation with the twins the weekend of August 28, 2010.
Following a final hearing, the trial court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and judgment was entered on March 1, 2011. The trial court concluded the Coffeys had standing to pursue custody of the twins pursuant to KRS
This Court will not disturb a trial court's award of custody absent an abuse of discretion. B.C. v. B.T., 182 S.W.3d 213, 219 (Ky. App. 2005). "Abuse of discretion implies that the family court's decision is unreasonable or unfair." Id. Additionally, we review a trial court's factual findings under the clearly erroneous standard. Id. A factual finding is clearly erroneous if it is unsupported by substantial evidence, or evidence sufficient to induce conviction in the mind of a reasonable person. Id. We will not substitute our opinion for that of the trial court with regard to the weight given to certain evidence, including testimony. Id. Legal conclusions are reviewed de novo. L.D. v. J.H., 350 S.W.3d 828, 830 (Ky. App. 2011). Therefore, the decisive test is not whether we would have decided it differently, but whether the findings are clearly erroneous, whether the trial court applied the correct law, or whether it abused its discretion.
Wethington's first argument is that the trial court erred in finding the Coffeys had standing to prosecute the underlying action. He further alleges the Coffeys engaged in fraudulent, illegal, and unconscionable conduct in obtaining the emergency custody order; that they do not qualify as de facto custodians; and the trial court incorrectly concluded they meet the requirements of "a person acting as a parent" under KRS 403.800(13). After a thorough review of the record and relevant statutory and case law, we agree that the Coffeys did not have standing to pursue the underlying action.
The trial court concluded the Coffeys had standing under KRS 403.822(1)(b)1 and KRS 403.800(13). KRS 403.822(1) grants the Commonwealth jurisdiction over initial child custody issues when:
(emphasis added). "A person acting as a parent" is defined by KRS 403.800(13) as a person, other than a parent, who:
(emphasis added). Furthermore, "physical custody" is defined as "physical care and supervision of a child[.]" KRS 403.800(14).
Although KRS 403.822 relates to the Commonwealth's jurisdictional requirements to make custody determinations under the UCCJEA,
Id. (emphasis added). Additionally, although KRS 403.800, as part of the UCCJEA, primarily pertains to interstate cases, the Court in Mullins has made clear that it is applicable to intrastate cases as well. Id. Thus, we agree with the trial court's use of KRS 403.822 in its analysis of standing. However, we disagree with the trial court's interpretation and application of KRS 403.800(13).
In support of its finding that the Coffeys had standing, the trial court stated:
The trial court's definition of a "person acting as a parent" fails to encompass the entire definition of KRS 403.800(13), which requires: 1) a party be awarded legal custody or claim a right to legal custody;
It is unnecessary for us to address Wethington's argument regarding de facto custodian status because the Coffeys have conceded that they do not satisfy de facto status as defined by KRS 403.270. No other means of standing was implemented by the trial court nor argued by the Coffeys. Accordingly, we hold the Coffeys did not have standing and the trial court therefore did not possess the requisite jurisdiction, making all court orders in this action void ab initio. KRS 403.822. We are not unsympathetic to the trial court for the time and resources it utilized in reaching its final decision in this matter. Because the trial court's March 1, 2011, judgment is hereby declared void, it is unnecessary for us to address Wethington's remaining arguments as they pertain to the merits of the trial court's judgment.
For the foregoing reasons, the March 1, 2011, findings of fact, conclusions of law, and judgment of the Green Circuit Court is vacated and remanded with instructions to dismiss the Coffey's custody petition for lack of standing. Any district court order in effect prior to the circuit court's order which we vacate herein remains in effect until further proceedings, if any.
ALL CONCUR.