PER CURIAM:
In this child custody case, John High (Father) appeals from the family court's order granting Renee High (Mother) sole custody of the couple's two children, arguing the family court erred in: (1) refusing to qualify Teressa Harrington, LPC as an expert witness; (2) prohibiting the introduction of statements made by the couple's minor daughter to Harrington; (3) refusing to admit Harrington's records into evidence; (4) making certain findings of fact relevant to the issue of custody which are not supported by the record; (5) failing to consider important factors contained in the record in its award of primary custody to Mother; (6) awarding Mother sole custody based on the fact that Mother was historically the caregiver of the minor children; and (7) granting Mother custody based on the primary caretaker factor. In her cross-appeal, Mother argues the family court erred in (1) hearing Father's untimely motion to alter or amend, and (2) failing to award her attorney's fees and costs. We affirm.
Mother and Father were married on May 4, 1996, and subsequently the couple parented two children, Daughter and Son. A day after their ten-year anniversary, Father confronted Mother about having an affair. Mother admitted to the affair, and the parties separated. After the separation, Father admitted he had several affairs early in the marriage.
On June 29, 2006, Mother filed a complaint seeking an order of separate support and maintenance. Mother also requested sole custody of the minor children, child support, equitable
Mother proceeded with the divorce on the ground of one year's separation, and a four-day trial was held on October 22 and 25, 2007, and January 15 and 16, 2008. During the trial, the court heard the remaining issues of divorce, custody, visitation, child support, Guardian ad Litem fees, and attorney's fees, as well as a Rule to Show Cause filed by Mother seeking to have Father held in contempt of court for violation of the temporary order. On May 8, 2008, the court issued a final order, granting Mother's divorce from Father and awarding Mother sole custody of the children and child support. The order also divided the Guardian ad Litem costs, requiring Mother to pay $3,701.95 and Father to pay $6,000. The court also issued an order on the Rule to Show Cause, holding Father in contempt of court.
In an appeal from the family court, this court has the jurisdiction to correct errors of law and find facts in accordance with its own view of the preponderance of the evidence. Fiddie v. Fiddie, 384 S.C. 120, 124, 681 S.E.2d 42, 44 (Ct.App.2009). "Although this court may find facts in accordance with our own view of the preponderance of the evidence, we are not required to ignore the fact that the [family] court, who saw and heard the witnesses, was in a better position to evaluate their credibility and assign comparative weight to their testimony." Id. "In particular, an appellate court `should be reluctant to substitute its own evaluation of the evidence on child custody for that of the [family] court.'" Chastain v. Chastain, 381 S.C. 295, 302, 672 S.E.2d 108, 111 (Ct.App.2009) (quoting Woodall v. Woodall, 322 S.C. 7, 10, 471 S.E.2d 154, 157 (1996)); Altman v. Griffith, 372 S.C. 388, 393, 642 S.E.2d 619, 622 (Ct.App.2007) (stating custody determinations largely rest in the sound discretion of the family court judge); Shirley v. Shirley, 342 S.C. 324, 330-31, 536 S.E.2d 427, 430 (Ct.App.2000) ("Custody decisions are matters left largely to the discretion of the [family] court."); Paparella v. Paparella, 340 S.C. 186, 189, 531 S.E.2d 297, 299 (Ct.App.2000) (noting appellate courts should be reluctant to
First, Father argues the family court erred in refusing to qualify Teressa Harrington as an expert witness by misapprehending the law relevant to the admission or exclusion of expert witnesses. We disagree.
It is within the family court's discretion to determine whether a witness is qualified as an expert and whether his or her opinion is admissible on a fact in issue. Edwards v. Edwards, 384 S.C. 179, 183, 682 S.E.2d 37, 39 (Ct.App.2009). "On appeal, the family court's ruling to exclude or admit expert testimony will not be disturbed absent a clear abuse of discretion." Id. "There is no abuse of discretion as long as the witness has acquired by study or practical experience such knowledge of the subject matter of his testimony as would enable him to give guidance and assistance to the jury in resolving a factual issue which is beyond the scope of the jury's good judgment and common knowledge." Gadson v. Mikasa Corp., 368 S.C. 214, 228, 628 S.E.2d 262, 270 (Ct.App. 2006). "The party offering the expert has the burden of showing the witness possesses the necessary learning, skill, or practical experience to enable the witness to give opinion testimony." Id. "Defects in an expert witness' education and experience go to the weight, not the admissibility, of the expert's testimony." Edwards, 384 S.C. at 183, 682 S.E.2d at 39 (quoting Peterson v. Nat'l R.R. Passenger Corp., 365 S.C. 391, 399, 618 S.E.2d 903, 907 (2005)).
Father alleges the family court incorrectly held that prior qualification as an expert was a precondition to admission of an expert. At trial, Father sought to have Harrington, a licensed professional counselor, qualified as an expert in child counseling. Mother objected to Harrington being admitted as an expert because Harrington did not have any published works that were recognized and relied upon by other professionals in her field. Additionally, Mother objected because
In its June 6, 2008 order, the court stated it had considered Harrington's testimony, but the court had declined to admit Harrington as an expert in child counseling. The order noted that Harrington had never testified in court, and therefore, had never been admitted as an expert in any court proceeding concerning child custody, but did not state that was the reason it had declined to admit her as an expert. In the court's order denying Father's motion to alter or amend, the court further addressed the issue:
We find the family court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to qualify Harrington as an expert in child counseling. Furthermore, we find Father was not prejudiced by the court's decision because the court allowed Harrington to testify and considered her testimony in making its decision.
Second, Father argues the family court erred in prohibiting the introduction of statements made by Daughter to Harrington. We disagree.
Father sought to have the statements made by Daughter to Harrington during the course of her treatment admitted under
The court permitted Harrington to give her diagnosis of Daughter's condition; however, the court would not allow her to mention any of Daughter's statements:
Harrington was also permitted to testify to her opinion that it was the desire of Daughter to live with Father, and Daughter would have a more difficult time adjusting if Mother were granted sole custody. Further, Harrington was allowed to refer to her notes and testify about every session she had with Daughter and how Daughter was feeling at each meeting. Therefore, Father was not prejudiced by the court's exclusion of Daughter's statements. As a result, we find the family
Third, Father argues the family court erred in refusing to admit Harrington's records into evidence. We disagree.
A family court's ruling on the admission or exclusion of evidence will only be reversed if it constitutes an abuse of discretion amounting to an error of law. Judy, 384 S.C. at 641, 682 S.E.2d at 839. Evidence is relevant if it tends to establish or make more or less probable some matter in issue upon which it directly or indirectly bears; however, relevant evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Id. Determinations of the relevance of evidence rest within the family court's discretion. Id.
Father sought to have Harrington's complete record on Daughter admitted into evidence and Mother objected, arguing it contained hearsay statements made by Daughter to Harrington and Daughter was available to testify. Father argued Harrington's records were admissible under Rule 803(6), SCRE, the Business Records Exception to the hearsay rule. Rule 803(6) provides that memorandum, reports, records, or data compilation, in any form, of acts, events, conditions, or diagnoses can be admissible if they are (1) made at or near the time of the event recorded; (2) prepared by someone with or from information transmitted by a person with knowledge; (3) made and kept in the course of a regularly-conducted business activity; (4) identified by the custodian or a qualified witness who can testify regarding the mode of preparation of the record; and (5) found to be trustworthy by the court. See Rule 803(6), SCRE; Ex parte Dep't of Health & Envt. Control, 350 S.C. 243, 249, 565 S.E.2d 293, 297 (2002).
In its order denying Father's motion to alter or amend, the court stated "there was no reason or need for the records of [Harrington] to be admitted into evidence as she testified based upon her records and the Court was not going to allow the introduction of evidence which would be cumulative and which might contain hearsay testimony not otherwise admissible." Because the court permitted Harrington to review her notes and testify extensively about each of her sessions with
Father also argues Daughter's statements, contained in Harrington's consultation notes, were admissible under Rules 803(3) and (4), SCRE, as statements made as to her then existing mental, emotional, or physical condition and for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Rule 803(3) provides an exception for statements of present state of mind, emotion, or physical condition, such as intent, plan, motive, design, mental feeling, pain, and bodily health, but does not include statements of memory or belief to prove the fact remembered or believed. Rule 803(3), SCRE. Harrington was allowed to testify about every session she had with Daughter and Daughter's preference to live with Father; therefore, we find Father was not prejudiced by the court's exclusion of Harrington's consultation notes. Rule 803(4) provides "that the admissibility of statements made after the commencement of the litigation is left to the court's discretion," and Daughter did not begin seeing Harrington until after the case was filed. Rule 803(4), SCRE. Because the admission of evidence is within the discretion of the family court, and the court did not abuse that discretion, we find the family court did not err in refusing to admit Harrington's records into evidence.
Father argues the family court erred in making several findings of fact relevant to the issue of custody because they are not supported by the record. We disagree.
In an appeal from the family court, this court has the jurisdiction to correct errors of law and find facts in accordance with its own view of the preponderance of the evidence. Fiddie, 384 S.C. at 124, 681 S.E.2d at 44. However, the court is not required to ignore the fact that the family court, who saw and heard the witnesses, was in a better position to evaluate their credibility and assign comparative weight to their testimony. Id. Child custody decisions are matters left largely in the discretion of the family court. Shirley, 342 S.C. at 330, 536 S.E.2d at 430. Thus, this court should be reluctant to substitute its own evaluation of the evidence on child
First, Father argues the family court erred in finding Mother did not discuss the litigation with Daughter. Specifically, in its order, the court stated, "unlike [Father], [Mother] would not discuss the litigation with the child as directed by the Court order." Father claims this was in error because Mother explained that she and Father had been unfaithful when Daughter asked her what the word unfaithful meant; however, Mother testified she did not remember having the conversation with Daughter. Mother's mother, Mary Michau, testified she also overheard a conversation between Daughter and Father, wherein Father told Daughter that Mother and Father had both been unfaithful, but Mother would not forgive him, and his only mistake was telling Mother the truth. Father testified he told Daughter that Mother was seeing Trotter, and he told her that he was dating a girl named Alexis. Father also testified he told Daughter an overview of what was going to happen as a result of the litigation. Further, Father was found to be in contempt of court for violating the terms of the September 27, 2006 temporary order by discussing the case with Daughter and constantly and repeatedly harassing Mother by telephone and e-mails. Mother's counselor, Margaret Judy-Kauffman, testified Mother was adamant that she did not want anyone to involve the children in the litigation. Additionally, Crystal Guyton, Mother's co-worker, testified at court that "[Daughter] was wanting to have conversations about, you know, what was going on and [Mother] was just matter of fact. She said it's an adult situation; she said that mommy is not going to discuss adult situations with you." Therefore, the record supports the family court's finding that Mother did not discuss the litigation with Daughter.
Second, Father asserts the court incorrectly surmised that "Father or someone with his interest at heart" improperly shared information with Daughter about Father's arrest.
Third, Father states the court erred in finding Father's MySpace, written, and e-mail communications supported the granting of custody to Mother because no evidence was presented that the documents were shared with or seen by the children. Father also claims Mother sent e-mails to him mentioning her relationship with Trotter. In its order, the family court stated that after viewing the evidence and testimony, the court found that "Mother possesses the strongest ability to foster a positive parent/child relationship between the minor children and . . . Father." The court noted it "observed great hostility, animosity, and anger exhibited by.. . Father with respect to . . . Mother." The court stated the contents of e-mails between Mother and Father also supported
Therefore, we find the record supports the family court's findings.
Fourth, Father claims the court erred in finding Father told Daughter she had to choose between her parents and she was unduly influenced by Father in her preference to live with him. The court's order states, "The evidence presented to the Court also proves that the minor daughter in this action was told that she had a choice to make in this matter concerning which parent she wanted to have custody of her." Harrington testified that Daughter expressed to her that she did not want to choose between her parents and she thought Harrington was going to help her choose. The order does not state it was Father who told her she had to choose. The order does state the court found "that [Daughter] was unduly influenced by [Father] in her stated preference to live with him," and Daughter had not reached "the age or maturity level to decide what is in her best interest and particularly where or who she lives with in this matter." Harrington testified that Daughter placed a majority of the blame on Mother for the breakup of the family, the loss of the family home, and Father's arrest. Harrington also said Daughter was angry at Mother because she thought Mother was not telling her the truth about the divorce, and when they tried to work on communication, it was "like [Daughter] had already made up her mind ahead of time what the correct answers were." Father testified he discussed the divorce with Daughter by giving her an overview of what was going to happen, whereas Mother did not want to involve the children in the
Finally, Father argues the court erred by stating that Mother was terminated from her job because of Father's "constant harassment of Mother by e-mails and telephone calls during office hours." Father asserts Mother sent him an e-mail from her work e-mail account telling him that Trotter had just left the office, thereby sharing the responsibility for her ultimately losing her job. Father also states that if the loss of a job is a relevant factor to be considered in the child custody analysis, that the court should have considered that Mother's allegations about Father led to his arrest and being placed on unpaid administrative leave for four months. However, Father was found to be in contempt of court for violating the terms of the September 27, 2006 temporary order by constantly and repeatedly harassing Mother by telephone and e-mails. In that order, the court found Father "constantly and repeatedly harass[ed] [Mother] through e-mails and telephone calls, such that as a result of [Father's] conduct, [Mother] lost her job." Crystal Guyton, who worked with Mother, testified that Father would often call and e-mail Mother at work and she would get upset, which disrupted their work. Also, Mother's employer wrote a letter to the parties' attorneys stating that Father had been contacting Mother at work, and requesting that he cease contacting her at work. Therefore, we find the evidence supports the family court's finding that Mother was terminated from her job because of Father's harassment of Mother by e-mails and telephone calls.
Father argues the family court erred in failing to consider important factors contained in the record in its award of primary custody to Mother. We disagree.
The controlling considerations in child custody cases are the welfare of the children and what is in their best interest. Ford v. Ford, 242 S.C. 344, 349, 130 S.E.2d 916, 920 (1963). In making its determination on custody, the family court should consider the character, fitness, attitude, and inclinations on the part of each parent as they impact the
Father asserts the Guardian ad Litem noted Daughter had a closer relationship with Father than Mother, Daughter preferred to live with Father, and Father was a "very fit" parent. In contrast, Father claims the Guardian ad Litem noted Daughter was in the process of "working through" her resentment of Mother, and Mother was just a "fit" parent. Father also asserts Harrington testified she thought Daughter was adjusted to the joint custody arrangement, and Daughter would have a greater adjustment period if she were required to live primarily with Mother due to Daughter's anger issues toward Mother.
In its supplemental final order, the court specifically addressed the factors it considered in making its decision to award Mother sole custody of the children:
Thus, the family court properly considered all the factors it is required to consider when making a child custody determination. Additionally, although this court may find facts in accordance with our own view of the preponderance of the evidence, the family court was in a better position to evaluate the witnesses' credibility and assign comparative weight to their testimony. Therefore, we find the family court did not err in awarding Mother sole custody of the children.
Father argues the family court erred in awarding Mother sole custody based on the fact that Mother was historically the caregiver of the minor children. We disagree.
In South Carolina, the rule is there is no preference given to the father or mother in regard to the custody of the child, and "[t]he parents stand in perfect equipoise as the custody analysis begins." Kisling v. Allison, 343 S.C. 674, 678, 541 S.E.2d 273, 275 (Ct.App.2001). However, "[a]lthough there is no rule of law requiring custody be awarded to the primary caretaker, there is an assumption that custody will be awarded to the primary caretaker." Patel v. Patel, 359 S.C. 515, 527, 599 S.E.2d 114, 120 (2004).
Father argues the court erred in placing "a great deal of emphasis" on the fact that Mother had been the primary caretaker of the children. Also, in making the custody decision, Father argues the court failed to consider that Father is now the Chief of Police for Jamestown and can set his own work schedule, whereas Mother now works a full work day. Additionally, Father asserts the court failed to consider that Mother has been unwilling to share important dates and holidays with Father, while Father has been more amenable.
We already found the family court properly considered all of the factors it should consider when making a child custody determination. Also, although we may find facts in accordance
Mother argues the family court erred in hearing Father's untimely motion to alter or amend. We disagree.
Mother argues Father failed to file his motion to alter or amend the May 8, 2008 order within ten days after May 14, 2008, the date the notice of judgment was mailed to all parties. The supplemental order was filed on June 6, 2008, and Father filed his Rule 59(e), SCRCP, motion on June 18, 2008. Mother also asserts Father filed his motion based on the supplemental order; however, the grounds of his motion only addressed issues that were fully addressed in the May 8 order, and not modified by the June 6 order.
The supplemental final order states that the May 8, 2008 order inadvertently omitted language that both parties had agreed to include; "therefore, such Order is rescinded ab initio and replaced by this Order." Black's Law Dictionary states that the term ab initio is Latin for "from the beginning." Black's Law Dictionary 4 (7th ed.1999).
Mother does not disagree it was the parties' intent to void the first order to protect Father's job as a police officer. However, she asserts the family court judge lost jurisdiction to modify the May 8 order because the term had ended and only the correction of clerical errors could be made after that time. She also asserts that because the second order was filed after the court had lost jurisdiction to alter the order and with the consent of the parties, it was akin to a consent order, which cannot be attacked by the parties either by direct appeal or in a collateral proceeding.
In an affidavit filed March 10, 2009, Father's attorney, John Prosser, states the family court signed Mother's proposed order on May 8, 2008, prior to Prosser's review of the order, and mailed it to Prosser on Saturday, May 10, 2008.
There are few family court cases in South Carolina concerning the effect of the phrase "ab initio." In Lukich v. Lukich, 368 S.C. 47, 627 S.E.2d 754 (Ct.App.2006), affirmed by 379 S.C. 589, 666 S.E.2d 906 (2008), this court was faced with the question of whether an annulment order declaring Wife's first marriage void ab initio related back so as to validate her purported second marriage. This court found that "an annulment that declares a pre-existing marriage void ab initio does not relate back so as to give validity to a marriage that was bigamous before the annulment was granted." Id. at 55, 627 S.E.2d at 758. Therefore, had the second marriage occurred after the annulment declaring the marriage void ab initio, the second marriage would have not been bigamous because legally the first one had never occurred. Id.; see Joye v. Yon, 355 S.C. 452, 455, 586 S.E.2d 131, 133 (2003) ("A subsequent marriage that is void ab initio is deemed to never have existed."); Rodman (Fried) v. Rodman, 361 S.C. 291, 296, 604 S.E.2d 399, 402 (Ct.App.2004) ("There is no legal distinction between a marriage which is annulled and one terminated by reason of bigamy, as they are both void ab initio, or `from the inception.'").
Thus, in this case, because the first order was rescinded ab initio it was as if it had never existed. As a result, the second order, filed June 6, 2008, was the only order from which Father could have filed a motion to reconsider, and his motion was timely filed. Therefore, we find the court did not err in hearing Father's motion.
Mother argues the family court erred in failing to award her attorney's fees and costs. We disagree.
Mother argues the family court failed to take into consideration that her income is used to support herself and her two children, and even though she receives child support from Father, her monthly expenses exceed her monthly income. Therefore, she asserts the court erred in refusing to award her attorney's fees and costs. Also, Mother asserts she attempted to settle the case several times, but Father declined her proposals. She claims that her attorney's fees would have been greatly reduced had he accepted the offers.
In determining whether to award attorney's fees, the family court stated it had reviewed the Glasscock factors, and specifically considered (1) the nature and difficulty of the case; (2) that the bulk of the time was devoted to child custody; (3) that the hourly fees were reasonable and customary for similar services; (4) and that both parties were financially capable of paying their own fees. Therefore, the court determined that each party was responsible for their own attorneys' fees. We find no error in this determination.
Accordingly, the family court's order is
HUFF, SHORT, and WILLIAMS, JJ., concur.
