Case Title: Boldt and Boldt

Citation: 

Docket Number: S054714

State: oregon

Court: Oregon Supreme Court

Date: 2008-01-25T00:00:00Z

Document:
FILED: January 25, 2008
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF 
OREGON
In the Matter of the Marriage of
JAMES H. BOLDT,
Respondent on Review,
and
LIA BOLDT,
Petitioner on Review.
(CC No. 98-2318-D(3); CA A126175; SC S054714)
On review from the Court of Appeals.*
Argued and submitted November 6, 2007.
Clayton C. Patrick, Clatskanie, argued the cause for petitioner on review.  With
him on the briefs was Steven C. Morasch.
James H. Boldt, Lacey, Washington, argued the cause and filed the briefs on his
own behalf as respondent on review.
Robert A. Graham, Jr., filed briefs on behalf of amicus curiae Doctors Opposing
Circumcision.
Michael H. Simon, Perkins Coie LLP, Portland, Michael S. Lazaroff, Mark D.
Harris, Sandra, J. Badin, and Eben A. Krim, Proskauer Rose LLP, New York, Marc D.
Stern, American Jewish Congress, New York, Steven M. Freeman, Anti-Defamation
League, New York, and Nathan Diament, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of
America, filed a brief on behalf of amici curiae American Jewish Congress, American
Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, and Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations of America.
Before De Muniz, Chief Justice, and Gillette, Durham, Balmer, Kistler, and
Walters, Justices.**
DE MUNIZ, C. J.
The decision of the Court of Appeals is reversed.  The supplemental judgment of
the circuit court is reversed.  The case is remanded to the circuit court for further
proceedings.
*Appeal from Jackson County Circuit Court, Rebecca G. Orf, Judge. 210 Or App 368, 150 P3d 1115 (2006).
**Linder, J., did not participate in the consideration or decision of this case.
DE MUNIZ, C. J.
The parties dissolved their marriage in 1999.  Mother was awarded custody
of their four-year-old son, M.  Since 1999, the parties have battled over M's custody in
three separate legal proceedings.  When this third proceeding began, father had custody of
M, who was then nine years old.  In this proceeding, mother again seeks to change M's
custody, on the ground that father intends to have M circumcised as part of M's
conversion to the Jewish faith.  In the alternative, as a condition of father's continued
custody, mother seeks an order prohibiting father from having M circumcised.  The trial
court denied mother's motion to change custody, but enjoined father from having M
circumcised pending mother's appeal.  Mother appealed the trial court judgment to the
Court of Appeals.  That court affirmed the judgment without opinion.  Boldt and Boldt,
210 Or App 368, 150 P3d 1115 (2006).  
We allowed mother's petition for review and on de novo review we now
conclude that the trial court erred in failing to determine whether M desired the
circumcision as father contended or opposed the circumcision as mother alleged. (1) 
Because we view that finding as a necessary predicate to determining whether mother
alleged a change in circumstance sufficient to trigger a custody hearing, we reverse the
decisions of the Court of Appeals and the trial court and remand the case to the trial court.
In the normal course, religious and medical decisions such as the one in this
case, are considered private family matters determined by the parents or between parents
and child, without resort to the courts.  Unfortunately, however, these parties cannot or
will not resolve this matter without court intervention. (2)  We therefore turn to the
issue raised on review, and take the following pertinent facts from the pleadings and
affidavits submitted by the parties below.
Mother is a member of the Russian Orthodox Church and, while the parties
were married, they raised M in that faith.  About the time of the dissolution, father began
studying Judaism.  He also began teaching M and his other son, M's half-brother, about
Judaism.  M learned Hebrew, began attending synagogue with his father, and in February
2004 began taking classes at the synagogue.  In early May 2004, father converted to
Judaism under the conservative movement coordinated by the United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism.  Father told mother a few days later that he had converted.  He
also told mother about the possibility that M would convert to Judaism and that, to do so,
M would have to be circumcised.  
On June 1, 2004, mother filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to
prevent father from having M circumcised that evening.  The trial court held a telephonic
hearing on mother's motion that afternoon.  Mother testified that, the day before, she had
learned from M that father was planning to have M circumcised against M's wishes.  She
acknowledged that she had known about the possibility of the circumcision for nearly a
month, but asserted that she had not known it would happen so soon.  She also stated that
she had not previously known that M objected to the procedure.  Father responded that
the court lacked jurisdiction because M had been living with him in Washington for
almost two years.  He also contended that, as sole custodian of M, he had the authority to
make the decision to have M circumcised.  Finally, father asserted that (1) M wanted to
be circumcised because M wanted to convert to Judaism; (2) M's doctor also had
recommended circumcision for medical reasons; and (3) M's doctor would perform the
circumcision.  Following the telephonic hearing, the trial court entered a temporary
restraining order prohibiting M's circumcision until such time as mother had filed a
written motion to change custody and the court had held a hearing to consider the
jurisdictional issue.
On June 4, 2004, mother filed two motions.  The first was a motion for
temporary custody under ORS 107.139, (3) or in the alternative, for an order prohibiting
father from having M circumcised.  The second was a motion to change custody under
ORS 107.135. (4)  In support of both motions, mother submitted an affidavit in which
she alleged that father intended to have M circumcised against M's wishes.  She asserted
that she was not concerned that M might convert to Judaism, but was concerned that the
conversion required him to be circumcised.  She alleged that M had told her the day
before the planned circumcision that he did not want to be circumcised.  She also asserted
that M had said that he was afraid to contradict his father regarding the circumcision. 
Mother averred that, "I hope that ultimately the court will be able to interview [M] in
chambers so that his true feelings about this can be determined."  Finally, mother
expressed concern that a flawed circumcision could result in permanent injury to M.  
In his response to those motions, father argued that the court lacked
jurisdiction under ORS 109.744(1)(a), (5) because M had lived with father in
Washington State since 2002.  Father also argued that the court lacked authority to grant
mother's motions because (1) granting the motions would violate father's freedom of
religion under the religion clauses of the United States and Oregon constitutions; (2) there
had not been a substantial change of circumstances since the October 9, 2002,
modification justifying a change in custody; (3) it would not be in M's best interest to
change custody; (4) the circumcision was medically advisable independent of the
religious reasons for it; and (5) although M's wishes were "legally irrelevant," M wanted
to be circumcised.  Father's response included affidavits from M's half-brother and
father's domestic partner.  Each of those affidavits stated that M wanted to be circumcised
so that he could convert to Judaism.  Father also submitted an affidavit from M's
urologist, Dr. Ellen.  Ellen stated that he had met with M and discussed the procedure
with him, that M understood the procedure and had stated that he wanted the circumcision
so that he could convert to Judaism.  According to Ellen, M did not appear to be coerced. 
Ellen also stated that there were medical concerns that were sufficient cause for
recommendation for the procedure.  Ellen averred that circumcision is a safe procedure,
that there would be some minor discomfort for about three days that would not prevent M
from carrying on normal activities, and that M's circumcision would greatly reduce M's
risk of penile cancer and certain infections.  
After the parties filed briefs, the trial court conducted a telephonic hearing
on the jurisdictional issue.  At the end of that hearing the trial court concluded that it had
jurisdiction over the parties. (6)  The court also concluded that the decision whether a
child has elective surgery is reserved to the custodial parent.  However, because the
parties' previous custody order appeals were still pending in the Court of Appeals, the
trial court entered an order prohibiting M's circumcision until those appeals were final. 
The court stated that it would not hold an evidentiary hearing on the motion for a change
of custody because a decision by the Court of Appeals on mother's other custody appeal
could result in M's custody reverting to mother, thereby mooting the question.  The trial
court also concluded that, in any event, mother had not alleged sufficient grounds for an
emergency change of custody to mother.  
Both parties objected to the form of the judgment, and the trial court held
another telephonic hearing on their objections.  Following that hearing, the trial court
concluded, based on the affidavits submitted by the parties, that the decision to have M
circumcised was not a change of circumstances sufficient to trigger an evidentiary
hearing.  Shortly after the second telephonic hearing, the trial court entered a
supplemental judgment reflecting the rulings it had made orally at the two hearings.  The
court denied mother's motion for temporary custody as well as her motion for an order to
show cause why a change of custody should not be granted.  In 2006, the trial court
corrected the judgment to clarify that it had enjoined the parties from having M
circumcised until after any appeals in this case were resolved.
Mother appealed from the supplemental judgment and, as noted, the Court
of Appeals affirmed without opinion.  We allowed review.  On review, mother argues that
the trial court erred in not granting her an evidentiary hearing on her motion to change
custody so that she could present evidence regarding M's health, welfare, and best
interests.  She also argues that a custodial parent does not have the absolute right to have
elective, nonmedically necessary surgery performed on his or her child without regard to
the possible adverse consequences.  Finally, she argues that a trial court has the authority
to condition an award of custody when it is necessary to protect the best interests of the
child.  
Father responds that the trial court properly denied mother's motion for a
change of custody.  He argues that no evidentiary hearing was required on the motion,
because mother failed to satisfy her burden under ORS 107.135 to demonstrate a
sufficient change in circumstances.  He also argues that mother received a hearing,
because there was a telephonic hearing during which she testified.  Father argues that the
trial court examined the affidavits submitted by both parties and properly found that there
was an insufficient basis to go forward with an evidentiary hearing. 
This court has established a two-step inquiry for determining whether a
court should modify a custody arrangement.  See Ortiz and Ortiz, 310 Or 644, 649, 801
P2d 767 (1990) (formulating the inquiry).  A parent seeking a custody change must show
that (1) after the original judgment or the last order affecting custody, circumstances
relevant to the capacity of either the moving party or the legal custodian to take care of
the child properly have changed, and (2) considering the asserted change of
circumstances in the context of all relevant evidence, it would be in the child's best
interests to change custody from the legal custodian to the moving party.  Id.  See also
Greisamer and Greisamer, 276 Or 397, 400, 555 P2d 28 (1976) (describing two-step
analysis).  A parent seeking a change of custody bears the burden of showing a change in
circumstances.  See State ex rel Johnson v. Bail, 325 Or 392, 396, 938 P2d 209 (1997) (so
stating). 
The inquiry into whether there has been a change in circumstances is a
factual one that relates to the capability of one or both parents to properly care for the
child.  Greisamer, 276 Or at 400.  One way a parent can show a change in circumstances
is to show a change that has injuriously affected the child.  Henrickson v. Henrickson, 225
Or 398, 403, 358 P2d 507 (1961).  Another is to show a change in the other parent's
ability or inclination to care for the child in the best possible manner.  Id. at 404.  When
there is insufficient evidence of a change in circumstances since the last custody
determination, a court does not consider the second step of the analysis.  See State ex rel
Johnson, 325 Or at 397 (so stating).  Therefore, the question whether mother was entitled
to an evidentiary hearing to present evidence regarding M's best interests turns on
whether she, as the parent seeking a change of custody, satisfied her initial burden of
demonstrating a change in circumstances relevant to the capacity of father to properly
care for M since the 2002 custody determination.  
The trial court ruled that decisions regarding elective surgery for a child are
reserved to the custodial parent, and denied mother's motion without a hearing on the
merits.  We agree with the trial court that the authority of the custodial parent to make
medical decisions for his or her child, including decisions involving elective procedures
and decisions that may involve medical risks, is implicit in both our case law and Oregon
statutes.  For example, in Ortiz, this court observed that, "in the context of divorced
persons, 'custody' is the legal relationship between a minor child and the legal custodian,
i.e., the person to whom the court has given the primary rights and responsibilities to
supervise, care for, and educate the child[.]"  310 Or at 649 (emphasis in original). 
However, a statute, ORS 107.154, provides that an order of sole custody to one parent
shall not deprive the noncustodial parent of specific rights, including the right to consult
with any person who may provide care or treatment for the child and to inspect and
receive the child's medical records, as well as the right to authorize emergency care for
the child if the custodial parent is unavailable. (7)  Father argues that ORS 107.154
limits a noncustodial parent's rights to only those rights specified in that statute, that is,
mother can "consult with" M's doctor, but cannot override father's decisions regarding
M's medical care.  For that reason, father argues, his decision to have M circumcised
cannot be the basis for changing a custody order or holding an evidentiary hearing on the
issue.  
Mother, joined by amicus curiae Doctors Opposing Circumcision (DOC),
asserts that there is no more important decision to make for a male child than to require
that the child undergo permanent modification to his body, and argues that an evidentiary
hearing is required to find out whether M objects to the circumcision.  She also contends
that an evidentiary hearing is required so that she may present evidence regarding the
harmful effects and permanent nature of circumcision.  Indeed, mother and DOC assert
that, because of the significant medical risks associated with circumcision, M should not
be circumcised even if he states that he wants to undergo the procedure.
In response, father, joined by amicus curiae American Jewish Congress,
American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, and Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations of America (collectively, AJC), argues that the trial court did not need to
hold an evidentiary hearing, because M's attitude about whether he wants the
circumcision is not legally significant.  Father asserts that a child is not the decision-maker on such questions, any more than an infant who is circumcised.  If the legislature
had wanted a male child to have a say in whether he is circumcised, he contends, it could
have adopted a statute to that effect, as it has done in other statutes such as ORS 109.610
(giving minors the right to consent to treatment for venereal disease without parental
consent).  Father also contends that the health risks associated with male circumcision are
de minimus.  In any case, father maintains that the affidavits he supplied to the trial court
demonstrate that M does want to be circumcised. 
Finally, father and AJC argue that father has a constitutionally protected
right to circumcise his son.  They maintain that American Jews must be free to practice
circumcision because it is and has been one of the most fundamental and sacred parts of
the Jewish tradition.  Father concludes that, if this court requires the trial court to hold an
evidentiary hearing, we would usurp the role of the custodial parent and violate the First
Amendment of the United States Constitution. 
Although the parties and amici have presented extensive material regarding
circumcision, we do not need to decide in this case which side has presented a more
persuasive case regarding the medical risks or benefits of male circumcision.  We
conclude that, although circumcision is an invasive medical procedure that results in
permanent physical alteration of a body part and has attendant medical risks, the decision
to have a male child circumcised for medical or religious reasons is one that is commonly
and historically made by parents in the United States.  We also conclude that the decision
to circumcise a male child is one that generally falls within a custodial parent's authority,
unfettered by a noncustodial parent's concerns or beliefs -- medical, religious or
otherwise.  Were mother's concerns or beliefs regarding circumcision all that were
asserted in the affidavits in this case, we would conclude that mother did not carry her
initial statutory burden to demonstrate a sufficient change in circumstances demonstrating
father's inability to properly care for M.
However, in this case, mother has averred in her affidavit that M objects to
the circumcision. (8)  In our view, at age 12, M's attitude regarding circumcision,
though not conclusive of the custody issue presented here, is a fact necessary to the
determination of whether mother has asserted a colorable claim of a change of
circumstances sufficient to warrant a hearing concerning whether to change custody. 
That is so because forcing M at age 12 to undergo the circumcision against his will could
seriously affect the relationship between M and father, and could have a pronounced
effect on father's capability to properly care for M.  See Greisamer, 276 Or at 400
(illustrating proposition).  Thus, if mother's assertions are verified the trial court would be
entitled to reconsider custody.  As to that inquiry, however, we think that no decision
should be made without some assessment of M's true state of mind.  That conclusion
dictates the outcome here. 
We remand the case to the trial court with instructions to resolve the factual
issue whether M agrees or objects to the circumcision.  In order to resolve that question,
the trial court may choose to determine M's state of mind utilizing means available to it
under the relevant provisions of ORS 107.425. (9)  If the trial court finds that M agrees
to be circumcised, the court shall enter an order denying mother's motions.  If, however,
the trial court finds that M opposes the circumcision, it must then determine whether M's
opposition to the circumcision will affect father's ability to properly care for M.  And, if
necessary, the trial court then can determine whether it is in M's best interests to retain the
existing custody arrangement, whether other conditions should be imposed on father's
continued custody of M, or change custody from father to mother.
The decision of the Court of Appeals is reversed.  The supplemental judgment of
the circuit court is reversed.  The case is remanded to the circuit court for further
proceedings.
1. In reviewing a decision of the Court of Appeals that is an appeal from a suit in
equity, we may review the case de novo or may limit our review to questions of law.  
ORS 19.415(4); O'Donnell-Lamont and Lamont, 337 Or 86, 89, 91 P3d 721 (2004), cert
den, 543 US 1050, 125 S Ct 867, 160 L Ed 2d 770 (2005) (reviewing custody dispute
between father and maternal grandparents de novo).   Because the Court of Appeals did
not address the issues that we conclude must be considered, and because we are
remanding the case to the trial court for further proceedings, we elect in this case to
review the record de novo.
2. The parties' public marital history is an acrimonious one, in which their battle for
M's custody has been the centerpiece.  The parties married in 1994.  M was born in
March, 1995.  The parties divorced in 1999, and the trial court granted sole and legal
custody of M, then four years old, to mother.  Father sought custody of M in 2001 and
2002.  In 2002 the trial court granted father "sole and legal custody" of M.  On the same
day, the Court of Appeals affirmed without opinion, both father's appeal of a 2001
judgment and mother's appeal of the 2002 judgment.  Boldt and Boldt (A119754), 203 Or
App 545, 129 P3d 280 (2005); Boldt and Boldt (A116684), 203 Or App 545, 129 P3d
280 (2005), rev den, 340 Or 157 (2006).  Both of those appeals were pending when this
case was filed in the trial court.
3. ORS 107.139 provides, in part:
"(1)(a) Following entry of a judgment, a court may enter ex parte a
temporary order providing for the custody of, or parenting time with, a
child if:
"(A) A parent of the child is present in court and presents an
affidavit alleging that the child is in immediate danger;
"(B) The parent has made a good faith effort to confer with the other
party regarding the purpose and time of this court appearance; and
"(C) The court finds by clear and convincing evidence, based on the
facts presented in the parent's testimony and affidavit and in the testimony
of the other party, if the other party is present, that the child is in immediate
danger."
The legislature amended ORS 107.139 and ORS 107.135 in 2007.  However, those
amendments are not material to the issues presented here.  For that reason, we refer to the
current versions of the statutes.
4. ORS 107.135 provides, in part:
"(1) The court may at any time after a judgment of annulment or
dissolution of marriage or of separation is granted, upon the motion of
either party and after service of notice on the other party in the manner
provided by ORCP 7 * * *:
"(a) Set aside, alter or modify any portion of the judgment that
provides * * * for the custody, parenting time, visitation, support and
welfare of the minor children[.]"
5. ORS 109.744 provides, in part: 
"(1) [A] court of this state that has made a child custody
determination consistent with ORS 109.741 or 109.747 has exclusive,
continuing jurisdiction over the determination until:
"(a) A court of this state determines that neither the child, nor the
child and one parent, nor the child and a person acting as a parent have a
significant connection with this state and that substantial evidence is no
longer available in this state concerning the child's care, protection, training
and personal relationships[.]"
6. On appeal, neither party has challenged the trial court's jurisdictional ruling, and
we have no reason to disturb the trial court's decision on that issue.
7. ORS 107.154 provides, in part:
"Unless otherwise ordered by the court, an order of sole custody to
one parent shall not deprive the other parent of the following authority:
"* * * * *
"(3) To consult with any person who may provide care or treatment
for the child and to inspect and receive the child's medical, dental and
psychological records, to the same extent as the custodial parent may
consult with such person and inspect and receive such records;
"(4) To authorize emergency medical, dental, psychological,
psychiatric or other health care for the child if the custodial parent is, for
practical purposes, unavailable[.]"
8. In direct contradiction to mother's sworn assertion, father has asserted that M
accepts the circumcision.  
9. In this state the legislature has made it clear that, in determining child
custody in a variety of settings, a court, when appropriate, may use various methods to
determine a child's views or best interests.
ORS 107.425 provides, in part:
"'(2) The court, on its own motion or on the motion of a party, may
order an independent physical, psychological, psychiatric or mental health
examination of a party or the children and may require any party and the
children to be interviewed, evaluated and tested by an expert or panel of
experts.  The court may also authorize the expert or panel of experts to
interview other persons and to request other persons to make available to
the expert or panel of experts records deemed by the court or the expert or
panel of experts to be relevant to the evaluation.  The court may order the
parties to authorize the disclosure of such records.  In the event the parties
are unable to stipulate to the selection of an expert or panel of experts to
conduct the examination or evaluation, the court shall appoint a qualified
expert or panel of experts.  The court shall direct one or more of the parties
to pay for the examination or evaluation in the absence of an agreement
between the parties as to the responsibility for payment but shall not direct
that the expenses be charged against funds appropriated for public defense
services.  If more than one party is directed to pay, the court may determine
the amount that each party will pay based on financial ability.
"* * * * *
"(4) The provisions of this section apply when:
"(a) A person files a domestic relations suit, as defined in ORS
107.510;
"(b) A motion to modify an existing judgment in a domestic
relations suit is before the court;
"(c) A parent of a child born to an unmarried woman initiates a civil
proceeding to determine custody or support under ORS 109.103;
"(d) A person petitions or files a motion for intervention under ORS
109.119;
"(e) A person or the administrator files a petition under ORS
109.125 to establish paternity and paternity is established; or
"(f) A habeas corpus proceeding is before the court.
"(5) Application of the provisions of subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this
section to the proceedings under subsection (4) of this section does not
prevent initiation, entry or enforcement of an order of support.
"(6) The court, on its own motion or on the motion of a party, may
appoint counsel for the children.  However, if requested to do so by one or
more of the children, the court shall appoint counsel for the child or
children.  A reasonable fee for an attorney so appointed may be charged
against one or more of the parties or as a cost in the proceedings but shall
not be charged against funds appropriated for public defense services.
"(7) Prior to the entry of an order, the court on its own motion or on
the motion of a party may take testimony from or confer with the child or
children of the marriage and may exclude from the conference the parents
and other persons if the court finds that such action would be likely to be in
the best interests of the child or children.  However, the court shall permit
an attorney for each party to attend the conference and question the child,
and the conference shall be reported."
The legislature amended ORS 107.425 in 2007.  However, those amendments are not
material to the issues presented here.  For that reason, we refer to the current version of
the statute.