FOURTH D I VI SI ON

BA RNES, P. J.

, RA Y and M CM I LLI A N, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

October 2, 2015



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 5 A1 54 1 , A1 6 A0 0 61 . SM ITH v . PEARCE.

B A R N E S , Pres i d i n g J ud g e.

M el i s s a Kay Sm i th ap p eal s th e s u p e r i o r co u rt ’ s o rd er g ran t i ng J o h n Bl ak e

Pearce’ s p et i ti o n fo r l eg i t i m at i o n an d cu st o d y o f t h e p art ies ’ m i n o r c h i l d

, T. C. F.

Sm it h al s o ap p eal s t h e co u rt ’ s d en i al o f her m o t i o n s t o d i s m i s s , i t s award o f OCGA

§ 9 -1 5 -1 4 at t o rn ey fees t o Pearce, an d i t s o rd er fi nd i n g h er i n co n t em p t fo r fai l i n g to

p ay t h o se fees

. Fo r reas o n s t h at fo l l o w , we affi rm th e leg i t i m at i on an d cu st o d y ru l i n g,

b u t we v acat e t h e at t o rn ey fee award an d rem an d fo r fu rt h er p ro ceed i n g s

. W e al s o

v acat e t h e co n t em

p t award

.

“ W h en rev i ewi n g a s u peri o r co u rt ’ s cu s to d y ru li ng , we v i ew t he ev i d en ce in

t h e l i g h t m o s t fav o rab le t o t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s deci s i o n .” S t r i ckl an d v. S t r i ckl a n d

, 3 3 0

Ga. Ap p

. 8 7 9 (7 6 9 SE2 d 6 0 7 ) ( 2 0 1 5 )

. So vi ewed

, t he reco rd s h ows t h e fo l l o wi n g

rel ev an t fact s.Pearce an d Sm i t h d at ed i n h i g h s c h o ol fro m 2 0 0 5 to 2 00 7

, b u t b ro k e u p in

co l l eg e. Sm i t h b eg an d at i n g Co l e Fah ey i n 2 0 09 an d g ot en g ag ed t o h im i n No v em b er

o f t h at y ear. Th e en g ag em en t s o o n e n ded

, h o wev er, an d i n Decem b er 2 0 0 9 Sm i th

v i s i t e d P e arce an d was i nt im at e wi t h h i m

. Sh o rt l y t hereaft er, s h e reco n ci l ed wi th

Fah ey

. In J an u ary 2 0 10

, Sm i t h l earn ed th at s h e was p reg n an t

, an d s h e m arri ed Fah ey

t h e fo l lo wi n g m o n t h

. T. C. F. was b orn i n Sep tem b er 2 0 1 0 . Fah ey

i s l i s t ed o n T. C.

F

. ’ s bi rt h cert i fi cat e as t h e fat her, an d he b el i ev ed th at he was , i n fa c t

, T

. C

. F

. ’s

b i o l o g i cal fat h er.

In earl y 20 1 1

, Sm i t h

, Fah ey , an d T. C. F. m ov ed to Fl o ri d a b ecau s e Fah ey , wh o

s erv es i n t h e m i l i t ary , was s t at i on ed t h ere. Th e rel at i o n s h i p b et ween Sm i t h an d Fah ey

g rew ro ck y , cu l m i n at i ng i n a fi g h t i n J u n e 2 0 1 1 i n wh ich Fah ey b ro k e d o wn a d o o r

an d i n ju red Sm i th ’ s l eg

. Aft er th e fi g h t

, Sm i th l eft Fah ey b ecau s e s h e was afrai d fo r

h i m t o b e aro u n d T. C. F., an d sh e an d t he b ab y wen t t o li v e w i t h h er m o th er. Sm i th

rep o rt ed t h e fi g h t t o Fah ey ’ s co m m an d i n g o ffi cer, wh o o rd ered Fah ey t o t ak e an g er

m an ag em en t cl as s es

. Fah ey l at er fi l ed fo r d i v o rce i n Fl o ri da.

M ean wh i l e, b efo re m o v in g to Fl o ri d a wi t h Fah ey , Sm it h h ad co nt act ed Pearce

“ t ry i n g t o g et b ack to g et h er.” S m i t h i n t r o d u ced Pearce to T. C. F. an d sai d t h at s h e

wi s h ed Pearce

– rat her t h an Fah ey

– h ad fat h ered t h e b ab y

. Aft er m o vi n g to Fl o ri da,

2Sm it h reg u l arl y cal l ed Pearce, an d aft er l eav i n g Fah ey , s h e o n ce ag ai n s o u g h t h i m

o u t

. Al t h o u g h Sm i t h was s t i l l m arri ed t o Fah ey , s he on ce ag ai n b ecam e i n t i m at e wi th

Pearce, t el l i n g h i m t h at s h e an d Fah ey were s ep arat ed an d t hat h e h ad ab u s ed h er.

In Sep t em

b er 2 0 1 1

, at Sm i t h ’ s u rg i n g , Pearce t o o k a d ru g -s t o re pat ern i t y t es t

,

wh i ch s h o wed wi th 9 9.9 9 % cert ai n t y t h at he was T. C. F.’ s b i o l o g ical fat h er. Pearce

eag erl y accep t ed T. C. F. as h i s s o n , an d b o th Sm i th an d Pearce t o l d t hei r fam i l i es an d

fri en ds t h e n ews

. Pearce leas ed a t o wn ho u se in San d y Sp ri n g s , an d Sm i t h an d T. C.

F. m ov ed i n w i t h h i m i n w h at Sm i t h d es cri b ed a s an effo rt t o h av e “ a n i ce, h ap p y ,

n o rm al fam i l y

. ” Pearce as si s t ed wi t h ch i l d care an d p ai d t h e re n t

, u t i l i t i es , an d fo o d

ex p en s es , as wel l as h al f o f T. C. F.’ s p res ch o o l t u i t i o n

.

Sm i t h an d Fah ey ’ s di v o rce b ecam e fi n al i n March 2 0 12

. Du ri ng t h e co u rs e o f

t h e pro ceed i n g s , Fah ey h ad t ak en a p a t e r n i t y t es t t h at ru l ed h im ou t as T. C. F.’ s

b i o l o g i cal fat h er. Acco rd i ng l y , t h e Fl o ri d a ci rcu i t co u rt ’ s d i v o rce ju d g m en t p ro v i d ed

as fo l l ows :

Th ere was o n e ch i l d b o rn d uri n g t he m arri ag e, [T. C. F.]

, b o rn
Sep t em b er 1 0

, 20 10

, ag e 1 y ear. G en et i c tes t in g h as rev eal e d t h a t th e

Hu s b an d i s n o t t h e b i o l o g i cal fat h er o f t he m in o r ch i l d

. Th e W ife s t at es

t h at J oh n Pi erce [s i c] i s t h e b i ol o g i cal fat h er o f t h e m i n o r ch i ld

. By

s t ip u l at i o n o f th e p art i es , t h e Hu s b an d

, C o l e D. Fah ey , s h al l h av e n o

p aren t al ri g h t s o r res p o n s i b i li t i es reg ard in g t h e m i n o r ch i l d

, [T. C. F.]

.

3Sm i t h cl ai m s t hat h er rel at i o n s h i p wi t h Pearce b eg an d et eri o rat i n g i n M arch

2 0 1 2 an d t h at he rap ed h er i n Ju n e 2 0 1 2

, b u t s he d i d n o t rep o rt t h e al l eg ed rap e t o t h e

p o l i ce o r an y o n e el se. Aft erward

, Sm i t h co n t in u ed t o l i v e wi t h Pearce, tex t ed h i m t h at

s h e l ov ed h i m , an d p ro ceed ed wi t h a p rev i o u s ly -b oo k ed cru i s e s h e h a d b o u g h t fo r

Pearce as a Fat her’ s Day p res en t

. Sh e an d Pearce d i s cu s s ed h i m l eg it i m at in g T. C. F.,

an d al t ho u gh Sm i t h c l a i m e d t o s u p po rt th at p ro ces s, s h e d i d n o t co o p erat e wi th

co m p l et i n g t h e n eces s ary

p ap erwo rk

.

Sm i t h b eg an seei n g Fah ey a g a i n s urrep t i t i o u sl y

. In Oct o b er 2 0 1 2, s h e t o ld

Pearce s h e was s p en d i n g th e week en d w i t h co l l eg e fri en d s, b u t i n s t ead s h e t rav el ed

t o M is s i s s i p pi t o at t en d a m i l i t ary b al l w i t h F a h e y. Pearce cared fo r T. C. F. wh i l e

Sm it h was away

. Sm i t h al l eg es t h at wh en s h e ret u rn ed fro m th e t ri p , T. C. F. t o l d h er,

“ Dad a k i ss m

y p ee-p ee.” Sm i t h cl ai m s th at s he i m m ed i at el y co n fro nt ed Pearce, wh o

fai l ed t o al l ay h er co n cer n s

. P e a rce d en i es t h at t he i n ci d en t o ccu rred o r t h at Sm i th

co n fro n ted h i m ab ou t i t. Sm i t h d i d n o t rep o rt T

. C. F.’ s al l eg ed s t at e m e n t t o t h e

p o l i ce, Geo rg i a’ s Dep art m en t o f Fam i l y an d Ch i l d ren Serv i ces (“ DFCS”), or an y o n e

el s e u n ti l ei g h t m o nt hs l a t e r

. Aft er t h e al l eg ed t o u ch i n g , s h e co n t in u ed t o l i v e wi th

Pearce an d t o l eav e T. C. F. al o n e wi t h h i m

.

4In No v em be r 2012, Pearce h i red a l awy er an d fi l ed t h i s p et i t i on fo r l eg i t i m at i o n

an d cu s to d y

. L at er t hat m o n t h

, h e m ov ed ou t o f t h e t o wn h ou s e becau s e h e h ad

l earn ed th at Sm i t h w as s eei n g Fah ey ag ai n an d h e an d Sm i t h were no t g et t i ng al o n g

wel l

. Pearce m o v ed i nt o a h o u se n earb y an d s et u p o n e o f t h e b ed ro o m s fo r T. C. F.

Sm it h t o l d Pearce t h at s h e wo u l d g et an ap art m en t i n At l an t a, an d t h e t wo ag reed to

s ep arat e o n g o o d t erm s an d s h are p aren t i n g ti m e. A t o ne p o i n t, Sm i t h t ex t ed Pearce,

“ [I] t ’ s i m p o rt an t fo r y o u t o b e i n [T. C. F.’ s ] l i fe reg u larl y .” Bu t in e a r l y Decem b er

2 0 1 2

, aft er Sm i t h l earn ed t hat Pearce h ad h ir e d a l a w yer, s h e em ai l ed h i m t h at h e

co u ld h av e n o co n t act w i t h h er o r T. C. F. u n t i l s h e, t o o, had ret ai n ed co u n s el

. Th en ,

u n b ek n o wn s t t o Pearce, Sm i t h wi t h d rew T

. C. F. fro m p res ch o o l

, q u i t h er jo b

, l eft

At l an t a, an d m ov ed b ack t o h er m o t h er’ s h o u s e wi t h T. C. F. Fo ur week s l at er

– ag ai n

wi t h o u t t el l i n g Pearce – Sm i t h rem arri ed Fah ey

.

Fo r t h e n ex t 1 8 m on t h s , Pearce d i d n ot k n o w wh ere Sm i t h an d T. C. F. were.

He s en t h er m

ul ti p l e em ai l an d t ex t m es sag es as k i n g ab o u t T. C. F., b u t s h e d i d n ot

res p o n d

. He cal l ed t h e p o l i ce an d DFCS, t o n o av ai l

. Th e s h eri ff’ s d ep art m en t was

u n ab le t o serv e Sm i t h wi t h t h e s u m m o n s an d co m

p lai n t

, s o Pearce hi red p ri v at e

i n v es t i g at o rs an d sp eci al p ro ces s s erv ers , wh o al s o w ere un ab l e t o fi n d Sm it h an d T.

C. F. Sm i t h en t ered a l i m i t e d a p p earan ce i n t h is cas e an d m o v ed t o d i sm i s s t h e

5p et i t i o n , b u t th e s u peri o r co u rt d en i ed h er m o t i o n , f i n d i n g t hat s h e had p u rp o s el y

ev ad ed serv i ce, an d au t h o ri zed Pearce to s erv e h er b y p u b l i cat i o n

. Sm i t h ap p eal ed

t h at ru l i n g t o th i s Co u rt

, b ut we d i s m i s s ed t h e ap p e al as p rem at u re. See S mi t h v.

P e a r c e , C as e No

. A 1 4A0 2 9 8

, d eci d ed Au g u s t 7, 2 0 1 4

. Sm i th l at er fi l ed an o t h er

m o ti o n t o d i s m i s s i n t h e s u peri o r c o u r t

, th i s t i m e arg ui n g l ack o f s u b ject m at t er

ju ri s d i ct i o n , b u t t h e co u rt al s o d en i ed t h at m o t i o n

.

In Ap ri l 2 0 13

, Sm i th

, Fah ey , a n d T

. C

. F

. m o ved to Fl o ri d a fo r Fah ey ’ s jo b.

Th at J u l y , Sm i t h rep o rt ed T. C. F.’ s al l eg ed No v em b er 20 1 2 m ol es t at i o n o u t cry t o a

fam i l y t h erap i s t

, wh o fo u n d n o t h i n g t o s u b s t an t i at e t he m ol es t at i on al l eg at i o n s

.

No n et h el es s , as a m an dat o ry rep o rt er, t h e t h erap i s t co n t act ed Fl o ri da’ s Ch i ld

Pro t ect i ve Serv i ces , wh i ch i nv es t i g at ed b u t fo u n d n o i nd i cat i o n t hat T. C. F. had b een

m o les t ed

. Th e Fl o ri da ag en cy al s o co n tact ed DFCS, wh i ch ap p aren t l y co n d u ct ed i t s

o wn i nv es t i g at io n an d l ik ewi s e fo u n d n o ev i d en ce o f m o l es t at i o n

.

In J an u ary 2 0 1 4

, Pearce m arri ed a wo m an wi t h a y o un g d au g h t er, wh o m Pearce

h as s i n ce ad o p t ed

. Th e fam il y l i v e s i n a co m fo rt ab l e h om e, an d Pearce h as a s t ab l e

jo b . Bo th Pearce an d h is wi fe wan t T. C. F. t o jo i n t h ei r fam i l y

.

Beg i n n in g i n Feb ru ary 2 0 1 4

, t h e cas e p ro ceed ed t o a b en ch t ri al t hat s p an n ed

fo u r d ay s o v er a s ev en -m o n t h p e r i o d

. D u r i n g t h e t ri al

, t h e s u p eri o r co u rt en t ered

6i n t eri m o rd ers p erm i t t i n g Pearce t o hav e co n t act wi t h T

. C. F. fo r t h e fi rs t t i m e i n 1 8

m o nt h s

. P e a r c e b eg an co m m u n i cat i n g reg u l arl y wi t h t he b o y t h ro u g h Sk y p e an d

Facet i m e, an d h e t rav el ed sev eral t im es t o Vi rg i ni a, wh ere Sm i th an d Fah ey n o w l i ve,

fo r v i s it at i o n , wh i ch i n i ti al l y was s u p erv i s e d at Sm i th ’ s d em an d an d Pearce’ s

ex p en s e. Du ri n g t h ei r f

i r s t Facet i m e i n teract i o n , al t h o u g h T. C. F. i m m ed i at el y

reco g n ized Pearc e a n d s eem ed h ap py t o s peak wi t h h i m , T. C. F. rep eat ed l y t o ld

Pearce, “ Yo u’ re s h it ”; i n a l a t er v i s i t

, he cal l ed Pearce s t u p id

. In ad d it i on , Pearce

t es t i fi ed th at Sm i t h an d Fah ey t ri ed t o u n d e rm i n e h i s rel at i o n s h i p w i th T

. C. F. by

cu t t i n g co m

m u n i cat i o n s s ho rt

, s en d i n g h i m t o pl an n ed v i s it s ex hau s t ed an d h u n g ry ,

t el l i n g h i m t h at Pearce or t h e po l i ce wo u l d t ak e h i m away fro m Sm i th an d Fah ey , an d

fo rb i dd i n g h i m

fro m h ug g i n g M rs . Pearce.

In Ap ri l 2 0 1 4, b efo re h i s fi rs t i n -p ers o n v i s i t s wi t h T. C. F., Pearce s u b m i t t ed

t o co u rt -o rd ered p s y ch o lo g i cal an d p syc h o s ex u al ev al u at i o n s. 1 Aft er m u l t i p l e day s

o f i n t erv iews an d t es t i n g , p ai d fo r l arg el y by Pearce, th e p s y ch o s ex u a l e v a l u a t o r

co n cl u d ed t h at t h ere was n o ev i d en ce t h at Pearce was s ex u al l y i n t eres ted i n ch i l d ren

1 Earl i er, Sm i t h h ad m o v ed fo r a co u rt o rd er co m p el l i ng Pearce to s u b m i t t o a

p s y ch o sex u al ev al u at i o n , b u t t h e co urt d en i ed h er m ot i o n wi t h o u t p re j u d i c e

. Sm i th

l at er fi l ed an am en d ed m o t io n fo r an ev al u at io n, t o w h i c h Pearce co n s en ted s o t h at
h e co ul d s ee T. C. F.

7o r h ad m o l es t ed T. C. F. 2 Th e p s y ch o l o g i st d es cri bed Pearce as a “ wel l -fu n ct i o n i n g

i n d i v i d u al ” wi t h n o cl i n i cal d i s o rd ers an d “ m an y ch aract er i s t i cs th at are l i k el y to

p ro d uce p o s i t i v e p aren t i n g i n cl u d i n g h i s i n t el l ect , h i s ab i l i ty t o earn an i n co m e an d

p ro v id e s t ab i l i t y , h is o bv i o u s co n cern an d cari n g fo r h i s s o n , an d h i s d es ire t o b e a

p aren t .” Des p i t e t h e s e rep o rt s , h o wev er, Sm i t h t es t i fi ed t hat s he st il l h as co n cern s

ab o ut T. C. F. b ei n g al o ne w i t h Pearce. Sh e ap p aren tl y h as en l is t ed o t her cri m i n al an d

s o ci al s erv i ces ag en ci es t o u nd ert ak e fu rt h er i n v es t i g at i o n, an d s h e p l an s to t ak e T.

C. F. t o a h o s p i t al t h at s p eci al i zes i n t es t i n g fo r s ex u al ab u s e i n y o un g ch i l d ren

.

Fo l l owi n g t h e b en ch t ri al , t h e s u p eri o r co u rt en tered an o rd er d ecl ari n g T. C.

F. t o b e Pearce’ s leg i t i m at e ch i l d

, o rd eri ng h is s u rn am e t o b e ch an g ed t o Pearce, an d

award i n g Sm i t h an d Pearce jo i n t l eg al cu st od y o f th e b o y , wi th Pearce hav in g p ri m ary

p h y s i cal cu s t o d y

. T h e c o u r t f o u n d t h at Pearce was a l o v in g fat h er wh o ap p eared

“ s i n cerel y h un g ry fo r t h e co m p an y o f hi s ch i l d an d fo r a ch an ce t o b o n d i n a n o rm al

fas h i on wi t h h i m ” an d wh o al s o wo u l d “ fo st er a l o v i n g rel at i o ns h ip bet ween [T. C.

F.] an d t h e M o t h er.” Th e co u rt s t o p p ed s h o rt o f d ecl ari n g t h at Sm i t h h ad fab ri cat ed

t h e rap e an d m o l es t at i o n al l eg at i o n s , b u t f o u n d h er “ t wo y ear cru sad e” ab o u t t h e

2 T h e ev al u at o r n o ted th at Sm i t h ’ s del ay i n rep o rt i n g t h e al l e g e d “ p e e pee”

i n ci d en t was s u sp i ci o u s becau s e “ [a] fi t m o t h er h as t o re p o r t t h at k i n d o f

i n fo rm at i o n .”

8al l eg ed m o l es tat i o n t o b e “ d i st u rb i n g .” Th e co u rt f u r t h er fo u nd t h at Sm i t h h ad

es s en t i al l y u s ed Pearce wh en it was co nv en i en t fo r h er, t h en p u sh ed h im away wi th

a “ l ack o f ap p reci at io n fo r th e s eri o u s n es s of t h i s m at t er an d th e am o u n t o f p ai n s h e

h ad cau sed [h i m ]

. ” Fi n al l y , t h e c o u rt wo rri ed t h at i f Sm i t h rem ai ned t he p ri m ary

cu s t o d i al p aren t

, Pearce “ wi l l n ev er b e al l o wed t o b o n d wi t h an d p aren t t h e ch i l d wi th

al l h e h as t o gi ve an d t h e ch i l d wi l l s uffer t rem en d ou s ly fro m s uch a l o s s .” L at er, t h e

co u rt en tered a sep a r a t e o r d e r award in g Pearce $ 6 8,5 0 0 i n at t o rn ey fees

, p l u s

ex p en s es , 3 u n d er OCGA § 9 -1 5 -1 4

. Th e co u rt ru l ed th at Sm it h h ad en g ag ed i n v ari ou s

act i on s fo r d el ay an d h aras s m en t an d h ad u n n eces s ari l y p ro l o n g ed an d ex p an d ed t h e

l i ti g at i o n

.

Sm i t h fi l ed a m o t io n t o set as i d e t h e l eg it i m at io n an d cu s t o d y o rd er, arg u i n g

t h at al th o u g h l eg i t i m i zi n g T. C. F. as Pearce’ s ch i l d was “ t he ri gh t t h in g t o d o ,” t h e

ev i d en ce d i d n o t s u p p o rt th e co u rt ’ s cu s to dy ru l i n g

. Sh e al s o fi led a m o ti o n fo r n ew

t ri al

, arg u i ng t h at t h e co u rt fai l ed t o co n s i d er t h e “ b es t i n t eres t ” fact o rs u n d er OCGA

§ 9 -9 -3 (a) (3 ) i n i s s u in g i t s cu st o d y award

. T h e su p eri o r co u rt d en i ed b o t h m o t i o n s ,

3 T h es e ex pen s es i n cl u d ed rei m b u rs em en t fo r t h e v i s i tat i o n supe r vision, spe c i a l

p ro ces s s erv ers an d pri v at e i n v es t ig at o r s , an d ps y ch ol o g i cal an d p s y ch o s ex u al

ev al u at i on s

.

9an d i n Cas e No

. A1 5 A 1 5 4 1

, Sm i t h ap peal s t h e co u rt ’ s l eg it i m at io n , cu s to d y , an d fee

o rd er, as wel l as i t s p ri o r o rd ers d en y i n g h er m o t io n s t o d i s m i s s

.

W h en Sm i t h fai l ed t o p ay t h e o rd ered at to rn ey

fees , Pearce fi l ed a p et i t i o n to

c i t e h er fo r co n tem

pt

. Fo l l o wi ng a h eari n g , t he s u peri o r co u rt g ran ted th e p et i t i o n ,

d i rect i n g Sm i t h t o m ak e p ay m en t s at sp eci fi ed i n t erv al s o r face in carcerat i o n

. In Cas e

No . A1 6 A0 0 6 1, Sm i t h ap p eal s t h e co n t em p t o rd er. 4

Ca s e No . A1 5A1 5 4 1.

1

. Sm i t h arg u es t h at t h e su p eri o r co u rt erred b y d en y i n g h er m o t i o n t o d i s m i ss

fo r l ack of s u b

ject m at t er ju ri s di ct i o n

. Sh e m ai n t ai n s t h at l eg i t im at i n g T

. C. F. fi rs t

req u i res t erm i n at i ng Fah ey ’ s paren t al ri gh t s

– s o m et h i ng o n l y a ju ven i l e co u rt can d o.

W e d i s ag ree.

W h i l e s u p eri o r c o u rt s h av e s u b ject m at t er ju ri sd i ct i o n o v er l eg i t i m at i o n

p et i t i o n s , s ee Al l i

f i v. R a i d er , 3 2 3 G a

. A p p

. 51 0

, 5 1 1 (1 ) (7 4 6 SE2 d 7 63 ) (2 0 1 3 ),

ju v en i l e co u rt s h av e ex cl u s i v e ju ri s d ict i on o ver t erm i nat i o n o f p aren t al ri g h t s , ex cep t

i n ad o p t i o n cas es

. See OCGA § 1 5 -1 1-1 0 (3 ) (D). In Br i n e v. S h ip p , 2 9 1 Ga. 3 7 6 (7 2 9

SE2 d 3 9 3 ) (2 0 12 ), o u r Su p rem e Co u rt n ot ed t h at “ t h e b i o l o g ical fat h er’ s p et i t i o n to

4 Sm i t h fi l ed an ap p l i cat i o n fo r di s cret i on ary ap p eal

, wh i ch we g ran t ed

. See

Cas e No . A1 50 4 5 3

, d eci d ed J u l y 7 , 2 0 1 5.

10l eg i t i m at e a ch il d wh o was b orn i n wed l ock i s i n es s en ce a p et i t i o n t o t erm i n at e t h e

p aren t al ri g h t s o f t he l eg al fat h er.” Id

. at 37 9 (3 ). Acco rd i n g l y , th e co u rt h el d t h at

“ [w] h en a b i o l og i cal fat h er’ s p et i t i o n t o l eg i ti m at e a ch i l d bo rn i n wed l ock can o n l y

b e g ran t ed b y fi rs t t erm i n at i ng t h e l eg al fat her’ s p aren t al ri g h t s , . . . t h e s u p eri o r co u rt

d o es n o t h av e ju ri s d i ct i o n o v er t h e t erm i n at i o n d eci s i o n .” Id

. at 3 8 0 (3 ). Sm i th arg u es

t h at Br i n e co n t ro l s an d req u i r e s r ev ers al o f t h e s u peri o r co u rt ’ s l eg it im at i o n an d

cu s t o d y ru l i n g

.

Bu t as Pearce p o i nt s o u t, T. C. F. had n o l eg al fat h er wh en t h is leg i t i m at i o n an d

cu s t o d y act i o n was fi l ed . A “ l eg al fat h er” i s a m an wh o

[w] as m arri ed to t h e b i o lo g i cal m o th er of [a] ch i l d at t he t i m e t h e ch i l d

w a s c o n c ei v ed o r was b o rn , u n l es s s uch p at ern it y was d i s p ro v ed b y a

fi nal o rd er p u rs u an t t o Art i cl e 3 o f Ch ap t er 7 o f t h i s ti t le; 5

. . . a n d wh o

h a s n o t s u r r en d er ed or h ad t erm i n at ed h i s ri g h ts t o h i s ch i l d

.

(Em p h as i s s u p p li ed .) OCGA § 1 9 -7 -2 1 .1 (a) (2 ) (B); s ee al so Ba ker v. La n kf o r d

, 3 0 6

Ga. Ap p

. 3 27

, 32 9 (1 ) (7 0 2 SE2 d 6 6 6 ) (2 0 1 0 ). In t h e ju d g m en t fi n al i zi n g Sm i t h an d

Fah ey ’ s d i v o rce, wh i ch was en t ered ei g h t m o n th s b efo re Pearce fi l ed t h is laws u i t

, t h e

Fl o ri da co u rt o rd ered t hat

, b y s t i p u l at io n o f t h e p art i es , Fah ey h ad “ n o paren t al ri g h t s

5 OCGA § § 1 9 -7 -4 0 et s eq

. co n cern p ro ce e d i n g s fo r t h e det erm i n at i o n o f

p at ern i t y

.

11o r res p o n s i b i l i t i es ” reg ar d i n g T. C. F. In l i gh t o f t h i s s t i p u l at i o n t o t h e s u rren d er o f

h i s p aren t al ri g h t s , Fah ey w as n o l o n g er T

. C. F.’ s l eg al fat h er, an d h e t h erefo re h ad

n o p aren t al ri g h t s fo r t h e s up eri o r co u rt t o t erm i nat e i n t h i s act i o n

. 6 Acco rd i n g l y ,

Br i n e d o es n o t ap p l y h ere , a n d t h e s u p eri o r co u rt di d n o t ex ceed it s s u b ject m at t er

ju ri s d i ct i o n b y

l eg i t i m at in g T. C. F. 7

2

. Sm i th co n ten d s t h at t he s up eri o r co urt sh o ul d h av e g r a n t ed h er m o t i o n to

d i s m i s s fo r i ns u f

f i ci en t s erv ice o f p ro ces s

. Fi rs t, s he as s ert s t h at s erv i ce by

p u b l i cat i on was n o t au t h ori zed becau s e t h ere was n o co m p et en t ev i d en ce t h at s h e h ad

ev ad ed p ers o n al s erv i ce. Th e reco rd

, h o wev er, i s rep let e wi t h ev i d en ce o f ev as i o n an d

co n ceal m en t: Sm i t h l eft t o wn ab ru p t l y wi t h o u t t el l i n g Pearce wh ere s h e an d T. C. F.

were g o i n g an d i g no red hi s rep eat ed em ai ls an d t ex t m es s ag es as ki n g wh ere s h e an d

t h e b oy were, an d n ei t h er th e sh eri f f ’s d ep art m en t n o r an y o f t h e m u l t i p l e

6 In d eed

, t he su p eri o r co u rt d id n o t p urp o rt t o t erm i n at e Fah ey ’ s p aren tal ri g ht s

. Co m p are Br i n e , s up ra (rev ers i n g s u p eri o r co u rt o rd er th at n o t o n l y g ran t ed bi o l o g i cal

f a t h er’ s l eg i t im at i o n p et i t i o n , bu t al s o ex pl i ci t l y t erm i n at ed l eg al fat h er’ s p are n t a l

ri gh t s); Ch an d l er v. Ro hn er , 3 2 3 Ga. A p p

. 7 1 3 (7 4 7 SE2 d 8 70 ) (2 0 13 ) (s u p eri o r co u rt

co u ld n o t t ak e “ ad d it i o n al s tep o f t erm i n at i n g [b i o lo g i cal fat h er’ s ] p aren t al ri g h t s ” in

o rd er d en y i n g h i s l eg i t i m at i o n p et it i o n ).

7 An d b ecau s e a leg i t i m at i o n p et i t io n m ay i n cl ud e cu s t o d y cl ai m s , O CGA § 1 9

- 7 -2 2 (f.1 ), t h e s u p eri o r co u rt al s o h ad s u b j ect m at t er j u ri s d i ct i o n t o award cu s t o d y o f

T. C. F. t o Pearce.

12i n v es t i g at o rs t hat Pearce h i red w ere ab l e t o l o cat e t h em

. In l i g h t o f th i s ev i d en ce, t h e

s u p eri o r co u rt was au t h o ri zed t o al l o w serv i ce b y pu b li cat i on

. See H u t c h es o n v.

El i z a b et h Br en n a n An ti q u es & In t er i o r s , 31 7 Ga. Ap p

. 1 2 3

, 1 2 6 -1 2 7 (1 ) (7 3 0 SE2 d

5 1 4 ) (2 0 1 2 ) (t ri al co u rt d i d n o t e r r i n o r d eri n g s erv i ce by p u b l i cat i o n b as ed o n

ev i d en ce t h at d efen d an t was ev ad i n g p ers on al s erv i ce).

Sm i t h al s o co nt en d s t h a t

, as su m i n g s erv i ce b y p u b l i cat i o n was perm i s s i b l e,

Pearce fai l ed t o effect i t pro perl y

. “ Serv i ce m u st b e p ro p erl y p u bl i s h ed as s et fo rt h in

OCGA § 9 -1 1 -4 (f) (1 ) (C).” R a g a n v. Ma l l o w , 3 1 9 Ga. Ap p

. 44 3

, 4 4 6 (2 ) (7 4 4 SE2 d

3 3 7 ) (2 0 1 2 ). Th at s t at u t e p ro v id es i n rel ev an t p art :

W h en t h e co u rt o rd ers s erv i ce b y p ub l i cat i o n, t h e cl erk s h al l cau s e th e

p u b l i cat i o n t o be m ad e in t h e p ap er i n wh i ch s h eri ff’ s ad v ert is em en t s are

p ri n ted

, fo u r t i m es wi t h i n t h e en s u i ng 60 d ay s , p u b li cat i o n s t o b e at l eas t

s ev en d ay s a p a rt

. Th e p art y o b t ai ni n g t h e o rd er s hal l

, at th e t i m e o f

fi li n g , dep o s i t t h e co s t of p u b l i cat io n

. Th e p u b li s hed no t i ce s h al l co n t ai n

t h e n am e o f t h e p a r t i es p l ai n t i ff an d d efen d an t

, wi th a cap ti o n s et t i n g

fo rt h t h e co u rt

, t h e ch aract er of t h e act i on , t h e d at e t h e act i on was fi l ed

,

t h e d at e o f t h e o rd er fo r s erv i ce b y pu b l i cat i o n , an d a n o t i ce d i rect ed an d

ad d res s ed to t he p art y t o b e t h u s s erv ed

, co m m an d in g hi m o r h er t o fi l e

wi t h t he cl erk an d s erv e u p o n th e p l ai n t i ff’ s at t o rn ey an an s wer wi t h i n

6 0 d ay s of t h e d at e o f t h e o rd er fo r s erv ice by pu b l i cat i on an d sh al l b ear

t es t e i n t h e n am e o f t he ju d g e an d s h al l be s i g n ed b y t h e cl erk o f th e

co u rt

.

13OCGA § 9 -1 1 -4 (f) (1 ) (C). Sm i t h m ai n t ai n s t h at Pearce fai led t o fo l l o w t h i s s t at u t e

ex act l y b ecau s e, acco rd in g t o h i s lawy er’ s cert i fi cat e o f co m p l i an ce, t h e l awy er

–

rat h er t han t h e cl erk o f t h e s u p eri o r co u rt

– m ai l ed t h e p u b l i cat i o n n o t i ce t o t h e Fu l t o n

Co u n t y Dai l y

Rep o rt

.

Sm i t h rel i es u p on Ja h a n b i n v. Ra fi ei s ha d

, 29 2 Ga. 8 0 6 (7 4 1 SE2 d 6 48 ) (2 0 1 3 ),

i n wh i ch t h e Su p rem e Co u rt ru l ed t h at a p l ai n t i ff fai l ed t o co m p ly wi t h t h e st at u t o ry

req u i rem en t s fo r s erv i n g a p ers o n i n a fo rei g n co u nt ry b ecau s e t h e p l ai nt i ff, i n s t ead

o f t he cl erk o f co u rt

, co m p l et ed th e reg i s ter e d m ai l recei p t an d acco m p l i s h ed t h e

m ai l i n g t o t h e defen d an t i n Iran

. See OCGA § 9-1 1 -4 (f) (3 ) (B) (i i i) (II) (p ro v i d i n g

fo r s erv i ce u po n a p ers on i n a fo rei g n co u nt ry by “ [a] n y fo rm o f m ai l req u i ri n g a

s i gn ed recei p t

, t o b e ad d res s ed an d d i s p at ch ed b y th e cl erk o f t he co u rt t o t h e p art y

t o b e s erv ed ”). Th e co urt h el d t h at

t h e p l ai n lan g u ag e o f t h i s p ro v i s i o n req u i res t h e cl erk o f co u rt t o b e th e

p ers on wh o ad d res s es an d d i s p at ch es t h e m ai l co n t ai n i n g t h e s u m m o ns ,

t h u s en s u ri n g t h at an o ffi cer o f t h e co u rt d i s in t eres ted i n t h e p ro ceed i n g s

i s ab l e t o v eri fy b o t h t h e co n t en t s of th e m ai l i ng an d th e ad d res s t o

wh i ch i t i s s en t.

14Ja h an b i n , 2 9 2 Ga. at 8 07 (1 ). Sm i t h arg ues t hat Ja h a n b i n p ro h ib i t s an at t o rn ey fro m

d o i n g t h e cl erk ’ s jo b of m ai l in g o u t a p ub l i c a t i o n n o t i ce. W e d i s ag ree wi t h t h i s

an al y s i s.

Un l i ke t h e s t at u t o ry pro v i s i o n fo r s erv i ce u p o n a pers o n i n a fo rei gn co u n t ry ,

t h e p ro v i si o n fo r s erv i ce by p u b l i cat i o n p ro v i d es o nl y t h at t h e cl erk m u s t “ cau s e t h e

p u b l i cat i on t o b e m ad e”; i t n ei t her s p eci fi es t h e m an n er in wh i ch t he cl erk m u s t cau s e

t h e p u bl i cat i o n t o b e m ad e n or req u i res t h e cl erk t o acco m p l i sh t h e t as k p ers o n al l y

.

See OCGA § 9 -1 1 -4 (f) (1 ) (C). In an y ev en t

, th e rat i o n al e fo r Ja h a n b i n ’ s h o l d i n g

–

t h e n eed fo r a d is i n t eres t ed p art y t o v eri fy a reg i s t ered m ai l i n g to a fo rei g n co u n t ry

– i s n o t p res en t h ere, wh ere p u b l i cat i o n i n a read il y -acces s i b l e d om es t i c n ews p ap er

m ay b e eas i ly s u b s t an ti at ed

. Sm i t h ’ s ch al l en g es t o th e s u f f i c i e n c y o f serv i ce are

wi t h o u t m eri t

.

3

. Sm i t h m ai nt ai n s t h at t h e s u p eri o r co u rt erred b y d en y i n g her m o t io n t o s et

as i d e t h e ju d g m en t “ [f] o r al l o f t h e reas o n s p ro v i d ed ” i n t he m o t i o n

. In t h e m o t i o n,

Sm it h arg u ed th at t h e fact u al fi n d in g s i n t h e co urt ’ s l eg it i m at i o n an d cu s to d y o rd er

were “ bas ed o n fi ct i o n ” an d “ fai l [ed ] t o p o rt ray t h e act u al ev i den ce i n t hi s cas e.” Th i s

was a b i t t er, p ro t ract ed cu s to d y b at t le i n w h i ch t h e p art ies p res en t ed s h arp l y di v erg en t

acco u n t s o f th e ev en t s

. “ W e are m i n d fu l t h at t h e So l o m o n i c t as k of m ak i n g cu s t o dy

15d eci s i o n s l i es s qu arel y u p o n th e s ho u l d ers o f t h e ju d g e wh o can s ee an d h ear t h e

p art i es an d t h ei r wi t n es s es , o b s erv e t h ei r d em ean or an d at t i t u d e s , an d as s es s t h ei r

cred i b i l i t y .” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i tt ed

. ) Ba n k s t o n v. W a r b i n g t on , 3 3 2 Ga.

Ap p

. 2 9

, 3 0 (7 7 1 SE2 d 7 2 6) (2 0 1 5 ). W e wi l l n ot d i s t u rb th e s up eri o r co urt ’ s ex erci s e

o f d i s cret i o n i f t h ere i s an y ev id en ce t o s u p po rt i t s d eci s i o n

. Ar t h u r v. Ar th u r , 2 9 3 Ga.

6 3

, 6 4 (1 ) (7 4 3 SE2 d 4 20 ) (2 0 1 3 ); Ki n g v. Ki ng , 2 8 4 G a. 3 6 4

, 3 65 (6 6 7 SE2 d 3 0 )

(2 0 0 8). O u r rev i ew o f t h e reco rd

, s u m m ari zed ab o v e, s h ows t h at t h e co u rt ’ s ru l i n g in

t h i s cas e was su p po rt ed b y ev i d en ce i n t h e re c o r d

. T h u s , t h e co u rt d i d n o t err by

d en y i n g Sm i t h ’ s m o t i o n t o s et as i d e.

4 . Sm it h arg u es t h at t h e s u p eri o r co urt erred b y fai li n g t o co n s i d er al l fact o rs

rel ev an t t o cu s t o dy deci si o n s un d er OCGA § 1 9-9 -3 (a) (3 ). Th at s t at u t e p ro vi d es t h at

“ [i ] n d et erm i ni n g t h e b es t i n t eres t s o f t h e ch i l d

, t h e ju d g e m ay co n s i d er an y rel ev an t

f act o r, i ncl u d i n g b u t n o t l i m it ed t o ” a l i s t o f 1 7 s u ch fact o rs

. By t h e p lai n l an g u a g e

o f t h e s t at u t e, t h e l i s t i s s u g g es t iv e o n l y , an d t h e s up eri o r co u rt n eed n o t m ech an i cal l y

an al y ze ev ery en u m erat ed fact o r, reg ard l es s o f i t s rel ev an ce. See B a n ks t o n , s u p ra at

3 3 (1 ). Th e l eg i t i m at i o n an d cu s t o d y o rd er sh o w s t h at t h e co u r t c o n si d ered a b ro ad

r a n g e o f fact o rs , i n cl u d i n g Pearce’ s lo v e fo r T. C. F., fi n an ci al an d res i d en t i al

s t ab i li t y , an d co m

m i tm en t t o hi s fam i l y ; t h e s t ro n g b o n d bet ween Pearce an d T. C. F.;

16an d Sm it h ’ s rel at i o n al an d res i den t i al i n s t ab i l it y , rel en t l es s an d u n p ro v en al l eg at i on s

o f rap e an d m o l es t at i on , an d wi t h h o l d i n g o f T. C. F. fro m Pearce. Acco rd i n g l y , t h i s

en u m erat i o n o f erro r i s wi t ho u t m eri t

.

5 . Fi n al ly , Sm i t h co n t en d s t h at Pearce was n o t en t i t l ed t o at t o rn ey fees u n d er

OCGA § 9 -1 5 -1 4, an d th at ev en i f he was , t h e am o u nt award ed was n o t rel at ed t o an y

s an ct i o n ab l e co n d u ct

. Al t h ou gh we fi n d no ab u s e of d i s cret i o n i n t h e s u p eri or co urt ’ s

d et erm i n at i o n th at a fee award was ju s ti fi ed

, we ag ree t h at t he award m u s t b e p ro p erl y

ap p ort i o n ed

.

(a) Un d er OCGA § 9 -1 5 -1 4 (b ), t h e t ri al co u rt m ay award

reas o n ab l e an d neces s ary at t o rn ey fees u p o n a fi n d i n g t h at an act i o n o r

an y p art t h ereo f l ack ed s u b s t an t i al j u s t i fi cat io n , was i nterp o s ed fo r d el ay

o r h aras s m en t

, o r an at t o rn ey o r p art y un n eces s ari ly e x pan d ed th e

p ro ceed i n g b y ot h er i m

p ro p er co n d u ct

. Th e dam ag es au t h o ri zed b y § 9

-

1 5 -1 4 are i n t en d ed n o t m erel y t o p u n is h o r d et er l i t i g a t i o n ab us es b u t

al s o t o reco m

p en s e l i ti g an t s wh o are fo rced t o ex p en d th ei r res ou rces i n

co n t en d i n g wi t h ab us i ve l i t i g at i o n

. An award of fees u nd er O CGA § 9

-

1 5 -1 4 (b ) i s di scret i o nary an d t h e s tan d ard of rev iew is ab u s e o f

d i s cret i o n

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n c t u at i o n o m i t t ed

. ) A b t v. Ab t

, 2 8 9 Ga. 1 6 6

, 1 6 7 (7 0 9 SE2 d 8 0 6 )

(2 0 1 1).

17Th e s u p eri o r co u rt fo u n d t h at Sm i t h u n neces s ari l y p ro l o n g ed t h e pro ceed i n g s ,

ex p an d ed th e l i ti g at i o n , h aras s ed Pearce, an d i n creas ed h i s l i t i g at i o n co s t s b y (1 )

i n s i s ti n g th at Pearce s u b m i t t o a p at ern i t y t es t ev en th o u g h h e had al read y d o n e s o an d

s h e h ad s t i p u l at ed i n h er d i v o rce act i o n t h at h e was th e fat h er; (2 ) p l ay i n g “ g a m es ”

t o ev ad e s erv i ce an d fi l i n g m u l t i p l e u n s u cces s fu l m o t i o n s t o d i s m i s s bas ed u p o n l ack

o f s erv i ce; (3 ) h i d i n g T. C. F. fro m Pearce fo r 1 8 m o n t h s an d t h e n i n s i s t i n g u p o n

s u p erv i s ed v i s it at i o n ; (4 ) s eek i n g a p s y ch o l o g i cal ev al u at io n o f Pearce t wo week s

b efo re th e o ri g i n al t ri al d at e; an d (5 ) m ak i n g d u b i o u s al l eg at io n s t h at Pearce h ad

s ex u al l y m o l es t ed T. C. F. an d refu s i n g to back do wn ev en aft er ps y ch ol o g i ca l a n d

p s y ch o sex u al ev al u at i o n s , as wel l as m u lt i pl e o ffi ci al i n v es t i g at i o ns , cl eared h i m o f

s u s p i ci o n

. Ou r rev i ew o f t h e reco rd

, as s u m m ari zed ab o ve, s h o w s t h at t h ere was

am pl e e v i d e n c e t o s up p o rt t hes e fi n d i ng s

. A cco rd i n g l y , t h e s u p eri o r co u rt d i d n ot

ab u se i ts d i s cret io n b y award i n g fees t o Pearce un d er OCGA § 9 -1 5 -1 4 (b ). See Ab t

,

2 8 9 Ga

. at 1 6 7 ; Ta

yl o r v. Ta

yl o r , 2 8 2 Ga. 11 3

, 1 1 5 (3 ) (6 46 SE2 d 2 3 8 ) (2 0 0 7 )

(ev i d en ce o f h u s ban d ’ s co nd uct d u ri n g l it i g at i on ju s ti fi ed fee award fo r u n n eces s ari l y

ex p an d i ng l i ti g at i on an d h aras s i n g wi fe); W r i g h t s o n v. W ri gh t s on , 2 6 6 Ga. 4 9 3

, 4 9 6

-

4 9 7 (4 67 SE2 d 5 7 8 ) (1 9 9 6 ) (s im i l ar).

18(b ) An award o f at t o rn ey fees u n d er OCGA § 9 -1 5

- 1 4

, h o wev er, m u s t b e

l i m i ted “ t o t h o se fees i n cu rred b ecau s e o f t he s an ct i o n ab l e co n d uct .” Br ewer v. Pa u l k

,

2 9 6 Ga. A p p

. 2 6

, 3 1 (2 ) (6 73 SE2 d 5 4 5 ) (2 0 0 9 ). Pearce s o ug h t $8 6 ,0 5 0.1 7 in at t o rn ey

fees

, an d h i s m ot i o n at tach ed i t e m i z e d bi l l i n g s tat em en t s fro m hi s l awy ers

.

Ul t i m at el y , t h e s u p eri o r co u rt award ed h i m $ 68 ,5 0 0 i n a t t o r n ey fees

, b u t i t d i d n ot

i n d i cat e h o w it ap p o rt i o n ed t h i s award t o fees t h at were g en erat e d i n rel at i o n to

Sm it h ’ s s an ct i o n ab l e co n d u ct

. See Fed in a v. La r i ch ev , 3 2 2 Ga. Ap p

. 7 6

, 8 1 (5 ) (7 4 4

SE2 d 7 2 ) (2 0 1 3). M o reo ver, co u n s el ’ s b i l l s i n cl u d ed t i m e s pen t on Sm i t h ’ s ap p eal to

t h i s Co urt i n Cas e No

. A1 4 A 0 29 8

, b u t “ [a] t to rn ey fees i n cu rred i n co nn ect i o n wi th

ap p el l at e p ro ceed i n gs are n ot reco v erab l e u n d er OCGA § 9-1 5 -1 4.” Ka u t t er v.

Ka u t ter , 2 8 6 Ga. 1 6, 1 9 (4 ) (c) (6 8 5 SE2 d 2 6 6 ) (2 0 0 9 ).

Th e tri al co u rt ’ s award o f $ [6 8 ,5 0 0 ] m ay h av e b een reas o n ab l e, b u t th e

t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er, o n i ts face[,] fai ls t o s h o w t h e co m p l ex d e c i s i o n

m ak i n g p ro ces s n eces s ari l y i n v o l v ed in reach i n g a p art i c u l ar d o l l ar

fi gu re an d fai l s t o art i cu l at e wh y t h e am o u n t award ed was $[6 8 ,5 0 0 ] as

o p p o s ed t o an y ot h er am o u n t

. A c c o rd i n g l y , we m u s t v acat e t h e award

an d rem an d fo r ap p ro p ri at e fact fi n d i n g wi t h res p ect t o t he am o u n t o f

at t o rn ey fees t o b e as ses s ed

.

19(Ci t at i o n an d p u nct u at io n o m i tt ed .) Fed i n a , 3 2 2 Ga. Ap p . at 8 1 (5 ). 8

Ca s e No . A1 6A0 0 6 1.

6

. Sm i th ap p eal s t h e s u p eri o r co u rt ’ s o rd er fi nd i n g h er i n co n t em p t fo r fai l i n g

t o p ay t h e o rd ered at t o rn ey fees an d ex p en s es

. Becau s e we v acat e t h e at t o rn ey fee

award fo r t he reas o n s d is cu s s ed i n Di v i s i o n 5 (b ), we al s o v acat e t h e rel at ed co n t em pt

o rd er.

Ju d g men t i n Ca s e No

. A 1 5

A1 5 41 a ff i r med in p a r t a n d va ca t ed i n p a r t

, a n d

ca s e r ema n d

ed wi t h d i r ect i o n

. Ju dg men t i n Ca s e No

. A1 6 A0 0 6 1 va ca ted

. Ra

y a n d

McMi l l ia n

, J.J., co n cu r

.

8 W e reject Sm i t h’ s arg u m en t t h at t h e s u p eri o r co u rt im p ro p erl y award ed fees

t o Pearce’ s at t o rn ey , rat h er th an t o Pearce. Al t h ou g h t h e o rd er sp eci fi ed t h at t h e fees

were “ p ay ab l e b y

t he M o t h er t o t h e Fat h er’ s at t orn ey ,” t he award p l ai n l y was m ad e

“ t o t h e Fat h er.” “ It fo ll o w s t h at t h ere was n o erro r.” In re Si n g l e t o n , 3 2 3 G a

. Ap p. 3 9 6 , 4 0 7 (7 ) (7 4 4 SE2 d 9 12 ) (2 0 1 3 ).

20