### IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON o Cfrn In the Matter ofthe Marriage of o .7.1 ts.' No. 77583-9-1 0
- r EVE H.SNIDER, Appellant, DIVISION ONE PUBLISHED OPINION e G3

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— 2"‹ JUDAH STROUD, Respondent. FILED: December 3, 2018 

### APPELWICK, C.J. — The parenting plan for the parties' children allocates residential time equally with each parent. Anderson filed a notice of intended relocation. Stroud successfully moved to prevent Anderson from relocating with the children. Anderson argues that the trial court erred by interpreting the child relocation act' (CRA) in a manner that prevents parents that share equal residential time from having a procedural mechanism to address the intended relocation ofone parent. She also argues thatthe trial court should have made an adequate cause determination under the modification statute and that her proposed relocation is a minor modification. We affirm. FACTS On April 22,2015,the trial courtentered a final agreed parenting plan while dissolving the marriage of Eve Snider Anderson2 and Judah Stroud. Under the 1 RCW 26.09.405-.560. 2 Snider has remarried and her name has changed.No.77583-9-1/2

plan, Anderson and Stroud agreed to evenly split residential time with their two children with an "alternating 2-2-5-5 schedule"(50/50 residential schedule3). Each parent had the children every other weekend, and they transferred the children midweek every week. On July 5, 2017,Anderson filed a notice of intended relocation under the CRA,° seeking to move the children with her to Winston Salem, North Carolina. She then filed a proposed parenting plan reflecting the intended relocation. Anderson planned to move to North Carolina to live with her new husband,who has resided there for nine years. She was also offered a job there. Stroud opposed Anderson's intended relocation with the children. He filed

an objection to the notice and a proposed parenting plan, in the event Anderson
was permitted to move with the children. He also filed a motion for temporary orders to prevent Anderson from moving with the children. On August 10, 2017, a commissioner denied Anderson's request to relocate. The order stated,

The courtfinds thatthe case Illn re Marriage ofWorthlevf,198 Wn.App.419,393 P.3d 859(2017)]is persuasive in that there is no presumption in a 50/50 parenting plan and that neither parent can pursue relocation underthe CRA and supporting case law. Petitioner shall not relocate the children.

3 The parties describe their residential time with the children as "50/50." Their parenting plan also describestheir residential time as"50/50": "Parents shall evenly split visitation with the children 50/50." Accordingly,we refer to the parties' parenting plan, and other parenting plans where the children reside with neither parent a majority ofthe time,as a "50/50 residential schedule." 4 Under the CRA,"a person with whom the child resides a majority of the time"must provide notice ofthe proposed relocation. RCW 26.09.430. There is a rebuttable presumption that the relocation will be permitted. RCW 26.09.520. 2No. 77583-9-1/3

(Italics added.) Anderson then filed a motion for reconsideration of the commissioners ruling. The motion was denied. Anderson next moved to revise the commissioner's ruling. In her motion, Anderson asked the trial court to find that the CFtA applies to a 50/50 residential schedule, and that either parent to a 50/50 residential schedule may pursue relocation of the children. She argued that this court's decision in Worthley "has stripped both parents and the children of statutory remedy to address the relocation of either parent and it actually interferes with the moving parents fundamental right to travel and to parent the children." The trial court denied her motion. On March 6,2018,Anderson filed a petition to modify the parties'parenting plan to reflect her intent to relocate with the children to North Carolina. Before petitioning to modify the parties'parenting plan,Anderson appealed the trial court's orderon relocation,orderon reconsideration,and orderon revision. DISCUSSION Anderson makes three main arguments. First, she argues thatWorthley is not binding on this court. Second,she arguesthateven ifthis courtfindsWorthley persuasive, the trial court should have determined whether her proposed relocation "demonstrated adequate cause to modify the parenting plan? Third, she argues thatthe appropriate standard for analyzing a petition to modify a 50/50 residential schedule to allow relocation is the minor modification standard. Statutory interpretation is a question of law thatthis court reviews de novo. State v. Gray, 174 Wn.2d 920, 926, 280 P.3d 1110 (2012). Our fundamental

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objective in interpreting a statute is to ascertain and carry out the legislature's Intent. Smith v. Moran,VVindes & Wona,PLLC, 145Wn.App.459,463,187 P.3d 275 (2008). Where the meaning of a statute is plain on its face,we give effect to the plain meaning. Id. If a statute is ambiguous,we look to outside sources,such
as legislative history, to determine legislative intent. Id. at 463-64. We will not interpret a statute in such a way as to render any portion meaningless or that results in strained meanings or absurd consequences. Id. at464. I. Interpretation ofCRA Anderson argues that the trial court erred by interpreting the CFtA in a mannerthat prevents parentsfrom having a procedural mechanism to addressthe intended relocation of one parent. To do so, she argues first that Worthlev, a Division II decision, Is not binding on this court. One division ofthe Court ofAppeals is not bound by the decision ofanother division. In the Matter of the Pers. Restraint of Arnold, 190 Wn.2d 136, 154,410 P.3d 1133 (2018). Nor is one panel of the Court of Appeals bound by another panel,even In the same division. See.en, Grisbv v. Herzog, 190Wn.App.786, 810-11, 362 P.3d 763 (2015) (stating a holding inconsistent with a panel in the
same division). However, trial courts are bound by published decisions of the Court of Appeals. RCW 2.06.040; see also In re Pers. Restraint of Arnold, 198 Wn.App 842,846,369 P.3d 375 (2017)("Under vertical stare decisis, courts are required to follow decisions handed down by higher courts in the same jurisdiction."), rev'd on other grounds,190Wn.2d 136,410 P.3d 1133(2018). The trial court properly followed Worthley below.

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The CRA defines "relocate" as "a change in principal residence either permanently or for a protracted period of time." ROW 26.09.410(2). Under the statute,"a person with whom the child resides a majority ofthe time"must provide notice of a proposed relocation. ROW 26.09.430. The person proposing the relocation must provide his or her reasons for the intended relocation, and "R]here is a rebuttable presumption that the intended relocation of the child will be permitted." ROW 26.09.520. A person entitled to object to the relocation may rebut this presumption "by demonstrating that the detrimental effect of the relocation outweighs the benefit of the change to the child and the relocating person,"based upon eleven factors. ROW 26.09.520. In Worthlev, Division II held that the CRA does not apply to a proposed relocation thatwould modify a 50/50 residential schedule "to something other than joint and equal residential time."5 198Wn.App.at 422. It looked at the plain and ordinary meaning ofundefined terms,and defined "'principal'"as"'most important"
or "'influential,'" and 'majority'as "'a number greater than half of a total.'" it at 426-27 (quoting WEBSTER'S THIRD NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY 1802, 1363 (2002)). It reasoned that these definitions exclude 50/50 residential schedules, "because there is no 'mostimportantor influential'or'principal'residenceand there

5 Division III of this court also recently clarified that "[t]he CRA and its presumption permitting relocation apply only when the person relocating is 'a person with whom the child resides a majority of the time.'" In re Marriage of Jackson, 4Wn.App.2d 212,220,421 P.3d 477(2018)(quoting ROW 26.09.430). Relying on Worthlev, It stated that "[i]n situations where residential placement is shared, both parents are presumptively fit, and neither would be entitled to a favorable presumption." Id. at 220. 5No.77583-9-1/6

is no person with whom the child resides 'greater than half or the 'majority ofthe time.'" Id. at 427. Worthley also agreed with the argument that "it is consistent with the CRA and its statutory scheme to require a parent to prove adequate cause under the modification statute" when a proposed relocation will change a 50/50 residential schedule. Id. at 428. First, it explained that the policy section for chapter 26.09 RCW states that "the best interests of the child are served by parenting arrangements that best maintain a child's emotional growth, health, stability, and physical care." Id.at428. Second,itfound thatthe high burden ofadequate cause under the modification statute, RCW 26.09.260(1), "fulfills the policy to maintain the existing pattern of the parent -child relationship to protect the best interest of the child." Id.at429. Third,itfound thatwhen a proposed relocation would modify

a 50/50 residential schedule,the focus should be on the child's best interest. See id. at431. Fourth,itfound thatthe modification requirements protectboth parents. See id. at 432. Similar to the CRA,"nonrelocating parents have rights under the modification statute." it They can pursue sanctions or contempt if the relocating parent removes a child from their school district, can object to the relocating parent's decision byfiling a petition for modification,and can movefor a temporary order requiring the child to return. Id. at432-33. We agree with Worthlev. In a 50/50 residential schedule, neither parent is "a person with whom the child resides a majority of the time," so neither parent is entitled to the CRNs presumption permitting relocation. RCW 26.09.430. This is the plain meaning ofthe language.

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Since enactment of the Parenting Act of 1987, several policies have remained constant: RCW 26.09.002 as a policy matter favors stability for the children; RCW 26.09.187(3)(b)has allowed for substantially equal residential time with each parent under certain conditions; and RCW 26.09.260 has limited modifications of parenting plans to favor stability. See LAWS OF 1987,ch.460,§§ 2,9,19. Yet,in 2000when the CRA was enacted,the legislature chose to use the language "with whom the child resides a majority ofthe time"as the basisforwhich parents could initiate the CRA process. RCW 26.09.430. There can be no doubt the legislature made a policychoicethatparentswho entered into 50/50 residential schedules would not be eligible to use the CRA procedures. Based on its plain meaning and legislative intent, the CRA does not apply to a proposed relocation when there is a 50/50 residential schedule. II. Refusal to Find Adequate Cause to Modify Anderson argues second thateven ifthe CRA does notapply,the trial court should have determined whether her proposed relocation demonstrated adequate
cause to modify the parenting plan. She argues that the trial court had everything before it to determine whether there was adequate cause, pointing out that both she and Stroud "asked the trial courtto modify the parenting plan in their notice of Intent to relocate and objection." She cites RCW 26.09.260(5), the subsection governing minor modifications, as the basis for the court's ability to make an adequate cause determination.

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Anderson had notfiled a petition to modify the parties'parenting plan under RCW 26.09.260.6 Rather,shefiled a notice ofintended relocation underthe CRA, which is governed by RCW 26.09.405-.560. A trial court is not entitled to grant a modification to a parenting plan sua sponte. See In re Marriage of Christel, 101 Wn. App. 13, 23-24, 1 P.3d 600 (2000) (holding that the trial court abused its discretion when the language in its order amounted to a modification ofa parenting plan,rather than a clarification,when a clarification rather than a modification was pending). The trial courtwas under no obligation absentan appropriate petition to decide whether a major modification or minor modification was being sought, whether the appropriate threshold had been met,or to proceed to the merits. The trial court did not err by not making an adequate cause determination, because no petition to modify the parenting plan was before the court. III. Minor versus Major Modification Anderson argues next that if the CRA does not apply to 50/50 residential schedules, the applicable modification standard should be that of a minor modification underRCW 26.09.260(5)ratherthan a major modification underRCW 26.09.260(1). She asserts that a change to a 50/50 residential schedule is minor, because (1)it is based on a change ofresidence ofthe parentwith whom the child does not reside a majority ofthe time,and (2)it will not change the residence the child is schedule to reside the majority ofthe time.

8 On March 6, 2018, after appealing the trial court's order denying her motion to revise,Anderson petitioned the trial courtto modify the parties'parenting plan under RCW 26.09.260. That petition is not before the court here. 8No.77583-9-1/9

Under RCW 26.09.260(5),a minor modification to the residential schedule Is one that "does not change the residence the child is scheduled to reside in the majority of the time." The parenting plan here does not designate a parent with whom the children reside a majority ofthe time. The partiesdo notallege thatthey do not in fact follow the 50/50 residential schedule. So the correct answer to the question, "with whom do the children reside a majority of the time," would be, neither parent. Anderson's proposed minor modification would have the court change the answer to, Mom. While thatwould not be a change from Dad to Mom, itwould be a change in where the children reside a majority ofthe time. Thattakes such a decision out ofRCW 26.09.260(5),and places it under RCW 26.09.260(1) (major modification). Second, she argues that applying the major modification standard to a parent's proposed relocation interferes with the moving parent'sfundamental right to travel. She asserts that if a relocating parentwith a 50/50 residential schedule cannot prove a basis for a major modification, the parent will be prevented from relocating,"because she is bound to a parenting plan that places the child equally in each parent's home regardless ofthe distance." She relies on In re Marriage of Momb, 132Wn.App.70,82, 130 P.3d 406 (2006). To satisfy the adequate cause burden for a major modification under RCW 26.09.260(1), the parent must make a threshold showing that, since the entry of the original plan, "a substantial change has occurred in the circumstances of the child or the nonmoving party and that the modification is in the best Interest ofthe child and is necessary to serve the best interests ofthe child." RCW 26.09.260(1).

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A substantial change In the circumstances of the moving party alone is not adequate. Anderson'sdesire to relocate would appear notto satisfythatthreshold requirement. But, it does not mean that the modification statute or the CRA deny her right to travel. Anderson relies on Momb for the proposition that this interpretation Interferes with a parent's fundamental right to travel. This reliance is misplaced. In Momb the trial courtdenied Momb's requestto relocate with his child. 132Wn. App.at 74. On appeal,Momb argued thatthe relocation statutes violated his right to travel. Id. at 82. This court disagreed. Id. It noted that the order entered by the trial court prevented the child from relocating, not Momb. Id. It explained that
a child's constitutional rights may be treated differently than an adult's, "because of the peculiar vulnerability of children; their inability to make informed, mature,

, and critical decisions; and the importance ofthe parental role in child rearing." Id. Likewise here, if a trial court determined Anderson failed to meet the adequate
cause burden for a major modification, it would not prevent her from traveling or relocating. Rather,it would prevent herfrom relocating her children. The restrictions Anderson complains of were imposed by the parties on themselveswhen they chose to enter into a 50/50 residential schedule. The major modification standards and the CRA standards have not changed since that time. And,chapter 26.09 RCW hasalways promoted stability in the residential schedule for the children. See RCW 26.09.002 (111he best interest ofthe child is ordinarily served when the existing pattern of interaction between a parent and child is altered only to the extent necessitated by the changed relationship of the

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parents."). Anderson is not left without a remedy. She can move,Stroud can file
a petition to modify their parenting plan under RCW 26.09.260(1) based on Anderson's change in circumstances, and she can respond. Anderson may not like the option she has, but it flows from the agreement she made with Stroud in thefinal agreed parenting plan,notfrom an unconstitutional statute orjudicial error. Third, she argues that once adequate cause is shown for a hearing on a petition to modify a parenting plan, the trial court should consider the RCW 26.09.520factors in deciding whether to allow the relocation. She argues thatthe factors in RCW 26.09.260, the modification statute, and the factors in RCW 26.09.520, the CRA, "require similar considerations directed at the child's best interests." As established above, the CRA does not apply to 50/50 residential schedules. See VVorthIev, 198 Wn.App. at 424. And,this court has found that "the focus should be on the child's best interest when a proposed relocation would result in a modification" of a 50/50 residential schedule. Id. at 431. The CRA factorsfocus on the interests ofboth the relocating parentand the child. See RCW 26.09.520. The modification statute "does not emphasize one parent's best Interests butfocuses on the child's best interests." Worthlev, 198Wn.App.at431. The CRA factors are therefore not appropriate to consider when a parent's proposed relocation would modify a 50/50 residential schedule. We recognize the difficult choice a parent faces when their desired relocation makes a 50/50 residential schedule impracticable. The CRA does not provide a presumption in favor of their intended relocation, and a substantial

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change in the circumstances of the party wishing to relocate does not constitute adequate cause for a major modification initiated by that parent. These burdens flow from the agreementthe parents made to evenly split residential time with their children,without also addressing the limitations in the statutes that come with that decision, notfrom judicial error. We affirm.

WE CONCUR: 

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