Opinion ID: 2463591
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Substantial change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the child

Text: The requirement that a party requesting modification or termination of a judicially approved visitation arrangement demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the child `is based on the principle of res judicata' and `prevents persons dissatisfied with custody decrees [from filing] immediate, repetitive, serial motions until the right circumstances or the right judge allows them to achieve a different result, based on essentially the same facts.' Ellis, 123 Nev. at 151, 161 P.3d at 243 (alteration in original) (quoting Castle v. Simmons, 120 Nev. 98, 103-04, 86 P.3d 1042, 1046 (2004) (quoting Mosley v. Figliuzzi, 113 Nev. 51, 58, 930 P.2d 1110, 1114 (1997))). In assessing whether circumstances have sufficiently changed to modify visitation, courts should not take the [analysis of this] prong lightly. Id. While we do not address what constitutes changed circumstances sufficient enough to modify or terminate a nonparent's visitation rights, we note that the existence of some hostility between the parent and nonparent is insufficient because obviously some animosity exists between a nonparent and a parent when one party must resort to litigation to settle visitation issues. See Mosley, 113 Nev. at 58, 930 P.2d at 1114 (concluding generally that the fact that parents cannot get along will not justify modifying custody); Poppe v. Ruocco, 22 Misc.3d 942, 869 N.Y.S.2d 767, 773 (Fam.Ct.2008) (recognizing that it is obvious that animosity between the parties exists when a grandparent must seek legal means to obtain visitation rights). Here, neither the parties nor the district court addressed changed circumstances before the court terminated Audrey's visitation rights. Nowhere in Roger's countermotion did he contend that any change in circumstances had occurred since the district court entered its stipulated visitation order that justified reevaluating Audrey's visitation with Martina. Similarly, the district court never made specific findings regarding changed circumstances, but instead afforded deference to the parental presumption pursuant to Troxel and found that continued visitation with Audrey would not be in Martina's best interest. The court failed to explain what circumstances had changed and instead summarily stated that acrimony between the parties . . . remains and rather than diminish it appears said acrimony has increased. Such acrimony between a parent and a nonparent, by itself, is insufficient to demonstrate changed circumstances.