Opinion ID: 852501
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Modification of A.R.'s Custody

Text: After an in camera interview with A.R. and a full-day hearing on Sam's Petition to Modify Custody, the trial court denied Valerie's request to relocate A.R. and granted physical custody to Sam. The parties did not request specific findings, and the trial court's order contains none. In the absence of special findings, we review a trial court decision as a general judgment and, without reweighing evidence or considering witness credibility, affirm if sustainable upon any theory consistent with the evidence. Perdue Farms, Inc. v. Pryor, 683 N.E.2d 239, 240 (Ind.1997) (citations omitted). Judgments in custody matters typically turn on essentially factual determinations and will be set aside only when they are clearly erroneous. We will not substitute our own judgment if any evidence or legitimate inferences support the trial court's judgment. The concern for finality in custody matters reinforces this doctrine. See Kirk v. Kirk, 770 N.E.2d 304, 307 (Ind.2002) (citing In re Marriage of Richardson, 622 N.E.2d 178, 178 (Ind.1993)). Valerie is correct that the fact of relocation alone does not of itself require a change in custody. However, the circumstances surrounding a relocation can create substantial changes for the child, including changes in the factors described in Section 8 and also those provided by the relocation chapter. Evidence of the circumstances surrounding this proposed relocation was presented at trial. There are several factors, some more persuasive than others, evidenced in the record that the trial court could have found to support a change in custody to permit A.R. to remain in Valparaiso. These include his improved school performance, proximity to his older brother and grandmother, established athletic and extracurricular relationships, availability of other family members to provide care during temporary parental absences, and the greater cost of proposed education in Minneapolis. Obviously, we can speculate that the court's in camera interview also affected the court's conclusion as to the child's wishes. But there is nothing in the record that gives us any basis to conclude that this factor was significant in the trial court's ruling. Because of the presence of the other factors, however, we cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in modifying the custody order. Modification is permissible because of substantial changes in A.R.'s interaction with his father, grandmother, and brother, and his adjustment to school and other activities, irrespective of A.R.'s unrecorded wishes.