Opinion ID: 1721474
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Custody and Visitation Issues.

Text: In conjunction with her petition to modify the 1986 decree, Jill made an application for a restraining order terminating Dennis's visitation and prohibiting him from having any contact with the minor children of the parties. In this application, Jill alleged that Dennis was disabled due to severe depression and substance abuse, had been hospitalized on at least three separate occasions, had recently threatened suicide, and presented a clear and present danger to the safety of the parties' children. Based on this application, an ex parte order was entered abating Dennis's visitation rights and prohibiting him from making contact with the children. This order was subsequently modified following notice and hearing to provide telephonic visitation between Dennis and the children. Following the hearing on the modification petition, the court allowed the joint custody provisions of the 1986 decree to remain in effect with physical care remaining in Jill. The court dissolved the order enjoining Dennis's exercise of visitation and established a schedule of unsupervised child visitation by Dennis. Finally, based on a recommendation in a psychologist's report received in evidence, the court ordered Jill and Dennis to attend counseling sessions with the results to be reported to the court. Jill challenges these orders with respect to joint custody, unsupervised visitation, and the requirement for counseling. Although the evidence at the hearing indicated that Dennis has made substantial progress in dealing with his depression and substance abuse problems and that his relationship with the children from his marriage to Jill should be encouraged and fostered, we believe the continuation of joint custody is not in the children's best interests. At the time of the 1986 decree, the district court was apparently hopeful that the parties were capable of cooperating in those matters affecting the best interests of their children. It is now quite clear that this is not the case. It is very likely that the parties will not be able to agree on many of the fundamental decisions that must be made in their children's lives, such as education and medical treatment. The vesting of such decision-making power in one parent thus seems preferable. When, following a dissolution decree providing joint custody, the actions of the parties indicate that they are no longer able to cooperate, a modification of the custody status is appropriate. In re Marriage of Winnike, 497 N.W.2d 170, 174 (Iowa App. 1992); In re Marriage of Stanley, 411 N.W.2d 698, 701 (Iowa App.1987). Because Jill appears to be the more stable parent at the present time and has, since March of 1994, assumed a sole custody role on a de facto basis, we modify the 1986 decree so as to vest sole custody of Rachel, Alex, and Brian in Jill, subject to Dennis's visitation rights. We approve the new visitation schedule established by the district court. However, because Dennis does not object to a limited supervision of his visitation by his present wife Debbie, we modify the district court's order to provide that his visitation shall be exercised in Debbie's presence. Although the district court's order for counseling was well-intentioned and was the recommendation that had been made in a psychologist's report provided to the court, we are convinced that such efforts will serve no constructive purpose. The frequent conflicts between Jill and Dennis subsequent to the dissolution of their marriage has doubtless produced undesirable consequences on their children. Troubling as that may be, however, we are convinced that Jill's and Dennis's differences are so substantial and of such an extensive duration that counseling will not be fruitful at the present time. It seems more likely that it would only provide a breeding ground for further antagonism. We thus modify the district court's order by deleting the requirement for counseling and reports to the court.