Opinion ID: 2630875
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the trial court's findings are supported by substantial competent evidence

Text: The trial court made underlying findings of fact in support of its conclusions as to custody. Heather maintains that some of the findings are not supported by substantial and competent evidence. She disputes the trial court's finding that she moved to Wyoming under the pretense of going to visit her father and argues she was going to her father's and told Jacob that information. While this may be true, the trial court based its finding on substantial and competent evidence. Jacob testified, Unbeknownst to me, Mariah and Heather moved to Laramie, Wyoming. . . . [A]s far as I know she was going on vacation to see her father with Mariah. Heather takes issue with the trial court's statement that she is unwilling to recognize that Mariah would benefit from a consistent relationship with her father. She points out that Dr. Corgiat testified that Heather stated with sincerity that she recognized the importance of Jacob's relationship with Mariah. However, the trial court also heard testimony from Dr. Corgiat that, At certain times [Heather] clearly indicates she thinks the child needs more contact with dad, but then says, but the child's with me so it's in his ballpark. He's the one with the responsibility. He needs to do whatever. Additionally, Jacob testified that just about every time he had difficulties when arranging for custodial access to Mariah since early 2002. While Dr. Corgiat indicated that Heather understood the importance of Mariah's relationship with Jacob, the court based its finding on other substantial evidence. Heather challenges the trial court's finding that she demonstrated a propensity to restrict visitation or that [she] and her partner Rick have unreasonably obstructed, denied and controlled Jacob's visitation. She points to a transcript of a phone conversation between Jacob and her partner, Rick, ending with Jacob and Rick making plans to continue their conversation and Rick suggesting more appropriate ways to communicate. While this may also be true, the trial court based its finding on substantial evidence. Jacob testified that the night before one of his trips to Laramie he talked with Heather and she said, Have a fun drive for nothing and refused to allow him to have Mariah when he arrived the next day, so he ended up leaving town. He further testified that Rick used abusive language towards him in front of Mariah and that Rick used visitation with Mariah as a negotiation tool. Heather also disputes the finding that living arrangements while she was pregnant were very unstable. She testified that during her pregnancy she lived with her mother and step-dad in Nevada, then with her sister in Twin Falls due to her mother and step-dad's financial difficulties supporting her. She then moved in with her brother and his fiancé in Pocatello. This constitutes substantial evidence, and the trial court's finding will not be overturned on appeal.