Court Opinion

ID: 9947792
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-05 17:20:23.596935+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:28:34.176139
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                              MARCH 5, 2024
                                                       In the Office of the Clerk of Court
                                                      WA State Court of Appeals, Division III

         IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
                            DIVISION THREE

In the Matter of the Marriage of:              )         No. 39228-7-III
                                               )
MELONIE R. PANGERL,                            )
                                               )
                     Appellant,                )
                                               )         UNPUBLISHED OPINION
              and                              )
                                               )
ADAM MICHAEL PANGERL,                          )
                                               )
                     Respondent.               )

       LAWRENCE-BERREY, A.C.J. — Melonie Pangerl appeals after the trial court

granted a major modification of the parenting plan for her two children with Adam

Pangerl. Ms. Pangerl primarily challenges “all of the trial court’s findings related to”

(1) RCW 26.09.191 limiting factors imposed against her, (2) RCW 26.09.191 limiting

factors removed from Mr. Pangerl, (3) conclusions that a substantial change of

circumstances existed at the time of trial, and (4) the best interests of the children. Her

arguments invite us to reweigh evidence weighed by the trial court. Because substantial

evidence supports the challenged findings, we affirm.
No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

       We additionally grant Mr. Pangerl’s request for reasonable attorney fees incurred

in the course of responding to a brief that failed repeatedly to cite to the record in its

statement of the case.

                                            FACTS

       Original parenting plan

       In 2017, Adam and Melonie Pangerl divorced and agreed to a parenting plan for

their three-year-old daughter, B.P., and two-year-old son, M.P. The plan established Ms.

Pangerl as the primary parent while awarding Mr. Pangerl biweekly visitation. The plan

also imposed RCW 26.09.191 limitations against Mr. Pangerl, citing his “[p]hysical or a

pattern of emotional abuse of a child” and “history of acts of domestic violence.” Clerk’s

Papers (CP) at 2. The limitations imposed included:

           • Counseling. Because Mr. Pangerl had a history of spanking and yelling at

              the children, the plan required him to participate in a parenting course

              through Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Because Mr. Pangerl had verbally

              abused and possibly physically abused Ms. Pangerl during their marriage,

              the plan ordered him to continue treatment with his current therapist, which

              treatment should include therapy for domestic violence.

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In re Marriage of Pangerl

          • Disciplining methods. Because Mr. Pangerl had admitted to spanking the

             children, the plan required him to refrain from corporal punishment.

          • Medical cooperation. M.P.—the Pangerls’ son—suffered from numerous

             ailments requiring frequent surgeries and treatments. Because Mr. Pangerl

             historically had resisted some of M.P.’s treatments, the parenting plan

             ordered Mr. Pangerl to comply with all medical advice related to M.P.’s

             health.

          • Firearm safety. Because Mr. Pangerl had a history of firearm mishaps, the

             plan required him to store his guns safely while the children were in his

             care.

      As of 2022, Mr. Pangerl had substantially completed or complied with all of the

above parenting plan requirements.

      Abuse of B.P.

      In 2020, Ms. Pangerl and the Pangerl children moved in with James Walker, whom

Ms. Pangerl had been dating for less than six months. Not long after, B.P.—the Pangerls’

daughter—disclosed to her school counselor that she did not like Mr. Walker because he

tickled her. M.P. also disclosed unwanted tickling. M.P. further disclosed that Mr.

Walker “was mean to [the children], called them stupid, hit them[,] and spanked them.”

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

Rep. of Proc. (RP) at 176. M.P. confirmed that Ms. Pangerl knew Mr. Walker spanked

them. When M.P. told Ms. Pangerl he did not want to live with Mr. Walker anymore, Ms.

Pangerl assured her son “it was going to be okay.” RP at 177.

          On March 7, 2021, B.P.—then eight years old—disclosed to Ms. Pangerl that Mr.

Walker had touched her inappropriately. When Ms. Pangerl confronted Mr. Walker, he

claimed the touching had happened inadvertently while roughhousing with B.P. Ms.

Pangerl insisted Mr. Walker stop roughhousing with her daughter, but otherwise took no

action.

          On March 10, 2021, B.P. disclosed to her school counselor that Mr. Walker had

repeatedly touched her inappropriately. The counselor reported the abuse, and on

March 11, 2021, Child Protective Services (CPS) removed B.P. from Ms. Pangerl’s care.

One day later, CPS also removed M.P. from Ms. Pangerl’s care.

          On March 23, 2021, Mr. Pangerl filed a petition to modify the original parenting

plan. The Pangerls stipulated to adequate cause, and the matter proceeded to trial. The

Pangerls agreed the children would live with Mr. Pangerl pending resolution of the

petition.

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

       Trial and modified plan

       After five days of testimony, the trial court agreed with Mr. Pangerl that a

substantial change had occurred warranting parenting plan modification. The court

established Mr. Pangerl as the primary parent while awarding Ms. Pangerl progressively

increased visitation, subject to satisfactory conduct and therapeutic progress.

       While the modified parenting plan imposed no RCW 26.09.191 limitations against

Mr. Pangerl, the substance of his prior limitations survived into the modified plan. Where

the original plan required Mr. Pangerl to store his firearms safely and follow the advice of

M.P.’s doctors, the revised plan required Mr. Pangerl to store his firearms safely and

cooperate on issues regarding the children’s health. Where the original plan required Mr.

Pangerl to continue treatment with his therapist at the time, the revised plan required him

to continue treatment with his current therapist. Finally, where the original plan required

Mr. Pangerl to participate in Vanessa Behan’s parenting course, the modified plan

required him to complete a Circle of Security parenting course.

       The modified plan did impose RCW 26.09.191 limitations against Ms. Pangerl,

however. The basis for these limitations was the abuse the Pangerl children suffered in

Ms. Pangerl’s home, along with Ms. Pangerl’s failure to protect her children from that

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

abuse. The court further determined Ms. Pangerl suffered from a long-term emotional or

physical problem that hindered her parenting.

      Among other evidence, the trial court considered the following when reaching its

conclusions:

          • Extensive testimony from Ms. Pangerl. The court found Ms. Pangerl’s

               testimony not credible, as “[s]he maintained an absolutist position even

               when there was contrary evidence.” RP at 880. For example, Ms. Pangerl

               testified that Mr. Walker never was at home with her children without

               another adult present, but then admitted he was home in this manner with

               B.P. for two weeks during the pandemic. The court also noted Ms.

               Pangerl’s tendency to insist other people were lying when evidence

               suggested otherwise, as when she refused to admit she had agreed to the

               children’s placement with Mr. Pangerl despite the placement order bearing

               Ms. Pangerl’s attorney’s signature under the statement: “This order[ ] is an

               agreement of the parties.” CP at 31.

                      Ms. Pangerl also admitted in testimony that she had responded to

               news of Mr. Walker’s abuse by (1) insisting a polygraph would prove his

               innocence, and (2) expressing concern that having an abuser in her home

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

             would harm her professionally. Moreover, Ms. Pangerl testified that she

             did not perceive any red flags with respect to Mr. Walker, despite knowing

             that (1) her children were scared of him, (2) Mr. Walker inappropriately

             touched her children, and (3) Mr. Walker physically disciplined and even

             assaulted her children. Finally, Ms. Pangerl, despite everything that had

             happened, declined to accept any responsibility for what her children had

             endured.

         • Extensive testimony from Mr. Pangerl. The court found Mr. Pangerl’s

             testimony credible, as he acknowledged his own “weak or inconsistent

             positions” and spoke frankly about seeking therapy for empathy and control

             issues. RP at 880. Moreover, the court noted that Mr. Pangerl was “open

             and honest about his struggles to provide a nurturing environment” and

             “open to feedback and education.” RP at 888.

         • CPS social worker Michelle Woodward’s testimony. Ms. Woodward

             testified that Ms. Pangerl, on hearing of the abuse her daughter suffered,

             immediately asked when CPS would be “doing a rape kit to show that her

             daughter was lying.” RP at 772. Ms. Woodward’s testimony was

             supported by contemporaneous notes.

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

          • The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) report. The GAL concluded Ms. Pangerl

              had failed to protect her children from abuse.

          • Ms. Pangerl’s psychological and parenting assessments. Ms. Pangerl’s

              psychological assessment concluded she is likely “acclaim seeking,

              arrogant, [and] vain” and hindered by “virtuous self-presentation” and

              “excessive self-importance.” Ex. R-119, at 26-27. The assessment found

              that these “‘narcissistic tendencies’” might cause Ms. Pangerl to “‘think

              how a circumstance affects her first, before considering others.’” Ex.

              R-119, at 43. Similarly, Ms. Pangerl’s parenting assessment found her to be

              “‘[h]igh [r]isk’ in the area of “parent-child role responsibilities” indicating

              she may tend to use children to meet her own needs, may perceive children

              as an object for adult gratification[,] and may expect her children to make

              her life better by providing love, assurance[,] and comfort.” Ex. R-119,

              at 27.

       On the basis of this and other evidence, the trial court determined that modifying

the parenting plan served the Pangerl children’s best interests. In addition to modifying

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

the plan, the court ordered Ms. Pangerl to pay monthly child support to Mr. Pangerl in the

amount of $1,027.15.1

       Ms. Pangerl timely appeals the trial court’s orders and attendant findings.

                                         ANALYSIS

       RAP COMPLIANCE

       Mr. Pangerl urges this court not to review Ms. Pangerl’s arguments because her

brief fails to identify specific findings of fact she seeks to challenge. Unlike most bench

trials, however, domestic relations bench trials tend to have sparse findings of fact due to

the use of standardized forms. We do not fault Ms. Pangerl’s failure in this regard. Her

issue statements in conjunction with her assignments of error adequately illuminate the

substance of her appeal. See RAP 10.3(g) (authorizing appellate courts to review

assignments of error disclosed in issue statements).

       However, we do take issue with Ms. Pangerl’s statement of the case. Under

RAP 10.3(a)(5), briefs filed with this court must include a “fair statement of the facts

and procedure relevant to the issues presented for review, without argument.” Parties

must substantiate their factual statements with references to the record. RAP 10.3(a)(5).

       1
           We commend the trial court for its comprehensive and articulate oral ruling.

                                               9
No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

This court is not “required to search the record for applicable portions thereof in support

of [a party’s] arguments.” Mills v. Park, 67 Wn.2d 717, 721, 409 P.2d 646 (1966).

       Here, Ms. Pangerl disregarded RAP 10.3(a)(5) by including a statement of the case

in which more than 35 factual assertions are not substantiated by reference to the record.

Although some of these assertions are trivial, many of them allege consequential facts

meaningful to the resolution of the case. For example, Ms. Pangerl asserts all of the

following without citation to the record:

          • Mr. Pangerl acted pro se when proposing the original parenting plan. Br. of

              Appellant at 9-10.

          • The original parenting plan included RCW 26.09.191 findings against Mr.

              Pangerl for abuse and a history of domestic violence. Br. of Appellant

              at 10.

          • The original parenting plan named Ms. Pangerl as the primary parent while

              allowing Mr. Pangerl biweekly visitation. Br. of Appellant at 10.

          • Ms. Pangerl denied telling a counselor about B.P. screaming and fleeing

              Mr. Walker. Br. of Appellant at 14-15.

          • B.P. disclosed abuse to Ms. Pangerl while Ms. Pangerl gave her a bath.

              Br. of Appellant at 15.

                                             10
No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

         • Mr. Walker denied abusing B.P. Br. of Appellant at 15.

         • Ms. Pangerl demanded Mr. Walker stop roughhousing with her children.

             Br. of Appellant at 15.

         • CPS removed B.P. from Ms. Pangerl’s home after a school counselor

             reported sexual abuse. Br. of Appellant at 16.

         • Mr. Pangerl and a social worker testified that Ms. Pangerl had agreed to the

             children’s temporary placement in Mr. Pangerl’s home. Br. of Appellant

             at 16.

         • Ms. Pangerl discovered child pornography on a flash dive belonging to Mr.

             Walker. Br. of Appellant at 17.

         • Ms. Pangerl reported the child pornography to her attorney and contacted

             law enforcement. Br. of Appellant at 17-18. (Ms. Pangerl reiterates this

             assertion, without citation to the record, at Br. of Appellant at 32-33).

         • The GAL contradicted Mr. Pangerl’s testimony regarding the children’s

             academic improvement while under his care. Br. of Appellant at 21.

         • At the time of trial, Ms. Pangerl remained in voluntary therapy. Br. of

             Appellant at 25-26.

         • M.P. disclosed spanking from Mr. Walker. Br. of Appellant at 34.

                                            11
No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

          • A therapist reported observing Ms. Pangerl set boundaries and “create[ ]

                 quality time” with her children. Br. of Appellant at 36.

          • The GAL made a finding of abuse. Br. of Appellant at 39.

          • The GAL testified that “Mr. Pangerl should not have allowed his significant

                 other to watch the children.” Br. of Appellant at 40.

       Our own review of the record has allowed us, where needed, to confirm these

assertions. Accordingly, the deficiencies in Ms. Pangerl’s statement of the case do not

prevent us from reviewing the merits of her argument. State v. Olson, 126 Wn.2d 315,

323, 893 P.2d 629 (1995).

       Nevertheless, offering such assertions without substantiation both strains judicial

resources, and—more importantly—increases Mr. Pangerl’s legal costs by forcing

opposing counsel to conduct an unnecessarily wide review of a voluminous record. In

sum, Ms. Pangerl’s disregard for RAP 10.3(a)(5) is serious whether it is fatal to her

appeal or not.

       Sanctions

       This court may impose RAP 10.7 sanctions against counsel who “neglect to meet

the requirements of RAP 10.3.” Litho Color, Inc. v. Pac. Emps. Ins. Co., 98 Wn. App.

                                               12
No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

286, 305, 991 P.2d 638 (1999). Provided that Mr. Pangerl complies with RAP 18.1, we

authorize our commissioner to determine the appropriate attorney fee sanction.

       SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE

       Ms. Pangerl broadly challenges “[a]ll of the trial court’s findings” in support of the

forms of relief it granted. Opening Br. of Appellant at 3.

       Standard of review

       This court will not disturb a trial court’s findings of fact where those findings

derive from substantial evidence. In re Marriage of Katare, 175 Wn.2d 23, 35, 283 P.3d

546 (2012). Evidence is substantial when it is “sufficient to persuade a fair-minded

person of the truth of the matter asserted.” Id. Because we defer to trial courts’

credibility determinations, we will affirm any finding rooted in substantial evidence even

if other evidence contradicts it. In re Marriage of Burrill, 113 Wn. App. 863, 868, 56

P.3d 993 (2002).

       Substantial change in circumstances and best interests

       RCW 26.09.260(1) permits a trial court to modify an existing parenting plan only

where “a substantial change has occurred in the circumstances of the child or the

nonmoving party and . . . the modification is in the best interest[s] of the child[ren] and is

necessary to serve the best interests of the child[ren].”

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

                i. Substantial change

       Here, Mr. Pangerl argued, and the trial court agreed, that a substantial change in

circumstances occurred between the entry of the original orders and the modification trial.

The record reveals ample evidence to support this and related findings by the trial court.

Specifically:

          • CPS social worker Michelle Woodward’s testimony that Ms. Pangerl, on

                hearing of the abuse her daughter suffered, immediately asked when CPS

                would be “doing a rape kit to show that her daughter was lying.” RP at 772.

                       This statement suggests Ms. Pangerl reflexively discounted her

                daughter’s abuse disclosures and instead credited the abuser’s denials. Ms.

                Pangerl’s deference to an abuser either had not arisen or was “unknown to

                the court at the time of the prior [parenting plan],” as no court would have

                knowingly awarded primary residential placement to a parent who protected

                an abuser at the expense of her child. RCW 26.09.260(1).

          • Ms. Pangerl’s admission that, on hearing of the abuse, she insisted a

                polygraph would prove Mr. Walker’s innocence.

                       Like the rape kit statement discussed above, this statement betrays

                Ms. Pangerl’s reflexive assumption that B.P. was lying about the abuse Mr.

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

             Walker inflicted on her. No court would have awarded primary custody to a

             parent exhibiting such assumptions. The assumption obviously implicates

             the welfare of the children.

         • The psychological assessment concluding Ms. Pangerl is likely “acclaim

             seeking, arrogant, [and] vain” and hindered by “virtuous self-presentation”

             and “excessive self-importance.” Ex. R-119, at 26-27. The assessment

             found that these “‘narcissistic tendencies’” might cause Ms. Pangerl to

             “‘think how a circumstance may affect her first, before considering

             others.’” Ex. R-119, at 43.

         • Ms. Pangerl’s admission that, on learning of the abuse, she expressed

             concern that having an abuser in her home would harm her professionally.

                    Ms. Pangerl’s professional success benefits not only herself but her

             children. For this reason, the concern she expressed, standing alone, may

             not evince anything of concern. However, that Ms. Pangerl voiced this

             concern upon learning that her child had been abused corroborates the

             psychologist’s finding that Ms. Pangerl may tend to “‘think how a

             circumstance may affect her first, before considering others.’” Ex.

             R-119, at 43.

                                            15
No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

         • The parenting assessment concluding Ms. Pangerl is “‘[h]igh [r]isk’ in the

             area of “parent-child role responsibilities” indicating she may tend to use

             children to meet her own needs, may perceive children as an object for adult

             gratification[,] and may expect her children to make her life better by

             providing love, assurance[,] and comfort.” Ex. R-119, at 27.

         • Ms. Pangerl’s testimony that she did not perceive any red flags with respect

             to Mr. Walker, despite knowing that (1) her children were scared of Mr.

             Walker, (2) Mr. Walker inappropriately touched her children, and (3) Mr.

             Walker physically disciplined and even assaulted her children.

                    Ms. Pangerl’s failure to notice red flags when red flags proliferated

             suggests, as the GAL concluded, that Ms. Pangerl failed to protect her

             children from abuse.

                    This failure constitutes a substantial change independent from—and

             in addition to—the abuse itself because it necessarily eroded the children’s

             trust in their mother. Whatever parental relationship justified Ms. Pangerl

             receiving primary custody in 2017, that relationship had not yet sustained

             this crisis of trust. Moreover, Ms. Pangerl’s failure to detect red flags

             increases the likelihood that she might again fail to detect those warning

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

              signs in the future, with future partners. None of this, as a circumstance,

              was before the court in 2017 when the Pangerls entered their original

              parenting plan.

          • Ms. Pangerl’s inability to admit any fault. This failure further impairs Ms.

              Pangerl’s relationship with her children because, by denying fault, Ms.

              Pangerl distances herself from the abuse her children suffered at the hands

              of someone she brought into their home. This failure enhances the risk that

              the children may come to see themselves as somehow responsible for the

              abuse—i.e., it was their responsibility to negotiate the threat Mr. Walker

              posed, not their mother’s. The introduction of this risk itself constitutes a

              meaningful change in the Pangerls’ familial circumstances.

       Ms. Pangerl argued to the trial court, as she argues on appeal, that no “substantial

change of circumstances” existed because Mr. Walker, at the time of trial, no longer had

contact with her children. Ms. Pangerl’s argument misses the point. Mr. Walker’s

presence in her household revealed a deficit in her ability to parent that was not known at

the time the original parenting plan was entered. His presence revealed a troubling

reluctance by Ms. Pangerl to place her children’s safety above her own personal interests.

That reluctance remains a parental deficiency even in the absence of Mr. Walker.

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

              ii. Best interests

       To grant a major modification of a parenting plan, a trial court must additionally

find that the modification is in the children’s best interest. RCW 26.09.260(1). Here,

substantial evidence, as noted above, supports this determination.

       Residential modification

       A court modifying an existing parenting plan may also revise the residential

schedule if, as one qualifying criteria, “[t]he child’s present environment is detrimental to

the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health and the harm likely to be caused by a

change of environment is outweighed by the advantage of a change to the child.”

RCW 26.09.260(2)(c). Where a court weighs residential modification long after the

petitioner files his action, the court should consider the circumstances of both the moving

and nonmoving parent. In re Marriage of Ambrose, 67 Wn. App. 103, 108-09, 834 P.2d

101 (1992).

       Here, the trial court found Ms. Pangerl’s home detrimental to B.P.’s and M.P.’s

health on the basis of Ms. Pangerl’s failure to protect the children from abuse. In light of

Ms. Pangerl’s discouraging psychological and parenting assessments, the court concluded

that her failure in this regard presented an ongoing detriment, and not one confined

merely to the interval when Mr. Walker was in the home.

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No. 39228-7-III
In re Marriage of Pangerl

       Pursuant to Ambrose, the trial court also considered the environment Mr. Pangerl

could offer at his home. Among other shortcomings, the court noted Mr. Pangerl’s

challenges with showing empathy, his anger issues, his acts of domestic violence, his

erratic romantic history, and his track record of carelessness with firearms. However, the

court also noted that Mr. Pangerl “acknowledges [his] mistakes and works towards fixing

them.” RP at 888. Moreover, the court noted that Mr. Pangerl was “open and honest

about his struggles to provide a nurturing environment” and “open to feedback and

education.” RP at 888. The court found this to be in stark contrast with Ms. Pangerl,

who “[would] not accept responsibility, and blames others.” RP at 889. Accordingly, the

trial court found that the advantages of altering the residential schedule in favor of Mr.

Pangerl outweighed the risks.

       In making this finding, the trial court properly relied on the substantial evidence

described above in our “substantial change” analysis. RCW 26.09.260(2) does not

require a court to identify a perfect parent before modifying residential placement.

Instead, the court must weigh whether the advantages of modifying a residential schedule

offset the disruptive harm. Because the trial court here both engaged in that analysis and

relied on substantial evidence, it acted within its discretion.

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No. 39228-7-III
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       Child support

       Because Mr. Pangerl under the modified parenting plan assumed primary

residential responsibilities, the trial court was justified in reassigning the child support

burden to Ms. Pangerl. Ms. Pangerl’s brief devotes only one conclusory sentence to this

issue, despite raising it as an issue on appeal. Accordingly, we devote no further attention

to this question.

       RCW 26.09.191 LIMITATIONS

       Ms. Pangerl argues the trial court should not have imposed RCW 26.09.191

limitations on her because she no longer resides with Mr. Walker. She also argues the

trial court should not have lifted Mr. Pangerl’s RCW 26.09.191 limitations because he

failed to complete domestic violence perpetrator or anger management treatment.

Because the RCW 26.09.191 limitations the trial court imposed on Ms. Pangerl did not

hinge on her continued cohabitation with Mr. Walker, her argument here fails. Moreover,

the trial court—to the extent it lifted Mr. Pangerl’s limitations—acted within its

discretion.

                                       CONCLUSION

       Substantial evidence supports the trial court’s findings of fact, which in turn

support the relief granted. Conditioned on Mr. Pangerl’s compliance with RAP 18.1, we

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No. 39228-7-III
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direct our commissioner to determine the appropriate sanction for Ms. Pangerl' s multiple

failures to cite to the record in her statement of the case.

       Affirmed.

       A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to

RCW 2.06.040.

                                                                         . c.. ! .

WE CONCUR:

Pennell, J.                                 Cooney, J.

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