Court Opinion

ID: 902121
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-06-13 01:11:43.901936+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:16:55.263173
License: Public Domain

#26195-rev & rem-SLZ

2012 S.D. 86

                          IN THE SUPREME COURT
                                  OF THE
                         STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA

                                 ****
DOUG VELDHEER and
KARI VELDHEER,                            Plaintiffs and Appellees,

      v.

ANGELA PETERSON,                          Defendant and Appellee,

and

JERED MANDEL,                             Defendant and Appellant.

                                 ****

                  APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
                     THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
                   DAVISON COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA

                                 ****

                    THE HONORABLE SEAN M. O’BRIEN
                               Judge

                                 ****

TRESSA L. ZAHRBOCK KOOL
Sioux Falls, South Dakota                 Attorney for plaintiffs
                                          and appellees, Veldheers.

DONNA L. BUCHER of
Tinan, Smith & Bucher
Mitchell, South Dakota                    Attorneys for defendant
                                          and appellee, Peterson.
DAVA A. WERMERS
Mitchell, South Dakota                    Attorney for defendant
                                          and appellant, Mandel.

                                 ****
                                          ARGUED OCTOBER 1, 2012

                                          OPINION FILED12/05/12
#26195

ZINTER, Justice

[¶1.]        Maternal grandparents were permitted to join/intervene in a custody

dispute between the parents of two minor children. After a three-day trial, the

circuit court awarded custody to the grandparents and visitation to the father.

Father appeals the grandparents’ joinder/intervention, the award of custody, and

the denial of his request for attorney’s fees. We affirm the joinder/intervention;

reverse the custody award; and remand for findings of fact, conclusions of law, and

reconsideration of the issue of attorney’s fees.

                             Facts and Procedural History

[¶2.]        Jered Mandel (Father) and Angela Peterson (Mother) had a four-year

relationship. They never married, but had two children: P.D.M., born December 29,

2005, and P.J.M., born January 18, 2007. Mother, Father, and the children lived in

Mitchell, in a house owned by Father.

[¶3.]        Mother stayed at home and both parents cared for the children when

Father was not working. The parents and children lived together until January

2008 when the parents separated. Father continued to live in the home and Mother

moved into an apartment. After the separation, Mother and Father shared custody

of the children. However, due to a deterioration of the parents’ relationship,

difficulties with communication, conflicting work schedules, and financial struggles,

the parents began to increasingly rely on the Veldheers, the children’s maternal

                                           -1-
#26195

grandparents (Grandparents), 1 to care for the children. Following an October 2007

incident between Mother and Father in which Mother was charged with domestic

violence-simple assault, the parents asked Grandparents to watch the children for a

period of two to three weeks so that the parents could work on their relationship. In

2008, the parents began to rely on Grandparents to serve as the children’s primary

caretakers.

[¶4.]         In July 2008, Mother obtained sole legal and physical custody of the

children as a part of a child support proceeding. The children, however, continued

to reside with Grandparents. Grandparents and the children spent the summer of

2008 in Piedmont. 2 Parents took the children back into their care for a brief period

in the fall of 2008. However, for the remainder of 2008, for 2009, 3 and until

September 2010, Grandparents served as the children’s primary caretakers. Father

maintained that he wanted to see the children more often, but claimed that he was

prohibited from doing so by Grandparents. Father testified: “I wanted the kids, and

it was out of my control. I was told I didn’t have any custody.” 4

1.      Keri Veldheer is Angela Peterson’s mother. Doug Veldheer is Angela’s
        stepfather. For ease of reference, we refer to Doug and Kari Veldheer as the
        maternal grandparents.

2.      Grandparents owned businesses in both the Black Hills and Mitchell.

3.      In 2009, Mother and Father gave Grandparents a power of attorney to make
        medical decisions regarding the children. Father testified that the power of
        attorney was given because Grandparents took the children on a trip outside
        the country.

4.      Although Mother and Grandparents dispute Father’s assertion, Father had
        no visitation rights under the July 2008 order. Father’s first court ordered
        custody/visitation rights were awarded under the September 2010 order.

                                          -2-
#26195

[¶5.]        In January 2009, Grandparents began keeping track of the time

Mother and Father spent with the children. In 2009, Father had the children in his

care on an average of two days every month. In addition, the children spent what

equated to almost a full month of 2009 with their paternal grandparents. In 2010,

up until the month of September, Father spent an average of three days a month

with the children. Father testified that when he did not see the children he tried to

contact them by phone at least once a week.

[¶6.]        On at least one occasion, the parties discussed Grandparents becoming

the children’s guardians. Grandparents testified that they initially discussed a

guardianship because the children’s Medicaid coverage lapsed. Father testified that

he was pressured to agree to a guardianship but he declined. When Father

declined, Grandparents said they dropped the subject. Yet later, Grandparents

claim that Father approached them about a guardianship. Grandparents had

guardianship documents prepared, and although Mother signed them, Father would

not. In July 2010, Grandparents, through their attorney, requested Father to

consent to a guardianship or take the children back into his care. Father then filed

a motion in circuit court to obtain custody of the children.

[¶7.]        In September 2010, the circuit court considered Father’s motion and

awarded Mother and Father temporary joint physical custody on an alternating

weekly basis. During Father’s weeks, the children stayed with Father in his home.

Typically, Father did not work during those weeks. During Mother’s weeks, the

children stayed with Grandparents. Mother lived in Sioux Falls and saw the

children when she traveled to Mitchell. Father had custody of the children under

                                          -3-
#26195

this order for ten months—the time between the temporary custody award in

September 2010 and the permanent custody trial in August 2011.

[¶8.]          Prior to the permanent custody trial, Grandparents filed a separate

custody action and moved to join the parents’ custody action. The circuit court

granted the motion to join, effectively allowing Grandparents to intervene in the

parents’ custody dispute. 5 Prior to trial, the parents and Grandparents participated

in home-study evaluations. Parents and Grandparents also underwent individual

psychological evaluations.

[¶9.]          A three-day custody trial was held in August 2011. Grandparents and

Father testified. Mother did not testify or call witnesses. The home-study

evaluator, Ms. Zimbelman, indicated that at the time of trial, Mother wished to

have the children be raised by Grandparents. Mother, however, also informed Ms.

Zimbelman that Mother’s ultimate goal was to have the children live with her.

[¶10.]          Father actively sought full custody. Some concerns were expressed

regarding Father’s ability to parent the children. The concerns involved Father’s

history of alcohol-related offenses, employment at a bar where he often worked

5.       Procedurally, Grandparents filed a separate summons and complaint starting
         a new action to obtain custody of the children. Prior to trial in the parents’
         custody action, Grandparents moved to “join” the two actions. The parties
         and the court treated Grandparents’ pleadings as a motion to intervene in the
         parents’ custody dispute. The circuit court granted “joinder,” consolidating
         the two actions and allowing Grandparents to intervene in Mother and
         Father’s custody proceeding. However, all further pleadings—including the
         notice of appeal—were filed in Grandparents’ action seeking custody.
         Therefore, the parties in this appeal are aligned as set forth in the caption of
         this opinion: Grandparents are the plaintiffs, and Mother and Father are the
         defendants.

                                            -4-
#26195

nights, lack of a driver’s license, 6 and obsessive compulsive personality

characteristics. There was, however, no contention that father was unfit.

[¶11.]         Ms. Zimbelman reported that between Mother and Father, “[Father’s]

care would allow the children to remain in the same community and spend time

with both their maternal and paternal grandparents on a regular basis.” On the

other hand, Ms. Zimbelman indicated that “[p]lacing the children with [Mother]

would lessen the support system for the children because of [the lack of] family

availability.” As between Mother, Father, and Grandparents, Ms. Zimbelman

opined that it would be in the “best interests” of the children for Grandparents to be

awarded physical custody of the children. Ms. Zimbelman indicated that the

children were “more closely attached to their grandparents.”

[¶12.]         The circuit court awarded legal and physical custody to Grandparents.

Father was awarded visitation in accordance with the South Dakota Visitation

Guidelines. Additionally, Father’s motion for attorney’s fees was denied.

[¶13.]         We address the following issues on appeal:

               1.     Whether the circuit court erred in allowing Grandparents to
                      join/intervene in the parents’ custody dispute.

               2.     Whether the circuit court erred in determining that Father’s
                      presumptive right to custody was rebutted under SDCL 25-5-29
                      and SDCL 25-5-30.

               3.     Whether the circuit court erred in determining that each party
                      was responsible for their own attorney’s fees.

6.       Ms. Zimbelman testified that Father lost his driver’s license because he failed
         to pay child support and because he had received a speeding ticket. She
         testified that Father would have to pay Mother $2,000 in child support to
         reacquire his driver’s license.

                                           -5-
#26195

             4.     Whether either party is entitled to appellate attorney’s fees.

                                        Decision

[¶14.]       This case involves the interpretation of statutes overriding a parent’s

presumptive right to custody of his children. See SDCL 25-5-29 to -30. “Statutory

interpretation is a question of law, reviewed de novo.” In re Guardianship of

S.M.N., T.D.N., and T.L.N., 2010 S.D. 31, ¶ 9, 781 N.W.2d 213, 217. The specific

statutory language at issue involves extraordinary circumstances and serious

detriment to the welfare of children. “Whether the facts of [a] case constitute

extraordinary circumstances of serious detriment to the welfare of . . . children . . .

is a conclusion of law that we review de novo.” Id. ¶ 11 (citing Meldrum v. Novotny,

2002 S.D. 15, ¶ 49, 640 N.W.2d 460, 469). This case finally involves a parent’s claim

that an award of custody to nonparents violates the parent’s constitutional rights.

“An appeal asserting an infringement of a constitutional right is . . . reviewed under

the de novo standard of review[.]” Id. ¶ 10.

Joinder/Intervention by Grandparents

[¶15.]       The parties disagree whether Grandparents were entitled to

join/intervene in the parents’ custody dispute. “SDCL 25-5-29 expressly authorizes

nonparents to petition for custody or visitation if they have served as the

child[ren]’s primary caretaker, are closely bonded as a parental figure, or have

otherwise formed a significant and substantial relationship.” Clough v. Nez, 2008

                                           -6-
#26195

S.D. 125, ¶ 11, 759 N.W.2d 297, 302. The statute permits intervention on the same

showing. SDCL 25-5-29. 7

[¶16.]         Father concedes “that [Grandparents] were the primary caregivers for

[two] years.” 8 But, Father argues that intervention was improper because “the

constitutional presumption [to the care, custody and control of children] due parents

[was not] rebutted” at the time the motion for joinder/intervention was granted.

[¶17.]         We first observe that a nonparent’s service as a child’s primary

caretaker may be sufficient to rebut a parent’s constitutional presumptive rights to

the care and custody of his children. Clough, 2008 S.D. 125, ¶ 16, 759 N.W.2d at

304 (citing SDCL 25-5-29(4) and SDCL 25-5-30(3)). We also observe that parties

need not prove their ultimate case in order to intervene. A pleading for intervention

“is construed liberally in favor of the pleader-intervenor and the court will accept as

true the well-pleaded allegations in the pleading.” 7C Charles Alan Wright, Arthur

R. Miller, Mary Kay Kane & Richard L. Marcus, Federal Practice and Procedure §

7.       SDCL 25-5-29 provides in pertinent part:

               [T]he court may allow any person other than the parent of a
               child to intervene or petition a court of competent jurisdiction for
               custody or visitation of any child with whom he or she has
               served as a primary caretaker, has closely bonded as a parental
               figure, or has otherwise formed a significant and substantial
               relationship. . . .

8.       A hearing on Father’s motion to reconsider the issue of joinder/intervention
         was held on March 16, 2011. Father’s attorney conceded that Grandparents
         had been the children’s primary caretakers.

                                            -7-
#26195

1914 (3d ed. 2012). 9 Therefore, at the time Grandparents moved to join/intervene,

they were not required to meet their trial burden of rebutting the constitutional

presumptions due a parent. Grandparents were only required to assert well-

pleaded facts supporting their claim. After all, without appearing as parties,

Grandparents would not have had standing to call witnesses and introduce evidence

in an attempt to rebut Father’s presumptive right to the care, custody, and control

of his children.

[¶18.]         In this case, at the time of joinder/intervention, there was no dispute

that Grandparents had served as the children’s primary caretakers for

approximately two years. Therefore, Grandparents made a sufficient showing for

joinder/intervention under SDCL 25-5-29 and Clough, 2008 S.D. 125, ¶ 16, 759

N.W.2d at 304. The circuit court did not err in allowing Grandparents to

join/intervene.

Father’s Presumptive Right to Custody

[¶19.]         “Natural parents have a fundamental right to the care, custody, and

control of their children.” S.M.N., 2010 S.D. 31, ¶ 17, 781 N.W.2d at 221 (citing

Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 66, 120 S. Ct. 2054, 2060, 147 L. Ed. 2d 49 (2000);

Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745, 758-59, 102 S. Ct. 1388, 1397, 71 L. Ed. 2d 599

9.       South Dakota’s intervention rules are similar to Federal Rule of Civil
         Procedure 24. See In re Adoption of D.M., 2006 S.D. 15, ¶ 5, 710 N.W.2d 441,
         443-44; SDCL 15-6-24. In analyzing FRCP 24, federal courts have noted that
         “a district court is required to accept as true the non-conclusory allegations
         made in support of an intervention motion.” Sw. Ctr. for Biological Diversity
         v. Berg, 268 F.3d 810, 819 (9th Cir. 2001) (citing cases from the Fourth, Fifth,
         Seventh, and Eight Circuits).

                                            -8-
#26195

(1982)). “The fundamental liberty interest of natural parents . . . does not evaporate

simply because they have not been model parents[.]” Id. (quoting Santosky, 455

U.S. at 753, 102 S. Ct. at 1394-95). The state has no reason to interject itself into

the child-rearing decisions of a fit parent “so long as a parent adequately cares for

his or her children (i.e., is fit)[.]” Id. (quoting Troxel, 530 U.S. at 68-69, 120 S. Ct. at

2061). Troxel does not, however, require “a finding of parental unfitness in third

party visitation or custody cases” if other extraordinary circumstances exist. Feist

v. Lemieux-Feist, 2010 S.D. 104, ¶ 7, 793 N.W.2d 57, 61.

[¶20.]        Under South Dakota law, “[a] parent’s presumptive right to custody of

his or her child may be rebutted by proof” of one or more of the following

extraordinary circumstances:

              (1) That the parent has abandoned or persistently neglected the
                  child;
              (2) That the parent has forfeited or surrendered his or her
                  parental rights over the child to any person other than the
                  parent;
              (3) That the parent had abdicated his or her parental rights and
                  responsibilities; or
              (4) That other extraordinary circumstances exist which, if
                  custody is awarded to the parent, would result in serious
                  detriment to the child.

SDCL 25-5-29. A parent’s presumptive right to custody must be rebutted by clear

and convincing evidence. See S.M.N., 2010 S.D. 31, ¶¶ 21-22, ¶ 25, 781 N.W.2d at

222-24 (stating that extraordinary circumstances, abandonment, and abdication of

parent rights and responsibilities must be proven by clear and convincing evidence).

[¶21.]        The circuit court first found that Grandparents had rebutted Father’s

presumptive right to custody under SDCL 25-5-29(2) and (3). Those subsections

require the forfeiture, surrender, or abdication of parental rights or responsibilities

                                            -9-
#26195

to an individual other than a parent. “Abdication of parental rights and

responsibilities is akin to abandonment[.]” Id. ¶ 25. To constitute abandonment in

a termination of parental rights case:

               [I]t must appear by clear and convincing evidence that there has
               been by the parent[ ] a giving-up or total desertion of the minor
               child[ren]. In addition, there must be a showing of an intent on
               the part of the parent to abandon and to relinquish parental
               obligations; this intent may be inferred from conduct. When
               examining intent, the court should consider a parent’s presence,
               love, care, affection, and monetary support.

Id. (quoting In re Adoption of C.D.B., 2005 S.D. 115, ¶ 12, 706 N.W.2d 809, 814).

We believe the same showing should be required when a nonparent seeks custody

and control of a parent’s child under SDCL 25-5-29(2) and (3).

[¶22.]         In this case, Grandparents point out that Father did not provide

custodial care for his children during a portion of 2008, all of 2009, and a majority of

2010. Instead, Father relied on Grandparents to provide that care. 10 Yet, Father

did not totally desert or abandon the children or relinquish all parental obligations.

Father paid child support until the middle of 2010. He testified that he stopped

paying support because the payments were going to Mother, who was no longer

caring for the children. Father also maintained visitation and contact with his

children, and he refused to allow a guardianship, demonstrating his intent not to

abdicate his parental rights and responsibilities.

10.      There is evidence in the record that Mother was not capable of caring for the
         children. We do not discuss Mother’s faults and omissions because she did
         not seek custody and has not appealed the award of custody to Grandparents.

                                          -10-
#26195

[¶23.]       Moreover, when Father obtained temporary custody on an alternating

weekly basis in September 2010, he became meaningfully involved in the care of the

children. Ten months later, at the time of trial, the home-study evaluator

acknowledged that Father had been adequately caring for the children.

Considering the totality of the circumstances, there was no showing of a total

desertion of the children or “an intent on the part of . . . [Father] to abandon and to

relinquish parental obligations[.]” See id. Because Grandparents failed to provide

clear and convincing evidence that Father forfeited, surrendered, or abdicated his

parental rights and responsibilities, the court erred in determining that Father’s

presumptive right to custody was rebutted under SDCL 25-5-29(2) and (3).

[¶24.]       The circuit court also found that Father’s presumptive right to custody

was rebutted under SDCL 25-5-29(4), and SDCL 25-5-30(2) and (3). By the

enactment of SDCL 25-5-29 and 30, “the Legislature . . . provided a mechanism for

extraordinary circumstances to justify awarding custody or visitation to a third

party over a fit parent’s objections.” Feist, 2010 S.D. 104, ¶ 12, 793 N.W.2d at 62.

To rebut the parental presumption under SDCL 25-5-29(4), a nonparent must

present “evidence of extraordinary circumstances that would result in serious

detriment to the children.” Beach v. Coisman, 2012 S.D. 31, ¶ 9, 814 N.W.2d 135,

139. SDCL 25-5-30 delineates some of the circumstances that may result in serious

detriment to children. SDCL 25-5-30 provides:

             Serious detriment to a child may exist whenever there is proof of
             one or more of the following extraordinary circumstances:
             (1) The likelihood of serious physical or emotional harm to the
                 child if placed in the parent’s custody;
             (2) The extended, unjustifiable absence of parental custody;

                                          -11-
#26195

             (3) The provision of the child’s physical, emotional, and other
                 needs by persons other than the parent over a significant
                 period of time;
             (4) The existence of a bonded relationship between the child and
                 the person other than the parent sufficient to cause
                 significant emotional harm to the child in the event of a
                 change in custody;
             (5) The substantial enhancement of the child’s well-being while
                 under the care of a person other than the parent;
             (6) The extent of the parent’s delay in seeking to reacquire
                 custody of the child;
             (7) The demonstrated quality of the parent’s commitment to
                 raising the child;
             (8) The likely degree of stability and security in the child’s
                 future with the parent;
             (9) The extent to which the child’s right to an education would
                 be impaired while in the custody of the parent; or
           (10) Any other extraordinary circumstance that would
                 substantially and adversely impact the welfare of the child.

Extraordinary circumstances causing serious detriment must be established by

clear and convincing evidence. See S.M.N., 2010 S.D. 31, ¶ 26, 781 N.W.2d at 224.

[¶25.]       In support of its finding of serious detriment, the circuit court relied on

SDCL 25-5-30(2), which requires “[t]he extended, unjustifiable absence of parental

custody[.]” The circuit court also relied on SDCL 25-5-30(3), which examines “[t]he

provision of the child’s physical, emotional, and other needs by persons other than

the parent over a significant period of time[.]” We recognize that Grandparents

served as the children’s primary caretakers for approximately two years. We also

acknowledge “that parental unfitness is [often] implicit in many of the

circumstances . . . identified in SDCL 25-5-29 and 25-5-30.” Feist, 2010 S.D. 104, ¶

12, 793 N.W.2d at 62. Grandparents have not, however, alleged, and the circuit

court did not find, that Father was unfit. Further, “to adequately protect the

natural parent’s fundamental liberty interest in the custody of h[is] children,

extraordinary circumstances must denote more than a simple showing of the
                                      -12-
#26195

children’s best interests.” Id. ¶ 10. Therefore, we must consider whether in

addition to Grandparents’ provision of custodial care, they proved by clear and

convincing evidence that an award of custody to Father would cause serious

detriment to the children.

[¶26.]       At trial, Ms. Zimbelman elaborated on her report recommending

Grandparent custody. Ms. Zimbelman expressed some concern about Father’s

ability to parent the children because he had never been a single, full-time parent.

But, at that point, Father had custody of the children on an alternating weekly

basis for almost a year. And, Ms. Zimbelman acknowledged that “[Father] hasn’t

done a poor job [parenting]. I just don’t see where it’s been easy for him. Doesn’t

mean he can’t do it. I think he needs more help, and he needs somebody to help him

with organization.” Ms. Zimbelman also acknowledged that during the ten months

prior to trial, Father had renewed his commitment to his children. Ms. Zimbelman

was asked: “And he’s actually stepping up to care for these children, isn’t he?” She

replied: “He is now, yes.” She further acknowledged that when Father “has [the

children] in his care, he’s able to care for them.” When asked if Father was a good

parent, Ms. Zimbelman testified: “To this point when the children are with him, and

what I’ve seen when they are with him, he responds to their needs. He can deal

with the problems they have. He provides for them when they are in his care.” Ms.

Zimbelman finally agreed that Father was involved in the children’s activities.

[¶27.]       Similarly, Father’s mother testified: “I have seen a tremendous change

in the past year. I see him much more comfortable in his own skin with the

[children]. I see him more and more as the father figure that he needs to be.” When

                                         -13-
#26195

P.D.M.’s teacher was asked to describe the relationship between Father and son,

she described the relationship as “loving” and “gentle.” She also indicated that

Father had participated in several of P.D.M.’s preschool field trips.

[¶28.]         Nevertheless, Grandparents rely on Ms. Zimbelman’s report indicating

that “[t]o take [the children] from [Grandparents] on a permanent basis would

cause the children emotional distress.” Yet, when the court asked Ms. Zimbelman

to elaborate at trial, she explained that a change of custody would be “a change of

living environment” and “a change of experience . . . that would be . . . different to

[the children][,]” but it can and could be done. 11 She also testified that the children

had been in Father’s home for ten months “so [they are] adjusted to [Father’s]

11.      The court: [Y]ou feel that extraordinary circumstances exist in this
         case, that if custody is awarded to a parent, it would result in serious
         detriment to the children?
         ...
         I’m—just assuming that the kids would be with the—in the custody of
         their father and the grandparents would be entitled to visitation, . . .
         [d]o you still have that concern that that would cause the children
         emotional distress . . . ?

         Zimbelman: Because of their history, the—the history that they’ve had
         living with and spending so much time with their grandparents, to
         make that change now would be basically changing physical custody
         is—how it would—how it makes sense in my mind when I’m looking at
         how the children would view that.
         ...
         And then your question is: would that cause them emotional distress?
         It’s a—it’s a change of custody, a change of living environment, a
         change of experience there that would be so different to them. It can be
         done, but I would say they—if that does happen, they should have
         opportunity to have some counseling and they need to see their
         grandparents on a regular basis a couple times a week.

         (Emphasis added.)

                                           -14-
#26195

home” as well as Grandparents’ home. In discussing continuity, she indicated that

the children could remain in either home. In her opinion, there was no need to

remove the children from Father’s or Grandparents’ home. Therefore, this is a case

in which the evidence indicates that the distress of spending less time with

Grandparents would understandably impact the children. But, changes merely

“impact[ing]” children are insufficient to constitute extraordinary circumstances

resulting in serious detriment. Beach, 2012 S.D. 31, ¶ 9, 814 N.W.2d at 139. The

distress children normally endure in changing custody is not in and of itself an

extraordinary circumstance causing serious detriment within the meaning of SDCL

25-5-29(4) and SDCL 25-5-30. See SDCL 25-5-29(4) (requiring that “serious

detriment to the child” must occur if custody is awarded to the parent). Here, Ms.

Zimbelman did not indicate that Father’s resumption of full physical custody would

cause serious detriment. Ms. Zimbelman stated that a change “c[ould] be done” so

long as the children had continued contact with Grandparents and possible

counseling. 12

[¶29.]         The court also overlooked the basis for Ms. Zimbelman’s

recommendation that favored Grandparent custody. Ms. Zimbelman’s

recommendation was explicitly made without consideration of the presumptions due

a parent. She testified that her recommendation was based solely on the best

12.      The court apparently assumed that granting custody to Father meant that
         the children would no longer have contact with their Grandparents. But
         Father testified: “I will never stop [the children] from seeing [their
         Grandparents].”

                                         -15-
#26195

interests standard used in parental custody disputes. 13 Thus, Ms. Zimbelman

indicated her opinion was based on an “equal assessment and comparison of [the]

three parties.” She indicated that she focused only on “what’s going to be best for

these children.” Although that focus is appropriate in child custody disputes

between parents, it falls short of the extraordinary circumstances and serious

detriment necessary to award custody to a nonparent over a parent’s objection.

[¶30.]         We find it instructive to contrast this case with the nonparent custody

awarded in Meldrum v. Novotny. 2002 S.D. 15, 640 N.W.2d 460. Both cases

involved custody disputes between nonparents and a biological parent. In

Meldrum, however, “[t]here were many years where there was no contact between

father and son.” Id. ¶ 59 (Konenkamp, J., concurring in part). Here, although

Grandparents provided the children’s custodial care for a lengthy period of time,

Father remained in contact with his children. Additionally, the record in Meldrum

“contain[ed] uncontradicted expert testimony that a permanent return of custody to

the father would cause serious emotional detriment [to the child].” Id. In this case,

although the expert’s report indicated that the children would suffer distress in

changing custody, the expert’s report and accompanying testimony did not indicate

that the distress would result in serious emotional detriment to the children.

[¶31.]         In summary, the law does not permit an award of custody to

“nonparents simply because they may be better custodians.” Id. ¶ 57 (Konenkamp,

J., concurring in part). The question is whether Father’s presumptive right to

13.      Ms. Zimbelman’s report and testimony reflected that she based her opinion
         solely on the Fuerstenberg factors. See Fuerstenberg v. Fuerstenberg, 1999
         S.D. 35, 591 N.W.2d 798.

                                          -16-
#26195

custody was rebutted by clear and convincing evidence of extraordinary

circumstances that would result in serious detriment to the children. Here, Father

had been caring for his children for almost a year on an alternating weekly basis

under the temporary order, and there was no clear and convincing evidence that

awarding full custody to Father would cause the children serious detriment.

Accordingly, the circuit court erred in awarding Grandparents legal and physical

custody under SDCL 25-5-29 and SDCL 25-5-30. Because Grandparents did not

meet their high evidentiary burden in this kind of case, we may not consider the

court’s findings regarding the best interests of the children. It is only when a “non-

parent prevails, either on the claim of parental unfitness or extraordinary

circumstances” that the best interests of the child test become applicable. Id. ¶ 50

(Gilbertson, C.J., writing on issue three).

Attorney’s Fees at Trial

[¶32.]       The circuit court ordered that each party was responsible for their own

attorney’s fees. “The court, if appropriate, in the interests of justice, may award

payment of attorneys’ fees in all cases of . . . custody[.]” SDCL 15-17-38. “The

circuit court must ‘enter findings of fact and conclusions of law when ruling on a

request for attorney’s fees.’” Beach, 2012 S.D. 31, ¶ 13, 814 N.W.2d at 140.

[¶33.]       Here, the circuit court did not enter findings of fact and conclusions of

law on this issue. “Without findings of fact and conclusions of law, this Court

cannot conduct an adequate review of the circuit court’s decision.” Id. Additionally,

Father has now become the prevailing party. Therefore, we remand the issue of

attorney’s fees for findings of fact, conclusions of law, and reconsideration.

                                          -17-
#26195

Appellate Attorney’s Fees

[¶34.]       Both Father and Grandparents moved for appellate attorney’s fees.

“SDCL 15-26A-87.3 permits an award of appellate attorney’s fees if they are

otherwise allowable and if they are accompanied by a verified, itemized statement

of the legal services rendered.” Toft v. Toft, 2006 S.D. 91, ¶ 26, 723 N.W.2d 546,

554. As mentioned above, SDCL 15-17-38 authorizes attorney’s fees in custody

cases. Considering the relative financial condition of the parties, the genesis for

this litigation, the good faith arguments presented by all parties, and the closeness

of the case, we decline to award appellate attorney’s fees.

[¶35.]       Reversed and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this

opinion.

[¶36.]       GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and KONENKAMP, SEVERSON, and

WILBUR, Justices, concur.

                                         -18-