Court Opinion

ID: 9908295
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-12-08 15:06:30.519963+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:49:05.286086
License: Public Domain

RENDERED: DECEMBER 1, 2023; 10:00 A.M.
                        NOT TO BE PUBLISHED

                Commonwealth of Kentucky
                           Court of Appeals
                              NO. 2022-CA-0956-MR
                                      AND
                              NO. 2023-CA-0137-MR

GRACE WILSON MARSHALL                                                 APPELLANT

                  APPEAL FROM FAYETTE CIRCUIT COURT
v.                 HONORABLE TRACI H. BRISLIN, JUDGE
                         ACTION NO. 20-CI-02372

BENJAMIN RYAN CAUDILL                                                   APPELLEE

                                    OPINION
                                   AFFIRMING

                                   ** ** ** ** **

BEFORE: THOMPSON, CHIEF JUDGE; ECKERLE AND TAYLOR, JUDGES.

THOMPSON, CHIEF JUDGE: Grace Wilson Marshall, pro se, appeals from two

orders of the Fayette Circuit Court. The orders revolve around the dissolution of

her marriage to Benjamin Ryan Caudill. Appellant argues that the trial court’s

findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decree of dissolution of marriage is
erroneous in all respects and that the trial court erred when it allowed Appellee to

unilaterally apply for and receive passports for the children.

                      FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

              The parties were married in 2015 and have two minor children. The

petition for dissolution in this case was filed on August 10, 2020, and a final

dissolution hearing was held on June 27, 2022. Prior to the hearing, Appellant

moved to be able to attend remotely as she was living in New Hampshire at the

time. The trial court ordered Appellant, on multiple occasions, to appear in person

for the final hearing. Appellant did not attend the hearing and was not represented

by counsel.1 An order was entered on July 15, 2022, which granted Appellee sole

custody of the children, divided the marital property, and awarded Appellee

attorney fees. Appellant appealed that order.

              Then, on December 20, 2022, Appellee moved to be able to obtain

passports for the children and travel outside of the country with them. On January

9, 2023, the trial court granted Appellee’s motion. Appellant also appealed that

order.

1
 Appellant’s trial counsel moved to withdraw prior to the hearing and that motion was granted.
This was Appellant’s ninth trial counsel.

                                              -2-
                                      ANALYSIS

                As to the order of dissolution, we find no error. Appellant did not

participate in the hearing and presented no evidence; therefore, Appellee’s

evidence went uncontradicted. The trial court’s decisions regarding child custody,

property division, and attorney fees were reasonable and based on substantial

evidence. Smith v. McGill, 556 S.W.3d 552, 556 (Ky. 2018); Muir v. Muir, 406

S.W.3d 31, 34 (Ky. App. 2013); and Miller v. Harris, 320 S.W.3d 138, 141 (Ky.

App. 2010).

                As to the order regarding the children’s passports, we also find no

error. As the sole custodian of the children, Appellee is permitted to apply for and

receive passports for the children without the input or participation of Appellant.

22 C.F.R.2 § 51.28(3)(ii)(D).

                                    CONCLUSION

                Based on the foregoing, we find no error and affirm. Appellant did

not participate in the dissolution hearing and provided no evidence in her favor. In

addition, Appellee is the sole custodian of the children and can legally apply for

their passports without Appellant’s consent.

2
    Code of Federal Regulations.

                                           -3-
           ECKERLE, JUDGE, CONCURS.

           TAYLOR, JUDGE, CONCURS IN RESULT ONLY.

BRIEFS FOR APPELLANT:            BRIEFS FOR APPELLEE:

Grace Wilson Marshall, pro se    Valerie S. Kershaw
Durham, New Hampshire            Lexington, Kentucky

                                -4-