Court Opinion

ID: 1063232
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 19:12:52.264843+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:14:47.726490
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA

Present: Judges Humphreys, Haley and Alston
Argued at Alexandria, Virginia

ELIZABETH A. HARING
                                                              MEMORANDUM OPINION * BY
v.     Record No. 1085-08-4                                   JUDGE ROSSIE D. ALSTON, JR.
                                                                  SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
MICHAEL J. HACKMER

                      FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF FAIRFAX COUNTY
                                  Gaylord L. Finch, Judge

                 Elizabeth A. Haring, pro se.

                 Lynn A. Brenner for appellee.

       Elizabeth A. Haring (mother) appeals from an order of the trial court denying her motion

to modify custody, and ordering that Michael J. Hackmer (father) retain sole legal and physical

custody of the parties’ child (child or daughter). On appeal, mother raises the following issues:

1) she contends the trial court erred in finding that no material change in circumstances occurred

since the court’s custody order of January 13, 2005; 2) she argues the trial court failed to

adequately communicate the basis of its decision, either orally or in writing, for its finding that

no material change in circumstances had been proven, as required by Code § 20-124.3; 3) she

contends the trial court erred in interpreting Code § 20-124.3:1 to exclude the testimony of

mother’s psychologist who would have testified on behalf of mother; 4) she argues that it was

error for the trial court to allow father to withdraw his consent to mother’s psychologist’s

testimony; 5) she alleges that the trial court’s interpretation of Code § 20-124.3:1 violated her

due process rights pursuant to the United States Constitution and the Virginia Constitution;

       *
           Pursuant to Code § 17.1413, this opinion is not designated for publication.
6) she asserts that the trial court erred by awarding attorney’s fees to father after mother

attempted to bring fraud to the trial court’s attention; and finally, 7) she contends the trial court

erred in denying mother’s request for attorney’s fees. Additionally, each party requests an award

of appellate attorney’s fees and costs.

        We conclude the trial court did not err in its resolution of the factual disputes regarding

whether a material change of circumstances had occurred, nor did the trial court err by failing to

adequately communicate the basis of its decision. We further find that Code § 20-124.3:1

authorized the court’s exclusion of testimony by mother’s psychologist. Finally, we find that the

trial court did not err in denying the mother’s requests for attorney’s fees. Therefore, we affirm

the orders of the trial court.

        As the parties are fully conversant with the record in this case, and because this

memorandum opinion carries no precedential value, this opinion recites only those facts and

incidents of the proceedings as are necessary to the parties’ understanding of this appeal.

                                          I. BACKGROUND

        In accordance with familiar principles, we summarize the evidence in the light most

favorable to the prevailing party below. See Bottoms v. Bottoms, 249 Va. 410, 414, 457 S.E.2d

102, 105 (1995). The history of the strained relationship between the parties is unfortunately

long, complicated, and contentious. The parties have one daughter, who was born in 1999. In

2002, the parties separated, and mother was awarded pendente lite custody of their child. In

January 2004, the Loudoun County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court awarded

temporary physical custody of daughter to the Loudoun County Department of Social Services

(DSS), in response to a Child in Need of Services petition. In October 2004, the Fairfax County

Circuit Court held an ore tenus hearing to determine whether it was in the best interests of the

child to return custody to one or both of her parents. After a lengthy hearing and considering the

                                                 -2-
testimony of a number of witnesses and the opinions of several professionals, the trial court

awarded legal and primary physical custody of daughter to father with regular visitation to

mother. Mother subsequently appealed the trial court’s ruling to this Court, and this Court

upheld the decision on the grounds that “the evidence supported the trial court’s award of sole

legal and physical custody to father and that the decision was not plainly wrong.” See Haring v.

Hackmer, No. 2846-04-4, 2005 Va. App. LEXIS 445, at *14 (Nov. 8, 2005). We determined

               [t]he evidence of two credible expert witnesses suggested that
               father was better equipped to meet the emotional, intellectual, and
               physical needs of child. Moreover, mother’s behavior sufficiently
               demonstrated to the trial court that she would not support child’s
               contact and relationship with father, that her involvement in child’s
               life was not altogether positive, and that she had been willfully
               non-compliant with the terms of her custody and the authority of
               the court.

Id.

       In August 2007, mother filed an “Emergency Motion to Transfer Custody.” In this

motion she argued a change in circumstances had occurred that warranted a change in custody.

Mother cited the following developments, among others, as evidence of a change in

circumstances: (1) father remarried; (2) father relocated from Ashburn to Leesburg, and moved

daughter to a new school; (3) father’s financial situation had deteriorated; (4) father had an

unstable employment history; (5) father had allowed daughter’s medical insurance to lapse;

(6) father had not ensured daughter received proper medical and dental care; (7) mother relocated

to Leesburg; (8) mother established a successful insurance business in the intervening years; and

(9) daughter’s mental and physical health had deteriorated.

       Prior to the hearing regarding the modification of the custody arrangement, father moved

to bar the testimony of Dr. Dwight Colley, a clinical psychologist who had evaluated mother in

preparation for the custody hearing. At trial, the trial court barred Dr. Colley’s testimony,

pursuant to Code § 20-124.3:1, which stated that the written consent of a parent is required prior
                                                -3-
to the testimony of a mental health care provider on the behalf of or against a parent. Mother

timely noted her objection.

        The three-day hearing on the motion to modify custody began on January 28, 2008. The

trial court heard testimony from ten witnesses and admitted over seventy exhibits into evidence.

The parties also submitted written argument to the trial court. On March 6, 2008, upon

consideration of this evidence, the trial court opined that in its view no material change in

circumstances had occurred and denied mother’s motion to modify custody. In its ruling, the

trial court articulated the two-prong test used to determine if a change in custody is warranted, as

follows: “The test the courts must apply considers: 1) Whether there has been a change in

circumstances since the most recent custody award; and 2) whether a change in custody would

be in the best interests of the child. See Keel v. Keel, 225 Va. 606, 611-12, [303 S.E.2d 917,

921] (1983).”

        Prior to determining that no material change in circumstances occurred, the trial court

recited language from Keel, 225 Va. at 611-12, 303 S.E.2d at 921, as follows:

                “The ‘change in circumstances’ referred to in the first prong of the
                test is not limited to whether negative events have arisen at the
                home of the custodial parent. It is broad enough to include
                changes involving the children themselves such as their maturity,
                their special educational needs, and any of a myriad of changes
                that might exist as to them. It is also broad enough to include
                positive changes in the circumstances of the noncustodial parent
                such as remarriage and the creation of a stable home environment,
                increased ability to provide emotional and financial support for the
                children, and other such changes.”

        After finding there had been no material change in circumstances, the trial court related

its factual findings:

                1) The Court would note the minor child is eight years old and is
                   doing well in school in the current custodial arrangement. She
                   is well liked by her peers and her teachers, and there is no
                   reason to believe that a change to a different elementary school
                   would prove detrimental to her development.
                                                -4-
                   Further, the Court would note that neither parent resides in the
                   school district where the child currently attends elementary
                   school and would need an [exemption] granted each year in
                   order for the child to attend her current school.

                   The Court also notes the child is in good health.

               2) Both parents are in good health, and neither parent[’s] health
                  has changed since the entry of the prior custody order.

               3) Both parents are involved in the minor child’s life and appear
                  able to accurately assess and meet her emotional, intellectual,
                  and physical needs.

                   Neither parent has displayed a greater propensity relative to the
                   other parent to unreasonably deny access or visitation. Both
                   parents have demonstrated an ability to maintain a close and
                   continuing relationship with their minor child.

       The final order, which found there was no material change of circumstances, was entered

on March 14, 2008. That same day (March 14, 2008), the trial court suspended the final order

pursuant to Rule 1:1 until March 28, 2008, on the grounds that mother intended to file additional

objections in the matter. On March 28, 2008, the trial court again suspended the entry of the

final order, dated March 14, 2008, until April 4, 2008. Again, the order stated that the trial court

was suspending the entry of the final order because mother intended to file additional objections.

On April 3, 2008, mother filed a motion to vacate the final order and grant a new trial and a

supplemental memorandum.

       Mother, representing herself pro se, and father’s attorney appeared before the trial court

on April 4, 2008. After hearing argument, the trial court entered an order denying mother’s

motion to suspend the final order and for leave to depose. The handwritten order stated,

“[Mother]’s motion is denied. The Court suspended the entry of the Final Order twice and shall

enter it today. [Mother] is ordered to pay $1,000 [for attorney’s fees] to [father]’s attorney

within 30 days.”

                                                -5-
        On April 10, 2008, the trial court denied mother’s motion to vacate the final order and

grant a new trial. This order stated, “The Final Order in this case was entered on March 14,

2008[,] and suspended once until March 28, 2008[,] and then again until April 4, 2008.” Mother

filed “Additional Supplemental Substantive Objections to Final Order” as well as “Objections to

Orders of April 4, 2008 and April 10, 2008” on April 25, 2008. On May 2, 2008, mother filed a

notice of appeal, which stated that she was appealing the orders entered on April 4, 2008, and

April 10, 2008 (hereafter, “the suspending orders”).

                                 II. PERFECTION OF THE APPEAL

        Before addressing the issues raised by mother on appeal, we first address father’s

assertion that this Court must dismiss mother’s appeal. He asserts that because mother appealed

the suspending orders, rather than the final order entered March 14, 2008, she failed to perfect

her appeal.

        “Code § 8.01-675.3 and Rule 5A:6(a) require that notice of appeal to this [C]ourt be filed

within thirty days of any final judgment.” Carlton v. Paxton, 14 Va. App. 105, 109, 415 S.E.2d

600, 602 (1992). It is not contested that mother timely filed the notice of appeal; thus, we turn to

the question of whether mother’s reference to the suspending orders, rather than the final order,

satisfies Rule 5A:6(a). 1

        “Neither the Rules nor prior case decisions mandate dismissal of an appeal when an error

of reference[,] . . . [rather than] timely filing[,] is at issue.” Id. at 109-10, 415 S.E.2d at 602

        1
            Rule 5A:6(a) provides in pertinent part:

                  No appeal shall be allowed unless, within 30 days after entry of
                  final judgment or other appealable order or decree, or within any
                  specified extension thereof granted by this Court pursuant to
                  Rule 5A:3(a), counsel files with the clerk of the trial court a notice
                  of appeal, and at the same time mails or delivers a copy of such
                  notice to all opposing counsel and the clerk of the Court of
                  Appeals.
                                                  -6-
(holding that a notice of appeal which incorrectly identified the order being appealed does not

fail on procedural grounds). The rules governing a notice of appeal “have been designed to

protect the appellee, not to penalize the appellant.” Id. at 110, 415 S.E.2d at 602 (citing Avery v.

County Sch. Bd., 192 Va. 329, 333, 64 S.E.2d 767, 770 (1951)). “If required papers are not

timely filed, ‘the appellee is entitled to assume that the litigation is ended.’” Id. (quoting Avery,

192 Va. at 333, 64 S.E.2d at 770).

       In their briefs, both parties address the questions mother raised in regard to the final

order. Because mother did in fact file a notice of appeal, and because father was given notice of

continuing litigation, which is the purpose of Rule 5A:6(a), we conclude that under the facts of

this case, dismissal for failure to satisfy the rules governing notice of appeal is unwarranted.

                                III. MODIFICATION OF CUSTODY

       On appeal, mother contends the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to modify the

custody arrangement and in failing to award sole legal and physical custody of daughter to

mother. She argues that a material change in circumstances existed necessitating a change in

custody and that the original custody arrangement is not in the best interest of daughter.

       “A trial court’s decision, when based upon an ore tenus hearing, is entitled to great

weight and will not be disturbed unless plainly wrong or without evidence to support it.”

Lanzalotti v. Lanzalotti, 41 Va. App. 550, 554, 586 S.E.2d 881, 882 (2003) (citing Venable v.

Venable, 2 Va. App. 178, 186, 342 S.E.2d 646, 651 (1986)); see also Wheeler v. Wheeler, 42

Va. App. 282, 289, 591 S.E.2d 698, 702 (2004) (“Whether a change in circumstances exists is a

factual finding that will not be disturbed on appeal if the finding is supported by credible

evidence.” (quoting Ohlen v. Shively, 16 Va. App. 419, 423, 430 S.E.2d 559, 561 (1993)

(internal quotation marks omitted)).

                                                -7-
       “When a trial court has entered a final custody and visitation order, it cannot be modified

absent (i) a showing of changed circumstances under Code § 20-108 and (ii) proof that the

child’s best interests under Code § 20-124.3 will be served by the modification.” Petry v. Petry,

41 Va. App. 782, 789, 589 S.E.2d 458, 462 (2003) (footnote omitted); see also, Keel, 225 Va. at

611-12, 303 S.E.2d at 921.

       “‘Changed circumstances’ is a broad concept and incorporates a broad range of positive

and negative developments in the lives of the children.” Wheeler, 42 Va. App. at 289, 591

S.E.2d at 702 (quoting Parish v. Spaulding, 26 Va. App. 566, 573, 496 S.E.2d 91, 94 (1998),

aff’d, 257 Va. 357, 513 S.E.2d 391 (1999)). Consistent with the trial court’s recitation of the

applicable legal standard, a material change in circumstance

               is not limited to whether negative events have arisen at the home of
               the custodial parent. It is broad enough to include changes
               involving the children themselves such as their maturity, their
               special educational needs, and any of a myriad of changes that
               might exist as to them. It is also broad enough to include positive
               changes in the circumstances of the noncustodial parent such as
               remarriage and the creation of a stable home environment,
               increased ability to provide emotional and financial support for the
               children, and other such changes.

Keel, 225 Va. at 611-12, 303 S.E.2d at 921.

       As the party seeking to modify the existing custody order, mother bore the burden of

proving that a material change in circumstances occurred. Mother argues on appeal that

daughter has grown in age and maturity since the January 2005 order and that she experienced

emotional struggles following the implementation of that order. Prior to the January 2005 order,

daughter demonstrated some behavioral and emotional difficulties, which were somewhat

ameliorated during foster care. The trial court found her to be “thriving.” At the March 2008

hearing, the trial court found, and the record supports, that child was in good health and doing

well in school. The record supports that child’s mental and emotional well-being continued to

                                               -8-
improve under the current custody arrangement, as testimony from three teachers who instructed

daughter in the intervening years indicated that she was bright, got along with her classmates,

and did not have any behavioral issues. These are all circumstances that the fact finder

obviously considered in the resolution of this issue. While these factual considerations may have

been enough to convince a different fact finder that there had indeed been a material change of

circumstances, the fact finder in this case determined that the applicable standard from a factual

standpoint had not been met. The trial court’s finding that there was no material change in

circumstance that warranted an award of custody to mother is not plainly erroneous based on the

trial court’s factual findings in this regard.

        Mother further contends that father’s changes in marital status, employment, and

residence constituted a change in circumstances that warranted a change in custody. The

evidence supports the trial court’s conclusion that father continues to be able to meet daughter’s

physical and emotional needs. Moreover, the evidence indicates that daughter did not experience

a change in her quality of life despite father’s remarriage and employment history. Furthermore,

the evidence indicates that despite the fact that father had been employed by a number of

companies in the intervening years, daughter’s life was not impacted by these changes.

        To address mother’s concern regarding father’s relocation to Leesburg, the trial court

determined that the relocation was not a change in circumstances. Neither party lives in the

school district of daughter’s former school, and the evidence indicated, as the trial court found,

that daughter would not be detrimentally affected by a transfer in schools. As there is no

detrimental effect on daughter, the trial court did not plainly err in finding no material change in

circumstances. See Hughes v. Gentry, 18 Va. App. 318, 322, 443 S.E.2d 448, 451 (1994) (citing

Wilson v. Wilson, 12 Va. App. 1251, 1255, 408 S.E.2d 576, 579 (1991)) (holding that when a

custodial parent wishes to relocate to another state, the relocation of the custodial parent

                                                 -9-
constitutes a material change of circumstances when the relocation may not be in the child’s best

interests).

        Mother further argues on appeal that she accomplished a number of positive changes in

her ability to care for daughter. She asserts that she has created a stable home environment, has a

thriving professional life, and now has an increased ability to provide emotional and financial

support to daughter. While mother’s circumstances may have in fact changed, and she is to be

commended for these important life changes, the test in custody modification cases is whether

the change in circumstances is in fact material. While mother’s employment situation was less

than ideal at the time of the initial custody determination, it was nonetheless more continuously

stable than father’s employment history. Thus, at the time of the initial custody determination,

the trial court considered the differing employment situations of the parties, yet still awarded

father custody. We cannot say that the trial court plainly erred in March 2008 in finding no

material change in circumstances, when mother continued to have more stable employment, but

father continued to adequately provide for daughter.

        Under the facts presented in the record, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its

discretion by finding that a material change in circumstance warranting a change in custody did

not occur.

          IV. COMMUNICATION OF BASIS OF DECISION REGARDING MATERIAL
                         CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES

        Mother contends the trial court erred by failing to adequately communicate, in accord

with Code § 20-124.3, the basis of its decision finding no material change in circumstances to

permit a change in child custody. Contrary to mother’s assertion, Code § 20-124.3 applies only

when a trial court makes a determination as to the best interests of the child.

        Code § 20-124.3 provides that the “judge shall communicate to the parties the basis of the

decision either orally or in writing” when making a determination regarding the “best interests of
                                                - 10 -
a child for purposes of determining custody.” Thus, Code § 20-124.3 requires the trial court to

communicate its findings only when it addresses the second prong of the two-part modification

of custody test.

       As previously discussed, the trial court only addressed the first prong of the modification

of custody test; to wit, the trial court found there was no material change in circumstances.

Critical to the analysis is that the trial court only makes a “best interests” determination if the

material change of circumstances prong of the test is satisfied. See Surles v. Mayer, 48 Va. App.

146, 170-71, 628 S.E.2d 563, 575 (2006) (citing Ohlen, 16 Va. App. at 423, 430 S.E.2d at 561;

Keel, 225 Va. at 611, 303 S.E.2d at 921; Denise v. Tencer, 46 Va. App. 372, 395, 617 S.E.2d

413, 425 (2005)). Because the trial court did not find a material change in circumstances existed,

it did not have to reach the second prong of the test regarding the best interests of the child.

Therefore, the trial court did not err by failing to provide a basis for its decision pursuant to Code

§ 20-124.3.

      V. EXCLUSION OF EXPERT TESTIMONY PURSUANT TO CODE § 20-124.3:1

       Mother contends that the trial court erroneously excluded the testimony of mother’s

individual psychologist, Dr. Dwight Colley, despite mother’s proffer that she intended to ask the

psychologist questions solely related to mother. Mother argues that because Dr. Colley did not

treat child or father, father may not exclude the psychologist’s testimony.

       Code § 20-124.3:1, which was repealed subsequent to the instant hearing, 2008 Va. Acts,

ch. 809, provides in relevant part as follows:

               B. In any case in which custody or visitation of a minor child is at
               issue pursuant to [Code] § 20-124.2, . . . a mental health care
               provider licensed in the Commonwealth may not be required to
               testify on behalf of or against a parent or any of the parent’s adult
               relatives, and may do so only with the advance written consent of
               the parent.

                                                 - 11 -
This code section contains no language “requir[ing] that the parent must have been a patient in

order to invoke the privilege.” Schwartz v. Schwartz, 46 Va. App. 145, 156, 616 S.E.2d 59, 65

(2005) (emphasis added). In fact, the statute applies when the testimony offered is merely

adverse to a non-consenting parent’s position, even if the testimony does not directly concern the

non-consenting parent. See Rice v. Rice, 49 Va. App. 192, 199-200, 638 S.E.2d 702, 706 (2006)

(holding that because the testimony of the child’s therapist was being offered by the child’s

grandparents, it was likely that the substance of the testimony would be adverse to mother’s

position in the case, and therefore mother’s consent to the therapist’s testimony must be given

under Code § 20-124.3:1).

       Even assuming, arguendo, that excluding Dr. Colley’s testimony was error, we need not

reverse the trial court if we determine the error was harmless. Schwartz, 46 Va. App. at 159, 616

S.E.2d at 66 (citing Clay v. Commonwealth, 262 Va. 253, 259, 546 S.E.2d 728, 731 (2001);

Lavinder v. Commonwealth, 12 Va. App. 1003, 1005, 407 S.E.2d 910, 911 (1991) (en banc)).

       “In Virginia, non-constitutional error is harmless ‘when it plainly appears from the record

and the evidence given at the trial that the parties have had a fair trial on the merits and

substantial justice has been reached.’” Id. (quoting Code § 8.01-678).

               “If, when all is said and done, [it is clear] that the error did not
               influence the [fact finder], or had but slight effect, . . . the
               judgment should stand . . . . But if one cannot say, with fair
               assurance, after pondering all that happened without stripping the
               erroneous action from the whole, that the judgment was not
               substantially swayed by the error, it is impossible to conclude that
               substantial rights were not affected. . . . If so, or if one is left in
               grave doubt, the [judgment] cannot stand.”

Id. (quoting Clay, 262 Va. at 260, 546 S.E.2d at 731-32).

       Dr. Colley’s proffered testimony was that mother was mentally stable and that there is no

reason why mother could not care for daughter. The trial judge heard testimony from other

witnesses and reached the conclusion that mother was in good health and was able to assess and
                                                - 12 -
meet daughter’s needs. Dr. Colley’s testimony was thus cumulative to other evidence the trial

court considered and apparently credited. From the record before us, we are not convinced that

Dr. Colley’s testimony was critical to the resolution of the issues presented and the failure to

consider this testimony was at best, from mother’s perspective, harmless error.

       Code § 20-124.3:1 requires the exclusion of all testimony adverse to the position of the

non-consenting parent. Here, father refused to give written consent to have Dr. Colley testify.

Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s decision to exclude the psychologist’s testimony under

Code § 20-124.3:1.

    VI. WITHDRAWAL OF FATHER’S CONSENT TO DR. COLLEY’S TESTIMONY AND
                VIOLATION OF MOTHER’S DUE PROCESS RIGHTS

       In her fourth question presented, mother argues that the trial court erred by allowing

father to withdraw his consent to Dr. Colley’s testimony. She asserts that because Dr. Colley

testified at the 2004 child custody hearing, 2 it was error for the trial court to exclude Dr. Colley’s

testimony at the 2008 modification hearing when father refused to provide written consent. In

her fifth question presented, mother argues that the trial court violated her due process rights

pursuant to the United States Constitution and the Virginia Constitution by excluding the

testimony of Dr. Colley. Because we decide above that the exclusion of Dr. Colley’s testimony

was harmless error, if it was error at all, we decline to address these questions.

                      VII. ATTORNEY’S FEE AWARD OF APRIL 4, 2008

       “‘An award of attorney’s fees is a matter submitted to the sound discretion of the trial

court and is reviewable on appeal only for an abuse of discretion.’” Northcutt v. Northcutt, 39

Va. App. 192, 199-200, 571 S.E.2d 912, 916 (2002) (quoting Graves v. Graves, 4 Va. App. 326,

333, 357 S.E.2d 554, 558 (1987)). “‘The key to a proper award of counsel fees is reasonableness

       2
           A review of the record shows that written consent was not acquired at the 2004 custody
hearing.
                                                - 13 -
under all the circumstances.’” Id. at 200, 571 S.E.2d at 916 (quoting Joynes v. Payne, 36

Va. App. 401, 429, 551 S.E.2d 10, 24 (2001)). Mother contends that the April 4, 2008 award of

attorney’s fees to father was an abuse of the trial court’s discretion. At the April 4, 2008 hearing,

mother moved for a further suspension of the March 14, 2008 order so that she could depose a

number of witnesses in order to prove father had committed a fraud on the court during his

testimony. The trial court had suspended the entry of the order twice before, and implicit in the

trial court’s ruling was that the trial court believed that the evidence mother wished to present to

the court via deposition was evidence that was available or could have been discovered by

mother prior to the January hearing. Under these circumstances, the award of a part of father’s

attorney’s fees was reasonable. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding

father attorney’s fees.

                 VIII. FAILURE TO AWARD MOTHER ATTORNEY’S FEES

       Again, a trial court’s award of attorney’s fees or failure to award attorney’s fees is

“reviewable only for an abuse of discretion.” Id. at 199-200, 571 S.E.2d at 916. Mother argues

that the trial court erred by failing to award her attorney’s fees. We disagree.

       Mother argues that father “caused [unnecessary] expense and delay in these proceedings,

some of his legal actions were sanctionable under [Code §] 8.01-271.1,” and “among other

things, [father] failed to disclose two expert witnesses, he erroneously listed two expert mental

health provider witnesses as fact witnesses knowing they would be barred by statute, and his

actions precipitated the suit in the first place.” She further argues that attorney’s fees were

warranted because father failed to attend his scheduled deposition.

       When the record is reviewed in the light most favorable to father, the prevailing party

below, the “record contains credible evidence in support of the findings made by the court, [and]

we may not retry the facts or substitute our view of the facts for those of the trial court.” Cirrito

                                                - 14 -
v. Cirrito, 44 Va. App. 287, 301, 605 S.E.2d 268, 275 (2004) (citing Ferguson v. Stafford County

Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 14 Va. App. 333, 336, 417 S.E.2d 1, 4 (1992)). The trial court carefully

considered the claims involved in the custody modification proceeding, and it ultimately denied

mother’s motion to transfer custody. The record does not show that father’s actions caused

unnecessary expense and delay. As such, we disagree with mother’s claim that an award of

attorney’s fees was warranted.

                       IX. AWARD OF ATTORNEY’S FEES FOR APPEAL

       Both parties request an award of the attorney’s fees and costs they incurred in connection

with this appeal. Mother has incurred no attorney’s fees because she appeared before this Court

pro se. Her request is therefore denied.

                       The rationale for the appellate court being the proper forum
               to determine the propriety of an award of attorney’s fees for efforts
               expended on appeal is clear. The appellate court has the
               opportunity to view the record in its entirety and determine
               whether the appeal is frivolous or whether other reasons exist for
               requiring additional payment.

O’Loughlin v. O’Loughlin, 23 Va. App. 690, 695, 479 S.E.2d 98, 100 (1996). Upon

consideration of the record, we conclude “the litigation addressed appropriate and substantial

issues” and that [mother] did not generate[] unnecessary delay or expense in pursuit of [her]

interests.” Estate of Hackler v. Hackler, 44 Va. App. 51, 75, 602 S.E.2d 426, 438 (2004). Thus,

we deny each party’s request for an award of appellate attorney’s fees and costs.

                                       X. CONCLUSION

       For these reasons, we affirm the orders of the trial court and deny the parties’ requests for

appellate attorney’s fees and costs.

                                                                                          Affirmed.

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