Court Opinion

ID: 9367693
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-02-01 17:07:51.965736+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:16:02.764248
License: Public Domain

J-S44035-22

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    ALEXANDER GARCIA                           :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    ASHLEY GARCIA                              :
                                               :
                                               :   No. 1266 MDA 2022
    APPEAL OF: JOANN KWIATKOWSKI               :

                Appeal from the Order Entered August 24, 2022
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Civil Division at No(s):
                                12733 of 2021

    JOANN KWIATKOWSKI                          :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :        PENNSYLVANIA
                       Appellant               :
                                               :
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    ASHLEY GARCIA AND LOUIS                    :   No. 1287 MDA 2022
    SANCHEZ                                    :

                Appeal from the Order Entered August 24, 2022
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Civil Division at No(s):
                                9859 of 2021

BEFORE: PANELLA, P.J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and PELLEGRINI, J.*

MEMORANDUM BY PELLEGRINI, J.:                       FILED: FEBRUARY 1, 2023

        In this custody matter, Joann Kwiatowski (Maternal Grandmother) is the

mother of Ashley Garcia (Mother) and maternal grandmother of Mother’s three

children: E.G. (born 2007) and A.G. (born 2010), who both have the same

____________________________________________

*   Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S44035-22

father; and G.S. (born 2015). Both Maternal Grandmother and Mother sought

custody of all three children, but the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County

(trial court) ordered that (1) they share physical custody of E.G. and A.G., and

(2) Mother have primary physical custody of G.S. with Maternal Grandmother

having partial visitation. Maternal Grandmother now appeals and contends

that the trial court erred in failing to award her primary custody of all three

children. After review, we affirm.

                                       I.

      The trial court summarized the relevant factual and procedural history

of this matter.

             By way of background, Mother and Alexander Garcia were
      married in 2006. In 2009, the couple began residing with
      Maternal Grandmother. Mother, Alexander, and their two minor
      children, E.G. and A.G., resided with Maternal Grandmother until
      around 2012, when Maternal Grandmother conveyed her interest
      in the home to Mother and Alexander Garcia, and moved to Florida
      to pursue an employment opportunity. Maternal Grandmother
      then returned to Pennsylvania in 2014, and began residing again
      with Mother, Alexander Garcia, E.G. and A.G. Shortly after,
      Mother and Alexander Garcia separated, and Garcia left the
      residence.   Mother, E.G. and A.G. continued to reside with
      Maternal Grandmother until early 2015, when Maternal
      Grandmother moved to her own residence in Avoca, PA. In 2015,
      Mother had a third child, G.S., with Louis Sanchez[]. Louis
      Sanchez was arrested when G.S. was approximately six (6)
      months’ old, and was incarcerated. At that time, Mother and the
      children again were residing with Maternal Grandmother, and
      subsequently Mother and the children moved out and obtained an
      apartment in Plains, PA. Shortly thereafter, in spring of 2017,
      Mother was arrested for attempting to deliver a controlled
      substance to Father at Graterford correctional institution. At the
      time of the incident, she had all three young children physically
      with her. Mother was arrested during the incident, and Maternal
      Grandmother traveled to retrieve the children.            Maternal

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     Grandmother and Mother then resumed an unofficial custody
     arrangement with the minor children.

            In spring of 2018, Mother was arrested again for selling a
     controlled substance to an undercover law enforcement officer. At
     that time, Maternal Grandmother assumed physical custody of all
     three minor children. Mother was incarcerated from April of 2018
     until September of 2018. Shortly thereafter, in October of 2018,
     Mother was sentenced to one (1) to three (3) years’ incarceration,
     followed by a lengthy period of special probation. Mother was
     paroled in June of 2019 to Maternal Grandmother’s residence,
     where she resided until a family dispute in August of 2021 that led
     to Mother’s eviction from Maternal Grandmother’s residence in
     September of 2021. At the time she vacated the residence,
     Mother took minor child G.S. with her, and E.G. and A.G. remained
     at Maternal Grandmother’s residence.

            Several days after Mother left Maternal Grandmother’s
     residence with G.S., Maternal Grandmother filed an Emergency
     Petition for Special Relief alleging that Mother was “transferred to
     a new halfway house or incarceration” and seeking ex parte relief
     of a return of G.S. to Maternal Grandmother’s residence, which
     was granted. Mother responded by filing her own Petition for
     Special Relief seeking immediate return of G.S. Following a
     hearing, the order granting Maternal Grandmother sole physical
     and sole legal custody of G.S. was vacated, and G. S. was returned
     to Mother. E. G. and A. G. remained with Maternal Grandmother
     pursuant to the governing Lackawanna County Order at that time.

            Following the Special Relief hearing, the Court issued an
     interim custody schedule regarding A.G., E.G., and G.S. The
     November 24th, 2021 Interim Order provided that Mother had
     physical custody of A.G. and E.G. on alternating weekends, and
     Maternal Grandmother had physical custody of G.S. on the
     opposite weekends, for the purpose of ensuring that all three
     children could spend each weekend together. The Lackawanna
     County case was ultimately transferred to Luzeme County by
     Order dated December 3rd, 2021. On March 3rd, 2022, Mother
     filed a Petition for Modification, seeking primary physical custody
     of A.G. and E.G., as she already had primary physical custody of
     G.S. Maternal Grandmother also filed a Petition, seeking primary

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        physical custody of G.S.[1] A two[-]day trial was held on both
        Mother and Maternal Grandmother’s respective Petitions on
        August 8th, 2022 and August 15th, 2022. [The trial court] issued
        its Order[s] on August 24th, 2022.

Trial Court Opinion (TCO), 9/22/22, at 3-5 (footnote omitted).

        In the case involving E.G. and A.G. (1266 MDA 2022), the trial court

ordered that Mother, Alexander Garcia (Father) and Maternal Grandmother

share legal custody over the two children, with Mother and Maternal

Grandmother sharing physical custody on a week-to-week basis. As for the

case involving G.S. (1287 MDA 2022), the trial court awarded Mother sole

custody, with Maternal Grandmother having custody of G.S. on alternating

weekends.2 After entry of the custody orders, Maternal Grandmother filed

timely notices of appeal and contemporaneous Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) statements.

A few weeks later, on September 19, 2022, the trial court later issued its

factual findings and assessment of the Section 5328(a) factors.3 This Court

sua sponte consolidated these appeals.

____________________________________________

1 While Maternal Grandmother was not in loco parentis of G.S., she had
standing to file her petition under 23 Pa.C.S. § 5324(3)(iii).

2   Louis Sanchez, father of G.S, did not participate in the proceedings.

3 The trial court issued its assessment of the factors within the allowable time.
See 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5323(d) (a trial court “shall delineate the reasons for its
decision on the record in open court or in a written opinion or order); C.B. v.
J.B., 65 A.3d 946, 955 (Pa. Super. 2013) (“[S]ection 5323(d) requires the
trial court to set forth its mandatory assessment of the sixteen [section 5328
custody] factors prior to the deadline by which a litigant must file a notice of
appeal.”

                                           -4-
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                                     II.

     On appeal, Maternal Grandmother presents three issues for our review:

     I. Whether the trial court committed an abuse of discretion and
     whether said decision was against the weight of the evidence by
     failing to determine that it was in the best interest and welfare of
     the minor children to award [Maternal Grandmother] primary
     physical custody after applying the statutory factors set forth in
     23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a)?

     II. Whether the trial court committed an abuse of discretion in
     failing to properly apply the separation of siblings doctrine and
     award [Maternal Grandmother] primary physical custody of all the
     minor children?

     III. Whether the trial court committed an abuse of discretion in
     failing to put additional weight to the preference of the minor
     children based upon the age, intelligence and maturity of the
     children and award [Maternal Grandmother] primary physical
     custody in accordance with the minor children’s preference?

Maternal Grandmother’s Brief at 15 (complete capitalization omitted; roman

numerals added).

     We first review our standard of review for custody matters:

     This Court reviews a custody determination for an abuse of
     discretion. We will not find an abuse of discretion “merely because
     a reviewing court would have reached a different conclusion.”
     Rather, “[a]ppellate courts will find a trial court abuses its
     discretion if, in reaching a conclusion, it overrides or misapplies
     the law, or the record shows that the trial court’s judgment was
     either manifestly unreasonable or the product of partiality,
     prejudice, bias or ill will.”

     Further, when this Court reviews a trial court’s “best interests”
     analysis in custody matters, our scope of review is broad, but we
     are “bound by findings supported in the record, and may reject
     conclusions drawn by the trial court only if they involve an error
     of law, or are unreasonable in light of the sustainable findings of
     the trial court.” Importantly, “[o]n issues of credibility and weight
     of the evidence, we defer to the findings of the trial judge who has

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     had the opportunity to observe the proceedings and demeanor of
     the witnesses.” We can only interfere where the “custody order
     is manifestly unreasonable as shown by the evidence of record.”

R.L. v. M.A., 209 A.3d 391, 395 (Pa. Super. 2019) (citations omitted).

     This Court has stated:

     It is not this Court’s function to determine whether the trial court
     reached the “right” decision; rather, we must consider whether,
     “based on the evidence presented, given due deference to the trial
     court’s weight and credibility determinations,” the trial court erred
     or abused its discretion in awarding custody to the prevailing
     party.

King v. King, 889 A.2d 630, 632 (Pa. Super. 2005) (citation omitted).

     The Custody Act requires that a trial court consider all the Section

5328(a) factors when reviewing a custody petition. See 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a).

     A trial court must “delineate the reasons for its decision when
     making an award of custody either on the record or in a written
     opinion.” 23 Pa.C.S. § 5323(a)[,] (d). However, “there is no
     required amount of detail for the trial court’s explanation; all that
     is required is that the enumerated factors are considered and that
     the custody decision is based on those considerations.”

     “The paramount concern in child custody cases is the best
     interests of the child.” “The best-interests standard, decided on a
     case-by-case basis, considers all factors which legitimately have
     an effect upon the child’s physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual
     well-being.”

R.L., 209 A.3d at 395 (some citations omitted).

     Section 5328(a) states:

     (a) Factors.—In ordering any form of custody, the court shall
     determine the best interest of the child by considering all relevant
     factors, giving weighted consideration to those factors which
     affect the safety of the child, including the following:

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            (1) Which party is more likely to encourage and permit
     frequent and continuing contact between the child and another
     party.

            (2) The present and past abuse committed by a party or
     member of the party’s household, whether there is a continued
     risk of harm to the child or an abused party and which party can
     better provide adequate physical safeguards and supervision of
     the child.

           (2.1) The information set forth in section 5329.1(a)(1) and
     (2) (relating to consideration of child abuse and involvement with
     protective services).

           (3) The parental duties performed by each party on behalf
     of the child.

          (4) The need for stability and continuity in the child’s
     education, family life and community life.

           (5) The availability of extended family.

           (6) The child’s sibling relationships.

            (7) The well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the
     child’s maturity and judgment.

          (8) The attempts of a parent to turn the child against the
     other parent, except in cases of domestic violence where
     reasonable safety measures are necessary to protect the child
     from harm.

           (9) Which party is more likely to maintain a loving, stable,
     consistent and nurturing relationship with the child adequate for
     the child’s emotional needs.

           (10) Which party is more likely to attend to the daily
     physical, emotional, developmental, educational and special
     needs of the child.

           (11) The proximity of the residences of the parties.

          (12) Each party’s availability to care for the child or ability
     to make appropriate child-care arrangements.

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            (13) The level of conflict between the parties and the
     willingness and ability of the parties to cooperate with one
     another. A party’s effort to protect a child from abuse by another
     party is not evidence of unwillingness or inability to cooperate with
     that party.

         (14) The history of drug or alcohol abuse of a party or
     member of a party’s household.

         (15) The mental and physical condition of a party or
     member of a party’s household.

           (16) Any other relevant factor.

23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a)(1)-(16).

     We further note the following authority governing a custody matter

between a parent and third party. Section 5327 provides: “In any action

regarding the custody of the child between a parent of the child and a

nonparent, there shall be a presumption that custody shall be awarded to the

parent. The presumption in favor of the parent may be rebutted by clear and

convincing evidence.” 23 Pa.C.S. § 5327(b). This Court has explained:

     The parent has a prima facie right to custody, “which will be
     forfeited only if convincing reasons appear that the child’s best
     interest will be served by an award to the third party.” ... The
     presumption in favor of the parent may be rebutted by clear and
     convincing evidence.” 23 Pa.C.S. § 5327(b). This Court has
     defined clear and convincing evidence “as presenting evidence
     that is so clear, direct, weighty, and convincing so as to enable
     the trier of fact to come to a clear conviction, without hesitation,
     of the truth of the precise facts in issue.”

     Accordingly, “even before the proceedings start, the evidentiary
     scale is tipped, and tipped hard, to the biological parents’ side.”
     When making a decision to award primary physical custody to a
     nonparent, the trial court must “hear all evidence relevant to the
     child’s best interest, and then, decide whether the evidence on

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       behalf of the third party is weighty enough to bring the scale up
       to even, and down on the third party’s side.”

       These principles do not preclude an award of custody to the
       nonparent but simply instruct the trial court that the nonparent
       bears the burden of production and the burden of persuasion and
       that the nonparent’s burden is heavy. It is well settled, “[w]hile
       this Commonwealth places great importance on biological ties, it
       does not do so to the extent that the biological parent’s right to
       custody will trump the best interests of the child. In all custody
       matters, our primary concern is, and must continue to be, the
       well-being of the most fragile human participant — that of the
       minor child.” “Once it is established that someone who is not the
       biological parent is in loco parentis, that person does not need to
       establish that the biological parent is unfit, but instead must
       establish by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best
       interests of the children to maintain that relationship or be with
       that person.”

R.L., 209 A.3d at 396 (emphasis & some citations omitted).

                                           III.

       Maternal Grandmother’s first issue consists of a factor-by-factor critique

of the trial court’s assessment of the custody factors under Section 5328(a).

In this discussion, she alleges that the trial court abused its discretion in its

assessment of nine custody factors, namely, factors (a)(2), (3), (4), (8), (9),

(10), (12) and (13).4 As alleged in her issue above and as reflected in her

discussion of each factor, she alleges that the trial court abused its discretion

for not weighing these factors in her favor. In effect, Maternal Grandmother

____________________________________________

4 Maternal Grandmother also discusses the trial court’s assessment of factors
(a)(1) and (5) but makes no allegation that the trial court’s assessment of
those factors was not supported by record evidence.

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is asking us to reject the trial court’s findings and credibility determinations in

favor of the factual findings and credibility determinations that she proposes.

        Here, the trial court stated it found all custody factors were relevant

concerning all children except for factor (a)(7) concerning G.S., since he was

too young to express a well-reasoned preference.5 The trial court then found

that eight factors were fulfilled by both Mother and Maternal Grandmother:

(a)(1), (3), (5), (9), (10), (11), (12) and (15). The trial court went on to

discuss the remaining factors and explain its findings as they pertained to the

best interests of the children at this juncture, particularly in light of the

progress that Mother has made since her incarceration and the presumption

that custody be awarded to the parent.

        We find Maternal Grandmother’s first issue warrants no relief. Rather

that the claim that the trial court committed a legal error or made findings

without record evidence, Maternal Grandmother’s issue asks this Court to re-

weigh the evidence in her favor. This we cannot do As we have explained:

        [O]n issues of credibility and weight of the evidence, we defer to
        the findings of the trial [court] who has had the opportunity to
        observe the proceedings and demeanor of the witnesses.

        The parties cannot dictate the amount of weight the trial court
        places on evidence. Rather, the paramount concern of the trial
        court is the best interest of the child. Appellate interference is
        unwarranted if the trial court’s consideration of the best interest
        of the child was careful and thorough, and we are unable to find
        any abuse of discretion.

____________________________________________

5   See Order, 9/19/22, at 6, RR. 55a.

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      The test is whether the evidence of record supports the trial
      court’s conclusions.

A.V. v. S.T., 87 A.3d 818, 820 (Pa. Super. 2014) (citations omitted).

      After review, we find that the trial court’s findings concerning the bests

interests of the children are supported by the evidence and its conclusions

from the evidence are reasonable. While the trial court did not discuss every

element, the trial court considered each custody factor and sought to render

a decision giving consideration not only to the current custodial arrangement,

but also to give Mother increased custody of E.G. and A.G. in light of her

progress after her criminal convictions. This being the case, we find no abuse

of discretion. See D.R.L. v. K.L.C., 216 A.3d 276, 285 (Pa. Super. 2019)

(finding no abuse of discretion where the trial court’s findings concerning the

child’s best interests are supported by the record and its conclusions from the

evidence are reasonable); M.J.M. v. M.L.G., 63 A.3d 331, 337 (Pa. Super.

2013) (finding no merit in mother’s factor-by-factor critique of trial court’s

assessment of custody factors where it appropriately considered the factors

enumerated in Section 5328(a) and its findings were supported by the record).

      Out of an abundance of caution, though, we address Maternal

Grandmother’s arguments about the trial court’s determination of the

individual custody factors.

                              A. Factor (a)(2)

      Maternal Grandmother first focuses on factor (a)(2) concerning abuse

against the children as not weighing against either party. The trial court found

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that this factor favored nether party.        Maternal Grandmother, however,

asserts that it should have been weighed in her favor because of the in camera

testimony of E.G. and A.G. alleging that Mother struck A.G. on the face and

arms and made him kneel in rice as punishment. At the trial, however, Mother

denied that she ever slapped or beat A.G. on the face, admitting only that she

slapped his hands as corporal punishment years ago. See N.T., 8/15/22, at

69, RR. 366a. The trial court credited this testimony and concluded in both

cases that the children are not currently in any physical danger with Mother.

See Order, 9/19/22, at 10, RR. 59a; Order, 9/19/22, at 9, RR. 78a.

      Maternal Grandmother also notes that Mother had all three children with

her when she tried to deliver drugs to the father of G.S. in prison. The trial

court acknowledged this fact but noted that “Mother has made significant

progress between 2017 and present[.]” Id. It was within the trial court’s

discretion how much weight to attach to Mother’s past criminal conduct. That

the trial court decided that her recent progress outweighed her past conduct

was within its discretion and will not be disturbed by this Court.

                              B. Factor (a)(3)

      Maternal Grandmother next attacks the trial court’s determination of

factor (a)(3) concerning the parental duties performed by each party. The

trial court concluded that both parties fulfill this factor.         Maternal

Grandmother, however, argues that this factor should have been found in her

favor, highlighting her prior years when she was the primary caregiver for the

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children. Again, Maternal Grandmother is simply asking us to re-weigh the

evidence in her favor. That Maternal Grandmother was the primary caregiver

in the past in no way diminishes the evidence that Mother currently is able to

perform parental duties.     Indeed, in her argument, Maternal Grandmother

cites no evidence that Mother is not able to perform parental duties at this

time.    In the absence of such evidence, we find no merit to Maternal

Grandmother’s argument on this factor.

                                C. Factor (a)(4)

        Next, Maternal Grandmother asserts that the trial court erred in its

assessment of factor (a)(4) concerning the need for stability and continuity in

the children’s education, family life and community life.

        As it explained in its discussion of this factor, the trial court was

particularly concerned in promoting the best interests of the children by

causing the least amount of disruption to the current custodial arrangement.

First, concerning G.S., the trial court articulated its desire to avoid unsettling

the current arrangement with Mother having primary physical custody while

ensuring that Maternal Grandmother still had time with youngest child.

              G.S. has been consistently residing with Mother since she
        returned to Maternal Grandmother’s home in June of 2019. In the
        early fall of 2021, when Mother was evicted from Maternal
        Grandmother’s home, she took G.S. with her. G.S. has been
        residing primarily with Mother since that time, with the exception
        of spending every other weekend with his siblings at Maternal
        Grandmother’s home. For at least the past year, Mother has been
        primarily the one who performs all caretaking duties for G.S.,
        including waking him up and getting him ready for school, taking
        him to and from daycare/school, cooking his meals, and putting

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     him to bed at night. G.S. completed kindergarten at Pittston Area,
     and is presently in the first grade at Wyoming Area. Mother has
     secured appropriate daycare for G.S. at times that she is working.
     Mother described her relationship with G.S. as “he’s my sidekick”
     and that the two of them do everything together. The Court
     conducted an in camera interview with G.S., and he presented as
     a happy, healthy young man.

           This Court does not find reason to significantly disrupt the
     schedule and routine G.S. has become accustomed to, as such
     would not be in his best interest at this time. Accordingly, this
     factor weighs heavily in favor of Mother, and supports the Court’s
     decision to ensure that G.S. remain primarily in her custody, with
     Maternal Grandmother having partial periods of physical custody.
     The Court does not find that there is any reason to remove G.S.
     from his present circumstances by taking him from his Mother and
     rehoming him with Maternal Grandmother. The Court additionally
     finds that a sudden uprooting of G.S. and moving him into
     Maternal Grandmother’s home full-time and into a new routine
     would have a detrimental effect on him at this time. The Court
     finds that its Order dated August 24th, 2022 maintains
     consistency in G.S.’s life, and serves G.S.’s best interest at this
     time.

Order, 9/19/22, at 12-13, RR. 60a-61a.

     As this discussion shows, the trial court’s awarding Mother custody of

G.S. promoted stability because Mother has had primary custody of him for

the past several years. While Maternal Grandmother had custody of him in

the past when Mother was incarcerated, that has not been the case for several

years, and awarding her custody now would disrupt stability and continuity in

his life rather than promote it.   Thus, we find no error in the trial court’s

assessment of this factor concerning G.S.

     We likewise find no error in the trial court’s assessment of this factor as

it concerns E.G. and A.G..   Like it did with G.S., the trial court sought to

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maintain stability while also giving Mother—as the parent of the children—

increased custody.

      E.G. and A.G. have been residing with Maternal Grandmother for
      nearly all of their lives, and exclusively since April of 2018. Both
      children are living happy, stable lives with Maternal Grandmother.
      They are excelling in school at Pittston Area for the last five years,
      are involved in extracurricular activities, and have each developed
      friendships. Both children have developed into articulate, polite
      individuals while in the primary care of Maternal Grandmother.
      While both children do have mental health concerns, Maternal
      Grandmother has enrolled both in counseling, and has ensured
      that they remain engaged with those services.

      This Court does not find reason to significantly disrupt the
      schedule and routine that E.G. and A.G. have become accustomed
      to, as such would not be in their best interest at this time.
      Accordingly, this factor weighs heavily in favor of Maternal
      Grandmother, and supports the Court’s decision to ensure that
      Maternal Grandmother have substantial custodial periods with
      A.G. and E.G., and that the children remain enrolled in Maternal
      Grandmother’s school district. While the goal certainly is to
      incrementally increase Mother’s custodial time with her children,
      the Court finds that a sudden uprooting of both children and
      moving them to Mother’s home full-time, into a new routine and
      new school district in Wyoming Area, would have a detrimental
      effect at this time. Therefore, the Court feels that a week on/week
      off schedule for Mother and Maternal Grandmother as outlined in
      this Court’s order dated August 24th, 2022, with Father having
      the same amount of custodial time as he has been exercising in
      recent years, serves the best interest of both children’s well-being.

Order, 9/19/22, at 11-12, RR. 80a-81a.

      After review, we find no reason to disturb the trial court’s well-reasoned

assessment of factor (a)(4).

                               D. Factor (a)(8)

      Maternal Grandmother next focuses on factor (a)(8) concerning the

attempts of a parent to turn the child against the other parent. The trial court

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found that this factor weighed in Mother’s favor concerning all three children.

In so finding, the trial court recounted an August 2021 incident in which

Maternal Grandmother and her fiancé, Vincent Orloski, asked Mother to move

out of their residence. At some point during their argument, E.G. and A.G.

became involved in the discussion whether Mother should leave.         The trial

court found that Maternal Grandmother created an inappropriate situation in

which the children “were made to choose a side—ultimately resulting in Mother

and G.S. moving out of the home.” Order, 9/19/22, at 14, RR. 83a. Maternal

Grandmother focuses on this incident and faults the trial court for determining

that she created the situation.

      When asked about the meeting, Mother testified that it was Maternal

Grandmother and Mr. Orloski who asked the children how they felt about

Mother leaving the residence. See N.T., 8/15/22, at 35-36, RR. 358a. The

trial court was free to credit this testimony and find that it was inappropriate

for Maternal Grandmother and Mr. Orloski to ask the children regardless of

the circumstances.     Thus, because there is evidence supporting the trial

court’s finding, we will not disturb.

      Maternal Grandmother also claims in her argument that this incident

was the sole basis for the trial court’s assessment of this factor. This is not

true. Indeed, in finding that the factor weighed in Mother’s favor, the trial

court also had concerns that Maternal Grandmother coached E.G. and A.G.

before their in camera interviews with the trial court.

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             Additionally of note is the fact that during trial, E.G. and
      A.G. both came in to their in camera interviews with notes that
      they indicated that their therapist suggested that they prepare.
      Both children confirmed that Maternal Grandmother knew about
      the letters, and reviewed them prior to their in camera interviews.
      While the children denied that Maternal Grandmother helped write
      their letters for the Judge, the Court clearly has a concern that
      Maternal Grandmother had influence over the content of the
      letters, as they heavily favored her over their Mother and
      described incidents almost identical to each other. This raises a
      concern that Maternal Grandmother has, and may continue to,
      turn the children against Mother….

Id. at 14-15, RR. 83a-84a.

      Maternal Grandmother, however, does not address these concerns in

her argument on this factor. Thus, we find no basis for disturbing the trial

court’s assessment of factor (a)(8).

                     E. Factors (a)(9), (10) and (12)

      For these three factors, all of which the trial court determined both

parties fulfilled, Maternal Grandmother essentially raises the same argument,

namely, that she is a “stay-at-home” grandmother and is always available to

attend to the daily needs of the children. In contrast, she points out, Mother

works full-time at Dunkin Donuts and has less availability.

      On this factor, Maternal Grandmother merely disagrees with the trial

court’s determination and its weighing of the evidence.        Put differently,

Maternal Grandmother thinks she should have full custody of all three children

because she is always available while Mother has to work a full-time job. This

is not grounds, however, for disturbing the trial court’s finding concerning

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these three factors, as she again asks us to throw out the trial court’s factual

determinations for her own.

      Besides the fact that this is something we cannot do, we note that

Maternal Grandmother cites no record evidence at this time that Mother is

unable to fulfill any of the three factors involved. On top of that, she fails to

grapple with the presumption that Mother, as the parent of the children,

receive custody.    In the absence of clear and convincing evidence to the

contrary, we will not disturb the trial court’s findings that Mother, like Maternal

Grandmother, fulfills these three factors.

                               F. Factor (a)(13)

      Mother next contends that the trial court erred in its assessment of

factor (a)(13) concerning the level of conflict between the parties and the

willingness of the parties to cooperate with one another.                Maternal

Grandmother argues that the trial court abused its discretion in finding that

this factor weighed in Mother’s favor, empathizing that both parties testified

at trial that the conflict has diminished.

      While recognizing that progress had been made, the trial court still found

that Maternal Grandmother’s anger and hostility toward Mother remained.

First, the trial court noted how Maternal Grandmother made unfounded

allegations against the court-ordered counselor.

            Maternal Grandmother and Mother were Court ordered to
      begin co-parenting as of January of 2022. Shortly after, in March
      of 2022, Maternal Grandmother filed a Petition for Special Relief
      seeking to remove Court appointed counselor Mary Pat Melvin

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     Scarantino and appoint a different counselor. A hearing on
     Maternal Grandmother’s petition was held, during which Maternal
     Grandmother, Mother, and Ms. Melvin Scarantino all testified.
     During her testimony, Maternal Grandmother made a laundry list
     of accusations of professional misconduct against Ms. Melvin
     Scarantino.    Ms. Melvin Scarantino denied said allegations,
     describing the same as “professional suicide.”       She further
     testified that Maternal Grandmother had a great deal of anger
     toward Mother, and that was affecting the communication
     between the parties. Ultimately, the Court found the testimony of
     Ms. Melvin Scarantino to be credible, and denied Maternal
     Grandmother’s request, ordering that Maternal Grandmother and
     Mother continue with co-parenting sessions with Ms. Melvin
     Scarantino.

Order, 9/19/22, at 17, RR. 65a.

     The trial court also credited Mother’s testimony about the hostility that

Maternal Grandmother and her boyfriend, Vincent Orloski, expressed for her

when she lived with them.

           Mother testified that while living with Maternal Grandmother
     and Mr. Orloski from June 2019 until September of 2019, they
     repeatedly made comments to her about how she was lazy and
     not taking care of her kids. Additionally, she noted that Mr.
     Orloski would make comments to Mother about her weight.
     Mother testified that the comments from Maternal Grandmother
     and Mr. Orloski “made [her] feel horrible.” As of the time of trial,
     Mother testified that while her relationship with Maternal
     Grandmother is still “not too good,” she does find co-parenting
     sessions to be helping, noting that “it’s not as tense anymore,”
     and that she and her mother were “finding ways to work
     together.”

Id. at 18, RR. 66a.

     Thus, while acknowledging that progress had been made, the trial court

nonetheless concluded that this factor weighed in Mother’s favor.

          It is abundantly clear to the Court that all parties have love
     and affection for the minor child. However, communication is a

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      barrier that is preventing these parties from effectively co-
      parenting for the best interest of G.S. The Court is encouraged
      by the representations of both Maternal Grandmother and Mother
      that some progress has been made in co-parenting since Maternal
      Grandmother’s Special Relief petition was denied. However, there
      is still much work that needs to be done by these two individuals
      to get to a place where they are effectively co-parenting all of the
      children, including G.S.

           However, in consideration of the above, the Court finds that
      Mother has taken the steps to improve her life, and has been
      working to effectively communicate with Maternal Grandmother.
      The Court still has concern with the anger and hostility that
      Maternal Grandmother still exhibits toward Mother, and because
      of that, finds that this factor weighs against Maternal
      Grandmother.

Id.

      As this discussion shows, the trial court carefully considered the

evidence concerning this factor. In her one-paragraph argument, Maternal

Grandmother merely highlights that both parties testified that the conflict has

improved. Her argument, though, fails to address the other aspects of the

trial court’s determination, particularly those that weigh against her and in

Mother’s favor. We will not disturb the trial court’s well-reasoned finding.

                              G. Factor (a)(14)

      In her final argument for this issue, Maternal Grandmother alleges that

the trial court failed to properly weigh factor (a)(14) concerning the history of

drug or alcohol abuse of a party or member of a party’s household. For this

argument, Maternal Grandmother merely rehashes the facts of Mother’s prior

drug convictions, the facts of which are not in dispute and well-known to the

trial court.

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      Despite her prior drug convictions, the trial court observed that

      [s]ince being released on parole in June of 2019, Mother has been
      compliant with the terms of parole and has no violations. Mother
      has consistently maintained employment, and presently holds a
      management position at the Dunkin Donuts. Mother has been
      raising G. S. by herself for the past year, and G. S. is thriving.
      The Court acknowledges, and commends, Mother for the strides
      that she has made in her personal life.

Id. at 19, RR. 67a.

      Thus, as this discussion shows, the trial court was aware of Mother’s

prior convictions but chose to focus on the current situation and credit Mother

for the progress that she has made in concluding that drug or alcohol abuse

was not a present concern. As nothing in Maternal Grandmother’s argument

undermines this conclusion, we will not disturb it.

                                        IV.

      Turning to her second issue, Maternal Grandmother argues that the trial

court abused its discretion because its order results in E.G and A.G. being

separated from G.S. As she points out in her brief, it is the general policy of

our courts to keep siblings together unless there is a compelling reason for

separating them.      This being the case, Maternal Grandmother asserts that

there was no compelling reason for separating the three children, especially

in light in the in camera testimony of both E.G. and A.G. that they wanted

G.S. to live with them at Maternal Grandmother’s home.

      When    considering    sibling   relationships   in   making   a    custody

determination,

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      the policy in Pennsylvania is to permit siblings to be raised
      together, whenever possible (the doctrine of “family unity” or
      “whole family doctrine”). Absent compelling reasons to separate
      siblings, they should be reared in the same household to permit
      the continuity and stability necessary for a young child’s
      development. This policy does not distinguish between half-
      siblings and siblings who share both biological parents. However,
      this Court has made clear that the policy against separation of
      siblings is only one factor—and not a controlling factor—in the
      ultimate custody decision. In the majority of cases in which this
      doctrine has been invoked, the children have been reared together
      prior to separation or divorce of the parents. In cases where the
      siblings have not been reared in the same household, the force of
      the doctrine is less compelling.

Johns v. Cioci, 865 A.2d 931, 942-43 (Pa. Super. 2004) (some internal

citations and quotation marks omitted); see also M.J.M., supra at 339 (“It

is within the trial court’s purview as the finder of fact to determine which

factors are most salient and critical in each particular case.”) (citation

omitted).

      Here, the trial court explained how it wished to keep the siblings

together while also maintaining stability and consistency in the children’s lives.

             This was a very difficult factor for the Court to assess. There
      is a clear love and bond between E.G., A.G., and their half-sibling
      G.S., who resides primarily with Mother. The Court additionally
      notes that Father lives with his girlfriend and his girlfriend’s two
      minor children, with whom E.G. and A.G. have good relationships
      with and spend time when they see their Father every other
      Sunday for his custodial periods.            During their in camera
      interviews, E.G., A.G., and G.S. each expressed a desire to spend
      more time with one another. In an ideal world, all three of these
      children 'would be raised in the same household fill-time.
      However, circumstances in this case do not make that goal
      possible at this time.

            The intent of the [trial court’s custody order] is to strike a
      balance that provides the children with significantly increased time

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      with their sibling, G.S., while also maintaining stability and
      consistency for E.G. and A.G. in other areas of their lives.
      Therefore, the Court finds its [custody order] is in the best
      interests of the minor children at this time.

Order, 9/19/22, at 12-13, RR. 81a-82a.

      In light of our deferential standard of custody matters, we will not

disturb the trial court’s determination of what weight to attach keeping the

children together versus not disturbing the current custodial arrangement.

First, at the outset, we recognize that the trial court did not fully separate E.G.

and A.G. from their half-sibling G.S. Under the trial court’s arrangement, all

three children will be together with Mother for the weeks when she has

custody of E.G. and A.G. Additionally, all three children will be together with

Maternal Grandmother for the weekends when she has G.S. Except for the

weeks when E.G. and A.G. are with Maternal Grandmother, all three children

will be together. In structuring its arrangement in this way, the trial court

gave careful consideration of keeping the siblings together as much as

possible.

      Second, to the extent that the trial court separated the siblings, we find

no error in the trial court’s determination that such periods were still in the

best interests of the children in light of other factors. As discussed, keeping

siblings together is preferred but not outcome determinative, as it is but one

of many factors that a trial court should consider in making a custody

determination. See Saintz v. Rinker, 902 A.2d 509, 513 (Pa. Super. 2006)

(“[T]he policy of keeping siblings together is only a consideration and not a

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determinant of custody arrangements.”) (citation omitted). Here, while the

trial court expressed that it wished to keep the children together, it ultimately

had to weigh that wish against also ensuring that Mother, as a parent, kept

primary custody of G.S., which she has had since the fall of 2021. In our

view, this is a compelling reason for having the siblings separate for the short

amount of time that they are not together during certain weeks. Accordingly,

we discern no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s determination in this

regard. See Saintz, supra (finding no abuse of discretion where trial court

was aware and considered policy of keeping siblings together, but evidence

supported its finding that it was in child’s best interest to be separated from

younger siblings).

                                        V.

      In her third and final issue, Maternal Grandmother asserts that the trial

court abused its discretion in failing to give additional weight to the well-

reasoned preference of the two older children, E.G. and A.G.                   This

consideration is reflected in factor (a)(7), which states that the trial court shall

consider “[t]he well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the child’s

maturity and judgment.” 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328(a)(7). As Maternal Grandmother

summarizes in her brief, both children expressed to the trial court during their

in camera interviews that they preferred to live with Maternal Grandmother.

      Our Supreme Court has explained, “[a]lthough the express wishes of a

child are not controlling in custody decisions, such wishes do constitute an

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important factor that must be carefully considered in determining the child’s

best interest.” McMillen v. McMillen, 602 A.2d 845, 847 (Pa. 1992) (citation

omitted). Further, “[t]he child’s preference must be based on good reasons,

and the child’s maturity and intelligence must be considered.” Id. Finally,

“[t]he weight to be given a child’s testimony as to his preference can best be

determined by the judge before whom the child appears.” Id.

      First, we recognize that Maternal Grandmother is not alleging that the

trial court ignored this factor.   Indeed, as shown below, the trial court

considered this factor and gave it measured consideration.

             Both minors are very mature and intellectual individuals,
      and each expressed clear, rational reasons for preferring to live
      with Maternal Grandmother over Mother. Both children stated
      that they are happy in their current schools, have established
      friendships, and have become involved in extracurricular activities
      that they enjoy. In fact, E.G. was recently appointed to the
      school’s student council. E.G. additionally recently began a part-
      time job, working approximately twenty-four (24) hours per week.
      The children were clear that they want to maintain consistency in
      their lives. Additionally, E.G. and A.G. have clearly established a
      loving relationship and have developed strong bonds with
      Maternal Grandmother and with her paramour. The children also
      clearly love their Mother and enjoy spending time with her,
      however they expressed apprehensions with living with Mother full
      time based on past experience. Therefore, the Court finds that
      this factor weighs in favor of Maternal Grandmother.

Order, 9/19/22, at 13, RR. 82a.

      In its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion, the trial court added that it gave “great

weight” to factor (a)(7) and that, in fact, it was the reason that it awarded

Maternal Grandmother shared custody of E.G. and A.G.           See Trial Court

Opinion, 9/22/22, at 15 n.7, RR. 124a.

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      Thus, it is evident that the trial court not only considered the factor in

fashioning its custody order concerning E.G. and A.G., but, in fact, relied on

the factor in awarding Maternal Grandmother shared physical custody of the

two children. The trial court considered the children’s maturity, intelligence

and reasons for preferring to live with Maternal Grandmother and weighed

those considerations against the other factors that weighed in finding that it

was in their best interests to also live with Mother. Again, as our review of

the record supports the trial court’s conclusions, we discern no abuse of

discretion in the trial court’s determining that the weight of all the factors,

taken together, weighed in favor of having Maternal Grandmother and Mother

share physical custody of E.G. and A.G.      Accordingly, we find no merit in

Maternal   Grandmother’s    challenge   to   the   trial   court’s   determination

concerning the preference of the children under factor (a)(7).

      Orders affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 02/01/2023

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