Court Opinion

ID: 4427901
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-20 18:57:42.142818+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:47.720603
License: Public Domain

RECORD IMPOUNDED

                                NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                               APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                        SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                        APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                        DOCKET NOS. A-5291-17T3
                                                                    A-5812-17T3

A.D.,

          Plaintiff-Appellant/
          Cross-Respondent,

v.

N.D.,

     Defendant-Respondent/
     Cross-Appellant.
____________________________

                   Submitted June 5, 2019 – Decided August 1, 2019

                   Before Judges Accurso and Moynihan.

                   On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey,
                   Chancery Division, Family Part, Middlesex County,
                   Docket Nos. FV-12-1914-18 and FM-12-1244-16.

                   Dwyer, Bachman, Newman & Solop, LLC, attorneys
                   for appellant in A-5291-17 and appellant/cross-
                   respondent in A-5812-17 (Howard A. Bachman, of
                   counsel and on the briefs; Lauren Conway, on the
                   briefs).
             Shane & White, LLC, attorneys for respondent in A-
             5291-17 and respondent/cross-appellant in A-5812-17
             (Kenneth A. White and Lauren A. Miceli, of counsel
             and on the briefs; Gavin G. Madigan, on the briefs).

PER CURIAM

       In these back-to-back appeals, consolidated in this opinion because they

involve the common issue of plaintiff's domestic violence allegations, plaintiff

A.D.1 appeals from the trial judge's June 11, 2018 order dismissing the

temporary restraining order (TRO) she obtained against defendant N.D. and

from the same judge's order denying her June 15, 2018 motion to reconsider a

parenting-time provision of the May 25, 2018 dual judgment of divorce (DJOD)

entered after a thirteen-day trial before the judge.2 Defendant cross-appeals

from that portion of the judge's order denying his application for attorney's fees

in connection with the reconsideration motion. We affirm.

                                        I

       Plaintiff obtained a TRO after defendant appeared at her residence five

days after the DJOD was entered – a Friday – to pick up the parties' son, Gideon,

1
   We use the parties' initials and a pseudonym for their son to protect their
privacy. No disrespect is intended.
2
    Plaintiff did not appeal from the DJOD.

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                                        2
born September 1, 2014, pursuant to paragraph 8 of the DJOD which allowed

him parenting time on alternate weekends commencing on Fridays at 6:00 p.m.

Although paragraph 9 of the DJOD required plaintiff to bring Gideon to

defendant at the commencement of all parenting time,3 plaintiff had not

delivered Gideon prompting defendant to travel to plaintiff's residence. The

TRO was based on plaintiff's allegations that defendant committed the predicate

acts of criminal trespass, N.J.S.A. 2C:18-3, and harassment, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4.

      The judge conducted a hearing at which the parties and plaintiff's uncle,

who was present during the incident, testified; the judge also considered video

evidence submitted by each party. The judge, consistent with our opinion in

Silver v. Silver, 387 N.J. Super. 112 (App. Div. 2006), considered the two-prong

standard that must be met before a final restraining order (FRO) is granted:

"whether the plaintiff has proven, by a preponderance of the credible evidence,

that one or more of the predicate acts set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19(a) has

occurred," id. at 125, and whether a restraining order is required to protect the

party seeking restraints from future acts or threats of violence, id. at 126-27.

3
  Defendant was ordered to return Gideon to plaintiff or Gideon's school after
parenting time.
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      In an oral decision, amplified by the judge's letter fifteen days later, R.

2:5-1(b), he determined defendant committed the predicate act of criminal

trespass by placing his foot and elbow inside the threshold of plaintiff's

doorway, knowing he was not authorized to enter the residence. The judge did

not find from his review of the video evidence of the incident that the allegations

in the TRO – that defendant "barged in the front door, knocking down plaintiff's

mother" – were supported by the evidence. Nor did the judge find that defendant

had a purpose to harass.

      The judge, however, did not find plaintiff satisfied Silver's second prong.

Plaintiff argues the trial judge erred by determining a final restraining order

(FRO) was not required to protect plaintiff from future acts or threats of

domestic violence. She contends there was ample evidence that an FRO was

necessary but the judge failed to abide by N.J.S.A. 2C:25-29(a) which requires

a court hearing a complaint alleging domestic violence to consider:

            (1) The previous history of domestic violence between
            the plaintiff and defendant, including threats,
            harassment and physical abuse;

            (2) The existence of immediate danger to person or
            property;

            (3) The financial circumstances of the plaintiff and
            defendant;

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                                        4
            (4) The best interests of the victim and any child;

            (5) In determining custody and parenting time the
            protection of the victim’s safety; and

            (6) The existence of a verifiable order of protection
            from another jurisdiction.

            [N.J.S.A. 2C:25-29(a)(1)-(6); Silver, 387 N.J. Super. at
            127.]

      Specifically, plaintiff argues the judge did not properly consider "various

incidents of domestic violence suffered by the [p]laintiff at the hands of the

[d]efendant" despite the judge's familiarity with "the history of domestic

violence between the parties as it had presided over the matrimonial trial." She

adds the judge failed to give "due consideration" to the impact that the contact

between the parties occasioned from her required drop-off – "which may

inevitably be a source of conflict" – would have on Gideon's best interests.

Finally, she contends "the trial court seemingly contradicted itself by including

civil restraints in the DJOD . . . and then making a finding approximately two .

. . weeks later that the [p]laintiff is not in need of protection during the [FRO]

hearing."

      When reviewing "a trial court's order entered following trial in a domestic

violence matter, we grant substantial deference to the trial court's findings of

fact and the legal conclusions based upon those findings." D.N. v. K.M., 429

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                                        5
N.J. Super. 592, 596 (App. Div. 2013). We do not disturb the "factual findings

and legal conclusions of the trial judge unless [we are] convinced that they are

so manifestly unsupported by or inconsistent with the competent, relevant and

reasonably credible evidence as to offend the interest of justice." Cesare v.

Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 412 (1998) (quoting Rova Farms Resort, Inc. v. Inv'rs Ins.

Co., 65 N.J. 474, 484 (1974)). Deference is particularly appropriate when the

evidence is testimonial and involves credibility issues because the judge who

observes the witnesses and hears the testimony has perspective the reviewing

court does not enjoy. Pascale v. Pascale, 113 N.J. 20, 33 (1988); see also State

v. S.S., 229 N.J. 360, 374-81 (2017) (clarifying the deferential and limited scope

of appellate review of factual findings based on video evidence).        We also

review findings of the Family Part with particular deference in light of its

"special expertise in the field of domestic relations." Cesare, 154 N.J. at 412-

13.

      In finding that a FRO was not necessary to protect plaintiff from further

violence, the judge recounted the parties' testimony both during the FRO hearing

and the matrimonial trial. The judge echoed the credibility findings that he made

during the matrimonial trial: "It was clear to this [c]ourt during that divorce

trial that the plaintiff greatly exaggerate[ed] the alleged history of domestic

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                                        6
violence, no doubt thinking that if the [c]ourt accepted it then the [c]ourt would

adopt her overly restrictive view on custody and parenting time. He nevertheless

recognized that defendant admitted to a joint custody expert that he once struck

plaintiff. Thus the judge found that "both parties would say or do just about

anything" to prevail over the other party, and that "when it came to credibility

on a myriad of issues in the divorce trial, the [c]ourt's choice was ostensibly

between bad and worse." He concluded, "Unfortunately, after presiding over

this [FRO] hearing for several hours today not much has changed."

      The judge, after assessing the credibility of plaintiff and her uncle's

testimony about the incident at plaintiff's residence, concluded defendant's

"single act of criminal trespass unaccompanied by violence or threat of

violence" – rejecting plaintiff's allegations to the contrary – did not warrant

issuance of an FRO. Addressing the prior history of domestic violence, he found

"there was some prior history . . . though not remotely to the level ascribed by

the plaintiff."

      The judge viewed the video evidence from which he determined that

although defendant exercised "bad judgment by engaging in self-help (by going

to plaintiff's residence upon her non-compliance with the [DJOD parenting-time

provision] and by having what appeared to be an elbow and a foot in the door

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                                        7
after [plaintiff's] uncle[4] opened the door), were not hostile in any way." The

judge perceived that defendant "did not yell; . . . did not force his way into the

home; and . . . made no effort to see or speak to plaintiff."

      And the judge recognized that during the incident there was, what he

believed, "the child crying in the background." He was vexed that the parties

did not adhere to the DJOD parenting-time provisions entered five days prior.

The judge was fully aware of the DJOD's shared pick-up and drop-off provision

and that, despite a mutual no-contact provision carried over from civil restraints

entered prior to the DJOD, the parties would be required to have "passing"

contact with each other during exchanges. Yet he stressed the DJOD provisions

for a parent coordinator and the parties' option to use third-parties to effectuate

pick-up and drop-off5 when he laid any failure to consider Gideon's best interests

at the parties' feet:

                   But for all that the parties testified at the trial
             about the child’s best interest and how they care so
             much about his advancement, I believe those words are
             very hollow. Because at the end of the day we’re
             heading down a road where pickup and drop-off will be

4
  The amplified decision describes "defendant's uncle" opening the door – an
obvious misstatement.
5
  We discuss the DJOD's pick-up and drop-off and restraint provisions in greater
detail in connection with plaintiff's appeal of the reconsideration denial because
her arguments in that matter are more direct than in this one.
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                                         8
            at the police station. So when the child is done getting
            this fantastic education, he can then go tell his friends
            that he’s going to meet mommy and he’s going to meet
            daddy at the police station. And if you both don’t think
            that that’s going to have a negative effect on your child,
            no matter what kind of education you give that child,
            you’re both completely delusional.
                   It’s time to grow up. It’s over. You had
            [thirteen] days of trial, it’s over. Co-parent. I
            appointed a parenting coordinator because you need
            one. I told you both and I directed that you both
            undergo counseling because you both need it. The past
            four to five hours is further evidence of that. And if the
            record would suggest that the [c]ourt is upset, the
            [c]ourt is upset. Because days and days and days were
            spent on the best interests of the child, and as far as this
            [c]ourt is concerned, it has great reservations whether
            either one of you really value the child’s best interests.

      Applying our standard of review, we are satisfied the judge fully

considered the applicable N.J.S.A. 2C:25-29(a) factors and correctly determined

plaintiff failed to prove that a restraining order was necessary to prevent future

violence or threats. We reject plaintiff's claim that the judge's findings of fact

were unsupported by credible and substantial evidence. Plaintiff's contentions

are based on the judge's decision not to accept her version of events. The judge's

careful and thorough credibility findings and factual determinations – as set

forth in his oral decision and his amplification – were grounded in the testimony

and video evidence, as well as the inferences he properly drew from the evidence

                                                                           A-5291-17T3
                                         9
he found credible. We therefore will not disturb his conclusion that there were

insufficient proofs to justify a FRO and dismissal of the TRO was warranted.

                                          II

         After the judge denied the FRO, plaintiff moved for reconsideration of

paragraph 9 of the DJOD which provides:

              The plaintiff shall bring the child to the defendant at the
              commencement of all his parenting time herein and
              defendant shall return the child to plaintiff or school as
              noted herein at the end of all his parenting time herein.
              Either party can utilize a nanny or similar child care
              provider they employ during their parenting time (if
              defendant chooses to hire one)[6] or any family member
              to help effectuate the pick up or drop off.

Another paragraph provided defendant with parenting time on alternate

weekends from Friday at 6:00 p.m. until Monday at 8:00 a.m. and every

Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. until Thursday at 8:00 a.m.

        Plaintiff contests the judge's denial of that motion, arguing the judge

abused his discretion by basing his decision on a palpably incorrect basis by

failing "to consider significant and competent evidence, including the history of

domestic violence between the parties, the civil restraints which were continued

pursuant to the DJOD, the impracticalities of utilizing third-parties to conduct

6
    Plaintiff already employed a child-care provider.
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                                         10
exchanges, and the [p]laintiff's work schedule" in requiring plaintiff to drop-off

Gideon at defendant's residence.

      We review the denial of a motion for reconsideration for an abuse of

discretion. Cummings v. Bahr, 295 N.J Super. 374, 389 (App. Div. 1996). An

abuse of discretion occurs "when a decision is 'made without a rational

explanation, inexplicably departed from established policies, or rested on an

impermissible basis.'" U.S. Bank Nat. Ass'n v. Guillaume, 209 N.J. 449, 467-

68 (2012) (quoting Iliadis v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 191 N.J. 88, 123 (2007)).

Reconsideration is appropriate if "1) the [c]ourt has expressed its decision based

upon a palpably incorrect or irrational basis, or 2) it is obvious that the [c]ourt

either did not consider, or failed to appreciate the significance of probative,

competent evidence." Cummings, 295 N.J Super. at 384 (quoting D'Atria v.

D'Atria, 242 N.J. Super. 392, 401 (Ch. Div. 1990)); see also Fusco v. Bd. of

Educ. of Newark, 349 N.J. Super. 455, 462 (App. Div. 2002).

      The judge reiterated his credibility findings at the matrimonial trial

regarding plaintiff's "exaggerated" allegations of domestic violence "seemingly

to 'buttress her rigid positions on parenting time,'" recognizing Judge (later

Justice) Long's admonition that improper use of the Prevention of Domestic

Violence Act (the Act), N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 to -35, could have a "secondary

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                                       11
negative effect: the potential for unfair advantage to a matrimonial litigant."

Peranio v. Peranio, 280 N.J. Super 47, 56 (App. Div. 1995). The judge fully

measured his findings that plaintiff "had been . . . subject to domestic violence

at some . . . points during the marriage," and that the act that formed the basis

for the TRO involved defendant's non-violent entrance into plaintiff's residence,

in crafting the DJOD's parenting-time child transfer provision. He explained the

provision was "intended to foster a belief . . . [that] transporting [Gideon] is

facilitating and encouraging the child's parenting time with the other party." The

judge's stern rebuke to the parties during the FRO hearing evidences his concern

about the need for such facilitation and encouragement.           The judge also

perceptively deduced that despite plaintiff's professed fear of having face -to-

face contact with defendant during drop-off at his residence, she had no problem

having such contact at her own residence. Further, the judge: provided the

option to utilize third-parties for parenting-time transportation; noted four-year-

old Gideon could "walk freely from one party to another during exchanges"

obviating face-to-face contact; and that "the parties can . . . massage exact

logistics (of how they can best implement the DJOD) regarding the exchange,

through the parent coordinator."

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                                       12
      The judge's reasoned analysis of the parenting-time exchange provisions

also disprove plaintiff's contention that those terms "essentially eviscerate[e]

any meaningful effect of the civil restraints by compelling consistent in -person

contact between the parties as [Gideon] is not of sufficient age" to be dropped

off curbside. The DJOD incorporated some provisions from the parties' consent

order for civil restraints – entered on January 14, 2016. Paragraph 7 of the DJOD

provides:

                   The parties shall only communicate with each
            other about the parties' child, [Gideon,] by email or
            text, except in the case of emergency. The parties shall
            have no in-person, direct contact with the other party .
            . . except in passing as it relates to parenting time
            exchanges and except as deemed necessary by the
            parent coordinator for any joint in-person sessions with
            the coordinator. The parties shall have no oral
            communications except in emergency related to
            [Gideon] and except as provided herein.

      The judge concluded, "This incidental contact could occur regardless of

whose residence the parenting time exchanges occur." His goal in providing

such incidental and limited contact – scheduled to occur approximately six times

per month – to facilitate and encourage the child's parenting time with the other

party was within his discretion in providing for Gideon's best interests and was

wholly consistent with his factual findings regarding the parties' domestic

violence history.

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                                      13
        The judge also fully addressed plaintiff's contentions regarding her work

schedule, finding that plaintiff works from home four days per week and goes

to her office only once; and the parties live no more than twenty minutes apart.

The judge also noted that the use of third-parties "should not . . . seemingly be

necessary based on plaintiff's trial testimony where she essentially depicted her

nanny     as   doing    more    household     responsibilities    than    child[-]care

responsibilities. . . . In other words, if plaintiff is able to essentially tend to the

majority of [Gideon's] needs, which is ostensibly what she testified to, even

when working, it stands to reason that she can also contribute to pick[-]up and

drop[-]off."

        We determine the balance of plaintiff's arguments regarding the judge's

denial of her reconsideration motion to be without sufficient merit to warrant

discussion in this opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E). We add only that the use of third-

parties was merely a convenience for the parties. We further reject plaintiff's

claim that a civil consent order can be dissolved or modified only on good cause

and after consideration of the factors set forth in Carfagno v. Carfagno, 288 N.J.

Super. 424, 434-35 (Law Div. 1995). A civil consent order does not undergo

the rigorous analysis before entry as does a restraining order entered under the

Act. And more so than consent orders, orders of protection under the Act "are

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                                         14
orders of the court, not orders of the victims." State v. Washington, 319 N.J.

Super. 681, 687 (Law Div. 1998) (quoting State v. Townsend, 538 N.E.2d 1297,

1299 (Ill. App. Ct. 1989)). The judge was within his authority to incorporate

portions of the civil restraints, as modified, to further the custody and parenting -

time provisions he determined to be in Gideon's best interests following a

thirteen-day trial. Beck v. Beck, 86 N.J. 480, 497 (1981) ("The paramount

consideration in child custody cases is to foster the best interests of the child.").

      We do not find that the judge abused his discretion in denying plaintiff's

motion for reconsideration or that he decided the motion on a palpably incorrect

basis. His rational and thorough explanation verified his consideration and

appreciation of the significant, probative evidence.

                                         III

      Finally, we consider defendant's cross-appeal of the judge's denial of

attorney's fees in connection with the motion for reconsideration, which we

review with deference and will disturb "only on the rarest occasions, and then

only because of a clear abuse of discretion." Rendine v. Pantzer, 141 N.J. 292,

317 (1995); see also Eaton v. Grau, 368 N.J. Super. 215, 225 (App. Div. 2004).

The judge, in his amplified decision of September 4, 2018, analyzed defendant's

request under the factors set forth in Williams v. Williams, 59 N.J. 229, 233

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                                        15
(1971)7 and Rule 5:3-5(c).8 We find no reason to disturb his ruling; the denial

of fees to defendant was not an abuse of discretion and we affirm the denial for

the reasons set forth in the judge's comprehensive written decision. 9

      Affirmed.

7
  The factors set forth in Williams include the parties' needs, financial ability to
pay and good faith in instituting or defending the action. Williams, 59 N.J. at
233.
8
 To determine whether and to what extent a fee award is appropriate, courts
must consider:

            (1) the financial circumstances of the parties; (2) the
            ability of the parties to pay their own fees or to
            contribute to the fees of the other party; (3) the
            reasonableness and good faith of the positions
            advanced by the parties both during and prior to trial;
            (4) the extent of the fees incurred by both parties; (5)
            any fees previously awarded; (6) the amount of fees
            previously paid to counsel by each party; (7) the results
            obtained; (8) the degree to which fees were incurred to
            enforce existing orders or to compel discovery; and (9)
            any other factor bearing on the fairness of an award.

            [R. 5:3-5(c).]
9
   The judge also analyzed the reasonableness of the fees under RPC 1.5(a)'s
factors. In that no fee was awarded defendant, we need not consider those
factors.
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                                        16