Court Opinion

ID: 4431172
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-20 19:53:17.597197+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:50:51.449735
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                        NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE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 NO. A-1973-16T4

R.R.,

        Plaintiff-Appellant,

v.

J.M.,

     Defendant-Respondent.
___________________________

R.R,

        Plaintiff,

v.

B.R.,

     Defendant.
____________________________

              Argued May 7, 2018 – Decided June 15, 2018

              Before Judges Ostrer and Firko.

              On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey,
              Chancery Division, Family Part, Monmouth
              County, Docket No. FD-13-0305-17.

              Sean A. Smith argued the cause for appellant
              (Brach Eichler, LLC, attorneys; Carl J.
              Soranno, Sean A. Smith, and Mia V. Stollen,
              of counsel and on the brief).
          John Thaddeus Rihacek argued the cause for
          respondent (Pavliv & Rihacek, LLC, attorneys;
          John Thaddeus Rihacek, on the brief).

PER CURIAM

     Plaintiff, R.R.1, appeals from the December 2, 2016 Family

Part orders entered after a plenary hearing, which dismissed her

complaint seeking a genetic test to establish paternity. We affirm

substantially for the reasons set forth in the comprehensive

decision rendered by Judge Lisa P. Thornton.

                                  I.

     The chronology is critical to our reasoning in this matter.

Plaintiff filed a non-dissolution application against defendant,

J.M., her former paramour, seeking to compel him to submit to

genetic testing in order to establish paternity of her son, J.R.

At the time of the 2016 hearing, J.R. was fourteen years old.

Plaintiff was married to defendant, B.R., when J.R. was born. J.R.

is their second child together.

     R.R. and B.R., were married on July 12, 1992, and divorced

on July 6, 2005. They litigated the divorce matter through binding

arbitration with a retired Superior Court Judge, who rendered a

decision which ultimately was incorporated into the parties' Final

1
  Since this matter involves paternity of a minor child, initials
are being used to protect the confidentiality of the parties. See
R. 1:38-3(a)(14).

                                  2                        A-1973-16T4
Judgment of Divorce ("FJOD").              B.R. was ordered to pay child

support to R.R. for J.R., who was four years old at the time, and

the parties' daughter, who is now emancipated.

     Following the divorce, R.R. and B.R. were litigious.               Sixty

motions    and   applications   were       filed   addressing   post-judgment

matters.     Ten years after the divorce, R.R. raised the paternity

issue for the first time in a post-judgment motion in the divorce

case.     On July 18, 2016, the trial court denied R.R.'s motion to

compel B.R. to undergo genetic testing.              A motion for leave to

appeal that order was denied on March 15, 2016.

     R.R. renewed her request for genetic testing in the non-

dissolution complaint.      R.R. asserted she had an extra-marital

affair with her former employer, J.M., from 1999 until 2003.               She

claimed she had unprotected sexual intercourse with J.M. thirty

days before and thirty days after J.R. was conceived.2

     She informed J.M. that she was pregnant, but not that he was

J.R.'s father.     When J.R. was born, B.R. was named the father on

the birth certificate and assumed the role of a "loving, caring,

2
  Defendant B.R. filed a cross-motion seeking to have the
dissolution matter (FM docket) consolidated with the          non-
dissolution matter (FD docket) and to have R.R.'s FD complaint
dismissed on the grounds of judicial estoppel based upon R.R.'s
concession as to B.R.'s paternity in the FM matter. Judge Thornton
did not consolidate the FD and FM matters.          B.R. did not
participate in this appeal.

                                       3                              A-1973-16T4
doting,   adoring   father,"    as   found    by   Judge    Thornton.       B.R.

testified that he "never missed a moment of parenting time" until

R.R. uprooted J.R. and moved him to Morris County, where she

currently resides with her boyfriend.           Abuse allegations against

B.R. arose thereafter.        J.R. became estranged from B.R. and had

not seen him in over two years as of the time of the trial court

proceedings.3

      R.R. now contends that it is "nearly impossible" that B.R.

is J.R's biological father because their sexual encounters were

"infrequent," due to B.R.'s "health issues."               She testified that

he was impotent.     He denied that, and testified that their sexual

encounters were "more than infrequent."

      As to J.M., she testified that their sexual encounters were

"weekly, sometimes bi-weekly."            However, J.M. testified that he

saw her only "[a] couple of times, three, four, times in a year."

      R.R. provided inconsistent accounts about when she concluded

that J.M. was J.R.'s father, and who she told what and when.                R.R.

set   forth   in   one   of   her   certifications    submitted     with     her

application that she suspected J.M. was J.R.'s biological father

from the beginning:      "In 2001 when I found out that I was pregnant

. . . I told [J.M.] (as I suspected he was the father)."                To the

3
  At the time of oral argument, counsel confirmed that J.R. still
has not seen B.R.

                                      4                                 A-1973-16T4
contrary, J.M. testified that she told him that B.R. was the

father.        B.R. testified that he never doubted his paternity.

         As the trial court noted, R.R. offered a different account

in   a    second    certification,        "in   stark   contrast    to   her     first

certification."         R.R. stated that she "did not come to truly

believe that [J.M.] could be [J.R.'s] father until [J.R.] grew

older and his appearance changed.               I now believe that it is nearly

impossible for [B.R.] to be [J.R.'s] father and it is important

to   determine      whether    or   not    my   beliefs   are    accurate."         She

acknowledged that J.M. never admitted to paternity, never sent her

cards or letters regarding the pregnancy, never offered to pay for

an abortion, never visited J.R., and never provided financial

support.

         The   trial   court   considered       a   photograph    of   J.R.        R.R.

testified that J.R.'s eyebrow, hair line, crooked front tooth, and

broad chest resembled those of J.M.                 B.R. testified that he and

J.R. had the same hair color and J.R. has a fair complexion.                       J.M.

testified that he was of Italian descent and that he has an olive

complexion.

         At the hearing, R.R. denied filing the application in order

to interfere with B.R.'s relationship with J.R.                    Notwithstanding

that representation, she also testified that B.R. was abusive to

J.R. and that she believed J.R. should know that B.R. is not his

                                           5                                   A-1973-16T4
biological father, and that it would not have a negative impact

on the child. Even if it did, it was a risk that she was "ready

to take."

     R.R. considered the possibility J.M. would not want a father-

child relationship with J.R. if paternity were established.      J.M.

is married and has four sons, a daughter, and a granddaughter.      He

testified unequivocally that his family would not accept J.R. if

his paternity was established, and that he was not looking to

establish a relationship with him.    R.R. attempted to rationalize,

"I don't know that that would be the case.       I'm not sure that

[J.R.] would really do that . . . I think it's important to find

out and establish paternity either way."

     Judge Thornton denied R.R.'s request for genetic testing.      As

R.R. contends Judge Thornton applied the wrong legal standard, we

will address the judge's conclusions of law in detail in the legal

discussion.   Suffice it to say here that the judge found B.R. and

J.R. to be credible, and R.R. to be incredible.     The judge noted

R.R.'s inconsistent statements about who was J.R.'s father.       She

noted that R.R. testified in a prior proceeding that if B.R. was

not J.R.'s father, then she did not know who was.   The court found

that R.R. was motivated by her enmity for B.R.      R.R. wanted J.M

to take a DNA test because, as R.R. admitted, "[B.R.] is crazy"

and "keeps going for custody."       The judge found that R.R. knew

                                 6                           A-1973-16T4
that J.M. "had no desire to have a relationship with J.R. even if

he was his son, but was willing to risk J.R.'s emotional health

and expose him to further humiliation and rejection."

                                    II.

       R.R. raises three points on appeal.          She contends the court

applied the wrong legal standard for assessing her claim.                    In

particular, she contends the judge applied the Uniform Parentage

Act, instead of the standard set forth in D.W. v. R.W., 212 N.J.

232 (2012).      She also contends the trial court erred by not

acknowledging that she met her burden to submit a sworn statement

regarding paternity.       Lastly, she contends the trial court failed

to shift the burden to defendant to show why genetic testing should

be denied.

       In assessing R.R.'s arguments, we apply a limited scope of

review. We owe substantial deference to the Family Part's findings

of fact because of that court's special expertise in family

matters.     Cesare v. Cesare, 154 N.J. 394, 411-12 (1998).             Thus,

"[a]    reviewing   court     should       uphold   the   factual    findings

undergirding the trial court's decision if they are supported by

adequate,    substantial    and   credible     evidence   on   the   record."

MacKinnon v. MacKinnon, 191 N.J. 240, 254 (2007) (alteration in

original) (quoting N.J. Div. of Youth and Family Servs. v. M.M.,

189 N.J. 261, 279 (2007)).

                                       7                              A-1973-16T4
     While we owe no special deference to the judge's legal

conclusions,     Manalapan      Realty,        LP   v.    Township       Committee    of

Mnalapan, 140 N.J. 366, 378 (1995), we will not disturb the judge's

"'factual findings and legal conclusions . . . unless . . .

convinced    that     they     are    so       manifestly      unsupported      by    or

inconsistent with the competent, relevant and reasonably credible

evidence    as   to   offend    the   interests          of   justice'    or   when   we

determine the court has palpably abused its discretion."                        Parish

v. Parish, 412 N.J. Super. 39, 47 (App. Div. 2010) (quoting Cesare,

154 N.J. at 412).      We will only reverse the judge's decision when

it is necessary to "'ensure that there is not a denial of justice'

because the family court's 'conclusions are [] clearly mistaken

or wide of the mark.'" Id. at 48 (alteration in original) (quoting

N.J. Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. E.P., 196 N.J. 88, 104

(2008)).

     We consider first R.R's contention that the court applied the

wrong legal standard.

     A paternity test is not an automatic right of putative fathers

or anyone else.        It should only be ordered by a court after a

careful balancing of all of the circumstances surrounding the

alleged paternity.       C.R. v. J.G., 306 N.J. Super. 214, 228 (Ch.

Div. 1997) (citations omitted).

                                           8                                   A-1973-16T4
     The New Jersey Parentage Act ("NJPA"), N.J.S.A. 9:17-38 to

9:17-59, and not the traditional best interest of the child

standard,    governs   applications   to   either   prove   or    disprove

paternity.    D.W., 212 N.J. at 236 (citation omitted).          One of the

primary goals of the NJPA is to "ensure that children receive the

financial support from their parents to which they are entitled."

Id. at 246.

     As noted in D.W., the NJPA does not dictate how to determine

if good cause exists to deny genetic testing.        The Court devised

eleven factors a trial court should consider in determining if

good cause exists to undergo or forgo genetic testing:

            (1) the length of time between the proceeding
            to adjudicate parentage and the time that the
            presumed or acknowledged father was placed on
            notice that he might not be the genetic
            father;

            (2) the length of time during which the
            presumed or acknowledged father has assumed
            the role of father of the child;

            (3) the facts surrounding the presumed or
            acknowledged   father's discovery of  his
            possible nonpaternity;

            (4) the nature of the relationship between
            the child and the presumed or acknowledged
            father;

            (5) the nature of the relationship between
            the child and any alleged father;

            (6)   the age of the child;

                                  9                                 A-1973-16T4
          (7) the degree of physical, mental, and
          emotional harm that may result to the child
          if presumed or acknowledged paternity is
          successfully disproved;

          (8) the extent to which the passage of time
          reduces the chances of establishing the
          paternity of another man and a child-support
          obligation in favor of the child;

          (9) the extent, if any, to which uncertainty
          of parentage exists in the child's mind;

          (10) the child's interest in knowing family
          and genetic background, including medical and
          emotional history; and

          (11) other factors that may affect the
          equities arising from the disruption of the
          father-child relationship between the child
          and the presumed or acknowledged father or the
          chance of other harm to the child.

          [Id. at 257.]

     In considering the application, Judge Thornton appropriately

applied this eleven factor test.

     As the judge found, R.R. waited over fourteen years before

filing an application to adjudicate parentage even though she had

suspicions early on that J.M. was the father.     B.R. is the only

father J.R. knows and he provided financial support for him over

the years.   After personal observation, the judge did not see any

resemblance between J.R. and J.M., further substantiating her

conclusion that R.R. was disingenuous.   Only after R.R. moved J.R.

to Morris County did he rebel against his mother and express a

                                10                          A-1973-16T4
desire to live with B.R. The child's position dramatically changed

after a trip to Florida with his mother and her new boyfriend.

J.M. has no relationship with J.R. and does not want one.               The

judge found:

          While [R.R.] may be willing to take the risk
          that J.R. will be emotionally harmed if
          paternity is disproved, this court is not.
          For the majority of his life, J.R. has been
          embroiled in the middle of a never-ending
          custody dispute between the parties and has
          been exposed to the venom and discord that
          often accompanies high conflict custody
          disputes. There is no question that he has
          had emotional problems, and the parties'
          inability to parent has played a role in
          [J.R.'s] difficulties.   This court will not
          expose him to the possibility that someone
          else is his father, and the rejection that
          could come if paternity was disproved.4

     Judge   Thornton   weighed   the     eleven   factors    fairly,   and

emphasized the role B.R. had played in J.R.'s life until recent

years; B.R.'s financial support of the child; the absence of any

relationship between J.R. and J.M.; and his lack of interest in

forming any relationship with the child.

     Moreover,   the    record    fully    supports   Judge    Thornton's

conclusion that R.R. is not seeking financial support from J.M.,

and that there is no credible evidence that he is J.R.'s father.

4
  At oral argument, counsel for R.R. advised that the underlying
matter was transferred from Monmouth to Morris County and that
J.R.'s guardian ad litem was discharged.

                                   11                              A-1973-16T4
     In light of the court's application of the D.W. factors, we

reject R.R.'s contention that the court incorrectly applied the

Uniform Parentage Act.         The judge referenced the Uniform Parentage

Act's ("UPA") principle of parentage by estoppel as espoused by

the Supreme Court in D.W., 212 N.J. at 255-56.                    Although the UPA

was not adopted in this State, the judge came to the correct

conclusion, and "it is well-settled that appeals are taken from

orders    and   judgments      and    not    from    opinions,    oral    decisions,

informal written decisions, or reasons given for the ultimate

conclusion."     Do-Wop Corp. v. City of Rahway, 168 N.J. 191, 199

(2001) (citing Heffner v. Jackson, 100 N.J. 550, 553 (1985)).

     As to the second issue raised, R.R argues that the trial

court misapplied the law governing motions to compel genetic

testing   because      R.R.    met   her     burden    by   virtue   of    her    sworn

statement alleging J.M.'s paternity.                   Applying our deferential

standard of review, we reject this contention based upon the trial

court's thoughtful opinion.                Judge Thornton's finding that R.R.

was not credible also finds strong support in the record.                          She

found    that   R.R.    made    a    "poor       witness"   and   that    there   were

inconsistencies        in     her    two     certifications       which    were     not

reconciled at the hearing.             On the other hand, the judge found

J.M. and B.R. to be "fair witnesses."

                                            12                                A-1973-16T4
     Paternity is presumed under the law where a man is married

or was married to a child's biological mother, and the child was

born during the marriage. N.J.S.A. 9:17-43(a)(1). The presumption

of paternity may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence in

an appropriate proceeding.     N.J.S.A. 9:17-43(b).     The record

supports the trial court's finding that R.R. failed to meet that

burden.

     J.R.'s paternity was adjudicated at the time the FJOD was

entered and should not be disturbed at this juncture.     The NJPA

mandates that paternity actions be joined in an action for divorce.

N.J.S.A. 9:17-46(a).5

     Finally, R.R. argues that "the trial court erred by not

shifting the burden to [B.R.] to demonstrate good cause for why

genetic testing should not be ordered."    We find no error here.

There was ample evidence in the record to support the court's

finding that there was good cause to deny genetic testing.         As

Judge Thornton declared, "[R.R.] filed this paternity claim after

she was thwarted in her attempts to terminate [B.R.'s] custody

rights."   The judge further elaborated that "[R.R's] actions in

filing the paternity action are not motivated by a desire for J.R.

5
  The NJPA provides that no action shall be brought pursuant to
the act more than five years after the child attains the age of
majority. N.J.S.A. 9:17-45(b). This creates a twenty-three year
statute of limitations commencing with the child's date of birth.

                               13                           A-1973-16T4
to   know   his   family   or   medical   history."   The   circumstances

presented and found by Judge Thornton reveal that "[t]he matter

was not filed to ensure that J.R. was supported financially."          The

judge concluded that the paternity action was filed to "hurt

defendant [B.R.]" and as a "desperate attempt to undercut this

Court's rulings and validate the two-year separation between J.R.

and his father."      Therefore, R.R's argument fails as to shifting

the burden of proof.

      In sum, after reviewing the record, we conclude that Judge

Thornton's factual findings are fully supported, and her legal

conclusions are sound. We therefore affirm Judge Thornton's denial

of genetic testing and dismissal of the complaint against J.M.,

and her denial of the application to consolidate the FD and FM

matters.

      Affirm.

                                     14                           A-1973-16T4