Court Opinion

ID: 9540482
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:16:31.361403+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:52.515377
License: Public Domain

MILLER, Judge,
dissenting.
I dissent. Again we must address a variation of the classic solomonic dilemma which mother gets the baby? Four year old Alison Banning is in the custody of her natural mother, Barbara Banning Hughes (an appropriate solomonic disposition). The record revealed that Alison’s paternal grandmother, Mrs. Blink, not a party to this action, is also seeking visitation which — it is undisputed — she may be entitled to under Ind.Code 31-1-11.7-2. The majority, citing Collins v. Gilbreath (1980), Ind.App., 403 N.E.2d 921 (Judge Young dissenting), would also recognize a right of visitation in favor of Alison’s stepmother, Rosemary Banning, because, for fourteen months, she acted in a parental and custodial capacity with Alison while married to the late Michael Banning, Alison’s custodial parent and natural father. Our decision is more difficult than Solomon’s. His choice was whether or not to slice the baby in half. Because Alison’s grandmother is entitled by statute to visitation privileges, we must decide not whether Alison is to be sliced into two pieces, but three.
In Collins, supra, the trial court awarded custody to the children’s natural father. The stepfather, as the only third party involved, obtained visitation privileges against the wishes of the natural father. Judge Chipman and I affirmed a visitation order in favor of the stepfather because he had acted in a “custodial and parental capacity” with the children and visitation with the stepfather provided a “necessary transition to their new life with their natural father.” Id. at 923, 924. We explicitly limited our holding stating “we do not intend to diminish the rights of a natural parent concerning his or her minor children. Nor do we intend to open the door and permit the granting of visitation rights to a myriad of unrelated third persons, including grandparents, who happen to feel affection for a child.” Id. at 923, 924 (emphasis added). We noted “[a] number of jurisdictions have statutes permitting grandparents the right to request visitation [and] [i]f such a policy were to be adopted in Indiana we believe the adoption should occur in a legislative, not judicial, forum.” Id. at 924 (footnote 1, citations omitted).
Our legislature has since created the right of grandparents to enjoy visitation with their grandchildren in the event their child dies or is divorced. Ind.Code 31 — 1— 11.7-2. This statute created a right unknown at common law and therefore has been strictly construed. In re Visitation of Menzie (1984), Ind.App., 469 N.E.2d 1225 (trans. denied); appeal after remand, Bailey v. Menzie (1987), Ind.App., 505 N.E.2d 126. Statutes which provide new and extraordinary remedies are usually strictly construed, both as to the cases embraced within their terms and as to the methods to be pursued. Thus, one who claims a statutory right, or brings an action on a right created by statute, must bring himself/herself within the terms of the statute. 26 I.L.E. Statutes Sec. 177 (1960). Marshall v. State (1986), Ind.App., 493 N.E.2d 1317. “When what is expressed in a statute is creative, and not in a proceeding according to the course of the common *286law, it is exclusive, and the power exists only to the extent plainly granted. Where a statute creates and regulates and prescribes the mode and names the parties granted right to invoke its provisions, that mode must be followed, and none other, and such parties only may act.... The maxim ‘Expression facit cessare taciturn’ is also of applicability here. This law designates the actors, and when a law designates the actors none others can come upon the stage.” Taylor v. Michigan Public Utilities Commission (1922), 217 Mich. 400, 186 N.W. 485, 487.1
I disagree with our Second District’s reasoning in Tinsley v. Plummer (1988), Ind.App., 519 N.E.2d 752, 56 U.S.L.W. 2571, to the extent it held the doctrine of expressio unius est exclusio alterius does not apply in the interpretation of Indiana’s grandparents’ visitation statute. The Tinsley court analyzed the statute against the backdrop of Collins, supra. In Collins, we did not contemplate the right to seek visitation to extend to grandparents. Id. 403 N.E.2d at 924. Subsequently, the legislature extended the right to grandparents under less stringent conditions than that set out as the “parental and custodial capacity” standard in Collins. While I do not criticize the logic of the Tinsley analysis, I nevertheless disagree that our legislature, by passing the grandparents’ visitation statute, “tacitly approved Collins.” Id. 519 N.E.2d at 754.
Now, analyzing the stepparent visitation question against the backdrop of the grandparents’ visitation statute, I agree with the often quoted dissenting opinion in Simpson v. Simpson (1979), Ky., 586 S.W.2d 33 because grandparents are now entitled to inject themselves into children’s and custodial parents’ lives. The Simpson dissent stated:
“The remark in the majority opinion that the ‘visitation’ statute does not prohibit the grant of nonparents who stand in loco parentis and are jurisdictionally capable of delegating custody is pure sophistry. The ‘visitation’ statute does not prohibit the grant of visitation to baby sitters, nannies, housekeepers, Sunday school teachers and various others who may have formed close emotional ties with a child. The majority opinion disregards the statute and opens the door to the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker to a right to a hearing on ‘visitation’ rights.” Id. at 36.
Also, because grandparents have now obtained the statutory right to invade the uninterrupted custody of the custodial parent, I find the rationale of Matter of Maricopa County Juvenile Action Nos. JS-4-118/JD-529 (App.1982), 134 Ariz. 407, 656 P.2d 1268 persuasive. In Matter of Maricopa, the court held “[wjhile natural parents have a fundamental liberty interest in the care, custody, and management of their children, appellant (stepfather) cites no authority, and we find none, extending a similar liberty interest to a stepfather or to the family unit created by a stepfather and the natural mother.... A stepfather has no legal right to custody or control of a minor child nor even a right of visitation. To give such rights to stepfathers would invade the rights of natural parents and would further endanger the welfare of children by pitting rights of stepparents against those of the natural parents.” Id. 134 Ariz. at 410, 656 P.2d at 1271 (citations omitted, emphasis added).
At this stage of the game, to interpret the grandparents’ visitation statute as not excluding court created rights of visitation, would result in an absurdity for several reasons. First, it would permit two different courts to determine — upon the basis of *287different evidence — reasonable visitation for the stepparent and the grandparents. In the case before us, no evidence was presented which permitted the court to consider the impending grandmother’s visitation privileges and how they might affect or limit the stepparent’s rights.
Secondly, the right of grandparents to visitation is obviously impaired, restricted, and may possibly be defeated by the fact a stepparent has already been awarded some, or perhaps, substantial visitation. A court might reasonably conclude that further intrusion into what was once the stable home of the natural parent would not be appropriate or in the best interests of the child. This situation obviously invites a “race to the courthouse” senario. The sooner one brings his or her visitation action, the more likely one is to obtain a piece of the child. Also, the sooner the action is brought, the larger is what is left of the child from which to take one’s slice.
Thirdly, I do not believe the majority appreciates the significance of the grandparents’ visitation statute in that, by its plain language, it permits not merely one intrusion by one grandparent, but possibly four intrusions by four grandparents. Pertinent parts of the statute read as follows: Sec. 2(a) A child’s maternal grandparent may seek visitation rights if:
(1) the child’s mother is deceased; or
(2) the marriage of the child’s parents has been dissolved in Indiana.
(b) A child’s paternal grandparent may seek visitation rights if:
(1) the child’s father is deceased; or
(2) the marriage of the child’s parents is dissolved in Indiana. I.C. 31-1-11.7-2.
Where the child’s parents are merely divorced, the statute permits both sets of grandparents, maternal and paternal, to seek visitation. Assuming the grandparents are married, two lawsuits could be brought. But, assuming the grandparents are not married, as many as four individuals could bring visitation actions.
Based on the above, I cannot believe the legislature, having established so many rights of grandparents to visitation, could have contemplated that any further intrusion into the custodial home should exist. Because the legislature has now defined a class and its remedy, I believe the courts must refrain from recognizing exceptions which expose children and the custodial parent to additional visitation orders.
Even if I believed Rosemary Banning was entitled to seek visitation with Alison, I would nevertheless dissent because I believe she has failed to overcome the presumption that Alison’s best interests are served by the uninterrupted custody of her natural mother. There exists a presumption the creation of a stable, consistent home environment is in the best interest of the child. Adams v. Purtlebaugh (1951), 230 Ind. 269, 102 N.E.2d 499; Matter of Paternity of Joe (1985), Ind.App., 486 N.E.2d 1052. Natural and adoptive parents are aided with a statutory presumption that visitation is in the child’s best interest. Stewart v. Stewart (1988), Ind.App., 521 N.E.2d 956 (trans. denied), 56 U.S.L.W. 2646. If third parties, unaided by a statutory presumption, are to be awarded visitation rights they must overcome the parent’s prima facie right to uninterrupted custody with a proper showing that such visitation is in the child’s best interest. The burden of proof upon the third party will increase as the amount of time sought and the type of visitation become more custodial. Krieg v. Glassburn (1981), Ind.App., 419 N.E.2d 1015.
Dr. Robert Burns Coyle, psychologist, testified in Rosemary’s behalf at the visitation hearing. He had been hired by the late Michael Banning apparently for the purpose of testifying at a custody modification hearing. Before Michael’s death, Coyle had examined Michael, Rosemary, and Alison. He never examined Alison’s natural mother, Mrs. Hughes, nor did he examine Alison after her father’s death. He only examined, analyzed, and testified about Alison’s family life before Michael Banning’s death.2
Moreover, Rosemary did not present any evidence concerning Alison’s present home-*288life or any projected impact of her proposed visitation order upon Barbara’s and Alison’s present homelife. She testified she had lived with Alison nearly two years during her relationship with Michael Banning, was unemployed at the time and therefore spent a great deal of time with Alison. She testified further that Alison was very special to her and that she had “affection for the little girl.”
Barbara Banning Hughes, Alison’s natural mother and custodial parent, testified Alison was very well adjusted during the six weeks since the custody determination in which she was awarded exclusive custody. She testified that she and her husband, Claude, do not get along with Rosemary. She testified further that Alison did not wish to see Rosemary and that visitation with Rosemary would be detrimental to Alison.
I do not doubt Alison and her stepmother share a common bond and mutual affection. I likewise do not doubt that Rosemary represents a “tangible symbol” of Michael Banning to Alison and that visitation would have some benefits. However, I believe Rosemary has failed to carry her burden of proving Alison’s best interests are served by a visitation order because she has failed to present any evidence concerning Alison s present homelife and the impact of a visitation order thereupon. Because of the presumption favoring the uninterrupted custody in Alison’s natural mother, such an evidentiary failure is fatal.3
Therefore, I would reverse the trial court’s order granting visitation privileges to Rosemary Banning.4

. Rosemary Banning has pursued visitation by way of an independent action — the manner contemplated by the grandparents’ visitation statute when one of the parents is deceased. I.C. 31-1-11.7-6. If Michael were still living, the grandparent would be required to bring the action in the divorce court. Id. The stepfather in Collins, supra, utilized a habeas corpus action. The maternal relatives that sought visitation in Tinsley v. Plummer (1988), Ind.App., 519 N.E.2d 752, 56 U.S.L.W. 2571 intervened in the original paternity action that had established paternity in the child’s natural father four years earlier. I believe the legislature has recognized the independent action as the exclusive vehicle for asserting visitation rights for non-related third parties when one parent is deceased and has limited its use exclusively to grandparents.

. Dr. Coyle testified in behalf of Rosemary in her attempt to prove Barbara an unfit mother in the custody battle after Michael Banning’s *288death. The issue of Barbara's fitness as a mother, which is res judicata, is not before us.

. Rosemary has also failed to present evidence concerning the impact of the grandmother's prospective visitation order or the impact of the competing visitation orders upon the custodial household. I might speculate that Michael's mother could also represent a "tangible symbol” of Michael to Alison which undoubtably would be one of the benefits to Alison of her grandmother’s visitation privileges. I suggest, in the spirit of empathy, that if Rosemary has maintained an amicable relationship with Michael's mother, her mother in-law, she might visit with Alison during the grandmother's visitations with Alison. But, I find the situation in the case at bar, where courts inject court created rights of visitation into a custodial household which compete and possibly conflict with statutory rights of visitation, intolerable. I believe it is our duty, as the judiciary, to limit visitation intrusions into the custodial household by not recognizing rights additional to those expressly authorized by statute.

. However, if visitation privileges are to be awarded under the circumstances in the present case, I believe a corresponding obligation of support should attach. In Gribble v. Gribble (1978), Utah, 583 P.2d 64, 1 A.L.R.4th 1263, the supreme court of Utah granted a stepfather a hearing to determine if he stood in loco parentis to his stepson intimating this status would entitle him to visitation privileges. The court noted if a stepfather standing in the status of loco parentis is given the opportunity to seek visitation rights as a right afforded a natural parent, he should not be permitted to escape the duties and obligations of the loco parentis status. The trial court on remand was to determine, if it found visitation was in the child's best interest, whether that privilege should be conditioned upon the stepfather’s agreement to pay an appropriate share for child support.
I believe that in loco parentis status describes substantially the same relationship we defined in Collins, supra — one acting in a "custodial and parental capacity" with the child. I am impressed with the rationale in Gribble and believe that, if visitation privileges are to be predicated upon a "parental” relationship, they should be conditioned upon a corresponding obligation of support.