Court Opinion

ID: 9898479
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-14 19:30:58.537565+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:19.359440
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

 In the Matter of the Marriage of
                                                              No. 83365-1-I
 GARTH RICH,
                                                              DIVISION ONE
                          Respondent,
                                                              UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                 and

 JESSICA RICH,

                          Appellant.

       MANN, J. — Following dissolution of Garth and Jessica Rich’s marriage, Garth

petitioned to relocate the children to Arizona. 1 The trial court granted Garth’s petition.

Jessica appeals and challenges the trial court’s consideration of the statutory relocation

factors and the sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court’s decision. Both

parties request attorney fees on appeal.

       We reverse the trial court’s order granting the relocation and remand for further

proceedings. We convert the existing parenting plan, child support order, and relocation

order, to temporary orders until the trial court enters new temporary or final orders. We

decline to award attorney fees to either party.

       1 We refer to the parties by their first names for clarity.   We mean no disrespect.
No. 83365-1-I/2

                                                        I.

                                                       A.

           Garth and Jessica married in Washington in 2007. They have three children,

R.R., P.R., and L.R. Since 2017, P.R. has lived full time at a care facility in Idaho. 2 At

the time of the relocation trial, R.R. was 11 years old and L.R. was 4 years old. The

family lived in Virginia from 2011 to 2014 and Texas from 2014 to 2015. Garth traveled

for months at a time while Jessica stayed home with the children. They moved back to

Washington in 2015. Garth obtained a job with Boeing. Jessica returned to work when

L.R. was one and has worked at Microsoft ever since. Garth and Jessica dissolved

their marriage in 2019.

           A guardian ad litem (GAL) was appointed during the dissolution. The GAL

reported that R.R. was closely bonded with Jessica and having some difficulty with

transitions. Ultimately, the GAL found that both parents are closely bonded to the

children finding, “[t]he parents bring different strengths and styles to parenting. Jessica

seems to have close emotional bond with the girls and Garth brings routine and

stability.” The GAL recommended a 50-50 shared parenting plan.

           Under the final parenting plan, Garth was designated as the person with whom

the children reside a majority of the time; the parties had joint decision-making authority.

The children would spend 4 of every 14 nights with Jessica.

           2 Because of this, P.R. was not included in the relocation and further references to P.R. will be

limited.

                                                       -2-
No. 83365-1-I/3

                                                  B.

       In March 2021, Garth notified Jessica of his intent to relocate to Arizona with

R.R. and L.R. In the notice, Garth explained his reason for moving as “solely a career

development opportunity.” Jessica objected to the relocation.

       Jessica moved for a temporary order to prevent the move. During the hearing,

Garth argued that the relocation was “mandatory for [Garth] to maintain his employment

with Boeing.” Garth argued that because Boeing had funded his master’s degree, in the

amount of $45,000, Garth would “be on the hook for [it] if he refuses to relocate.” On

the good faith factor, 3 the trial court found:

       I don’t have any substantial information other than that the father has
       testified under oath that he is moving for his job, the job is relocating, and
       he has to follow it. I’m well aware that the mother doesn’t agree with his
       assertion there, and I suspect there is discovery being done on that, and
       there may be more information at trial. But I don’t have any other
       information that is reliable at this point, and so all I know is that father is
       alleging that he’s moving there, has testified under oath that he’s moving
       there for a job, and that is in good faith.

Finding that Garth was likely to prevail at trial, the trial court granted Garth temporary

permission to move with the children. Under the temporary parenting plan, the children

relocated to Arizona after the mother’s summer time with them ended on July 24, 2021.

                                                  C.

       The trial court held trial over several days beginning on August 17, 2021. Garth

presented testimony from several lay witnesses, including his father, brothers, and

friends, and neighbors. Many of these witnesses had never seen Jessica with the

children or had spent minimal time with Jessica while the parties were married. Jessica

       3 RCW 26.09.520(5).

                                                  -3-
No. 83365-1-I/4

presented testimony from her mother, sisters, and experts involved with R.R. While

both L.R. and R.R. were the subject of the relocation, much of the testimony focused on

R.R. and how the relocation would affect her.

       The children’s pediatrician, Dr. Annie Pineyro, testified. Dr. Pineyro had been the

primary care provider for R.R. and L.R. since July 2019. While L.R. has only been seen

for a few visits, she is developmentally appropriate for her age and generally healthy. In

late June 2021, Dr. Pineyro started seeing R.R. for vomiting multiple times a day that

seemed affiliated with anxiety. R.R. had a history of sensory processing disorder and

anxiety. Because of persistent vomiting and resulting dehydration, R.R. was admitted to

Seattle Children’s Hospital on July 19. R.R. had lost 13 pounds in 3 months, dropping

from the 50th percentile to the 15th. The hospital admission was to try to get R.R.

“under control” before her flight to Arizona.

       When Dr. Pineyro saw R.R. for vomiting, she recommended that Jessica obtain

an evaluation and testing to have a better understanding of R.R. The evaluation of R.R.

led to a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disorder impairment in

math, and separation anxiety disorder. After reviewing the evaluation, Dr. Pineyro

testified that a child like R.R. would have more difficulty with transitions. She also

testified that there are “so many layers to [R.R.’s] care.” As for the parents, Dr. Pineyro

said she was not concerned with R.R. being in either of their care, and she never saw

inappropriate interactions between either parent and R.R. She added, “I do think they

are involved. I’ve had a lot of communication with both of them. But I do think that

[R.R.] is extremely sick right now, and whether that is physiological or mental, or both,

she needs consistent care.”

                                                -4-
No. 83365-1-I/5

         Dr. Pineyro recommended that R.R. remain in counseling, consult a psychiatrist

for a medication management program if the vomiting was not under control, or obtain a

GI workup to stop her from losing weight. Dr. Pineyro also recommended R.R. attend

some sort of group therapy or occupational therapy for the autism spectrum diagnosis,

and obtain an IEP for accommodations at school.

         R.R.’s licensed mental health counselor, Dr. Cecile Culp Mielenz also testified.

Dr. Mielenz had 48 sessions with R.R. between August 2020 and trial. In 2020, Jessica

contacted Dr. Mielenz for assistance with the anxiety R.R. was experiencing when

transitioning between the parties’ homes. R.R. had seen another therapist for several

years. Dr. Mielenz was aware of R.R.’s history of separation anxiety and vomiting when

upset.

         Dr. Mielenz described R.R.’s anxiety as follows:

         [R.R.’s] anxiety is notable, but I find that she can talk about it, and she’s
         very receptive to strategies to lessen her anxiety. She’s also helped by
         having a plan for how to approach issues that she finds difficult or that she
         worries about. Talking with her about reframing the way that she views a
         situation has also been very helpful.

Dr. Mielenz explained that R.R. struggled with the transition to remote learning, then

back to in-person, but opined, “those are so minor compared to a move to another state,

a move away from her school, a move away from her friend, a different climate, a

different culture, geographical region.”

         Dr. Mielenz testified that when R.R. learned of the potential move to Arizona she

“regressed a lot” and “was really overwhelmed and distraught about the whole thing . . .

[i]t was hard for her.” R.R.’s vomiting “has reemerged as an indication of her emotional

distress.” In their last appointment together, two days before the move to Arizona, R.R.

                                              -5-
No. 83365-1-I/6

expressed sadness that Garth might be extra mean, that he doesn’t care about her, and

he won’t listen to her.

       Dr. Mielenz concluded that R.R. has “shown us that a move to Arizona is not

good for her emotionally, socially, physically.” Her opinion was based on the dramatic

increase in R.R.’s vomiting, weight loss, and worries and fears that R.R. expressed in

her last session with Dr. Mielenz.

       Dr. Mielenz explained that R.R. is connected to Jessica as her primary

attachment figure and R.R. tends to be more vulnerable with Jessica. She was

impressed by the way Jessica handled R.R.’s concerns about the move and reluctance

to speak with her father. Jessica “would try to reframe things for [R.R.], to have her look

at the situation with her dad in a different way, in a more positive way.” “[I]t’s clear she

loves her daughter. She doesn’t want her to have a bad experience. She’s trying to

help her get through this the best she can.”

       Dr. Kristine Berrett, who evaluated R.R., also testified. Dr. Berrett agreed to do

an expedited evaluation of R.R. at the request of Dr. Mielenz because of R.R.’s

upcoming move to Arizona. Both parents completed questionnaires on R.R. that

reflected similar perspectives on R.R. Dr. Berrett diagnosed R.R. with autism spectrum

disorder, specific learning disorder impairment in math, and separation anxiety disorder.

       At trial, Dr. Berrett explained that a child on the autism spectrum would

experience challenges with parents living significantly far apart on many levels. She

opined, “[a]ny type of transition is difficult . . . there needs to be a plan in place.”

       Even lay witnesses who spent limited time with R.R., recognized that she has

challenges. Witnesses described R.R. as having “some sort of social anxiety . . .

                                               -6-
No. 83365-1-I/7

interacting with people was difficult for her.” R.R. “has some challenges” and is “not

very comfortable meeting people.” Garth’s brother, Timothy, testified that he visited

Garth and the children in Arizona just before the relocation trial. He described R.R. as

“anxious at times” and he testified that when he heard about the relocation he thought it

might be challenging for the children “especially [R.R.] to be honest.”

       R.R.’s former principal, Molly Lutz testified. Lutz testified that R.R. had made

huge growth in her time at Eagle Rock Multi-Age school. Lutz also explained that the

school has transition services for students that have interventions in place, like R.R., for

moving into middle school. The district works closely with the counseling team and

teachers to make sure the interventions that were successful continue into the next

grade. R.R.’s school counselor had also planned to meet with R.R. weekly to help her

with the transition to middle school.

       As for the parents, Lutz explained that after Jessica had a conflict with a teacher

when school was operating remotely, Lutz determined it would be best for her to be

present during meetings going forward. But Lutz testified that she never felt Jessica

was inappropriate with school staff or overstepped boundaries in advocating for R.R.

Lutz also oversees special education and had worked with P.R. before she moved to

Idaho. Both parents were appropriate in their interactions with the school about P.R.

Lutz had no concerns about either parent and had not received complaints about either

of them.

       After trial, the trial court granted Garth’s relocation and entered a new final

parenting plan. The trial court’s written findings, entered after a presentation hearing,

incorporated the trial court’s oral ruling.

                                              -7-
No. 83365-1-I/8

       Jessica appeals.

                                              II.

                                              A.

       The child relocation act (CRA), RCW 26.09.405, governs the process for

relocating the primary residence of a child who is the subject of a court order for

residential time. In re Marriage of McNaught, 189 Wn. App. 545, 553, 359 P.3d 811

(2015). If the relocating parent enjoys a majority of the child’s residential time, the CRA

creates “a rebuttable presumption that the intended relocation of the child will be

permitted.” RCW 26.09.520; McNaught, 189 Wn. App. at 553. A parent opposing

relocation “may rebut the presumption by demonstrating” by a preponderance of the

evidence “that the detrimental effect of the relocation outweighs the benefit of the

change to the child and the relocating person.” RCW 26.09.520; McNaught, 189 Wn.

App. at 553.

       Under RCW 26.09.520, the trial court considers several factors to determine

whether the harm of a proposed relocation outweighs its benefits:

       (1) The relative strength, nature, quality, extent of involvement, and
       stability of the child’s relationship with each parent, siblings, and other
       significant persons in the child’s life;

       (2) Prior agreements of the parties;

       (3) Whether disrupting the contact between the child and the person
       seeking relocation would be more detrimental to the child than disrupting
       contact between the child and the person objecting to the relocation;

       (4) Whether either parent or a person entitled to residential time with the
       child is subject to limitations under RCW 26.09.191;

                                              -8-
No. 83365-1-I/9

       (5) The reasons of each person for seeking or opposing the relocation and
       the good faith of each of the parties in requesting or opposing the
       relocation;

       (6) The age, developmental stage, and needs of the child, and the likely
       impact the relocation or its prevention will have on the child’s physical,
       educational, and emotional development, taking into consideration any
       special needs of the child;

       (7) The quality of life, resources, and opportunities available to the child
       and to the relocating party in the current and proposed geographic
       locations;

       (8) The availability of alternative arrangements to foster and continue the
       child’s relationship with and access to the other parent;

       (9) The alternatives to relocation and whether it is feasible and desirable
       for the other party to relocate also;

       (10) The financial impact and logistics of the relocation or its prevention;
       and

       (11) For a temporary order, the amount of time before a final decision can
       be made at trial.

These factors are not weighted or listed in any particular order. RCW 26.09.520; In re

Marriage of Horner, 151 Wn.2d 884, 887, 93 P.3d 124 (2004).

       We review a trial court’s decision to grant or deny a petition for relocation for

abuse of discretion. See Horner, 151 Wn.2d at 893. A trial court abuses its discretion if

its decision is unreasonable or based on “‘untenable grounds or reasons.’” Horner, 151

Wn.2d at 893 (quoting State v. Brown, 132 Wn.2d 529, 572, 940 P.2d 546 (1997)). “A

court’s decision is manifestly unreasonable if it is outside the range of acceptable

choices, given the facts and the applicable legal standard; it is based on untenable

grounds if the factual findings are unsupported by the record; [and] it is based on

untenable reasons if it is based on an incorrect standard or the facts do not meet the

                                             -9-
No. 83365-1-I/10

requirements of the correct standard.” Horner, 151 Wn.2d at 894 (quoting In re

Marriage of Littlefield, 133 Wn.2d 39, 47, 940 P.2d 1362 (1997)).

        We do not reweigh the evidence to determine whether we would reach a different

conclusion from the trial court. McNaught, 189 Wn. App. at 561. Rather, we determine

whether a trial court’s findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence: evidence

of sufficient quantity to persuade a fair-minded, rational person of the truth of the matter

asserted. In re Marriage of Chandola, 180 Wn.2d 632, 649, 327 P.3d 644 (2014). To

that end, we are not bound by the trial court’s findings if the trial court “rejects

uncontroverted credible evidence, or capriciously disbelieves uncontradicted evidence.”

Smith v. Pac. Pools, Inc., 12 Wn. App. 578, 582, 530 P.2d 658 (1975).

        A trial court may abuse its discretion if it considers facts irrelevant to a particular

factor or fails to consider relevant facts necessary for applying a factor. See Shrauner

v. Olsen, 16 Wn. App. 2d 384, 412-13, 483 P.3d 815 (2020).

        Here, the trial court found that Jessica failed to rebut the presumption that the

benefits of the relocation outweighed any detrimental effects and permitted Garth to

move with the children to Arizona. The trial court entered written findings on each factor

in its final order and findings about the objection and petition to relocate with the

children. Jessica argues that the court erred in its analysis of several of these factors. 4

We agree with Jessica and conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in its

analysis of RCW 26.09.520 relocation factors 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9. We address each in

turn.

        4 Relocation factor 2, pertaining to prior agreements, relocation factor 4, pertaining to limitations

under RCW 26.09.191, and relocation factor 11, pertaining to temporary orders, do not apply and are not
at issue. RCW 26.09.520.

                                                    -10-
No. 83365-1-I/11

                                               B.

       The first factor addresses the “relative strength, nature, quality, extent of

involvement, and stability of the child’s relationship with each parent, siblings, and other

significant persons in the child’s life.” RCW 26.09.520(1). Jessica argues that the trial

court made several errors in analyzing factor 1. Jessica asserts that the trial court

considered irrelevant facts and the findings are unsupported by the record. We agree.

       During the trial court’s oral ruling, the trial court stated, “[t]his is a complicated

factor in this case because while it’s clear that the child that we’re most concerned with

here, [R.R.], because of [L.R.’s] generally greater ability to adapt to whatever situation

comes up.” This was the trial court’s only reference to L.R.

       The written finding states:

       The mother is [R.R.’s] primary emotional attachment figure, but it is not
       necessarily a healthy relationship. This is clear from the mother’s
       behavior throughout the trial. The mother’s anxiety fuels [R.R.’s] anxiety
       and [R.R.] alters her behavior and/or stories to please the mother. The
       Court does not find that the mother is purposely doing this, but that it is
       occurring nonetheless, and it is not helpful to [R.R.’s] condition or
       development. This factor is not predominantly in favor for [Jessica] in
       spite of the fact that she is the child’s primary attachment figure. Factor is
       neutral, which weighs in favor of the father.

       First, while Jessica testified that she had been diagnosed with postpartum

anxiety, the diagnosis was from after R.R. was born 11 years ago. Jessica explained

that it took some time to diagnose her anxiety, as postpartum depression is more

common, but after three months, things started getting better. While Jessica continues

to go to therapy, she mostly deals with issues sleeping and stress, including this

relocation dispute.

                                              -11-
No. 83365-1-I/12

       Second, none of the professionals who work with or assessed R.R. testified that

Jessica’s anxiety in any way fueled R.R.’s own anxiety. “Generally, the trial court is free

to reach its own conclusions from the testimony before it. However, ‘the trial courts

should rely on expert opinion to help reach an objective, rather than subjective,

evaluation of the issue.’” In re Custody of Stell, 56 Wn. App. 356, 368, 783 P.2d 615

(1989) (quoting In re Marriage of Woffinden, 33 Wn. App. 326, 330-31 n.3, 654 P.2d

1219 (1982)). In Leaver, the appellate court found that it was manifestly unreasonable

for a trial court to adopt an untrained lay opinion over the opinions of qualified experts.

In re Marriage of Leaver, 20 Wn. App. 2d 228, 240, 499 P.3d 222 (2021).

       In this case, the professionals all touted Jessica’s ability to manage and help

R.R. navigate her emotions. For instance, R.R.’s therapist, Dr. Mielenz, testified that

Jessica “does an excellent job of helping [R.R.] with her anxiety and her emotions. Her

mom listens carefully. She helps [R.R.] name the emotions. She provides

understanding and validation. She doesn’t judge what [R.R.] is feeling, but she accepts

whatever [R.R.] tells her.” When asked whether R.R.’s issues could be exacerbated by

a parent, R.R.’s pediatrician testified:

       For sensory processing disorder, you have that. That is not something
       that someone can give you. That’s your genetic makeup and how your
       brain works. So the answer to that is no. [R.R.] has now also been
       diagnosed with autism, also something that is in her genetic makeup and
       cognitive development.

Principal Lutz testified that Jessica has been an advocate for the needs of R.R. and

P.R. when she was in the school district.

       Only Garth testified that he would hear R.R. telling Jessica a different story than

what had actually happened. But Garth also testified that these conversations occurred

                                            -12-
No. 83365-1-I/13

in the very early days of the children’s relocation to Arizona, just a few weeks before

trial.

         The trial court also failed to consider the children’s relationships with other

significant people in their lives. Garth’s parents live in the Phoenix area, about an hour

and 15 minutes from Garth’s new home in Gilbert, Arizona. But none of Garth’s siblings

or their children live in Arizona. In contrast, most of Jessica’s family, including the

children’s aunts, uncles, and cousins, live in Washington. There were regular family

gatherings and the children would see Jessica’s sister Sarah and her children weekly.

         R.R.’s best friend E. is also here in Washington. Dr. Mielenz explained that

children with autism struggle with friendships and that R.R. was upset that she would

never have time to see E. on visits to Washington. For a child with autism like R.R.,

other significant relationships could include their therapist and school counselor. And in

this case, R.R. had worked with Dr. Mielenz for two years and had a good relationship

with her, and R.R. was attached to her school therapist at Eagle Rock who planned to

meet with R.R. weekly to help her transition to middle school.

         We find that the trial court abused its discretion with respect to this factor

because it relied on facts that were not supported by substantial evidence and rejected

uncontroverted credible evidence. Smith, 12 Wn. App. at 582.

                                               C.

         The third factor addresses “[w]hether disrupting the contact between the child

and the person seeking relocation would be more detrimental to the child than

disrupting contact between the child and the person objecting to the relocation.” RCW

                                              -13-
No. 83365-1-I/14

26.09.520(3). Jessica contends that the trial court erred in factor 3 by issuing an

“armchair diagnosis of [R.R.’s] needs.” We agree.

       The trial court found:

       The father’s calm, quiet, and attentive demeanor is what benefits the
       children the most. [R.R.] needs emotional dampening down and
       approaching things in a calm, organized fashion and not getting all worked
       up about everything and for her to lose contact with her father would be
       very detrimental to her under these circumstances. On balance, the father
       has the ability to work with the children and handle what is important for
       them and provide for their calm and steady development. This factor
       weighs in favor of the father.

       Multiple witnesses testified that R.R. and Jessica have always been very close.

During the dissolution, the GAL found that “Jessica seems to have [a] close emotional

bond with the girls.” Jessica’s sister Sarah testified that “both of the girls are much

more attached emotionally to their mother than to their father” and R.R. “has always had

a much stronger bond with Jessica than Garth. And I think that’s because Jessica has

always done her best to connect emotionally with [R.R.] and made that a really big

focus as a mom to try to [be] that emotional support for [R.R.]” Jessica’s mother

testified that “[e]ver since [R.R.] was little, she’s had a really strong emotional

attachment to her mom.” Jessica’s sister Lauren described R.R. as noticeably less

anxious when Jessica is around her. The trial court found that R.R.’s primary emotional

attachment was to Jessica.

       Despite that finding, the trial court failed to discuss how relocating R.R. away

from Jessica would impact R.R. Dr. Mielenz testified that R.R. has a “clear connection

to her mom as the primary attachment figure.” She also testified that if R.R. remained in

Washington “she would be with her primary attachment figure, she would be in the

                                             -14-
No. 83365-1-I/15

community where she’s known, she would be with her friend [E.] . . . not having to go

through all these major transitions in her life would be so helpful for her because I think

it’s short term and long term trauma for her.” “[R.R.] is one who’s always going to

struggle with anxiety, and it’s important for her to be in a situation where people

understand and listen to her emotions and help her figure out how to struggle with

anxiety . . . it needs to be managed.”

       The trial court failed to address evidence in the record that just the thought of

relocating had caused R.R. significant distress. Dr. Mielenz testified that R.R. had

regressed and was overwhelmed and distraught about the relocation. R.R.’s

pediatrician testified that just before the move, R.R. had been vomiting multiple times a

day because of anxiety. R.R. had lost 13 pounds in 3 months, dropping from the 50th

percentile to the 15th. And she had to be admitted to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dr.

Pineyro described R.R. as “extremely sick right now” and Dr. Mielenz testified that R.R.

has “shown us that a move to Arizona is not good for her emotionally, socially,

physically.”

       Rather than address how the relocation would disrupt R.R.’s relationship with

Jessica, the trial court concluded that R.R. needed “emotional dampening down,” a

statement not supported by professionals who work with R.R. We conclude that the trial

court abused its discretion with respect to this factor because it failed to consider the

necessary relevant facts. See Shrauner, 16 Wn. App. 2d at 412.

                                             D.

       The fifth factor addresses “the reasons of each person for seeking or opposing

the relocation and the good faith of each of the parties in requesting or opposing the

                                            -15-
No. 83365-1-I/16

relocation.” RCW 26.09.520(5). Jessica argues that the trial court’s analysis of this

factor is unsupported by the record and fatally flawed because Garth repeatedly and

emphatically falsified his reasons for the relocation. We agree.

       While the fifth factor considers both the relocating parent’s and the objecting

parent’s motivations, both should be considered together and weighed as one factor.

See McNaught, 189 Wn. App. at 558-59 (considering both parents’ reasons for and

objections to relocation together in analysis of factor five).

       During its oral ruling, the trial court found that both parties acted in good faith.

But the trial court stated:

       I am certainly disturbed by Mr. Rich’s misrepresentation at the temporary
       hearing about the nature of what was driving his relocation because he
       clearly overstated it in saying he was going to lose his job and lose a
       bunch of money that had been spent on his education if he didn’t take this
       position and move to Arizona . . . So while I’m not happy with this, the way
       he presented this issue to Judge Rosen in dealing with the temporary
       order, I don’t find that this predominates in favor of mom. I think it’s
       basically a wash in this case.

The trial court’s written finding states:

       The Court finds that the father misrepresented the circumstances
       associated with his job transfer with Boeing. Nevertheless, there are
       career advancement and development opportunities in Arizona given it is
       the headquarters associated with his department and other members have
       been transferred to Arizona as well. This factor favors the father.

As for Jessica, the trial court found “the mother’s reasons for objecting to the move were

given in good faith. This factor favors the mother.”

       At the temporary relocation hearing, Garth argued that the relocation was

“mandatory” for him to maintain his employment with Boeing. And Garth asserted that

he would be responsible for the $45,000 that Boeing spent on his master’s degree if he

                                             -16-
No. 83365-1-I/17

chose not to relocate. His written response to Jessica’s objection contained similar

assertions: “I would lose my job, my income, and would be obligated to reimburse my

employer for my Master’s degree”; “I either have to relocate to Arizona or I lose my job

and be obligated to pay for a degree that my employer has funded ($42k).” And in his

response declaration, Garth made the same assertions, that the relocation is

mandatory, that if he did not relocate he would be unable to continue his employment

with Boeing, and he would have to reimburse Boeing for his master’s degree.

       In contrast, at trial, Garth testified that the Arizona job was a career advancement

opportunity for him and that he “would inevitably have to look for a different job and

ultimately a different career path” because he “could eventually get laid off.” Boeing had

contacted Garth in December 2020 asking if he was interested in this job opportunity in

Arizona, and Garth told his employer that he was. While many members of Garth’s

department, supply chain operations, had relocated to Arizona, Boeing had not told

Garth that if he did not take the job in Arizona his employment would be terminated.

       As for the educational expenses, Garth testified that he owed Boeing a two-year

commitment following the completion of his master’s degree in 2019. He also testified

that there was no sign that he would lose his job at Boeing in the next few months

before he had fulfilled the two-year commitment. And the evidence showed the

program would only require repayment if Garth voluntarily quit, not if Garth was laid off.

       When Garth was questioned about the statements he made in his declaration

before the temporary hearing, the trial court said, “[w]ell, it was, Mr. Rich, a significant

misrepresentation of what was going on at the time.”

                                             -17-
No. 83365-1-I/18

         The trial court explicitly found that Garth made significant misrepresentations

about the reasons for his relocation. While career advancement opportunities may be a

good faith reason for seeking to relocate, the evidence showed that Garth repeatedly

made significant misrepresentations about being required by Boeing to relocate or lose

his job and owe a significant debt. Based on the significant misrepresentations by

Garth, we find that the trial court abused its discretion in finding that Garth acted in good

faith.

                                                E.

         The sixth factor concerns “the age, developmental stage, and needs of the child,

and the likely impact the relocation or its prevention will have on the child’s physical,

educational, and emotional development, taking into consideration any special needs of

the children.” RCW 26.09.520(6). Jessica contends that the trial court’s analysis of this

factor ignored relevant facts and is unsupported by the record. We agree.

         The trial court found, “[t]he calm steady support the father provides the children

are what is needed. This factor favors the father’s relocation . . . [t]he mother’s

relationship with [R.R.] is not necessarily healthy and it would be more detrimental to

[R.R.] to have her contact with her father disrupted.”

         The trial court’s finding that Jessica’s relationship with R.R. is not healthy is not

supported by substantial evidence. First, like with factors 1 and 3, none of the

professionals involved with R.R. believe that her relationship with Jessica is unhealthy.

Dr. Pineyro and Principal Lutz testified that they had no concerns with either parent. Dr.

Mielenz testified that R.R. is connected with Jessica and Jessica “does an excellent job

of helping [R.R.] with her anxiety and her emotions.”

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No. 83365-1-I/19

       The trial court failed to address evidence in the record about how the relocation

would affect R.R., a child diagnosed with separation anxiety and autism spectrum

disorder. There was substantial evidence in the record that R.R. is a child who has

significant difficulty with transitions. The GAL noted R.R.’s difficulty with transitions

between the parents during the dissolution. Dr. Mielenz testified that this was

something she worked on with R.R. and both parents. R.R. had difficulty when school

moved to remote learning and then back to in-person. Dr. Pineyro testified that for a

child like R.R., with a sensory processing disorder and autism spectrum disorder,

transitions would be more difficult. Dr. Berrett also testified that for a child on the

spectrum, any type of transition is difficult and they would experience challenges on

multiple levels with parents living significantly far apart.

       As for R.R.’s education, R.R. attended Eagle Rock Multi-Age school from second

to fifth grade. Eagle Rock is a public charter school. Principal Lutz testified that R.R.

“has grown” during that time and “went from being very not trustworthy of the people

that were around her . . . [t]o being able to have, start her own kindness group . . .

[R.R.’s] made huge growth in our building.”

       Lutz also testified that for students with interventions in place, like R.R., the

school district works closely with the counseling team and teachers to help transition the

student to middle school. Both parents testified that R.R. received extra support at

Eagle Rock and, before the relocation, had been improving.

       Again, there was also substantial evidence that the pending relocation already

had a negative impact on R.R. Dr. Mielenz testified that R.R. regressed, and “was

really overwhelmed and distraught about the whole thing.” R.R. had an episode of

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No. 83365-1-I/20

vomiting before her Father’s Day visit with Garth, and R.R. told Dr. Mielenz she was

afraid if she got in the car with Garth, he would take her to Arizona. The incidents of

vomiting continued to increase and R.R. had to be hospitalized shortly before her move

to Arizona. She had lost 13 pounds in 3 months. Garth conceded that R.R. has “had

these vomiting episodes throughout her life.”

       Because the trial court’s findings failed to adequately consider this evidence, we

conclude that the trial court abused its discretion.

                                             F.

       The seventh factor addresses the “quality of life, resources, and opportunities

available to the children and to the relocating party in the current and proposed

geographic locations.” RCW 26.09.520(7). Jessica argues that “while in theory, the

same resources are available to the children in both locations, Garth has shown that he

is not proactive in making those resources and opportunities available to the children in

Arizona.” We disagree.

       The trial court found: “Both environments, the resources, and opportunities

available in both states and major metropolitan areas are equal. The court finds that the

desert is preferable from November – March and the Pacific Northwest is preferable

from May – September. This factor is neutral and therefore in father’s favor.”

       At the time of trial, Garth and the children had only been in Arizona for a few

weeks. R.R. had started at her new charter school and had her first appointment with a

new pediatrician. Garth had provided the school with Dr. Berrett’s evaluation of R.R.,

and R.R. had met with the school counselor.

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No. 83365-1-I/21

         While limited, the trial court’s findings adequately address the factor regarding

the two geographic locations.

                                              G.

         The eighth factor considers the “availability of alternative arrangements to foster

and continue the children’s relationship with and access to the other parent.” RCW

26.09.520(8). Jessica argues that the trial court erred by considering facts extraneous

to the factor. We agree.

         “This factor does not require the parties to maintain the same quantity of

residential time; it only pertains to whether the child could continue [their] relationship

with and access to the other parent.” Shrauner, 16 Wn. App. 2d at 417. The trial court

found:

         The mother works in the technology field and could likely obtain a similar
         job in Arizona fairly easily. The schedule in the Temporary Plan provides
         for sufficient contact and residential time to the mother and should be
         maintained in the Final Plan. This factor is neutral, and therefore weighs
         in favor of the father.

         First, it was erroneous for the trial court to consider whether Jessica could

relocate to Arizona in considering this factor since factor 9 considers whether it is

feasible and desirable for the other parent to relocate. RCW 26.09.250(9). In addition,

the trial court “may not admit evidence on the issue of . . . whether the person opposing

relocation will also relocate if the child’s relocation is permitted.” RCW 26.09.530. In

Shrauner, the trial court erred in its analysis of factor 5, good faith, when it considered

the mother’s decision to move before the trial court resolved the relocation issue. 16

Wn. App. 2d at 413-14. In Shrauner, the trial court also violated RCW 26.09.530 in its

consideration of factor 10, financial impact, when it considered the mother’s financial

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No. 83365-1-I/22

circumstances if she was to forgo the relocation. Shrauner, 16 Wn. App. 2d at 420.

Thus, the trial court erred in finding that Jessica could find employment in Arizona.

       Second, the trial court did not enter any findings on fostering the children’s

relationship with and access to the nonrelocating parent, Jessica. The trial court’s

statement that the temporary parenting plan provided for sufficient contact is insufficient.

Under the temporary parenting plan, the nonresidential parent was not permitted to call

or text the child more than once in a 24-hour period. And in the trial court’s findings and

final parenting plan, Jessica’s phone contact with R.R. was limited further:

       The court finds that it is in the best interests of the children to place
       reasonable restrictions on the phone contact between mother and
       children. The court is not preventing the child from initiating contact with
       her mother; she may call her mother at any time. However the court does
       not want the child to be able to spend an hour a day on the phone with her
       mother commiserating with whatever woes her mother has or that [R.R.]
       imagines her mother has which has [R.R.] wallowing in whatever [s]he
       thinks her mother’s concerns are.

       Further, Jessica testified about a physical condition that makes flying, and

driving, for long periods difficult. Jessica provided medical records going back to 2019

for pain in her right hip. Jessica explained that because of a pinched nerve in her back,

sitting for long periods of time makes her right leg go numb. She then experiences

difficulty walking for a few days. Jessica explained that this would prevent her from

flying to Arizona a second time per month because her leg essentially stops working.

The trial court did not mention Jessica’s difficulties with travel when deciding this factor.

We conclude that the trial court abused its discretion because it considered facts not

relevant and failed to discuss how the children’s relationship with Jessica could be

fostered if the relocation was granted.

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                                               H.

       The ninth factor addresses the “alternatives to relocation and whether it is

feasible and desirable for the other party to relocate also.” RCW 26.09.520(9). Jessica

asserts that the trial court erred in analyzing this factor because it considered facts

unsupported by the evidence. We agree.

       As discussed above, the trial court erroneously considered whether Jessica

could relocate during its discussion of factor 8. In its oral ruling, the trial court stated:

       I do think that there’s the possibility of Ms. Rich being able to transfer to
       the Phoenix area if she wanted to do that. I recognize that may not be
       possible with her possible employment at Microsoft. However,
       employment in tech . . . [provides the] greatest ability for you to be able to
       relocate anywhere else because there’s tech in every major metropolitan
       area in the world. And if you’ve compiled a good record working for a tech
       company in one place, it’s not that hard to move somewhere else.

When the trial court moved to discuss factor 9, the court said, “I guess that was kind of

what I was driving at previously is that it might very well be possible for Jessica Rich to

relocate if she wished to do so.” The trial court’s written order found: “The father would

have significant risk to his career if he remained in Washington. The mother would also

have to obtain a new job if she relocates to Arizona. This factor is neutral and therefore

weighs in favor of the father.”

       As discussed above, under RCW 26.09.530 the trial court may not admit

evidence that the nonrelocating parent will also relocate if the child’s relocation is

permitted. But under RCW 26.09.520(9), the trial court may consider “whether it is

feasible and desirable for the other party to relocate also.”

       Here, the trial court’s finding that it might be possible for Jessica to relocate if she

wants, was speculative. While Garth made several statements that he believed Jessica

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No. 83365-1-I/24

could work remotely from anywhere, in her objection to relocation Jessica explained, “[i]t

is impossible for me to move; I have a great job here with Microsoft. I also have all of

my support system here and it would be extremely difficult to have to rebuild or replicate

that.” At the hearing on temporary relocation, Jessica’s counsel explained that

Microsoft had just rescinded its remote work policy. And at trial, Jessica testified that

her support system was in Washington. There was no evidence in the record that

Jessica’s job was transferrable or even that her skill set from working at Microsoft would

enable her to relocate to a different tech firm. And Jessica clearly expressed her desire

not to move away from her job and family.

         Because the trial court’s finding was not supported by substantial evidence, we

conclude the trial court abused its discretion.

         Thus, because we find that the trial court abused its discretion in its analysis of

RCW 26.09.520 relocation factors 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9, we reverse the trial court’s order

granting relocation.

                                               III.

         Both Jessica and Garth request attorney fees on appeal. This court has the

discretion to award attorney fees in cases brought under chapter 26.09 RCW based on

consideration of the parties’ financial resources. RCW 26.09.140; RAP 18.1(a). The

financial declarations submitted by the parties reflect that the parties have disparate

incomes, although their expenses are somewhat similar. Nevertheless, neither seems

to have resources available to pay the other party’s attorney fees. Balancing the

parties’ need and ability to pay, we decline to award attorney fees to either Jessica or

Garth.

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                                                   IV.

        In conclusion, we find that the trial court abused its discretion in its analysis of

RCW 26.09.520 relocation factors 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9. Thus, we reverse the trial court’s

order granting relocation and remand to the trial court for further proceedings. 5 But we

recognize that reversing the relocation order without some stopgap measure could be

detrimental to the children. Thus, we convert the existing parenting plan, child support

order, and relocation order, to temporary orders until the trial court enters new

temporary or final orders.

        Reversed and remanded.

WE CONCUR:

        5 Jessica requested reassignment to a new trial judge on remand.   Because the trial judge that
heard the case has since retired, we do not address the issue.

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