Court Opinion

ID: 9385170
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-04-06 07:22:21.343325+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:00.112830
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS
                                      EIGHTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                                           EL PASO, TEXAS

                                                           §                  No. 08-22-00070-CV

    IN THE INTEREST OF                                     §                      Appeal from the

    C.G.P. and G.L.P.,                                     §               51st Judicial District Court

    Children.                                              §              of Tom Green County, Texas

                                                           §                  (TC# A-19-0425-AG)

                                       MEMORANDUM OPINION 1

         Appellant Destiny Jordan Ferguson (Mother) appeals from the trial court’s final order in a

suit to modify the parent-child relationship brought by Appellee Dustin Lee Polk (Father). Mother

brings four issues on appeal. For the following reasons, we affirm.

                                            I. BACKGROUND

         Father and Mother are the parents of twin boys, C.G.P. and G.L.P., who were born in June

2018. 2 On January 14, 2020, the 51st Judicial District Court rendered an order in a suit affecting

1
 We hear this case on transfer from the Third Court of Appeals in Austin and apply that court’s precedent as required
by TEX. R. APP. P. 41.3.
2
 To protect the identity of the minor children, we identify them by their initials only. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN.
§109.002(d).
the parent-child relationship as between Father, Mother, and their twin boys. Although Mother and

Father were both appointed joint managing conservators of the children, Mother was designated

as the conservator with the exclusive right to designate their primary residence without regard to

geographic location. Mother was also designated the conservator with the right to consent to

invasive medical treatments, if any. Due to the age of the children, as well as the circumstances of

the parties, Father was awarded a modified standard possession order from February to June 2020.

The order required Father to complete a series of visits until the boys reached the age of two years

old. Once these conditions were met, the standard possession order then applied. Finally, Father

was ordered to pay $389 in child support each month.

       A year later, Father filed a petition to modify the order of January 14, 2020. Father alleged

there had been a material and substantial change of circumstances since rendition of the prior order.

To his petition, he attached a supporting affidavit wherein he testified about incidents that had

caused him grave concern for the children’s physical health and emotional safety. Among other

modifications, Father requested he be appointed as the person with the exclusive right to designate

the primary residence of the children and for Mother’s possession and access to be modified.

Specifically, Father requested that Mother be ordered not to leave the children alone with any

person under the age of eighteen, and that she be ordered to not allow or cause the children to have

contact with her brother and nephew. Lastly, Father requested that support payments previously

ordered should be terminated, and Mother should be ordered to pay support.

       Mother filed an original answer generally denying all allegations. Additionally, she filed a

counterpetition where she asserted that no circumstances of the children, or of a conservator, or

other party affected by the order to be modified, had materially or substantially changed as to

conservatorship, or as to access and possession; but she otherwise contended that circumstances

                                                 2
had materially and substantially changed regarding support payments previously ordered by the

court. As a modification, Mother requested Father be ordered to pay an increased amount of child

support.

        The trial court held a hearing regarding temporary orders on March 1, 2021. Our record,

however, does not include a written order following that hearing. But, during the final hearing,

Father admitted the previous hearing transcript as an exhibit, making it part of the record. At the

conclusion of the temporary orders hearing, the trial court appointed Father as the conservator with

the exclusive right to designate the children’s primary residence as well as the conservator with

the exclusive right to make medical decisions regarding the children. The temporary order also

awarded Mother access and possession pursuant to the standard possession order. 3

        The trial court held a final hearing over five settings spanning from July through November

2021. In total, seven witnesses testified to include Mother, Father, one of the children’s teachers,

Father’s mother, Father’s girlfriend, Mother’s boyfriend, and a friend of Mother’s. From both

sides, the trial court also received over 70 exhibits to include the children’s medical records, text

messages between the parties, and multiple photographs depicting the children with each parent.

        Following the hearing, the trial court entered a final order modifying the prior order of

January 2020. The trial court made an initial finding that material allegations in Father’s petition

to modify were true and the requested modification of the prior order was in the best interest of

the children. As before, however, the trial court appointed Mother and Father as joint managing

conservators of the children. Also, no provision either addressed or appointed either parent as the

primary conservator with the right to designate the children’s primary residence. Contrary to the

3
  On March 9, 2021, prior to the final modification hearing, Mother obtained a temporary restraining order whereby
Father was temporarily restrained from immunizing the children. On March 17, 2021, the trial court signed an order
extending the temporary restraining order. The order indicated the temporary restraining order would remain in force
and effect until the trial court held a hearing on the issue of immunizing the children.

                                                         3
earlier order, however, the trial court did order that neither parent could remove the children from

Tom Green County for the purpose of changing their primary residence. Additionally, the trial

court made specific findings that modified each parent’s rights to make medical decisions for the

children, the right to make educational decisions, the right to make decisions as to moral and

religious training, and the right to reprimand or punish the children. Similarly, the trial court

modified the standard possession order to award each parent an alternating weekly schedule.

Lastly, departing from the earlier order, the trial court ordered that neither parent would be

obligated to pay child support.

       Mother filed a motion for new trial which was overruled by operation of law. This appeal

followed.

                                  II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

       In family law cases, issues involving conservatorship are reviewed under the abuse of

discretion standard. Zeifman v. Michels, 212 S.W.3d 582, 587 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006,

pet. denied) (citing Gillespie v. Gillespie, 644 S.W.2d 449, 451 (Tex.1982)). “A trial court abuses

its discretion when it acts arbitrarily or unreasonably, or without reference to any guiding rules or

principles.” In re J.R.D., 169 S.W.3d 740, 743 (Tex. App.—Austin 2005, pet. denied).

       Determining whether the trial court abused its discretion involves a two-pronged inquiry:

first, whether the trial court had sufficient information upon which to exercise its discretion, and

second, whether the trial court erred in its application of discretion. Zeifman, 212 S.W.3d at 588.

Sufficiency challenges are factors relevant to whether the trial court abused its discretion rather

than as independent grounds of error. In re J.R.D., 169 S.W.3d at 743. We view the evidence in

the light favorable to the trial court’s decision, crediting favorable evidence if a reasonable fact

finder could, and disregarding contrary evidence unless a reasonable fact finder could not. See City

                                                 4
of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 807 (Tex. 2005). If there is evidence of substantive and

probative character supporting a trial court’s decision, we cannot conclude on review that the court

abused its discretion in reaching its decision. Echols v. Olivarez, 85 S.W.3d 475, 477

(Tex. App.— Austin 2002, no pet.).

                                     III. DISCUSSION

       Mother brings four issues on appeal. Her first issue contends the trial court abused its

discretion in finding a material and substantial change in circumstances warranted a modification

of the prior order. Proceeding out of order, her second and fourth issues both challenge the trial

court’s rulings regarding the children’s primary residence. Specifically, her second issue contends

the trial court abused its discretion in geographically restricting the children’s residence to Tom

Green County; while her fourth issue argues it erred in not designating either parent as the

conservator with the exclusive right to designate the children’s primary residence. Finally, her

third issue argues the trial court abused its discretion in removing her designation as the

conservator with the exclusive right to make medical decisions regarding invasive medical

procedures.

       We address each issue in turn.

A.     The material and substantial change in circumstances finding

       In her first issue, Mother asserts the trial court abused its discretion in finding Father

established a material and substantial change in circumstances warranting a modification of the

prior order of January 2020. Mother challenges the trial court’s finding to the extent it supported

a modification of conservatorship, terms of possession and access, and child support.

       The trial court may modify a previously entered order if there has been a material and

substantial change in circumstances since the prior order and the modification would be in the best

                                                 5
interest of the child. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 156.101(a); In re M.G.N., 491 S.W.3d 386, 405

(Tex. App.—San Antonio 2016, pet. denied). “The party seeking modification bears the burden to

establish these elements by a preponderance of the evidence.” Interest of A.N.G., 631 S.W.3d 471,

479 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2021, no pet.). To prove a material and substantial change in

circumstances since the prior order, the movant must show what conditions existed at the time the

prior order was entered and what material conditions have changed in the intervening period. In re

T.W.E., 217 S.W.3d 557, 559–60 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2006, no pet.). Whether a material and

substantial change occurred is a fact-specific determination that is not controlled by rigid or

definite rules. Id. at 559.

        In determining a child's best interest, a court may use the non-exhaustive list of the so-

called Holley factors, as set forth in Holley v. Adams, 544 S.W.2d 367 (Tex. 1976). Those factors

include: (1) the desires of the child, (2) the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in

the future, (3) the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future, (4) the parental

abilities of the individuals seeking custody, (5) the programs available to assist these individuals

to promote the best interest of the child, (6) the plans for the child, (7) the stability of the home,

(8) the acts or omissions of the parent which may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship

is not a proper one, and (9) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent. Id. at 371–72. In the

context of custody modification, other factors to be considered include the child’s need for stability

and the need to prevent constant litigation in child-custody cases. See In re V.L.K., 24 S.W.3d 338,

343 (Tex. 2000); see also Zeifman, 212 S.W.3d at 595. Here, Mother’s first issue only contests the

trial court’s finding that Father established a material and substantial change since the prior order.

        Relative to the parties’ circumstances, the trial court heard extensive testimony from

Mother and Father. Additionally, the parties admitted into evidence, and the trial court viewed,

                                                  6
numerous exhibits. The exhibits included multiple text messages and other communications

exchanged between Mother and Father. It also reviewed hundreds of pages of the children’s

medical records. Specifically, the trial court received evidence concerning the children’s medical

care, Mother and Father’s current living situation, their relationships with others, their work

responsibilities, and disagreements between them about their respective care of the children.

Mother maintained the same employment and residence since the prior order. Whereas Father

testified he had changed employment three times since the January 2020 order. Father also

described that he lived with his girlfriend.

        In support of his petition, Father testified about concerns he had regarding the health of the

children and how Mother responded to their needs. Although the children had suffered their first

seizures before January 2020, Father presented evidence that the treatment in response to the

children’s condition had changed. Because the children suffered from febrile seizures, he claimed

it was important to keep their body temperature below 100.4 degrees when they had a fever. “If

you can keep a fever down, then you’re fine.” He described that conflict had arisen between him

and Mother because, he claimed, she believed that over-the-counter medications were “just a way

to make the pharmacies more money.” Such medicines, he described, were against her holistic

view of treating health conditions. Rather, Mother would give the children supplements like

“activated charcoal,” “sovereign silver,” and “fermented tea.” 4 He further testified that when he

expressed his concerns to Mother, she would tell him that “[he was] the father and [didn’t] know

anything about the research.”

        Responding to this testimony, Mother claimed she only gave the children sovereign silver

and activated charcoal on one occasion. She claimed she would do extensive research and consult

4
 The parties did not define or further describe the supplements being discussed but they seemed to have a mutual
understanding of the nature of these products.

                                                       7
with a “Naturopath.” She confirmed she gave the children an “immune booster” containing

elderberry syrup, high doses of Vitamin C, and Echinacea.

        Describing a particular incident, Father testified to a time when he picked the children up

from Mother after her summer possession ended. Mother told him the children had been sick with

a stomach bug. While in his care, they started throwing up. He described their vomit appeared

black with “sandy stuff” in it. Alarmed, Father took them to an emergency room. Father claimed

Mother had insisted they only had a stomach bug. Conflict arose as she did not believe they needed

to go to a doctor, emergency room, or urgent care center. Mother denied ever giving the children

activated charcoal during her summer possession.

        Vaccinating the children also became an area of significant conflict. 5 When the children

were born, Mother and Father had both agreed to delay vaccinations. When it came time for

immunizations, Mother told Father she no longer agreed. Father claimed Mother refused

vaccinations multiple times because she claimed they were “against her religion.” Mother testified

she wanted the children to be tested to determine which vaccines were safe for them and if “they

conclude we can vaccinate certain ones, [she] will be on board; [she would] even pay for the

testing.”

        Father also brought up concerns about Mother’s use of social media where she posted about

her recovery as an addict and her feelings about religion Specifically, Father testified he only had

an issue with Mother posting about the children or him personally.

        The trial court also heard Father’s testimony about Mother’s multiple relationships with

different men over the course of the prior year. Father testified Mother had dated four or five men,

5
  The trial court noted that no party expressed concerns about the children receiving the COVID vaccine. Rather, all
references to vaccinations throughout the final hearing concerned basic immunizations commonly required for
children to attend school.

                                                         8
who were all introduced to the children. Some of Mother’s boyfriends had a criminal history, one

of which included a child endangerment charge. Father testified that on one occasion, Mother

brought the children with her to meet a boyfriend in a hotel room in Midland and she had sex while

the children were present. Mother acknowledged she had engaged in this activity, but she claimed

the children had been asleep.

       Mother had been dating her most recent boyfriend since the end of January 2021. There

was evidence he was a recovering addict, and he was on felony probation for a DWI charge and

possession of methamphetamine. Describing her level of commitment to him, Mother testified

that, if he should ever relapse, she would stay with him while he recovered. Even so, she clarified

she would not allow him to be in her house or be around her children if a relapse occurred.

       Father also testified to his concerns that Mother had left the children alone with her ten-

year-old nephew. Mother conceded that she left the children with her nephew, but she did so only

once for an hour and a half. She also stated her nephew had a cell phone and knew how to call 911.

On another occasion, Mother had to take one of the children to the hospital for a nose injury

inflicted by the nephew while he had been caring for them. There was also evidence that Mother

would leave the children with her brother. Father was concerned because he had been told that

Mother’s brother touched her inappropriately when they were children. Mother testified the

incident with her brother occurred when he was twelve and she was four or five. Mother testified

they went to counseling and her brother had never touched her again. Mother also stated her brother

had no criminal history.

       Mother asserts there was no evidence establishing a material and substantial change

because there was no evidence of medical neglect or harm to the children and no testimony had

been provided about her dating habits at the time of the prior order. We disagree. Even if the

                                                9
children’s medical issues had existed at the time of the January 2020 order, the trial court was

presented with evidence showing that Mother and Father had since been in conflict and unable to

agree on the children’s medical treatment. Moreover, Father presented other evidence of

caretaking concerns during Mother’s possession, not present at the time of the January 2020 order,

which showed the prior possession schedule had become unworkable.

       Viewing the record favorable to the trial court’s judgment, as we must, we conclude the

trial court had sufficient evidence to support its ruling finding there was a material and substantial

change in circumstances warranting a modification of the prior order to the extent modified.

       We overrule Mother’s first issue.

B.     The geographic restriction on the right to designate the children’s primary residence

       In her second issue, Mother asserts the trial court abused its discretion in imposing a

geographic restriction to Tom Green County. Specifically, Mother asserts two arguments: (1) the

geographic restriction does not conform with the parties’ pleadings and the issue was not tried by

consent; and (2) there was not sufficient evidence to support the imposition of such restriction.

       1.         Trial by consent

       First, Mother asserts the trial court’s judgment did not conform with the pleadings because

there was no request for a geographic restriction to Tom Green County. The trial court’s judgment

must conform to the pleadings, but if issues not raised by the pleadings are tried by express or

implied consent of the parties, the issues will be treated as if they had been raised by the pleadings.

See TEX. R. CIV. P. 67; Baltzer v. Medina, 240 S.W.3d 469, 476 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]

2007, no pet.).

       Neither Mother’s nor Father’s pleadings included a request to restrict the children’s

residence to Tom Green County. However, Father made such a request in seeking temporary orders

                                                  10
and following a hearing on that request, the trial court appointed Father as primary conservator

with the right to designate the children’s primary residence restricted to Tom Green County.

       On appeal, Mother asserts the issue was not tried by consent. To determine whether an

issue was tried by consent, we must review the record not for evidence of the issue per se, but

rather for evidence of trial of the issue. Quiroz v. Gray, 441 S.W.3d 588, 594 (Tex. App.—El Paso

2014, no pet.). “A party’s unpleaded issue may be deemed tried by consent when evidence on the

issue is developed under circumstances indicating both parties understood the issue was in the

case, and the other party failed to make an appropriate complaint.” Case Corp. v. Hi-Class Bus.

Sys. of Am., Inc., 184 S.W.3d 760, 771 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2005, pet. denied). However, an issue

is not tried by consent if the evidence relevant to that issue is also relevant to other issues raised

by the pleadings. See Sage St. Assocs. v. Northdale Constr. Co., 863 S.W.2d 438, 446 (Tex. 1993).

       Mother asserts the issue was not tried by consent because Father’s only request to restrict

the children’s primary residence was made by Father’s counsel during closing argument. But

contrasted with this view, our review of the record shows that Mother herself addressed the

imposition of a restriction to some extent during her testimony. To start, Mother testified the prior

order designated her as the primary conservator with the exclusive right to designate the primary

residence of the children without regard to geographic restriction. When she was asked how she

wanted the court to rule on things moving forward, she responded, “I want things to go back to the

way that they were.” Clarifying her answer, counsel asked whether she would be satisfied with

“50/50.” Mother firmly answered stating, “No, I would not be okay with 50/50.” Next, her counsel

described: “The prior order didn’t have a geographic restriction. Would you ask the Judge to just

keep the restriction to the State of Texas?” She responded, “Yes, ma’am. I don’t plan on leaving

Texas, ever.” During Mother’s closing argument, her attorney then requested for her to remain the

                                                 11
primary conservator with the right to designate the children’s residency without a geographic

restriction. Mother’s attorney continued: “But in the alternative, Your Honor, if you find it in the

children’s best interest to put a restriction, we’re asking that you give 50/50 visitation and then

have that 50/50 visitation lifted when the boys start school and have [Mother] have them

predominantly all the time.”

       On this record, we first note that Mother did not object to the issue being tried; but instead,

made her own requests known about the issue. Although Mother made it clear that no restriction

was included in the prior order, she nonetheless offered an alternative that itself imposed a

geographic restriction to Texas. We conclude that Mother’s lack of objection and discussion of the

issue permitted the trial court to make a ruling on the issue. For these reasons, we conclude the

issue was brought before the trial court and tried by consent. Given that circumstance, we next

consider whether there was sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s imposition of a

geographic restriction to Tom Green County.

       2. Sufficiency of the evidence

       Mother asserts there is insufficient evidence to support the geographic restriction to Tom

Green County. Specifically, Mother asserts that although there was evidence developed about each

parent’s home in the county, their employment, the children’s school, and friends and family living

in San Angelo, there was limited evidence on what family and opportunities existed elsewhere.

       “In considering whether a geographic restriction is in the best interest of the child, the

Texas Supreme Court suggested consideration of the following factors: (1) the reasons for and

against a prospective move, including the parents’ good faith motives in requesting or opposing it;

(2) health, education, and leisure opportunities afforded by the prospective move; (3) the degree

of economic, emotional, and educational enhancement for the custodial parent and child; (4) the

                                                 12
effect on extended family relationships; (5) accommodation of the child’s special needs or talents;

(6) the effect on visitation and communication with the non-custodial parent to maintain a full and

continuous relationship with the child; (7) the possibility of a visitation schedule allowing the

continuation of a meaningful relationship between the non-custodial parent and child; and (8) the

ability of the non-custodial parent to relocate.” Interest of K.S., No. 13-19-00416-CV, 2021 WL

317656, at *6 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Jan. 28, 2021, no pet.) (mem.op.) (citing Lenz v. Lenz,

79 S.W.3d 10, 15-16 (Tex. 2002)).

       The trial court heard extensive evidence on the children residing in Tom Green County

their entire lives, attending school in the county, receiving medical treatment, and having family

in the county. Moreover, there was no evidence presented to the trial court on either party initiating

a request to relocate either presently or in the future. The trial court could have found it was in the

children’s best interest to reside within Tom Green County and for them to spend equal amounts

of time with each parent. Based on the evidence presented we cannot say the trial court abused its

discretion.

       We overrule Mother’s second issue.

C.      The exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the children

       Next, Mother’s fourth issue asserts the trial court erred in failing to grant either parent the

right to designate the primary residence of the children. As the basis for his petition for

modification, Father requested the trial court modify the parent-child relationship and appoint him

as the conservator with the exclusive right to designate the children’s primary residence. The trial

court’s order did not rule on this request. There is no language appointing either parent as the

conservator with the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the children or any

language ordering that neither parent has that right. Section 153.134 of the Texas Family Code

                                                  13
governs “court-ordered joint conservatorship.” See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.134. When a trial

court renders an order appointing joint managing conservators, the code states the court shall

“designate the conservator who has the exclusive right to determine the primary residence of the

child.” See id. § 153.134(b)(1).

       Father asserts, without reference to citation, that because the trial court granted both parties

possession of the children on a week-to-week basis, “it was not necessary for the [t]rial [c]ourt to

grant either conservator the right to designate a primary residence for the children.” Father seems

to take the position that the trial court intentionally left out an appointment of the primary

conservator, but there was no explicit ruling that neither party have the right. Father continues that

“[t]here is no statute or case law that states a court must grant a specific conservator the right to

designate the primary residence of a child in a modification suit.” Father contends “[o]nly when

an Original Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship or Petition to Adjudicate is filed, is it

necessary for the court to appoint a conservator with the right to designate the child’s primary

residence.” Father does not support his stance with any citation to authority.

       Our review of the record shows Father explicitly requested to be appointed as the

conservator with the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the children. The trial

court’s order did not make any reference to this issue. The order does state “all relief requested in

this case and not expressly granted is denied[,]” and “[a]ll other terms of the prior orders not

specifically modified in this order shall remain in full force and effect.” We disagree with Mother’s

assertion that the trial court erred in failing to appoint a conservator with the right to designate the

children’s primary residence. Here, the trial court did not grant Father’s request to be appointed as

the conservator with the right to designate the children’s primary residence. Instead, it denied all

other relief not expressly granted. From this ruling, we must conclude the prior order’s

                                                  14
appointment of Mother as the conservator with the exclusive right to designate the children’s

primary residence remains in place. Although the trial court entered specific orders addressing

each conservator’s rights to make medical and educational decisions, Mother remains the

conservator with the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the children as restricted

to Tom Green County. See In Interest of W.B.B., No. 05-17-00384-CV, 2018 WL 3434588, at *3

(Tex. App.— Dallas July 17, 2018, no pet.) (mem.op.) (“Designating a primary residence is

necessary for two reasons: to determine residency for purposes of public school enrollment and as

a significant factor in the power of relocation.”); In re Cole, No. 03-14-00458-CV, 2014 WL

3893055, at *3 (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 8, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding a trial court’s

decision to enter specific orders on the children’s school attendance did not have the effect of

changing the designation of the person with the exclusive right to designate the children’s primary

residence).

       We overrule Mother’s final issue.

D.     The exclusive right to make medical decisions

       Finally, Mother’s third issue contends the trial court erred in removing her as the

conservator with the exclusive right to make invasive medical decisions and to consent to

psychiatric and psychological treatment of the children.

       In the January 2020 order, Mother was designated as the conservator with “the right to

consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment involving invasive procedures[,]” and “the right

to consent to psychiatric and psychological treatment[.]” As a modification of the prior order, the

trial court made specific findings and orders regarding each parent’s right to make medical

decisions for the children, including ordering them to defer to the recommendations of the

children’s pediatrician, Dr. Karl Wehner, M.D., unless they agree in writing to do otherwise. The

                                                 15
trial court also entered orders regarding immunizations of the children, requiring Mother and

Father to follow the recommendation of the pediatrician unless they agreed otherwise in writing.

Also, the trial court made orders involving the children’s medical appointments which included

the parents consulting each other and giving each other the opportunity to attend scheduled

appointments.

       Mother complains there was no evidence to support the trial court’s “radical move of taking

medical decisions away from [Mother] and placing them in the hands of a third-party doctor in the

event of disagreement between the parents.” First, she asserts Father did not plead for modification

of Mother’s exclusive right to consent to invasive medical or psychological procedures for the

children. Second, she argues the issue was not tried by consent.

       Our review of the record shows the subject of the children’s health, and the parties’ constant

disagreements about their healthcare, was extensively discussed during the trial. Mother asserts

the only explicit request by Father to be appointed as the conservator with the exclusive right to

make medical decisions was during his closing argument on rebuttal. However, Father did testify

he was requesting the court order that he make all medical decisions regarding the children.

Additionally, Mother made it clear that she wanted to remain as the conservator designated as

having the exclusive right to consent to invasive procedures and psychological treatment. On

review, we conclude that Mother did not object to the issue being tried but rather she argued against

Father’s requests. For this reason, we find the issue was properly before the trial court.

       Mother secondly argues there was no evidence to support allegations of medical neglect.

However, the trial court did not make a finding of medical neglect. Rather, the trial court found

that Mother and Father were “diametrically opposed with regard to their thoughts and beliefs

regarding most aspects of the medical care of the children.” Furthermore, the trial court found the

                                                 16
evidence was insufficient to support a decision that one parent would make better medical

decisions for the children than the other. The trial court determined it could not arbitrarily

substitute its judgment for that of the parents or the pediatrician. Instead, the trial court found that

each parent had testified they participated in choosing the named pediatrician and they both

testified they trusted this physician. There was sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s

finding that the parties could not agree on decisions when it came to the children’s medical care

and treatment.

        Based on the above evidence, we conclude the trial court did not act in an arbitrary manner

or without reference to any guiding principles in granting both parents the equal right to make

medical decisions when they agreed. Otherwise, when conflict ensued, they were ordered to follow

the recommendation of the pediatrician they had both approved. The trial court had sufficient

information upon which to exercise its discretion and did not err in its application of that discretion.

        Accordingly, we overrule Mother’s third issue.

                                      IV. CONCLUSION

        Having overruled all issues, we affirm the trial court’s final order rendered in a suit to

modify the parent-child relationship.

                                                GINA M. PALAFOX, Justice

March 30, 2023

Before Rodriguez, C.J., Palafox, and Soto, JJ.

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