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Hernandez v. Freeman (5/23/97), 938 P 2d 1017
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NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal correction before publication in
the Pacific Reporter. Readers are requested to bring errors to the attention of
the Clerk of the Appellate Courts, 303 K Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501; (907)
264-0608, fax (907) 264-0878.
THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
DAVID L. HERNANDEZ, )
) Supreme Court No. S-7739
Appellant, )
) Superior Court No.
v. ) 4FA-91-545 CI
)
KIMBERLEY A. FREEMAN, ) O P I N I O N
)
Appellee. ) [No. 4824 - May 23, 1997]
______________________________)
Appeal from the Superior Court of the State of Alaska, Fourth Judicial
District, Fairbanks,
Jay Hodges, Judge.
Appearances: Liam J. Moran, Moran & Sarafin, P.C., Anchorage, for
Appellant. Alan J. Hooper, Law Office of Alan J. Hooper, Fairbanks, for
Appellee.
Before: Compton, Chief Justice, Matthews, Eastaugh, Fabe, and Bryner,
Justices.
FABE, Justice.
I. INTRODUCTION
This is an appeal from the superior court's order, granting an opposed
motion to modify a child custody, support, and visitation order. We vacate the
order and remand for a hearing on the motion.
II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS
When David Hernandez and Kimberley Freeman divorced in May 1991, they
agreed that Hernandez would have primary legal and physical custody of their
son, Brandon Lee Hernandez. The superior court modified this arrangement in
September 1994 so that Freeman and Hernandez shared legal custody of Brandon.
In March 1996, the court again modified its custody order to provide for
visitation in Freeman's home state.
On April 19, 1996, Freeman filed a motion requesting primary physical
custody of Brandon. She supported this motion with a memorandum and an
affidavit. She alleged that Hernandez was "constantly trying to impede"her
relationship with Brandon, and that "circumstances ha[d] changed"since the
dissolution of the marriage and the 1994 order. She also stated that she was
"concerned with the lack of stability in Mr. Hernandez's life."
Hernandez responded on April 24, 1996, with a letter stating that he was
"opposed to any changes"in the child custody order and that he was "financially
unable at this time"to retain an attorney. He requested a "minimum"of ninety
days to give him "the opportunity to be represented by an experienced [a]ttorney
and allow him/her the chance to research and prepare in such a complex matter."
On May 7, 1996, the superior court, without holding a hearing, granted
Freeman's motion. The court's order provided Hernandez with six weeks of summer
visitation every year and one week of Christmas visitation in alternating years.
It also provided that Hernandez would be responsible for all costs of visitation
and for child support as determined by the Child Support Enforcement Division.
The order did not contain any findings of fact or conclusions of law. Hernandez
appeals.
III. DISCUSSION1
Hernandez argues that the court abused its discretion by granting
Freeman's motion without giving him the opportunity for a hearing. In Howlett
v. Howlett, 890 P.2d 1125 (Alaska 1995), we held that the superior court
erred in ruling on [a father's motion to modify a child custody order]
without a hearing. "[U]nder Alaska law parties in a custody proceeding have a
right to an adequate hearing, 'which grants them the opportunity to present the
quantum of evidence needed to make an informed and principled determination.'"
T.M.C. v. S.A.C., 858 P.2d 315 (Alaska 1983) (quoting Cushing v. Painter, 666
P.2d 1044, 1046 (Alaska 1983)).
Id. at 1127. Therefore, under Howlett, Hernandez had a right to a hearing
before the court ruled on Freeman's motion to modify the child custody order.
Freeman cites Carter v. Brodrick, 816 P.2d 202, 204 (Alaska 1991), to
support her argument that the "right to a hearing in a child custody
modification is not absolute." Carter, however, stands for the limited
proposition that the trial court need not hold a hearing "'if it is plain that
the facts alleged in the moving papers, even if established, would not warrant a
change.'" Carter, 816 P.2d at 204 (quoting Deivert v. Oseira, 628 P.2d 575, 578
(Alaska 1981)). This rule is inapplicable to a case such as this one, in which
the trial court granted rather than denied an opposed motion to modify a child
custody order.
Freeman also argues that Hernandez waived his right to a hearing by
failing to comply with Alaska Civil Rule 77(e). Rule 77(e) provides in relevant
part: "If either party desires oral argument on the motion, that party shall
file a notice of hearing within five days after service of a responsive pleading
or the time limit for filing such a responsive pleading, whichever is earlier."
Hernandez notified the court that he opposed the motion and needed
additional time to find an attorney. The trial court did not respond to this
request, failing either to grant Hernandez a continuance to prepare his
opposition to the motion or to inform him of the deadline for doing so. This
failure deprived Hernandez of the opportunity to contest fully Freeman's motion,
including the right to decide, with the assistance of counsel, whether he wanted
to request a hearing.
IV. CONCLUSION
We hold that the trial court abused its discretion by granting Freeman's
motion to modify the child custody order without a hearing despite Hernandez's
opposition and request for additional time to find an attorney.2 We therefore
VACATE the trial court's order and REMAND for further proceedings consistent
with this opinion.
1 This court overturns the superior court's child custody
determinations only when there is an abuse of discretion or there are clearly
erroneous findings of fact. Howlett v. Howlett, 890 P.2d 1125, 1126 (Alaska
1995).
2 Hernandez also argues that the superior court erred by failing
to make findings on the record that a change in circumstances required
modification of the order and that the modification was in the best interests of
the child. While this argument may provide an independent basis for our
decision, see Howlett, 890 P.2d at 1127 (stating that "[i]t is reversible error
for a judge to modify custody without making findings regarding the change in
circumstances and the best interests of the child"), we need not reach it in
light of our disposition of this case.
-5- 4824
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