J.L.S. v. D.K.S.

SIMON, Judge. J.L.S. (mother) appeals and D.K.S. n/k/a S.D.S. (father) cross-appeals from a decree of dissolution of marriage entered by the Circuit Court of St. Charles County. On appeal mother contends that the trial court erred in that: (1) the visitation provisions of the trial court’s decree are in contravention of the mandatory language of § 452.400.2 RSMo 1994 (hereinafter all references are to RSMo 1994 unless otherwise indicated) because the decree arbitrarily removes its restrictions on father’s visitation on a specific date in the future without requiring a hearing or showing that father is rehabilitated; (2) there is no substantial evidence to support the visitation provisions of the decree in that a) the commencement of unsupervised visitation upon the expiration of one year is a prospective attempt to modify a final judgment without procedures for the court to determine if it is in the best interest of the minor children and b) the counseling provisions of the decree are unduly vague and grossly inadequate to serve the purposes of preparing the minor children for visitation with father at some time in the future; and (3) the award of joint legal custody is not in the best interest of the children because it is unsupported by substantial evidence in that the overwhelming evidence is that the parties now do not share any commonality of beliefs regarding the raising of the minor children. In his cross-appeal, father contends that the trial court’s decree stating that father will not cohabit with other transsexuals or sleep with another female, bears no relationship to the best interest and welfare of the minor children, violates his constitutional rights and is an undue hardship on father. We affirm in part, reverse in part and reverse and remand in part. The decree must be affirmed if it is supported by substantial evidence, it is not against the weight of the evidence, and it neither erroneously declares nor applies the law. Carter v. Carter, 901 S.W.2d 906, 909[1-3] (Mo.App. E.D.1995). We must accept as true the evidence and permissible inferences therefrom in the light most favorable to the decree and disregard all contrary evidence and inferences. Id. Where there is a conflict in testimony, we defer to the trial court’s determination of the credibility of the witnesses. Id. Certain facts are undisputed. Mother and father were married on March 19, 1983 and two sons were born of the marriage. The oldest child was eight at the time of trial and the youngest was five. Circumstances, occurring before and during the marriage, culminated in father having male to female “sex-reassignment” surgery. Father told mother of a few instances of cross-dressing he had prior to the marriage, but assured her that they were resolved. However, throughout the marriage, father secretly struggled with urges to cross-dress. In June 1991, the parties were living in Clinton, Maryland. The marriage was strained at this time. Mother brought the two children to Missouri to visit her family. When she returned to Maryland, father told her he had seen a social worker about his problems. The parties saw a series of counselors and psychologists. Father requested a separation for one year while he participated in a “Real Life Test,” during which he would live as a woman “24 hours a day.” Prior to the separation, mother and father had a talk with the boys about the pending separation, but nothing was mentioned about the “Real Life Test” or father’s struggle with his gender. On August 1, 1992, the parties separated. They signed a separation agreement which father drafted. They agreed mother would have sole, permanent care and custody of the children, and father would refrain from visiting them for at least one year while he participated in his “Real Life Test.” Mother filed a complaint for limited divorce in the State of Maryland. She filed a copy of the separation agreement with the Maryland court. Father told a court-appointed psychologist that he did not intend to end the marriage at the time of the August 1992 separation. Instead, he planned to have sex-reassignment surgery and remain married. Father proposed that the parties continue to live together and that his sons call him “Aunt Sharon.” The dissolution action was dismissed prior to a judgment being entered. — 770 — Mother moved to Missouri with her sons and father has had no face-to-face contact with the boys since the August 1992 separation. He tried to contact the boys by telephone and letter but mother refused to allow any contact. Both boys have experienced emotional difficulties since the parties’ separation and have been under the care of a psychologist. The oldest boy expressed “suicidal ideations” and had been unhappy because he and mother had to move away from father. He was prescribed antidepressant medication. The youngest boy was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. In 1993, approximately seven months after the dismissal of the Maryland action, Mother filed a petition for dissolution in Missouri which alleged in pertinent part: 15. That [father] has behaved in such a manner that [mother] cannot reasonably be expected to live with him. 16. That [father] has adopted a lifestyle such that it would be extremely harmful to the minor children for them to be placed even in the temporary custody of or visitation with [father]. That denying visitation and temporary custody to [father] is clearly in the best interests of the minor children. Father filed a response to the petition alleging that he had been diagnosed “gender dysphoric” and had pursued treatment and rehabilitation medically indicated by this condition. Father denied that he “adopted a lifestyle,” but rather that the change in his lifestyle was medically necessary for his health. He also denied that the change in his lifestyle would be “injurious per se” to the children. Further, father alleged that mother had failed to inform him about the children’s development and health and denied him any contact with the children. Mother filed a request with the court for a mental examination of father pursuant to Rule 60.01. Mother stated that she believed father to be emotionally and mentally unstable and that it would be detrimental and confusing to the children to be around father who was living as a woman. Subsequently, father moved for a mental and physical examination of mother. The court granted the parties’ motions and exams were ordered to be performed by a court-appointed doctor, Dr. Partridge. About two months before trial, father underwent “sex-reassignment” surgery. At trial mother and father testified and each presented the testimony of two experts. Mother testified that the boys had adjustment problems as to the move and the separation of the parents and were under the care of a psychologist. The oldest son was depressed, had “suicidal ideations,” and was given anti-depression medication. The youngest son has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. Mother asked the trial court for full physical and legal custody and that “under these circumstances that there be no face-to-face visitation between father and the boys.” Father testified that he wanted to be part of the boys’ lives and that he loved them but agreed that they would need counseling in order to understand what was going on and to help with their adjustment. Three experts testified in court and a fourth’s testimony was presented by deposition. The trial court found father’s experts to be credible. Both had significant experience with gender identity disorders and relationships of transsexuals to their children. The court found that father’s expert, Dr. Brown, was an “expert’s expert.” Further, it found that mother’s experts lacked credibility because neither had any experience in gender identity disorders or transsexualism. Although the trial court found that one of mother’s experts “formed his opinions after one or two sessions with [mother] without ever seeing the children,” the testimony of the experts as set forth in the record on appeal clearly indicates that each of mother’s experts, including Mr. Wilkinson, interviewed the children, while father’s experts did not interview the children. All of the experts agreed that immediate face-to-face contact would harm the boys if they were to see father in his present status and that the boys would need counseling to assist in their reunification with father. Further, they agreed that the boys’ progress should be monitored and that personal contact should happen when the boys are ready. While mother’s experts stated that the boys — 771 — would not be equipped to handle and understand their father’s status change until they reached the age of twelve, father’s experts disagreed with placing an age restriction on the boys but rather stated that the approved course of treatment would be to start with telephone contact, conference call situations, therapy sessions and then “move to personal contact down the road, depending on how things progressed.” Dr. Brown, a psychiatrist specializing in gender disorders, and Pamela Marcus, a registered nurse and counselor, testified on behalf of father. Dr. Brown stated that the children and father needed to engage in some period of counseling in order to facilitate the adjustment period. Further, that the approved course of treatment to unify the children and their father would be to start with “telephone contact, conference call situations and then move to personal contact down the road, depending on how things progressed.” He stated that no harm would come to the children if they were to meet father in his present status “if it fell in sequence with what I have said.” When asked how long the process should take, he responded, “I wouldn’t be able to predict that for you.” Finally, he stated that it would be emotionally confusing for the boys to see their father as a woman immediately, that the adjustment process could take a year, and that the progress of the boys should be monitored. Nurse Marcus testified that in her experience of observing children relating to a transsexual parent, children have been able to relate to the parent in an appropriate fashion. She indicated that father should have contact with the children but that counseling or therapy for the entire family would be imperative. The therapy for the children should be monitored, age-appropriate, and would need to be scheduled prior to seeing father. When asked for a length of time for therapy she stated that it would depend “on how the dynamics go between [father] and the children.” William Wilkinson, a licensed professional counselor, and Dr. Linda Partridge, the court-appointed psychologist, testified on behalf of mother. Wilkinson testified that if the boys were to see their father immediately there could be depression, withdrawal, anger, and violent reactions. He stated that the boys would not be equipped to understand father’s choice until they reached the age of twelve and that they would need counseling to learn to relate to father. Dr. Partridge also stated that the boys should not be exposed to father’s situation until the age of twelve because it would cause emotional upheaval, embarrassment, and confusion. She stated that all of the parties would need to be reevaluated before personal contact should actually occur. On June 1, 1995, the trial court entered its Decree and Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. The court amended the decree on June 20, 1995, and mother filed a motion for new trial on June 28, 1995, contending that the amended decree was not in accord with the credible evidence and that father’s temporary custody is against the best interest of the minor children. On July 19,1995, the trial court entered its Findings of Fact and Second Amended Decree and Judgment. The trial court found, while “there was no request for findings, the court finds and believes from the evidence that it would be in the best interest and welfare of the minor children, that they be reunited with [father].” It noted that the evidence clearly established that father was a loving and caring father and that mother would not have a problem with his contact with the children if he was not acting like a woman. Further, it found that mother had interfered with the relationship of the minor children and their father. Additionally, the court found mother evasive in her answers regarding whether she would comply with the court’s order of visitation and temporary custody. The Second Amended Decree reads in pertinent part: IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED AS FOLLOWS: 1. Family Counseling: (a) That [mother], [father] and the minor children engage in family counseling not less often than once each month for a period of twelve months, in order to effec — 772 — tuate the reunification of the family and contact with [father] ... 2. Child Custody: (a) That [mother] is awarded the primary care, custody and control of the parties’ minor children, ... subject to reasonable rights of visitation and temporary custody in [father], provided during those periods in which the minor children are in the temporary custody of [father], [father] shall not cohabit with other transsexuals or sleep with another female. Said visitation and temporary custody shall commence on the third full weekend of the month on the twelfth month after the Entry of the Decree of Dissolution as follows: i) The third full weekend of each month [[Image here]] ii) Two weeks during the summer ... iii) Alternating major holidays ... (b) That [father] shall immediately be allowed telephone contact with the minor children at all times, ... [and][f]or the first sixty (60) days following the entry of the Decree, [father] shall not discuss with the minor children gender related issues. (c) That [father] shall immediately be allowed to send letters, gifts and other correspondence to the minor children, and [mother] is ordered to deliver those items to the children. For the first sixty (60) days following the entry of the Decree, [father] shall not discuss with the children gender related issues. (d) That the parties shall confer with one another in the exercise of the decision-making rights, responsibilities and authority and have an equal voice on issues regarding the children’s training, education and rearing,.... Since mother’s appeal is directed to the visitation and legal custody provisions of the decree and father’s cross-appeal is directed to a restriction on his association and cohabitation during the exercise of his visitation rights, the remainder of the decree is affirmed. In her first point on appeal, mother, relying on § 462.400.2, essentially contends that the trial court erred in removing restrictions on father’s visitation on a specified date in the future without requiring, as a precondition to the removal of the restrictions, a hearing or an affirmative showing by father of rehabilitation and treatment. However, a review of § 452.400.2 shows that the subsection addresses the modification of visitation arrangements. Here, we are addressing the original grant of visitation rights to father which is covered by subsection 1 which provides in pertinent part: 1. A parent not granted custody of the child is entitled to reasonable visitation rights unless the court finds, after a hearing, that visitation would endanger the child’s physical health or impair his emotional development. Although mother relies on the incorrect section for her argument, we address her contention that because a restriction was placed upon father’s visitation rights, a hearing and a reevaluation of the parties should occur prior to the visitation with father. The trial court’s order provided that father’s visitation rights would not begin until twelve months after the entry of the decree. Thus, the trial court placed a restriction on father’s visitation. See In re Marriage of Amos, 843 S.W.2d 946, 952 (Mo.App. S.D.1992). When the trial court places a restriction on father’s visitation rights it ordinarily should make a finding of impairment of emotional development. Van Pelt v. Van Pelt, 824 S.W.2d 135, 137 (Mo.App. W.D.1992). Here, although the trial court did not make an express finding of impairment, it is implicit from its finding of no immediate contact, that immediate contact between the children and father would impair the boys’ emotional development. Id. Further, the implicit finding is clearly supported by the evidence. All the experts agreed that father’s immediate contact with the children would cause harm to them. When father’s expert, Dr. Brown, was asked how long the reunification process should take, he responded, “I wouldn’t be able to predict that for you.” He also stated that it would be “emotionally confusing” for the boys to see their father as a woman immediately, and that the adjustment process could take a year. Moreover, father testified that — 773 — the boys would need counseling to understand what has occurred and to help them adjust. Thus, a review of the record clearly supports the trial court’s implicit finding of impairment. The record on appeal indicates that the twelve month period restricting father’s visitation has expired. However, the record is absent of any showing that counseling has occurred or the present mental and emotional state of the children and parents. During oral argument, it was indicated that the boys have been told nothing of father’s status. Clearly, in the best interest of the children, a reevaluation of all parties must occur before the boys are exposed to a situation that father’s experts deemed as harmful to them if they have not been correctly prepared. See Roberts v. Roberts, 810 S.W.2d 65, 67 (Mo.App.1990) (wherein the trial court set a hearing five months from the date of the entry of the last decree to reevaluate the parties and circumstances before lifting a restriction on father’s visitation rights). This is a unique situation and it is imperative that evaluations of the parents and children are made prior to the children’s face-to-face reunification with father. At the time of the entry of its decree, the removal of the restriction on father’s visitation rights at the end of twelve months was not supported by the evidence. As of the date of this opinion, approximately twenty months have passed since the entry of the decree. Thus, on remand the trial court should determine the mental and emotional status of the parents and children to determine what is in the best interest of the children. Based upon those findings the trial court should decide what remedial measures, if any, should be taken to insure the best interest of the children are served while working toward their reunification with father. Likewise, the trial court should structure a visitation schedule appropriate to the children’s best interest. In her second point on appeal, mother contends that the trial court erred in that there is no substantial evidence to support the visitation provisions of the decree in that a) the commencement of unsupervised visitation upon the expiration of one year is a prospective attempt to modify a final judgment without procedures for the court to determine if it is in the best interest of the minor children and b) the counseling provisions of the decree are unduly vague and grossly inadequate to serve the purposes of preparing the minor children for visitation with father at some time in the future. Since we have already determined under the first point that father’s visitation rights shall not commence until the trial court has determined that the children and parents are emotionally and mentally ready for contact, we need not address mother’s first subpoint. In her second subpoint, mother contends that the psychological counseling provisions of the decree are unduly vague and grossly inadequate to serve the purpose of preparing the children for visitation with father in the future. Under the terms of the decree, mother and the children were to engage in counseling at least once a month for a period of twelve months and father was to engage in counseling with his own counselor. Mother argues that the counseling provisions are vague and inadequate because the provisions do not require: 1) communication between or among the counselors; 2) the issuance of formal or informal reports; and, 3) the presence or participation of the counselors during the unsupervised visitation father is to have in the future. In light of the unusual issues involved in this ease, and the delicate age of the children, mother argues that the counseling provisions fail to serve the best interest of the children. In light of the fact that we are requiring the trial court to conduct a hearing to evaluate the children’s progress toward physical reunification with their father, we also believe that the court should require evidence of successful counseling before implementing reunification. Given the dramatic change in father’s new identity, it is impossible to predict what effect his sex reassignment will have upon the children. We believe that the children’s best interest require that the counseling provisions insure that reunification proceeds with as little emotional trauma or psychological damage to the children as possible. If the trial court finds, after the hearing, that the children are not emotionally and mentally suited for physical — 774 — contact with their father, then the trial court should not order visitation until such time as the parties demonstrate it is in the children’s best interest to do so. In her final point, mother contends the trial court erred in that the award of joint legal custody is not in the best interest of the children, it is unsupported by substantial evidence and the overwhelming evidence indicates that the parties now do not share any commonality of beliefs regarding the raising of the minor children. We agree. Joint legal custody means that the parents share in the decision-making regarding the important events in the child’s life. Lipe v. Lipe, 743 S.W.2d 601, 602 (Mo.App.1988). A commonality of beliefs concerning parental decisions and the parties’ ability to cooperate and function as a parental unit are important considerations when determining whether joint legal custody is in the best interest of the child. In re Marriage of Haynes, 913 S.W.2d 73, 75 (Mo.App.1995). The statutory preference for joint custody “is not that of a forced joint custody in order to induce the parents to find a common ground,” but it is a preference in favor of parents who demonstrate “the willingness and ability to share the rights and responsibilities of child-rearing even after they have dissolved the marriage.” In re Marriage of Johnson, 865 S.W.2d 412, 417 (Mo.App.1993)(quoting Margolin v. Margolin, 796 S.W.2d 38, 49 (Mo.App.1990)). Joint legal custody is only appropriate where the parents show the willingness and ability to share the rights and responsibilities of raising their children. Leone v. Leone, 917 S.W.2d 608, 614 (Mo.App.1996). Where the parties are unable to communicate or cooperate and cannot make shared decisions concerning their children’s welfare, joint legal custody is inappropriate. Id. In order to support an award of joint legal custody, there must be substantial evidence that the parties have a commonality of beliefs regarding the parental decisions and the willingness and ability to function as a parental unit in making decisions. It is error for the trial court to award joint legal custody if no substantial evidence exists. Hankins v. Hankins, 920 S.W.2d 182, 186 (Mo.App.1996). The lack of evidence of conflict between the parents over raising the child does not meet the affirmative proof required to demonstrate that the parents are equipped to function as a unit to make parental decisions. Johnson, 865 S.W.2d at 417. The record here is void of substantial evidence that these parents have a commonality of beliefs concerning parental decisions or are capable of functioning as a parental unit in making those decisions. Father argues that the award of joint legal custody is supported by substantial evidence. According to father, the record demonstrates that it was necessary for the trial court to award joint legal custody because otherwise mother would continue to interfere with his relationship with his children. In essence, father appears to argue that the award of joint legal custody was necessary to insure that he would have continued contact with his children. We find that father’s argument is without merit. Joint legal custody was not designed to insure that a parent maintains his or her relationship with the child, but was designed to facilitate the best interest of the child by allowing both parents to share in the decision-making of raising the child. Additionally, the evidence adduced at trial does not support the award of joint legal custody. First, mother and father have not functioned as a parental unit for at least four years. In that period of time, father has not actively engaged in the decision-making of raising his two children. Second, the ability of mother and father to make decisions regarding the children is further frustrated by the fact that mother and children live in Missouri while father fives elsewhere. Finally, there was no substantial evidence adduced at trial regarding how father’s sex reassignment surgery and new identity will affect the manner in which mother and father function as a parental unit when making important decisions regarding the children. There was no basis for concluding that the parents are willing to share the rights and responsibilities of raising their children. We find the order granting joint legal custody is — 775 — unsupported by substantial evidence and therefore must be reversed. Since there was no evidence to support the award of joint legal custody, we believe that actual legal custody should have been awarded to mother. Rule 84.14 permits the appellate court to give judgment as the trial court ought to have given under the circumstances. See Burkhart v. Burkhart, 876 S.W.2d 675, 680 (Mo.App.1994). In the interests of judicial economy, we reverse the trial court’s finding of joint legal custody and award mother sole legal custody. In his cross-appeal, father contends the trial court erred in ordering that during father’s temporary custody “[he] shall not cohabit with other transsexuals or sleep with another female....” Father contends that the trial court’s order places an undue hardship on him, is in violation of his constitutional rights and bears no relationship to the best interest and welfare of the minor children. However, father cites no authority for his position. The trial court is vested with broad discretion in determining child custody and our principal concern is, as is the trial court’s in awarding custody, the best interest of the children. S.E.G. v. R.A.G., 735 S.W.2d 164, 165 (Mo.App. E.D.1987); § 452.375. In determining the best interest of the children, the court may consider the conduct of the parents. In re Marriage of Campbell, 868 S.W.2d 148, 153 (Mo.App. S.D.1993). There must be consideration of what conduct a parent may inspire by example, or what conduct of a child a parent may foster by condo-nation. Past and present activities may be a rehable guide to the priorities of a parent. M v. M, 688 S.W.2d 384, 386 (Mo.App. S.D.1985). Consideration of conduct is not limited to that which has in fact detrimentally affected the children. Id. Here, father testified that he is living as a woman with two other women, one of whom is a transsexual. He admitted that he has, on at least one occasion, had a female stay at his home and sleep in his bed, but denied having any sexual relations since the surgery. Father argues that the “restriction on [his] cohabitation and private life is beyond the purview of the trial court and an abuse of discretion.” However, the court cannot ignore the effect which the conduct of a parent may have on a child’s moral development. G.A. v. D.A., 745 S.W.2d 726, 728 (Mo.App. W.D.1987); See S.E.G., 735 S.W.2d at 165. There is substantial evidence to support the judgment of the trial court. We do not find an abuse of discretion. Point denied. We find that the trial court erred in granting joint legal custody and further in removing the one year restriction placed on father’s visitation rights without an evaluation of the progress that the parents and children have achieved toward the effectuation of unification of the children and father. Therefore, the judgment is affirmed in part, reversed in part and reversed and remanded in part with directions to proceed in accordance with this opinion. RHODES RUSSELL, P.J., concurs. KAROHL, J, dissents in part in separate opinion.