CURTIS CHARLES HUSKEY, APPELLANT AND CROSS-APPELLEE, V. DEITRA MARIE HUSKEY, NOW KNOWN AS DEITRA MARIE OSTERFOSS, APPELLEE AND CROSS-APPELLANT.
No. S-13-1140
Nebraska Supreme Court
November 7, 2014
289 Neb. 439
we have quoted above has not disabused the Department of the notion that it is free to disregard a court order with which it disagrees. So we add our own admonition: In the seemingly unlikely event that the circumstances presented here should arise in the future, the Department, OJS, and the YRTC can, and indeed must, comply with the juvenile court‘s order, and it is their statutory duty to provide appropriate treatment to a juvenile committed to their care and custody unless and until an appellate court reverses or modifies the commitment order. Statutory interpretatiоn and construction is a function of the judicial branch, not the executive branch.
Based upon the manner in which these cases became moot, and the distinct possibility that the issue presented is one of last impression, we decline to reach the merits of these appeals under the public interest exception to the doctrine of mootness.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we lack appellate jurisdiction over these appeals because the issue presented is moot. Accordingly, the appeals are dismissed.
APPEALS DISMISSED.
HEAVICAN, C.J., not participating.
___ N.W.2d ___
- Statutes: Appeal and Error. Statutory interpretation presents a question of law, which an appellate court reviews independently of the lower court‘s determination.
- Jurisdiction: Appeal and Error. It is the duty of an appellate court to determine whether it has jurisdiction over the matter before it.
- Constitutional Law: Jurisdiction: Appeal and Error. Except in those cases wherein original jurisdiction is specially conferred by
Neb. Const. art. V, § 2 , the Nebraska Supreme Court exercises appellate jurisdiction, and such appellate jurisdiction can be conferred only in the manner provided by statute. - Appeal and Error. The right of appeal in Nebraska is purely statutory.
- Judgments: Words and Phrases. A judgment is the final determination of the rights of the parties in an aсtion.
- ____: ____. Every direction of a court or judge, made or entered in writing and not included in a judgment, is an order.
- Jurisdiction: Final Orders: Appeal and Error. In the absence of a judgment or order finally disposing of a case, an appellate court has no authority or jurisdiction to act, and in the absence of such judgment or order, the appeal will be dismissed.
- Actions: Parties.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1315(1) (Reissue 2008) is implicated only where multiple causes of action are presented or multiple parties are involved. - Child Custody: Armed Forces: Legislature: Intent: Final Orders. Because a court may dispense only temporary relief pursuant to
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2929.01(4)(a) (Cum. Supр. 2012), the Legislature did not intend for a truly temporary order entered under that subsection to be characterized as a final order underNeb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1902 (Reissue 2008). - Final Orders: Words and Phrases: Appeal and Error. A substantial right is an essential legal right, not a mere technical right. A substantial right is affected if the order affects the subject matter of the litigation, such as diminishing a claim or defense that was available to an appellant prior to the order from which an appeal is taken.
- Constitutional Law: Appeal and Error. Generally, a constitutional issue not passed upon by the trial court is not appropriate for consideration on appeal.
- Final Orders: Appeal and Error. When multiple issues are presented to a trial court for simultaneous disposition in the same proceeding and the court decides some of the issues, while reserving other issues for later determination, the court‘s determination of less than all the issues is an interlocutory order and is not a final order for the purpose of an appeal.
Appeal from the District Court for Douglas County: J RUSSELL DERR, Judge. Appeal dismissed.
Kelly T. Shattuck, of Vacanti Shattuck, for appellee.
HEAVICAN, C.J., WRIGHT, CONNOLLY, STEPHAN, MCCORMACK, MILLER-LERMAN, and CASSEL, JJ.
CASSEL, J.
INTRODUCTION
A recently enacted statute1 affords procedural proteсtions in cases involving child custody and parenting time to military parents affected by mobilization or deployment.2 Pursuant to one provision,3 the district court permitted the children of a military mother to temporarily accompany her for the duration of her assignment to Fort Benning, Georgia. The nonmilitary father appeals. The statutory language persuades us that the Legislature did not intend for truly temporary orders legitimately falling within the scope of this specific provision to be subject to appellate review. We therefore dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction.
BACKGROUND
DIVORCE
In March 2011, a decree was entered dissolving the marriage of Deitra Marie Osterfoss, who was then known as Deitra Marie Huskey, and Curtis Charles Huskey. Osterfoss was awarded sole legal and physical custody of the parties’ two children. Huskey was granted parenting time and ordered to pay child support in the amount of $600 per month.
Osterfoss joined the U.S. Army Reserve shortly after the parties’ divorce. On March 26, 2013, the Department of the Army sent Osterfoss orders requiring her to report to Fort Benning on August 17 for active duty for a period of 1 year, ending August 16, 2014.
PLEADINGS FOR MODIFICATION
On July 2, 2013, Osterfoss filed a “Complaint for Modifiсation,” alleging that her assignment to Fort Benning constituted a material change in circumstances. She requested that the district court modify the parties’ divorce decree and parenting plan for the 2013-14 school year and enter an
In response to Osterfoss’ complaint, Huskey filed an “Answer and Counter Complaint to Modify,” in which he protested relocation of the children for any length of time that would impact his parenting time or the children‘s education. He further contended that remaining in Nebraska was in the children‘s best interests, because he would be able to exercise parenting time, the children would be able to continue their education in the Gretna Public Schools system, the children would have the support of extended family members, and relocation of the children would result in their removal from Nebraska for a minimum of 1 year. He therefore requested that the district court award him temporary primary custody during Osterfoss’ assignment to Georgia, permanently modify custody to joint legal and physical custody, and order child support.
MOTIONS FOR TEMPORARY OR EXPEDITED RELIEF
Osterfoss moved the district court for temporary orders and/or an expedited trial. In her motion, she clarified that she was not seeking to permanently relocate the children to Georgia, but sought only a temporary order. The court overruled Osterfoss’ motion and granted Huskey temporary custody. The court further suspended Huskey‘s child support obligation while the children were in his рossession and ordered Osterfoss to pay child support.
TRIAL
Trial began on December 5, 2013. The district court first conducted an in camera interview of the parties’ children. The parties’ 12-year-old daughter testified that she wanted to go to Georgia with Osterfoss. The parties’ 6-year-old son similarly testified that he desired to be with Osterfoss.
Huskey testified that he was currently living with his girlfriend and their 13-month-old daughter in Waverly, Nebraska. The parties’ children had been living with him since the middle of August 2013 pursuant to the grant of temporary custody. Huskey described that he and the children had become “a lot сloser.” And his employment as a sergeant for the Lancaster County Department of Corrections permitted him to pick up the children from school every day. However, Huskey explained that because he and his girlfriend were both required to work nights, his mother usually stayed overnight with the children two or three times a week and would take the children to school the following morning.
As to Osterfoss’ allegation that Huskey and his girlfriend had an unstable relationship, Huskey testified that his relationship with his girlfriend was secure. He further explained that any discussion of a future move was for the purpose of being closer to Gretna, Nebraska, in order to minimize travel time to the children‘s school.
Huskey agreed that he and Osterfoss had generally “gotten along” and been able to cooperate with respect to the children‘s best interests. As to her parenting of the children, Huskey stated that he had “some issues,” but that “for the most part, [Osterfoss] did a good job” and that he considered her to be a good parent. He further confirmed that both he and Osterfoss possessed good relationships with the children and indicated that the children missed Osterfoss.
However, Huskey described that Osterfoss had frustrated his parenting time
As to his concern for the children‘s welfare, Huskey testified that he believed the parties’ daughter would have problems adjusting to life in Georgia. He explained that their daughter is shy, reserved, and slower at making friends. However, Huskey expressed that the parties’ son would adjust because he is “pretty good at adjusting.”
Osterfoss testified that she believed the children would benefit from relocating to Georgia. She explained that the children would receive educational benefits because the schools in Georgia have greater diversity. And relocating would permit the children to remain with her, which would provide them continuity, because she had been their primary care provider since their birth. She further confirmed that she did not believe the children would suffer physically, emotionally, or developmеntally if they relocated to Georgia. She testified that the children are resilient and would benefit from the experience.
Osterfoss also expressed concern as to Huskey‘s care of the children. She explained that she would be able to spend time with the children every day after work, but that Huskey was required to leave the children in the care of others. She also claimed that she was required to purchase a cell phone for the parties’ daughter because Huskey was not permitting Osterfoss to speak with her.
A portion of Osterfoss’ testimоny also concerned Huskey‘s child support obligation under the divorce decree. On cross-examination, Huskey‘s counsel asked her, “You‘ve requested in your response to the counterclaim that child support change permanently, is that correct, the amount that . . . Huskey pays to you?” Osterfoss responded affirmatively. Osterfoss testified that Huskey‘s hourly wage at the time of the parties’ divorce was $16. However, Huskey testified that at the time of trial, his hourly wage had increased to approximately $23 per hour.
DISTRICT COURT‘S ORDER
At the conclusion of trial, the district court made an oral pronouncement that the children would be permitted to relocate to Georgia with Osterfoss for the remainder of her temporary assignment. Osterfoss’ counsel then inquired as to how child support would be treated, asking, “[A]re we assuming we‘re going back, then . . . to the old order as far as child support then?” The court responded, “Right.”
The district court entered a written order on December 17, 2013, sustaining Osterfoss’ motion for temporary removal. In its order, the court observed that it construed Osterfoss’ complaint as a request for temporary removаl pursuant to
APPEAL
Huskey filed a timely notice of appeal, and the case was assigned to the docket of
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
Huskey assigns, reworded, that the district court erred in (1) interpreting
In her cross-appeal, Osterfoss assigns that the district court erred in failing to modify Huskey‘s child support obligation.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
[1] Statutory intеrpretation presents a question of law, which we review independently of the lower court‘s determination.4
ANALYSIS
[2] Before we are able to address the merits of the parties’ assignments of error, we must determine whether this court has jurisdiction. It is the duty of an appellate court to determine whether it has jurisdiction over the matter before it.5 In her motion for summary dismissal, Osterfoss alleged that the district court‘s December 17, 2013, order was not a final, appealable order. She therefore asserted that this court is without jurisdiction over the appeal. We foсus our attention on that order.
The order implemented
(1) The Legislature finds that for children of military parents it is in the best interests of the child to maintain the parent-child bond during the military parent‘s mobilization or deployment.
(2) In a custody or parenting time, visitation, or other access proceeding or modification involving a military parent, the court shall consider and provide, if appropriate:
(a) Orders for communicatiоn between the military parent and his or her child during any mobilization or deployment of greater than thirty days. Such communication may be by electronic or other available means, including webcam, Internet, or telephone; and
(b) Parenting time, visitation, or other access orders that ensure liberal access between the military parent and the child during any military leave of the military parent during a mobilization or deployment of greater than thirty days.
(3) A military parent‘s military membership, mobilization, deployment, absence, relocation, or failure to comply with custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access orders because of military duty shall not, by itself, be sufficient
to justify an order or modification of an order involving custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access. (4) If a custody, child support, or parenting time, visitation, or other access proceeding, or modification thereof, involves a military parent and is filed after the military parent‘s unit has received notice of potential deployment or during the time the military parent is mobilized or deployed:
(a) The court shall not issue a custody order or modify any previous custody order that changes custody as it existed on the day prior to the military parent‘s unit receiving notice of potential deployment, except that the court may issue a temporary custody order or temporary modification if there is clear and convincing evidence that the custody change is in the best interests of the child;
(b) The court shall not issue a child support order or modify any previous child support order that changes child support as it existed on the day prior to the military parent‘s unit receiving notice of potential deployment, except that the court may issue a temporary child support order or temporary modification if there is clear and convincing evidence that the order or modification is required to meet the child support guidelines established pursuant to section 42-364.16; and
(c) The court shall not issue a parenting time, visitation, or other access order or modify any previous order that changes parenting time, visitation, or other access as it existed on the day prior to the military parent‘s unit receiving notiсe of potential deployment, except that the court may enter a temporary parenting time, visitation, or other access order or modify any such existing order to permit liberal parenting time, visitation, or other access during any military leave of the military parent.
(5) If a temporary order is issued under subsection (4) of this section, upon the military parent returning from mobilization or deployment, either parent may file a motion requesting a rehearing or reinstatement of a prior order. The court shall rehear the matter if the temporаry order was the initial order in the proceeding and shall make a new determination regarding the proceeding. The court shall reinstate the original order if the temporary order was a modification unless the court finds that the best interests of the child or the child support guidelines established pursuant to section 42-364.16 require a new determination.
(6) Upon finding an (a) unreasonable failure of a non-military parent to accommodate the military leave schedule of the military parent, (b) unreasonable delay by the nonmilitary parent of custody, child support, parenting time, visitation, or other access proceedings, (c) unreasonable failure of the military parent to notify the nonmilitary parent or court of release from mobilization, or (d) unreasonable failure of the military parent to provide requested documentation, the court may order the offending party to pay any attorney‘s fees of the other party incurred due to such unreasonable action.
(7) This section does not apply to permanent change of station moves by a military parent.
(Emphasis supplied.) The рlain language of this statute shows that it contemplates various orders, some temporary and some final. Before addressing the specific jurisdictional issue involving
[5-7]
[8] Apart from the existence of a final judgment, the two statutes primarily relevant to the issue of appellate jurisdiction are
Section 25-1902 defines the three types of final orders that may be rеviewed on appeal: (1) an order which affects a substantial right and which determines the action and prevents a judgment, (2) an order affecting a substantial right made during a special proceeding, and (3) an order affecting a substantial right made upon summary application in an action after a judgment is rendered.
We have observed that an order modifying custody arises from a special proceeding, falling within the second category of
Turning to the specific statutory provision before us, we observe that in enacting
The Legislature made clear that any relief to be afforded under
[9] Because a court may dispense only temporary relief pursuant to
[10] We have previously held that a temporary order affecting custody does not affect a substantial right. We have described a substantial right as an essential legal right, not a mere technical right.17 A substantial right is affected if the order affects the subject matter of the litigation, such as diminishing a claim or defense that was available to an appellant prior to the order from which an appeal is taken.18
In Steven S. v. Mary S.,19 we determined that an order making a temporary custody determination and suspending the mother‘s right to visitation did not affect a substantial right. Our conclusion was based upon two factors: (1) The order disturbed the mother‘s relationship with her children for only a brief period of time, and (2) the order was not a permanent disposition.20
In Carmicheal v. Rollins,21 we reinforced the principle that an order affecting custody only temporarily does not affect a substantial right. In that case, we observed that the temporary grant of custody to the father during thе mother‘s military deployment period of 400 days was
The order before us did not affect a substantial right. It did not make a permanent disposition. Pursuant to
Because the order was properly characterized as a “temporary” order under
However, in holding that the order before us is not subject to appeal, we acknowledge the danger that a court might enter a final order disguised as a temporary order under
[11] And we do not pass upon the constitutionality of
[12] We further note that Huskey‘s countercomplaint for a permanent modification of custody is apparently still pending before the district court. The order before us made no mention of Huskey‘s countercomplaint. Although the court may have considered itself constrained by
Because the appеal was taken from an order that was not final, we must dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. And we are therefore without power to grant Osterfoss’ motion for attorney fees. We overrule the motion for attorney fees without prejudice to the reassertion of the request before the district court.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that the Legislature did not intend for appellate review of truly temporary orders entered pursuant to
APPEAL DISMISSED.
