Justia Family Law Opinion Summaries

In this divorce action, the Supreme Court was asked to review two decisions of the appellate court involving the valuation of the marital home and an award of expert witness fees. Both issues involve determinations of fact. "An appellate court should approach an equitable division award with a presumption that the family court acted within its broad discretion. The family court should be reversed only when the appellant demonstrates an abuse of discretion," not for determinations of fact. In this case, the Supreme Court reversed the appellate court's reversal of the family court because there was no clear demonstration of an abuse of that discretion. The Court reinstated the ruling of the family court.

Appellant Essie Simmons and Respondent Rubin Simmons divorced in 1990. The parties entered into a settlement agreement that was approved by the family court. Central to the agreement was the requirement that Mr. Simmons give Ms. Simmons a half or third of his Social Security benefits, depending on his age when he retired. When he retired, Mr. Simmons did not pay his ex-wife. She sued, but the family court declined to hear the complaint, finding that it could not hear a case that primarily dealt with Social Security benefits. Mr. Simmons appealed the dismissal, and the appellate court reversed. The court voided the division of Mr. Simmons' benefits, holding that the Social Security Act specifically precluded parties from dividing benefits under the settlement agreement. Because the agreement was partly voided by the court, Ms. Simmons sought to reopen the matter entirely. The family court dismissed again, holding that it lacked jurisdiction to revisit the agreement. On appeal, the Supreme Court was presented with the question of whether the family court could revisit the now partially voided agreement. Upon careful review of the arguments and applicable legal authority, the Court held that "basic principles of equity suggest[ed] that all issues should be revisited by the family court." The Court recognized the practical difficulties confronting the family court, but the Court noted, "that challenge pales in comparison to [Mr. Simmons'] suggestion that we simply end this matter with the remnant of the agreement remaining valid." The Court reversed the decision of the lower court and remanded the case to the family court for further proceedings.

Craig Reeves was the biological father of "Baby Boy Roe." The biological mother of the child was sixteen when she found out she was pregnant. She attempted to include Mr. Reeves in the pregnancy from the onset, but he was dating another woman, and the record reflected he clearly was not interested in becoming a parent. The mother contacted an adoption agency about placing the child up for adoption and settled on Appellants "John and Jane Roe." At some point, the mother began to have reservations over her decision to give the baby up for adoption. At some point, Mr. Reeves had a change of heart over his involvement with the mother and her pregnancy. He bought some diapers and periodically bought things for the mother, but nothing to the extent that Appellants had done. the father lived with his parents, and converted some extra space in his home as a makeshift "nursery," fully expecting to take the baby home with him once it was born. Mr. Reeves went to the hospital to see "his" son when born, but the hospital informed him that the mother was a "no information" patient, and he was turned away. The next day, the mother signed an adoption consent form, and Appellants took the child home. Mr. Reeves brought suit in family court, arguing that the baby could not be adopted without his consent. The court found that his consent was needed, and ordered the child be returned to his custody. Upon review, the Supreme Court found that Mr. Reeves "did not fully grasp the opportunity to come forward and demonstrate a full commitment to the responsibilities of parenthood through prompt and good faith efforts." The Court held that Mr. Reeves' contributions were not sufficient compliance with state law to establish his right to consent to the adoption. The Court reversed the family court order pertaining to the father's consent, and awarded immediate custody of the child to Appellants.

George Grumbos (Husband) contested the family court's decision to impute certain income to him when it granted his wife Demetra Grumbos' temporary and permanent alimony. In its final order, the family court found both parties were underemployed, and both were able to work. Based on his past W2s, the court imputed $4,500 per month to the Husband, which was more than he was actually earning at the time. In assessing the parties' debts, the court considered three promissory notes the Husband executed, loaning his brothers and parents over $100,000. Based on these findings, the court awarded the Wife $630 per month as alimony. The Husband challenged the court's calculation of the Wife's alimony award. The Supreme Court found that the family court properly weighed the testimony and evidence, and accurately assessed the Husband's income. However, in its holding, the Court found that the family court erroneously made the Husband pay the Wife's attorney's fees. The Court affirmed the alimony award, but reversed the award of attorney fees and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Appellant-Defendant Tyquan Jared Amir Jones was charged as a juvenile with murder, armed robbery and unlawful possession of a pistol. The family court waived jurisdiction and ordered Defendant be treated as an adult. Defendant plead to a lesser charge pursuant to a plea agreement. On appeal, Defendant argued the family court erred in waiving jurisdiction because it did not properly apply state law in its order, and that statements he made to police should not have been used against him because his mother was not present when he signed the waiver of rights form. The Supreme Court found that the family court properly considered all of the Kent factors in deciding to waive jurisdiction. The Court also found that Defendant never argued the statement was involuntary at trial. Finding no reversible errors, the Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's decision.