FORTSON v. FORTSON

Supreme Court of Georgia1944-05-08No. No. 14841

197 Ga. 699

Summary · law.co

Holding. The trial court did not err in refusing to strike the father's cross-petition alleging changed circumstances, and it properly transferred the custody investigation to juvenile court where evidence showed materially worse conditions for the children since the original custody decree. The judgment is affirmed.

In custody disputes, a prior court order awarding custody to one parent remains binding unless the requesting party demonstrates a material change in circumstances affecting the children's welfare. The father filed a cross-petition alleging that conditions had deteriorated since the original custody award to the mother, claiming ongoing neglect and unsuitable living conditions. The trial court properly refused to strike this cross-petition, as the allegations were sufficiently detailed to raise the question of changed circumstances.

On the merits, the father presented evidence that conditions for the children had worsened compared to the prior hearing. Although the evidence was contested, it was not so one-sided that the trial judge was required by law to find changed circumstances. The judge therefore properly exercised discretion in transferring the investigation to juvenile court for further inquiry, consistent with applicable law.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

Standard for modifying prior custody orders based on changed circumstances
Sufficiency of allegations in a cross-petition to survive a motion to strike
Discretion to refer custody investigations to juvenile court
Standard of review for trial court factfinding on changed conditions

Procedural posture

The father appealed the trial court's decision regarding his cross-petition for modification of an existing custody order and the transfer of the custody investigation to juvenile court.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion · public domain

majority opinion

Atkinson, Justice.

(After stating the foregoing facts.) Where-an order or decree has been entered, awarding the custody of minor children to one of the contesting parents, such judgment is binding" and conclusive between the parties, unless a change of circumstances affecting the welfare of the children is made to appear. Brooks v. Thomas, 193 Ga. 696 (19 S. E. 2d, 197); Jordan v. Jordan, 195 Ga. 771 (2) (25 S. E. 2d, 500), and cit. In the instant case, the father by cross-petition in responding to a rule for contempt, charged that the children, subsequently to the former trial, had been continuously neglected by their mother; that she was unfitted and unsuited to have the custody of the children; that the-manner and conditions under which the children Avere living were detrimental to the health and welfare of the children; that, upon a thorough investigation, it would be determined for the best interest of the children to take them from the custody of the mother and place them in the custody of someone who could properly look after them. In Anew of the allegations as a whole in the cross-petition, Ave think it could be said that they presented ,an insistence-that there had been a change of circumstances affecting the welfare of the children. Accordingly, the trial judge did not err in overruling the oral motion to strike the crdss-petition of the defendant, upon the ground that insufficient facts were alleged to authorize the relief prayed.

On a previous application of the father for a change of custody, the trial judge passed an order which stated in part: “The evidence, in the opinion of the court, is not sufficient to justify the setting aside or modification of the decree of May 8, 1941; and the defendant’s prayer that permanent custody of the children be awarded to him is, at this time, denied. It is the order of this court that the restraining order be continued in so far only as it restrains the defendant from taking permanent custody of the children, it being the opinion of the court that the decree of May 8, 1941, with reference to the custody of the children, should, as of the present, remain in full force and effect.” In dealing with the question as to changed conditions, this court on a former hearing-said: “The evidence is rather voluminous, and need not be quoted. All of it has been carefully considered, although only the gist of it has been stated. While it was very strong for the defendant as to ¡¡resent conditions, there was nevertheless a material conflict. At any rate, it can not be said that a finding for the defendant was demanded as a matter of law, on the issue as to change in circumstances.” Fortson v. Fortson, 195 Ga. 758 (supra). In Slate v. Goggins, 181 Ga. 17 (181 S. E. 145), it was held: “A decree of divorce in a case in which the custody of a minor child is involved, awarding the child to one party or the other, is final, except where a change of circumstances is shown. Where.such change is alleged, it is not error for the judge of the superior court to transfer the investigation thus called for to the juvenile court for investigation.” See also Owens v. Owens, 191 Ga. 568 (13 S. E. 2d, 348). On the trial of the case at bar, while the evidence was substantially the same as on the previous hearing, the additional testimony that the living conditions and conduct of the children were much worse than as shown upon the former trial, was sufficient to authorize the judge of the superior court to transfer the investigation to the juvenile court, in accordance with the provisions of the Code, § 24-2402 (d). Judgment affirmed.

All the Justices concur.