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}, { "text": "COURT OF APPEAL", "paragraph_id": "para_10" }, { "text": "FOURTH CIRCUIT", "paragraph_id": "para_11" }, { "text": "STATE OF LOUISIANA", "paragraph_id": "para_12" }, { "text": "APPLICATION FOR WRITS DIRECTED TO", "paragraph_id": "para_13" }, { "text": "25TH JDC, PARISH OF PLAQUEMINES", "paragraph_id": "para_14" }, { "text": "NO. 67627, DIVISION “B”", "paragraph_id": "para_15" }, { "text": "Honorable Michael D. Clement,", "paragraph_id": "para_16" }, { "text": "* * * * * *", "paragraph_id": "para_17" }, { "text": "Judge Sandra Cabrina Jenkins", "paragraph_id": "para_18" }, { "text": "* * * * * *", "paragraph_id": "para_19" }, { "text": "(Court composed of Judge Daniel L. Dysart, Judge Sandra Cabrina Jenkins, Judge", "paragraph_id": "para_20" }, { "text": "Tiffany Gautier Chase)", "paragraph_id": "para_21" }, { "text": "Christy Howley", "paragraph_id": "para_22" }, { "text": "M. Elizabeth Bowman", "paragraph_id": "para_23" }, { "text": "Jordan T. Giles", "paragraph_id": "para_24" }, { "text": "BOWMAN & HOWLEY", "paragraph_id": "para_25" }, { "text": "629 Lafayette Street", "paragraph_id": "para_26" }, { "text": "Gretna, Louisiana 70053", "paragraph_id": "para_27" }, { "text": "COUNSEL FOR RELATOR", "paragraph_id": "para_28" }, { "text": "Mathew Lepetich", "paragraph_id": "para_29" }, { "text": "208 Bienville Street", "paragraph_id": "para_30" }, { "text": "New Orleans, Louisiana 70130", "paragraph_id": "para_31" }, { "text": "COUNSEL FOR RESPONDENT", "paragraph_id": "para_32" }, { "text": "WRIT DENIED WITH REASONS", "paragraph_id": "para_33" }, { "text": "April 6, 2026", "paragraph_id": "para_34" }, { "text": "1", "paragraph_id": "para_35" }, { "text": "SCJ", "paragraph_id": "para_36", "court_paragraph": 1 }, { "text": "DLD", "paragraph_id": "para_37" }, { "text": "TGC Relator, Malena Badon Lepetich, seeks review of that portion of the trial", "paragraph_id": "para_38" }, { "text": "court’s February 6, 2026 judgment which granted the motion of Respondent,", "paragraph_id": "para_39" }, { "text": "Mathew Lepetich, to modify the order of temporary custody involving the parties’", "paragraph_id": "para_40" }, { "text": "minor children. Based on the following, we exercise our supervisory review and", "paragraph_id": "para_41" }, { "text": "deny Relator’s writ application with reasons.", "paragraph_id": "para_42" }, { "text": "FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY", "paragraph_id": "para_43" }, { "text": "On October 1, 2025, Relator filed an Emergency Rule for Child Custody,", "paragraph_id": "para_44" }, { "text": "Request for Temporary Custody Pursuant to La. C.C.P. art. 3945, Rule for", "paragraph_id": "para_45" }, { "text": "Contempt and Attorney’s Fees and Costs and for Incidental Matters (“emergency", "paragraph_id": "para_46" }, { "text": "temporary custody). Relator asserted, in part, that Respondent had failed to timely", "paragraph_id": "para_47" }, { "text": "return the minor children after a custodial visit and alleged Respondent’s “erratic", "paragraph_id": "para_48" }, { "text": "behavior” and “history of substance abuse” caused concern for the children’s", "paragraph_id": "para_49" }, { "text": "safety.", "paragraph_id": "para_50" }, { "text": "After a hearing on Relator’s emergency temporary custody motion, the trial", "paragraph_id": "para_51" }, { "text": "court rendered a written judgment on October 17, 2025, which awarded Relator", "paragraph_id": "para_52" }, { "text": "temporary sole custody of the children. Respondent was ordered to have", "paragraph_id": "para_53" }, { "text": "2", "paragraph_id": "para_54" }, { "text": "supervised visitation at the Family Care Center for four hours each on Saturdays", "paragraph_id": "para_55", "court_paragraph": 2 }, { "text": "and Sundays, every other weekend, at Respondent’s cost. The trial court also", "paragraph_id": "para_56" }, { "text": "ordered Respondent to submit to a ten-panel hair test at BAL and Associates; to", "paragraph_id": "para_57" }, { "text": "sign a HIPAA release for records concerning his treatment at Plaquemines", "paragraph_id": "para_58" }, { "text": "Community Care Center; and to undergo a psychological evaluation through the", "paragraph_id": "para_59" }, { "text": "Plaquemines Community Care Center.", "paragraph_id": "para_60" }, { "text": "On November 13, 2025, and December 4, 2025, Respondent, pro se, filed", "paragraph_id": "para_61" }, { "text": "and re-filed a Motion for Contempt and to Modify Temporary Custody Order", "paragraph_id": "para_62" }, { "text": "(‘motion to modify”). The motion to modify sought to modify the trial court’s", "paragraph_id": "para_63" }, { "text": "October 17, 2025 judgment, and return to the shared custody status in effect prior", "paragraph_id": "para_64" }, { "text": "to the modification. Respondent’s motions to modify represented that he had", "paragraph_id": "para_65" }, { "text": "complied with all requirements ordered in the October 17, 2025 judgment. Later,", "paragraph_id": "para_66" }, { "text": "Respondent filed additional motions for contempt and a motion to disqualify", "paragraph_id": "para_67" }, { "text": "counsel.", "paragraph_id": "para_68" }, { "text": "In response, Relator filed a Motion in Limine and/or Motion to Strike,", "paragraph_id": "para_69" }, { "text": "Peremptory Exception of No Cause of Action, and Opposition to Motions for", "paragraph_id": "para_70" }, { "text": "Contempt. Relator’s exceptions of no cause of action included a claim that", "paragraph_id": "para_71" }, { "text": "Respondent’s motion to modify failed to state a cause of action to entitle him to", "paragraph_id": "para_72" }, { "text": "relief.", "paragraph_id": "para_73" }, { "text": "The matter came for hearing on February 6, 2026. At the beginning of the", "paragraph_id": "para_74" }, { "text": "hearing, the trial court orally granted Relator’s exceptions of no cause of action to", "paragraph_id": "para_75" }, { "text": "Respondent’s motion to disqualify counsel, motions for contempt, and motion to", "paragraph_id": "para_76" }, { "text": "modify custody. After a recess, the trial court reversed the ruling on Respondent’s", "paragraph_id": "para_77" }, { "text": "motion to modify custody and proceeded to conduct a hearing on the merits of the", "paragraph_id": "para_78" }, { "text": "motion. Subsequent to the hearing, the trial court’s written judgment sustained", "paragraph_id": "para_79" }, { "text": "3", "paragraph_id": "para_80" }, { "text": "Relator’s exception of no cause of action to the motion to modify, but also granted", "paragraph_id": "para_81", "court_paragraph": 3 }, { "text": "Respondent’s motion to modify the award of temporary custody. The trial court", "paragraph_id": "para_82" }, { "text": "also ordered all parties to appear for a status conference on April 7, 2026.", "paragraph_id": "para_83" }, { "text": "Thereafter, Relator timely filed a notice of intent and the present writ", "paragraph_id": "para_84" }, { "text": "application.", "paragraph_id": "para_85" }, { "text": "ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR", "paragraph_id": "para_86" }, { "text": "1) The trial court erred when it initially sustained Relator’s exception", "paragraph_id": "para_87" }, { "text": "of no cause of action regarding Respondent’s motion to modify,", "paragraph_id": "para_88" }, { "text": "and then proceeded to hold a substantive hearing on the motion", "paragraph_id": "para_89" }, { "text": "and grant the motion.", "paragraph_id": "para_90" }, { "text": "2) The trial court erred in modifying custody without satisfaction of", "paragraph_id": "para_91" }, { "text": "the Bergeron v. Bergeron, 492 So.2d 1193 (La. 1986) standard that", "paragraph_id": "para_92" }, { "text": "either the current custodial schedule was so deleterious to the", "paragraph_id": "para_93" }, { "text": "children as to warrant modification or that it was in the children’s", "paragraph_id": "para_94" }, { "text": "best interest that custody be modified and any harm done would be", "paragraph_id": "para_95" }, { "text": "outweighed by the benefit to the children.", "paragraph_id": "para_96" }, { "text": "3) The trial court erred when it modified custody by essentially", "paragraph_id": "para_97" }, { "text": "conducting a review hearing of the judgment from October 7,", "paragraph_id": "para_98" }, { "text": "2025, which was signed on October 17, 2025, and modifying", "paragraph_id": "para_99" }, { "text": "custody based on the trial court’s review of Respondent’s alleged", "paragraph_id": "para_100" }, { "text": "compliance with that judgment which was not before the court to", "paragraph_id": "para_101" }, { "text": "review based on the four corners of his pleading.", "paragraph_id": "para_102" }, { "text": "4) The trial court erred in impermissibly assisting Respondent as a", "paragraph_id": "para_103" }, { "text": "pro se litigant at the February 3, 2026 hearing.", "paragraph_id": "para_104" }, { "text": "STANDARD OF REVIEW", "paragraph_id": "para_105" }, { "text": "This Court has recognized that rulings regarding child custody are reviewed", "paragraph_id": "para_106" }, { "text": "pursuant to the abuse of discretion standard discussed in Bergmann v. Nguyen as", "paragraph_id": "para_107" }, { "text": "follows:", "paragraph_id": "para_108" }, { "text": "In most child custody cases, the trial court's rulings are based heavily", "paragraph_id": "para_109" }, { "text": "on its factual findings. Hanks v. Hanks, [20]13-1442, p. 8 (La. App. 4", "paragraph_id": "para_110" }, { "text": "Cir. 4/16/14), 140 So.3d 208, 214 (citing Palazzolo v. Mire, [20] 08-", "paragraph_id": "para_111" }, { "text": "0075, pp. 34-37 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1/7/09), 10 So.3d 748, 768-70). “[A]", "paragraph_id": "para_112" }, { "text": "court of appeal may not set aside a trial court's or a jury’s findings of", "paragraph_id": "para_113" }, { "text": "fact in the absence of ‘manifest error’ or unless it is ‘clearly wrong.’”", "paragraph_id": "para_114" }, { "text": "Evans v. Lungrin, [19]97-0541, [19]97-0577, p. 6 (La. 2/6/98), 708", "paragraph_id": "para_115" }, { "text": "4", "paragraph_id": "para_116" }, { "text": "So.2d 731, 735 (citing Rosell v. ESCO, 549 So.2d 840, 844 (La.", "paragraph_id": "para_117", "court_paragraph": 4 }, { "text": "1989)).", "paragraph_id": "para_118" }, { "text": "“Every child custody case must be viewed based on its own particular", "paragraph_id": "para_119" }, { "text": "facts and relationships involved, with the goal of determining what is", "paragraph_id": "para_120" }, { "text": "in the best interest of the child.” Mulkey v. Mulkey, [20] 12-2709, p.", "paragraph_id": "para_121" }, { "text": "15 (La. 5/7/13), 118 So.3d 357, 367; see La. C.C. art. 131 (providing", "paragraph_id": "para_122" }, { "text": "that “the court shall award custody of a child in accordance with the", "paragraph_id": "para_123" }, { "text": "best interest of the child”). In determining the best interest of the", "paragraph_id": "para_124" }, { "text": "child, “[e]ach case must be viewed in light of the child's age, the", "paragraph_id": "para_125" }, { "text": "situation of the parents, and any other factor relevant to the particular", "paragraph_id": "para_126" }, { "text": "case.” Palazzolo, [20]08-0075[,] p. 35, 10 So.3d at 768.", "paragraph_id": "para_127" }, { "text": "Because the trial judge is in a better position to evaluate the best", "paragraph_id": "para_128" }, { "text": "interest of a child from [a] superior position to observe and evaluate", "paragraph_id": "para_129" }, { "text": "the demeanor and credibility of the parties and the witnesses, [the trial", "paragraph_id": "para_130" }, { "text": "judge's] decision will not be disturbed on review absent a clear", "paragraph_id": "para_131" }, { "text": "showing of abuse. Smith v. Smith, [20]07-0260, [20]07-0261, p. 4 (La.", "paragraph_id": "para_132" }, { "text": "App. 4 Cir. 2/13/08), 977 So.2d 1114, 1116-17; Palazzolo, [20]08-", "paragraph_id": "para_133" }, { "text": "0075[,] p. 35, 10 So.3d at 768; Foshee v. Foshee, [20] 12-1358, p. 4", "paragraph_id": "para_134" }, { "text": "(La. App. 4 Cir. 8/28/13), 123 So.3d 817, 820; Watts v. Watts, [20]", "paragraph_id": "para_135" }, { "text": "08-0834, p. 2 (La. App. 4 Cir. 4/8/09), 10 So.3d 855, 857. As this", "paragraph_id": "para_136" }, { "text": "court recently noted in Jaligam v. Pochampally, [20]16-0249, p. 6", "paragraph_id": "para_137" }, { "text": "(La. App. 4 Cir. 12/7/16), 206 So.3d 298, 303, “the court of appeal", "paragraph_id": "para_138" }, { "text": "cannot simply substitute its own findings for that of the trial court.”", "paragraph_id": "para_139" }, { "text": "See also, Mulkey, [20]12-2709, p. 16, 118 So.3d at 368.", "paragraph_id": "para_140" }, { "text": "2021-0553, pp. 14-15 (La. App. 4 Cir. 4/27/22), 366 So.3d 422, 432–33 (quoting", "paragraph_id": "para_141" }, { "text": "State through Dep’t of Children & Family Servs. Child Support Enf’t v. Knapp,", "paragraph_id": "para_142" }, { "text": "2016-0979, pp. 12-13 (La. App. 4 Cir. 4/12/17), 216 So.3d 130, 139-40).", "paragraph_id": "para_143" }, { "text": "DISCUSSION", "paragraph_id": "para_144" }, { "text": "Relator’s assignments of error regarding the merits of the trial court’s judgment", "paragraph_id": "para_145" }, { "text": "to permit modification of the temporary custody order fall within two categories:", "paragraph_id": "para_146" }, { "text": "(1) Respondent’s motion failed to state a cause of action to entitle him to relief;", "paragraph_id": "para_147" }, { "text": "and (2) the trial court failed to utilize the burden of proof standard enunciated in", "paragraph_id": "para_148" }, { "text": "Bergeron to modify a custody award.", "paragraph_id": "para_149" }, { "text": "Exception of No Cause of Action", "paragraph_id": "para_150" }, { "text": "5", "paragraph_id": "para_151" }, { "text": "In this error, Relator emphasizes the trial court initially orally granted her", "paragraph_id": "para_152", "court_paragraph": 5 }, { "text": "exception of no cause of action to modification of the custody award, only to", "paragraph_id": "para_153" }, { "text": "reverse itself, permit a hearing, and issue a written judgment granting the motion,", "paragraph_id": "para_154" }, { "text": "while contradictorily sustaining Relator’s exception of no cause of action in the", "paragraph_id": "para_155" }, { "text": "written judgment.", "paragraph_id": "para_156" }, { "text": "The relevant portions of the trial court’s judgment regarding Relator’s", "paragraph_id": "para_157" }, { "text": "exception of no cause of action and Respondent’s motion to modify provide as", "paragraph_id": "para_158" }, { "text": "follows:", "paragraph_id": "para_159" }, { "text": "IT IS FURTHER ORDERED ADJUDGED AND DECREED that", "paragraph_id": "para_160" }, { "text": "Malena Lepetich’s Peremptory Exception of No Cause [of Action] on", "paragraph_id": "para_161" }, { "text": "the Motion for Contempt and to Modify Temporary Custody Order", "paragraph_id": "para_162" }, { "text": "filed herein by Matthew Lepetich on November 13, 2025, and refiled", "paragraph_id": "para_163" }, { "text": "on December 4, 2025, be and is hereby sustained.", "paragraph_id": "para_164" }, { "text": ". . .", "paragraph_id": "para_165" }, { "text": "IT IS FURTHER ORDERED ADJUDGED AND DECREED that", "paragraph_id": "para_166" }, { "text": "the Court heard the Motion filed on November 13, and refiled on", "paragraph_id": "para_167" }, { "text": "December 4, 2025, and the Court do[e]s hereby modify custody as", "paragraph_id": "para_168" }, { "text": "follows:", "paragraph_id": "para_169" }, { "text": "(1) All drug screens shall now be random as ordered by the Court and", "paragraph_id": "para_170" }, { "text": "Mathew Lepetich shall reimburse the Court for all positive tests", "paragraph_id": "para_171" }, { "text": "and materials used to test him.", "paragraph_id": "para_172" }, { "text": "(2) Our Family Wizard video calls shall remain in full force and", "paragraph_id": "para_173" }, { "text": "effect as previously ordered, are subject to recording and shall be", "paragraph_id": "para_174" }, { "text": "conducted at 10:00 a.m. on the weekends and 6:00 p.m. on", "paragraph_id": "para_175" }, { "text": "weekdays subject to the children’s schedules. The children’s", "paragraph_id": "para_176" }, { "text": "extracurricular schedules shall be submitted to the Court and to", "paragraph_id": "para_177" }, { "text": "Mr. Lepetich once received by Malena Lepetich.", "paragraph_id": "para_178" }, { "text": "(3) Mathew Lepetich’s visitation shall now be unsupervised and shall", "paragraph_id": "para_179" }, { "text": "be conducted every other weekend from Friday pick up after", "paragraph_id": "para_180" }, { "text": "school until Monday drop off at school starting February 6, 2026.", "paragraph_id": "para_181" }, { "text": "(4) Mathew Lepetich shall provide proof of his attendance at", "paragraph_id": "para_182" }, { "text": "counseling as previously ordered by this Court to the Court and all", "paragraph_id": "para_183" }, { "text": "counsel of record on a regular basis.", "paragraph_id": "para_184" }, { "text": "6", "paragraph_id": "para_185" }, { "text": "At the onset of the hearing, Relator argued in support of its no cause of action", "paragraph_id": "para_186", "court_paragraph": 6 }, { "text": "exception regarding custody modification that Respondent “hasn’t stated any", "paragraph_id": "para_187" }, { "text": "material change in circumstances occurred that is true.” Relator added:", "paragraph_id": "para_188" }, { "text": "But our exception of no cause basically says, look, he has to state it’s", "paragraph_id": "para_189" }, { "text": "so deleterious to the children so he can get a modification, and he", "paragraph_id": "para_190" }, { "text": "doesn’t do that. He doesn’t even use the words “material change,”", "paragraph_id": "para_191" }, { "text": "much less the words “so deleterious.” He’s under Bergeron. He has", "paragraph_id": "para_192" }, { "text": "to meet the Bergeron standard, and he hasn’t done that, and he hasn’t", "paragraph_id": "para_193" }, { "text": "stated that to you.", "paragraph_id": "para_194" }, { "text": "Thereafter, the trial court observed ‘[o]n the two motions to modify custody[,] [h]e", "paragraph_id": "para_195" }, { "text": "did - - he did not state a cause of action to modify custody. Sustaining--- so, this", "paragraph_id": "para_196" }, { "text": "Court is sustaining your objections to his motions to modify custody.”", "paragraph_id": "para_197" }, { "text": "However, upon listening to additional arguments as to the contents of the", "paragraph_id": "para_198" }, { "text": "case record, the trial court declared, “I can’t get into the record. “I’m going to to -", "paragraph_id": "para_199" }, { "text": "- - I’m going to take a recess to review the record. We’ll let you know when I’m", "paragraph_id": "para_200" }, { "text": "finished. Upon returning from recess, the trial court espoused the following:", "paragraph_id": "para_201" }, { "text": "THE COURT:", "paragraph_id": "para_202" }, { "text": "All right. After reviewing the record, the Court is", "paragraph_id": "para_203" }, { "text": "going to reverse the ruling with regard to Mr.", "paragraph_id": "para_204" }, { "text": "Lepetich’s motion to modify the temp - - - temporary", "paragraph_id": "para_205" }, { "text": "order of custody. (Emphasis added).", "paragraph_id": "para_206" }, { "text": "He filed that on November 13th of last year. It was", "paragraph_id": "para_207" }, { "text": "continued and reset for today.", "paragraph_id": "para_208" }, { "text": "So with that, you are - - we are going to proceed with", "paragraph_id": "para_209" }, { "text": "hearing on the matter.", "paragraph_id": "para_210" }, { "text": "Relator points out the apparent conflict amongst the written judgment which", "paragraph_id": "para_211" }, { "text": "sustained Relator’s exception of no cause of action with the trial court’s decision to", "paragraph_id": "para_212" }, { "text": "conduct a hearing on Respondent’s motion to modify and the written judgment", "paragraph_id": "para_213" }, { "text": "which permitted modification of the October 17, 2025 temporary custody", "paragraph_id": "para_214" }, { "text": "judgment. Consequently, Relator asks this Court to conduct a de novo review as to", "paragraph_id": "para_215" }, { "text": "7", "paragraph_id": "para_216" }, { "text": "whether the trial court properly sustained Relator’s exception of no cause of action", "paragraph_id": "para_217", "court_paragraph": 7 }, { "text": "as memorialized in the written judgment. Upon review, we find the trial court did", "paragraph_id": "para_218" }, { "text": "not properly sustain Relator’s exception of no cause of action as reflected in the", "paragraph_id": "para_219" }, { "text": "written judgment.", "paragraph_id": "para_220" }, { "text": "This Court outlined the standard of review in considering an exception of no", "paragraph_id": "para_221" }, { "text": "cause of action in Palmer v. Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC, 2025-0391, 2025", "paragraph_id": "para_222" }, { "text": "WL 3442626 *3 (La. App. 4 Cir. 12/1/25), - - - So.3d - - -, as follows:", "paragraph_id": "para_223" }, { "text": "A peremptory “exception of no cause of action presents a question of", "paragraph_id": "para_224" }, { "text": "law, so an appellate court reviews a trial court's ruling on an exception", "paragraph_id": "para_225" }, { "text": "of no cause of action de novo.” Wakin’ Bakin’ L.L.C. v. Rabalais,", "paragraph_id": "para_226" }, { "text": "2023-0432, p. 4 (La. App. 4 Cir. 11/15/23), 377 So.3d 784, 787", "paragraph_id": "para_227" }, { "text": "(quoting Cunningham v. City of New Orleans, 2021-0532, p. 9 (La.", "paragraph_id": "para_228" }, { "text": "App. 4 Cir. 3/30/22), 336 So.3d 977, 986). “A peremptory exception", "paragraph_id": "para_229" }, { "text": "of no cause of action questions whether the law extends a remedy", "paragraph_id": "para_230" }, { "text": "against a defendant to anyone under the factual allegations of a", "paragraph_id": "para_231" }, { "text": "petition.” Id. (quoting Cunningham at p. 10, 336 So.3d at 986).", "paragraph_id": "para_232" }, { "text": "When ruling on “an exception of no cause of action a court can", "paragraph_id": "para_233" }, { "text": "consider only the petition, any amendments to the petition, and any", "paragraph_id": "para_234" }, { "text": "documents attached to the petition.” Girod Titling Tr. v. Hermes", "paragraph_id": "para_235" }, { "text": "Health All., L.L.C., 2024-0221, p. 10 (La. App. 4 Cir. 7/1/24), 401", "paragraph_id": "para_236" }, { "text": "So.3d 721, 729, writ denied, 2024-01199 (La. 12/11/24), 396 So.3d", "paragraph_id": "para_237" }, { "text": "963 (quoting Green v. Garcia-Victor, 2017-0695, p. 5 (La. App. 4 Cir.", "paragraph_id": "para_238" }, { "text": "5/16/18), 248 So.3d 449, 453). “A court cannot consider assertions of", "paragraph_id": "para_239" }, { "text": "fact referred to by the various counsel in their briefs that are not plead", "paragraph_id": "para_240" }, { "text": "in the petition.” Id. Additionally, “[t]he grant of the exception of no", "paragraph_id": "para_241" }, { "text": "cause of action is proper when, assuming all well pleaded factual", "paragraph_id": "para_242" }, { "text": "allegations of the petition and any annexed documents are true, the", "paragraph_id": "para_243" }, { "text": "plaintiff is not entitled to the relief he seeks as a matter of law.” Id.", "paragraph_id": "para_244" }, { "text": "A review of Respondent’s motion to modify shows he pled the following:", "paragraph_id": "para_245" }, { "text": "18. Plaintiff asserts that there has been a material change in", "paragraph_id": "para_246" }, { "text": "circumstances since the issuance of the October 7, 2025 temporary", "paragraph_id": "para_247" }, { "text": "custody order, warranting modification of that order in accordance", "paragraph_id": "para_248" }, { "text": "with the Louisiana Children’s Code and the Louisiana Uniform Child", "paragraph_id": "para_249" }, { "text": "Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.", "paragraph_id": "para_250" }, { "text": "19. Specifically, the following changed circumstance have occurred", "paragraph_id": "para_251" }, { "text": "since the issuance of the October 7, 2025 order:", "paragraph_id": "para_252" }, { "text": "8", "paragraph_id": "para_253" }, { "text": "a. Plaintiff has enrolled in family mediation as of", "paragraph_id": "para_254", "court_paragraph": 8 }, { "text": "October 28, 2025, as required by the Court’s October", "paragraph_id": "para_255" }, { "text": "7, 2025 order;", "paragraph_id": "para_256" }, { "text": "b. Plaintiff has completed all classes and requirments set", "paragraph_id": "para_257" }, { "text": "forth in the Court’s October 7, 2025 order;", "paragraph_id": "para_258" }, { "text": "c. Despite Plaintiff’s compliance with all Court-order", "paragraph_id": "para_259" }, { "text": "requirements, Plaintiff has not been permitted to", "paragraph_id": "para_260" }, { "text": "speak with or see the minor children since October 3,", "paragraph_id": "para_261" }, { "text": "2025, a period of nearly one month.", "paragraph_id": "para_262" }, { "text": "d. Plaintiff has made at least four to six requests to", "paragraph_id": "para_263" }, { "text": "Defendant and her counsel for FaceTime", "paragraph_id": "para_264" }, { "text": "communications with the minor children, all of which", "paragraph_id": "para_265" }, { "text": "have been ignored; and", "paragraph_id": "para_266" }, { "text": "e. The complete absence of contact between Plaintiff", "paragraph_id": "para_267" }, { "text": "and the minor children for this extended period is not", "paragraph_id": "para_268" }, { "text": "in the best interests of the children.", "paragraph_id": "para_269" }, { "text": "20. Plaintiff asserts that the restoration of the previous joint custody", "paragraph_id": "para_270" }, { "text": "arrangement with equal parenting time would serve the best", "paragraph_id": "para_271" }, { "text": "interests of the minor children, as it would allow them to maintain", "paragraph_id": "para_272" }, { "text": "meaningful relationships with both parents.", "paragraph_id": "para_273" }, { "text": "21. The complete denial of contact between Plaintiff and the minor", "paragraph_id": "para_274" }, { "text": "children is detrimental to the children’s emotional well-being and", "paragraph_id": "para_275" }, { "text": "development, and is contrary to the principles of co-parenting and", "paragraph_id": "para_276" }, { "text": "the best interest factors set forth in the Louisiana Children’s Code.", "paragraph_id": "para_277" }, { "text": "Relator urges that Respondent’s allegations do not constitute a cause of", "paragraph_id": "para_278" }, { "text": "action because they are not true and lack evidentiary proof. However,", "paragraph_id": "para_279" }, { "text": "Respondent’s motion expressly alleges a “material change in circumstance since", "paragraph_id": "para_280" }, { "text": "the issuance of the October 7, 2025 temporary custody order;” identifies specific", "paragraph_id": "para_281" }, { "text": "changed circumstances; and seeks restoration of the previous joint custody", "paragraph_id": "para_282" }, { "text": "arrangement premised on the best interests of the children. Taking these", "paragraph_id": "para_283" }, { "text": "allegations as true, we find the law affords Respondent a remedy to seek", "paragraph_id": "para_284" }, { "text": "modification of the temporary custody order based on the facts pled in the motion.", "paragraph_id": "para_285" }, { "text": "Moreover, inapposite to Relator’s contention, courts do not consider whether the", "paragraph_id": "para_286" }, { "text": "evidence is sufficient to prevail on the merits in determining whether a party has", "paragraph_id": "para_287" }, { "text": "sufficiently pled cause of action. See Palmer, 2025 WL 3442626 *3.", "paragraph_id": "para_288" }, { "text": "9", "paragraph_id": "para_289" }, { "text": "Accordingly, Relator’s claim that the trial court properly sustained its exception of", "paragraph_id": "para_290", "court_paragraph": 9 }, { "text": "no cause of action in the written judgment is not meritorious.", "paragraph_id": "para_291" }, { "text": "Bergeron v. Bergeron", "paragraph_id": "para_292" }, { "text": "Relator’s next argument is that the trial court erred because Respondent did", "paragraph_id": "para_293" }, { "text": "not meet the heavy burden of proof to warrant a modification of custody as", "paragraph_id": "para_294" }, { "text": "established in Bergeron v. Bergeron, 492 So.2d 1193 (La. 1986). Bergeron", "paragraph_id": "para_295" }, { "text": "“provides that when a trial court has made a considered decree of permanent", "paragraph_id": "para_296" }, { "text": "custody the party seeking a change bears a heavy burden of proving that the", "paragraph_id": "para_297" }, { "text": "continuation of the present custody is so deleterious to the children as to justify", "paragraph_id": "para_298" }, { "text": "removing them from the environment to which they are accustomed.” 492 So.3d at", "paragraph_id": "para_299" }, { "text": "1199. In contrast to Bergeron, however, Respondent’s request herein to modify", "paragraph_id": "para_300" }, { "text": "the trial court’s October 17, 2025 temporary award of sole custody to Relator", "paragraph_id": "para_301" }, { "text": "pursuant to La. C.C.P. art. 3495, is not a request to modify a considered permanent", "paragraph_id": "para_302" }, { "text": "decree. Subsection C of La. C.C.P. art. 3495 provides, in relevant part, that an ex", "paragraph_id": "para_303" }, { "text": "parte order of temporary custody shall “expire by operation of law within thirty", "paragraph_id": "para_304" }, { "text": "days of the signing of the order; however, the order may be extended for good", "paragraph_id": "para_305" }, { "text": "cause shown at any time before its expiration for one period not to exceed fifteen", "paragraph_id": "para_306" }, { "text": "days.” Consequently, the October 17, 2025 judgment is not governed by", "paragraph_id": "para_307" }, { "text": "Bergeron’s heavy burden of proof standard because it involves an interim custody", "paragraph_id": "para_308" }, { "text": "plan. See Laurent v. Prevost, 2018-0126, p. 6 (La. App. 4 Cir. 7/11/18), 251 So.3d", "paragraph_id": "para_309" }, { "text": "504, 508. As such, Respondent’s burden of proof in seeking modification of the", "paragraph_id": "para_310" }, { "text": "custody arrangement required only that he show: “1) a change in circumstances", "paragraph_id": "para_311" }, { "text": "affecting the welfare of the [child] had occurred since the original decree; and 2)", "paragraph_id": "para_312" }, { "text": "10", "paragraph_id": "para_313" }, { "text": "the proposed modification is in the best interests of the [child].” Id. (citations", "paragraph_id": "para_314", "court_paragraph": 10 }, { "text": "omitted).", "paragraph_id": "para_315" }, { "text": "Upon applying the burden of proof standard as enunciated in Laurent to the", "paragraph_id": "para_316" }, { "text": "present matter and considering the evidence and testimony offered at the hearing,", "paragraph_id": "para_317" }, { "text": "the trial court found a change in circumstances. In particular, the court determined", "paragraph_id": "para_318" }, { "text": "that Respondent had complied with the court’s orders in the October judgment to", "paragraph_id": "para_319" }, { "text": "submit to drug testing and psychological evaluations. The court referenced that the", "paragraph_id": "para_320" }, { "text": "findings of a doctor “[were] not deleterious to the children.” The trial court further", "paragraph_id": "para_321" }, { "text": "determined “I don’t’ think it’s good for the children that they don’t have access to", "paragraph_id": "para_322" }, { "text": "their father.”", "paragraph_id": "para_323" }, { "text": "Thus, based on the record before us, we cannot say the trial court’s findings", "paragraph_id": "para_324" }, { "text": "were manifestly erroneous or that the trial court abused its discretion in granting", "paragraph_id": "para_325" }, { "text": "Respondent’s motion to modify the October 17, 2025 temporary custody order.", "paragraph_id": "para_326" }, { "text": "This error is without merit.", "paragraph_id": "para_327" }, { "text": "Impermissible Trial Court Assistance", "paragraph_id": "para_328" }, { "text": "Relator’s final assignment of error contends the trial court offered", "paragraph_id": "para_329" }, { "text": "impermissible assistance to Respondent, who represented himself pro se. Relator", "paragraph_id": "para_330" }, { "text": "complains that the trial court violated Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct1 by", "paragraph_id": "para_331" }, { "text": "offering Respondent assistance in formulating a response to an objection and", "paragraph_id": "para_332" }, { "text": "1 Canon 3A(4) of the Code of Judicial Conduct states:", "paragraph_id": "para_333" }, { "text": "A judge shall perform judicial duties without bias or prejudice. A judge shall not,", "paragraph_id": "para_334" }, { "text": "in the performance of judicial duties, by words or conduct manifest bias or", "paragraph_id": "para_335" }, { "text": "prejudice, and shall not permit staff, court officials or others subject to the judge’s", "paragraph_id": "para_336" }, { "text": "direction to do so. A judge may make reasonable efforts, consistent with the law", "paragraph_id": "para_337" }, { "text": "and court rules, to facilitate the abilities o all litigants, including self-represented", "paragraph_id": "para_338" }, { "text": "litigants, to be fairly heard, provided, however, that in so doing, a judge should", "paragraph_id": "para_339" }, { "text": "not give self-represented litigants an unfair advantage or create an appearance of", "paragraph_id": "para_340" }, { "text": "partiality to the reasonable person.", "paragraph_id": "para_341" }, { "text": "11", "paragraph_id": "para_342" }, { "text": "informing Respondent that he could provide testimony in support of his motion to", "paragraph_id": "para_343", "court_paragraph": 11 }, { "text": "modify.", "paragraph_id": "para_344" }, { "text": "Our jurisprudence affords latitude to a pro se litigant, recognizing that", "paragraph_id": "para_345" }, { "text": "the litigant lacks formal training in the law and rules of procedure. See", "paragraph_id": "para_346" }, { "text": "Brooks v. Tradesmen Intern, Inc., 2003-1871, p. 5 (La. App. 4 Cir. 9/1/04).", "paragraph_id": "para_347" }, { "text": "In our review of the record, we find the assistance the trial court provided to", "paragraph_id": "para_348" }, { "text": "Respondent does not unduly prejudice Relator, provide an unfair advantage to", "paragraph_id": "para_349" }, { "text": "Respondent, or create the appearance of partiality to a reasonable person. 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