Gelato v. Basch, 95-1714
| Decision Date | 02 August 1995 |
| Docket Number | No. 95-1714,95-1714 |
| Citation | 658 So.2d 664 |
| Parties | 20 Fla. L. Weekly D1773 Donna GELATO, Appellant, v. Peter BASCH, Appellee. |
| Court | Florida District Court of Appeals |
Steven Pesso, Boca Raton, for appellant.
Paula L. Schwartz, Plantation, for appellee.
We reverse the order of the trial court which temporarily transferred the primary residence of the parties' two minor children from the mother to the father. The order appealed was entered during the pendency of a post final judgment modification proceeding, brought by the father, seeking a permanent change in the children's primary residence based on alleged change in circumstances. See McGlamry v. McGlamry, 608 So.2d 553 (Fla. 4th DCA 1992). The father alleged that the mother's involvement with a succession of male companions, some of whom stayed overnight at the home occupied by the mother and children for various periods of time, was detrimental to the best interests of the children warranting modification.
At a hearing held on February 22, 1995, the issue was resolved temporarily by having the trial court enter an agreed order that the mother would not have other persons living on the premises. Nonetheless, on April 27, 1995, the mother filed a motion now indicating that she planned to marry again, and seeking relief from the agreed order to allow her new husband-to-be to move into her home. The mother's motion was the only matter noticed for the hearing held on May 10, 1995, although the father's modification petition remained pending.
Following testimony only from the mother and her fiance, and notwithstanding there was no issue of temporary change in primary residence noticed for the May 10 hearing, the trial court proceeded to enter the order now appealed. The order changed primary residence to the father, recounting the mother's lifestyle concerning other men, finding this was a "very disruptive atmosphere for the children," and that the father's lifestyle was more stable.
While we understand the trial court's commendable concern for the welfare of the children, the court "jumped the gun" and thereby denied the mother due process. Although the mother was allowed to put on some testimony, she had every reason to believe this was only in furtherance of her motion to allow her fiance to move in the house. Moreover, the mother argues on appeal that she had additional witnesses (a teacher, neighbor), who would demonstrate the children were not adversely affected by...
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...of petition was filed, and father never had opportunity to present evidence at a properly noticed hearing); Gelato v. Basch, 658 So.2d 664-65 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995) (mother's due process rights were violated where temporary change of custody was ordered at hearing which concerned only mother's......
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Moody v. Moody, No. 97-4313
...changes primary residence, or alters child support when the notice of hearing does not include this issue. Gelato v. Basch, 658 So.2d 664, 665 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995)("More importantly, the trial court committed reversible error in changing primary residence, even on a temporary basis, at a hea......
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Williams v. Primerano
...error in changing primary residence, even on a temporary basis, at a hearing that was not noticed for that issue." Gelato v. Basch, 658 So.2d 664, 665 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995). In Maras, the Second District reversed modification of temporary residential custody where the father's motion sought j......
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Murphy v. Ridgard, 5D99-2747.
...attorney's fees, the trial court summarily denied the father's second amended petition seeking modification. See Gelato v. Basch, 658 So.2d 664 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995)(temporary change of custody violated mother's due process rights where it was ordered at close of hearing which mother had ever......