Hess v. Hess, No. 02A03-9607-CV-255
| Docket Nº | No. 02A03-9607-CV-255 |
| Citation | 679 N.E.2d 153 |
| Case Date | April 28, 1997 |
| Court | Court of Appeals of Indiana |
Page 153
v.
Barbara A. HESS, Appellee-Petitioner.
Timothy Logan, Benson, Pantello, Morris, James & Logan, Fort Wayne, for Appellant-Respondent.
Sherie L. Hampshire, C. David Peebles, Fort Wayne, for Appellee-Petitioner.
GARRARD, Judge.
Brian A. Hess ("Husband") appeals the trial court's decree dissolving his marriage to Barbara A. Hess ("Wife"). The sole issue presented for our review is whether the trial court abused its discretion when it denied Husband's motion for a continuance.
We reverse and remand.
Page 154
FACTS
Husband and Wife were married on November 3, 1979. Two children were born of the marriage. On June 24, 1994, Wife filed her petition for dissolution of marriage. In September of 1995, Wife's counsel filed a notice of discovery, certificate of readiness, request for pre-trial conference and request for a trial date. Following a pre-trial conference and subsequent pre-trial order of the court, trial was scheduled for March 13, 1996. On March 8, 1996, four days prior to trial, Husband's attorney filed a motion to withdraw his appearance on behalf of Husband, which motion was granted by the trial court. By letter dated that same day, Husband's attorney advised Husband that trial was set for March 13, 1996, and that Husband needed to promptly contact another attorney to represent him. Husband's attorney did not move for a continuance on Husband's behalf, but instead suggested that Husband himself contact the trial court and request a continuance of the March 13, trial date. On Monday, March 11, 1996, Husband filed his pro se motion for a continuance. On March 13, the day of trial, the trial court heard brief argument on Husband's motion for a continuance, denied the motion, and proceeded with the dissolution hearing. Thereafter, the trial court rendered its dissolution decree which included the division of marital property and a child custody determination.
The decision to grant or deny a continuance is within the sound discretion of the trial court, and we will not reverse that decision unless the trial court has abused its discretion. Homehealth, Inc. v. Heritage Mut. Ins. Co., 662 N.E.2d 195, 198 (Ind.Ct.App.1996), trans. denied. A trial court abuses its discretion when it reaches a conclusion which is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts or the reasonable and probable deductions which may be drawn therefrom. Id. If good cause is shown for granting the motion, denial of a continuance will be deemed to be an abuse of discretion. Koors v. Great Southwest Fire Ins. Co., 530 N.E.2d 780, 783 (Ind.Ct.App.1988); see Ind. Trial Rule 53.5.
The unexpected and untimely withdrawal of counsel does not necessarily entitle a party to a continuance. Koors, 530 N.E.2d at 783. However, the denial of a continuance based on the withdrawal of counsel may be error when the moving party is free from fault and his rights are likely to be prejudiced by the denial. Id.
Further, among the things to be considered on appeal from the denial of a motion for continuance, we must consider whether the denial of a continuance resulted in the deprivation of counsel at a crucial...
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Hartley v. Reading, 67A04-1512-CC-2239
...clearly against the logic and effect of the facts or the reasonable and probable deductions which may be drawn therefrom. Hess v. Hess, 679 N.E.2d 153 (Ind.Ct.App. 1997). "[T]here is a strong presumption the trial court properly exercised its discretion." Gunashekar, 915 N.E.2d at 955. [¶28......
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(Mansfield v. Reading, Court of Appeals Case No. 67A04-1512-CC-2239
...clearly against the logic and effect of the facts or the reasonable and probable deductions which may be drawn therefrom. Hess v. Hess, 679 N.E.2d 153 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997). "[T]here is a strong presumption the trial court properly exercised its discretion." Gunashekar, 915 N.E.2d at 955.[28......
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Martiradonna v. Rynberk, No. 45A03–1411–DR–411.
...grandparents had counsel, father could obtain counsel in one week, and it was father's first motion to continue. See also Hess v. Hess, 679 N . E.2d 153, 154–55 (Ind.Ct.App.1997) (in marriage dissolution proceeding, trial court abused its discretion in denying husband's motion for continuan......
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Aikman v. City of Indianapolis, No. 49A04-1209-OV-470
...whether a delay would have prejudiced the opposing party to an extent sufficient to justify denial of the continuance. Id. Hess v. Hess, 679 N.E.2d 153, 154 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997) (brackets added). The Marion County local rule regarding the withdrawal of an attorney's appearance states as fol......
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Hartley v. Reading, 67A04-1512-CC-2239
...clearly against the logic and effect of the facts or the reasonable and probable deductions which may be drawn therefrom. Hess v. Hess, 679 N.E.2d 153 (Ind.Ct.App. 1997). "[T]here is a strong presumption the trial court properly exercised its discretion." Gunashekar, 915 N.E.2d at 955. [¶28......
-
(Mansfield v. Reading, Court of Appeals Case No. 67A04-1512-CC-2239
...clearly against the logic and effect of the facts or the reasonable and probable deductions which may be drawn therefrom. Hess v. Hess, 679 N.E.2d 153 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997). "[T]here is a strong presumption the trial court properly exercised its discretion." Gunashekar, 915 N.E.2d at 955.[28......
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Martiradonna v. Rynberk, No. 45A03–1411–DR–411.
...grandparents had counsel, father could obtain counsel in one week, and it was father's first motion to continue. See also Hess v. Hess, 679 N . E.2d 153, 154–55 (Ind.Ct.App.1997) (in marriage dissolution proceeding, trial court abused its discretion in denying husband's motion for continuan......
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Aikman v. City of Indianapolis, No. 49A04-1209-OV-470
...whether a delay would have prejudiced the opposing party to an extent sufficient to justify denial of the continuance. Id. Hess v. Hess, 679 N.E.2d 153, 154 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997) (brackets added). The Marion County local rule regarding the withdrawal of an attorney's appearance states as fol......