In Re Steinbrook, Unpublished Decision (11-12-1999)
In Re Steinbrook, Unpublished Decision (11-12-1999)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
Appellant Dinah Trabert appeals the May 5, 1999 Judgment Entry of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, which denied her Motion to Intervene and her Motion for Temporary and Permanent Custody. Appellant also appeals the May 24, 1999 Judgment Entry of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, which dismissed her second motion requesting temporary and permanent custody. The respondent mother of the minor child, Julian Steinbrook, and daughter of appellant herein, is Tymarann Trabert. Appellee is Patricia L. Miller.THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO APPELLANT'S DETRIMENT WHEN THE COURT RULED: THE MULTI-BRANCH MOTION FILED BY APPELLANT REQUESTING LEAVE TO INTERVENE AND AN ORDER GRANTING HER TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT CUSTODY OF THE MINOR CHILD IS DISMISSED AND DENIED.
Although set forth as one assignment of error, appellant asserts two arguments on appeal. First, appellant maintains the trial court abused its discretion in dismissing appellant's motion to intervene. Second, appellant asserts the trial court abused its discretion in dismissing appellant's motion for temporary custody and permanent custody. We shall address each in turn. A. Motion to Intervene Appellant first argues the trial court abused its discretion in dismissing appellant's motion to intervene. We disagree. A trial court's decision on the timeliness of a motion to intervene will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. S. Ohio Coal Co. v. Kidney (1995),
1. It was not timely filed. The instant custody matter was initiated on October 23, 1998. Temporary custody orders were issued. The complaint for custody filed by Patricia Miller was heard by this Court on April 9, 1999 at a contested proceeding which was approximately ten (10) hours in duration. This matter is scheduled to return to Court on May 27, 1999 at which time the Court will announce its decision as to the final disposition of Ms. Miller's motion. Given the fact that Dinah Trabert, the instant petitioner was present for the April 9, 1999 hearing and did testify, as did her significant other or male companion who resides with her, the Court cannot fathom why the motion to intervene was not filed prior to hearing. To allow Dinah Trabert to intervene at his late juncture would effectively cause this Court to rehear most of the testimony presented.
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The court speculates that her efforts to now attempt to intervene as a party to this action is prompted by this Court's finding that her daughter, the minor child's mother, is not a suitable person to be awarded custody of this child.
May 5, 1999 Judgment Entry at 1-2.
We find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's finding appellant's motion was untimely. Appellant appeared and provided testimony at the April, 1999 hearing; it is clear she was aware of the proceedings some time in advance of that date. Yet, appellant did not move for intervention until the trial court conclusively found appellant's daughter was not a proper custodian for the child. As the trial court noted, to allow intervention at that point would effectively cause the court to rehear most of the ten hour hearing already presented. For these reasons, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's decision. B. Motion for Temporary Custody and Permanent Custody Because we found appellant's motion to intervene was properly denied, appellant's motion for custody was also properly dismissed. We agree with the trial court, without status as a party, appellant had no standing to file her motion for custody in the pending action commenced by appellee. Appellant's sole assignment of error is overruled.
The judgment of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, is affirmed.
By: Hoffman, J. Gwin, P.J. and Farmer, J. concur
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