Marriage of K.R. and L.R. CA4/1

INTRODUCTION

L.R. (Mother) appeals from an order granting a request from K.R. (Father) to modify custody and visitation orders pertaining to their 15-year- old minor child (the child). Mother contends the trial court erred by failing to consider whether Father had demonstrated a significant change in circumstances before modifying a final custody determination, entered pursuant to Montenegro v. Diaz (2001) 26 Cal.4th 249 (Montenegro). She further asserts Father presented insufficient evidence of changed circumstances to warrant modification or that the modification was in the child’s best interest. Mother also asserts the court erred by refusing to enforce the court’s prior order that the parents use a parenting coordinator. We conclude the trial court’s order altered the parenting schedule but did not change custody and, thus, the court was not required to make a finding of changed circumstances. Finding Mother’s other contentions also lack merit, we affirm the order.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Mother and Father married in 1999. They had a child together while living in Australia in 2005, but moved to the United States approximately four months later. Mother and Father…