In re the Marriage of Turner
Elizabeth Lynn Turner, n/k/a Elizabeth Lynn Sowers, Petitioner-Appellant,
Ross Jeffrey Vincent Turner, Respondent-Appellee.
Attorney for Appellant
Katie M. Naset
Attorney for Appellee
Cathleen J. Siebrecht
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Warren County, David Faith, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered without oral argument by Greer, P.J., and Badding and Chicchelly, JJ. Opinion by Greer, P.J. (10 pages)
Elizabeth Sowers and Ross Turner divorced in 2021. The parties agreed to joint legal custody and joint physical care of their three children. But their communication related to the children deteriorated, so each filed for a modification of the decree. The district court ordered a different parenting schedule and other strategies to facilitate communication but did not change the custodial or physical-care status. Elizabeth appeals, arguing that she proved a substantial change in circumstances that supported granting her sole legal custody, physical care, and a different parenting schedule to minimize the conflicts. Both parents request appellate attorney fees. OPINION HOLDS: We conclude the award of sole legal custody or physical care is not in the children’s best interests and attorney fees are not warranted. We affirm.
