Richard Freedman, II v. Colleen Freedman
CourtNew Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division
Date FiledJanuary 5, 2023
DocketA-3425-20
StatusPublished
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Full Opinion
NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-3425-20
RICHARD FREEDMAN, II,
Plaintiff-Appellant/
APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION
Cross-Respondent,
December 5, 2023
v. APPELLATE DIVISION
COLLEEN FREEDMAN,
Defendant-Respondent/
Cross-Appellant.
_________________________
Argued December 13, 2022 – Decided January 5, 2023
Before Judges Sumners, Geiger and Fisher.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey,
Chancery Division, Family Part, Camden County,
Docket No. FM-04-0314-09.
Dawn Kaplan argued the cause for appellant
(Weinberg, Kaplan & Smith, PA, attorneys; Dawn
Kaplan, of counsel and on the briefs; Jill Dell'Aquilo,
on the briefs).
Amy C. Goldstein argued the cause for respondent
(Goldstein & Mignogna, PA, attorneys; Amy C.
Goldstein and Melissa L. Mignogna, on the briefs).
The opinion of the court was delivered by
GEIGER, J.A.D.
This sad case involves the disposition of the cremation remains and
personal effects of the parties' son, who died unexpectedly and suddenly at age
twenty, while attending college in Colorado. The mother unilaterally decided
to have the body cremated without informing the father that their son had died,
preventing him from participating in that decision and attending the memorial
service. The mother has sole possession of the cremation remains and the
son's remaining personal effects and refuses to divide them with the father.
The parties filed contested proceedings in the Family Part to resolve the
dispute and to terminate child support and medical insurance coverage.
Following limited oral argument, the court decided those applications without
conducting a plenary hearing.
Plaintiff Richard Freedman appeals from two Family Part orders entered
on consecutive days regarding the disposition of his adult son's cremation
remains and personal property. Among other things, the first order scheduled
the case for a plenary hearing. The second order held those decisions should
be controlled by their son's mother, defendant Colleen Freedman, now known
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as Colleen Thrower, because she had the closer relationship with their son.
Colleen1 cross-appeals from certain aspects of the first order.
Richard had ample opportunity to litigate Colleen's alleged alienation of
their son's affection and interference with his parenting time and
communication with his late son in the Family Part during the years leading up
to his son's eighteenth birthday. He chose not to do so, and instead waited
until the dispute over the cremation remains and personal effects erupted more
than two years after their son turned eighteen to first raise those issues. We
deem those issues waived and, in turn, conclude that a plenary hearing
regarding the parties conduct during the last five years of their son's life is not
required as the evidence overwhelming demonstrated that Colleen had a closer
relationship with their son. We therefore hold that Colleen shall have control
over the cremation remains and affirm in part and reverse and remand in part.
We also provide guidance on the proper procedure to be utilized in future
similar disputes.
The parties married in December 2001, about six months after the birth
of their only child, Richard James Hendrix Freedman (Hendrix). After they
separated, custody and parenting time changed over time. When Hendrix was
1
The parties and their son share the same surname. We refer to them by their
first names and middle name, respectively. We mean no disrespect.
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six, the parties agreed to joint legal custody, with Hendrix spending four
overnights per week with Richard and three overnights per week with Colleen.
The marriage was terminated by a divorce granted by a Pennsylvania court in
January 2007. A property settlement agreement was incorporated into the
divorce decree and the custody agreement later filed with the court in March
2007. Thereafter, both parties moved to Haddonfield.
In August 2010, Colleen filed an emergent application for full custody of
Hendrix, which the court denied "without passing on the merits." A few
months later, she filed a motion to modify custody and other relief. The court
issued an October 22, 2010 order that: (1) designated Colleen parent of
primary residence (PPR) and Richard parent of alternative residence (PAR);
(2) granted Richard's request for court-ordered reunification therapy for
Hendrix, the parties, and Richard's wife; (3) directed the therapist to determine
the parenting time schedule, except the parties were to follow the court's
holiday visitation schedule; (4) ordered Hendrix to undergo an evaluation; (5)
required Richard to provide medical insurance coverage for Hendrix. Colleen
withdrew her request for child support pending a new parenting time schedule.
Five years later, the parties disputed whether Colleen cooperated with
the reunification therapy. Colleen filed a motion for child support and other
relief. A July 2, 2015 order required Richard to pay child support, awarded
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Colleen counsel fees, and directed Hendrix to participate in reunification
therapy.
A May 24, 2019 order terminated Richard's child support and medical
insurance coverage obligations effective May 25, 2019, Hendrix's nineteenth
birthday. In September 2019, Colleen filed a motion to reinstate child support,
which was resolved by a consent order that reinstated child support, required
Richard to cover Hendrix under his medical insurance policy, and required
Colleen to provide Richard with proof of Hendrix's enrollment and credits for
so long as Hendrix remained a full-time college student.
After initially attending Camden County College, Hendrix transferred to
Colorado Mountain College for the Spring 2021 semester. On February 10 ,
2021, Hendrix was found dead. The death certificate stated the manner of
death was accidental. It inaccurately listed the name of Hendrix's father and
the maiden name of Hendrix's mother.
Colleen did not advise Richard of Hendrix's death. Richard first learned
of Hendrix's death from a third party on February 17, 2021. As a result,
Richard was unable to participate in the memorial service held for Hendrix in
Pennsylvania or the decision to cremate Hendrix's remains. Instead, Colleen
unilaterally made those decisions. Through counsel, Richard requested one-
half of the cremation ashes, copies of all photographs of Hendrix, and one-half
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of Hendrix's personal belongings, to keep in Hendrix's memory. Colleen
refused.
On March 31, 2021, the court granted an order to show cause (OTSC)
with temporary restraints that restrained Colleen or anyone acting on her
behalf from discarding or destroying Hendrix's ashes, personal property,
photographs, and cell phone data.
The parties filed cross-motions that were heard the following month.
Richard sought an order compelling Colleen to provide him with a copy of
Hendrix's birth and death certificates and to cooperate in correcting the death
certificate. He also requested that one-half of the cremation ashes be
transferred to the crematory to confirm they were Hendrix's ashes and a
sanction if Colleen discarded the ashes. Richard also requested access to
photographs of Hendrix so they could be copied and one-half of Hendrix's
belongings. He further sought an order granting him subpoena power to obtain
Hendrix's college records and information from the crematory and funeral
home. Finally, Richard sought to terminate child support as of the date of
death, reimbursement of any child support overpayment, information
concerning Hendrix's healthcare bills, and an award of counsel fees.
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In her cross-motion, Colleen sought to dissolve all restraints, sole
control over Hendrix's remains, cell phone, photographs, and personal
property, and an award of counsel fees.
The court issued an oral decision on April 30, 2021. Before an order
reflecting the court's decision was entered, Colleen moved for reconsideration ,
or in the alternative, for summary judgment.
The court's oral decision was embodied in a June 21, 2021 order that: (1)
determined Richard's request for a copy of Hendrix's birth certificate and
original death certificate was moot; (2) directed Colleen to cooperate in
correcting Hendrix's death certificate to properly list Richard as his father and
Colleen as his mother; (3) reserved the issue of transfer of one-half of the
cremation ashes to the crematory "until trial"; (4) denied sanctions without
prejudice; (5) directed Colleen to provide Hendrix's photographs to Richard, to
be copied by him and returned within fourteen days; (6) denied Richard's
request to receive one-half of Hendrix's personal belongings without prejudice;
(7) granted the requested subpoena power to Richard; (8) restrained Colleen
from tampering with Hendrix's cell phone; (9) directed the parties to
"cooperate to make the cell phone [ready] for data extraction"; (10) directed
Colleen to provide Richard with information and documentation relating to
Hendrix's healthcare from January 1, 2020 through the date of death; (11) held
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Colleen solely responsible for any outstanding uncovered medical expenses
incurred for Hendrix; (12) terminated child support effective February 10,
2021, and directed reimbursement of any overpayment; (13) denied
termination of the restraints; (14) denied Colleen's request to grant her sole
control over Hendrix's remains, cell phone, photographs, and other property;
and (15) denied without prejudice Colleen's request for counsel fees.
The next day, the court unexpectedly issued an amended order that
substantially modified the terms of the June 21, 2021 order without further
notice or hearing. The amended order stated the court had "reconsidered its
decision." The amended order provided: (1) Colleen "shall retain possession
of Hendrix's ashes based on her representation that she plans to distribute them
in various locations that she knows her son either visited or wanted to visit";
(2) Colleen shall "distribute the ashes and advise [Richard] . . . of each
location by latitude and longitude, so that he may create a memorial for
himself"; (3) Richard was "free to visit any/all of the locations at his leisure";
(4) the issue of Hendrix's belongings was moot based on Colleen's
representation that none of his belongings are still available; (5) permitted
Richard to review copies of the requested police reports in the presence of his
attorney, after which the copies were to be destroyed; (6) each party was
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responsible for their own counsel fees; and (7) the reconsideration/summary
judgment motions returnable July 9, 2021 were "rendered moot."
The trial court stayed the June 21, and June 22, 2021 orders pending
appeal. We denied Richard's application to file an emergent motion.
Colleen's Version of the Disputed Material Facts
Hendrix was diagnosed at a young age with Asperger's syndrome and an
anxiety disorder. Despite these conditions, Richard "bullied and lashed out at
Hendrix," making him feel "inadequate, uncomfortable, unsafe and scared."
Hendrix did not stay overnight at Richard's residence after the fourth grade.
On the last day of school in June 2010, Richard and Hendrix had an
argument, during which Richard screamed at Hendrix that he was "completely
out of control," "totally messed up," and that there was "something wrong"
with him. Richard then told Colleen that she could keep Hendrix for the entire
summer and, "if Hendrix doesn't have any problems when he's with you, then
why don't you just deal with him." Richard had no parenting time that
summer. In August 2010, Colleen filed an application to suspend Richard's
parenting time and require him to participate in reunification therapy.
The therapist terminated the reunification therapy in November 2011,
because Hendrix refused to meet with Richard and exhibited "a great deal of
anxiety [and] resistance." The therapist noted Hendrix does well with his
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mother and opined that the problems between Hendrix and Richard stemmed
from "a poor match between [Hendrix's] needs [and Richard's] parenting
style." The therapist suggested reunification therapy be tried again in one
year. Richard did not return to reunification therapy.
Thereafter, neither Richard nor his family made any attempts to have a
relationship with Hendrix. For the five years following the failed reunification
therapy, Richard had no parenting time or relationship with Hendrix.
When Colleen sought child support from Richard in 2015, he requested a
paternity test. The request distressed Hendrix, who viewed it as an act of
rejection. The parties were once again ordered to attend reunification therapy,
this time with a different therapist. Despite being ordered to arrange th e
therapy, Richard never contacted the therapist and did not provide necessary
information to Colleen to schedule it.
For a brief period in 2016, Hendrix unsuccessfully tried to have a
relationship with Richard. During the five years preceding his death , Hendrix
did not see or hear from Richard and received no birthday or Christmas cards
or gifts from him. Richard did not acknowledge Hendrix's graduation from
high school, did not reach out to Hendrix about college, and did not know he
transferred to Colorado Mountain College.
Richard's Version of the Disputed Material Facts
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Colleen seemed increasingly "unstable and deceitful" over time. She
withheld Hendrix from Richard and told Hendrix lies about Richard.
In 2010, the parties verbally agreed that Colleen would keep Hendrix in
her care for three weeks because he was exhibiting behavioral issues and
needed a short break from the friends he was hanging out with.
Prior to 2010, Richard was Hendrix's primary caretaker and had an
excellent father-son relationship with him. Beginning around June 2010,
Colleen would not allow Richard to see or speak to Hendrix. Shortly
thereafter, Colleen unsuccessfully applied for full custody. She did not permit
Hendrix to participate in the court-ordered reunification therapy or to undergo
a psychiatric evaluation. Richard blames Colleen's lack of cooperation for
reunification therapy not being completed and the failure to establish a
parenting time schedule.
When Richard stopped by Colleen's residence to talk to Hendrix, no one
would answer the door or other conduct thwarted the attempted
communication. When Richard attempted to speak to Hendrix at school,
Colleen would pull Hendrix away and not let him speak to Richard. Colleen's
conduct resulted in Richard not having any communication with Hendrix from
2010 to 2015. Richard backed off in the hope Hendrix would eventually
realize what was happening. This led to Richard experiencing depression,
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interrupted sleep, and nightmares. During this same period, Hendri x was
suffering, struggling in school, and in danger of failing classes.
For most of 2016, Richard and his family enjoyed parenting time with
Hendrix, which Hendrix enjoyed. Hendrix seemed happy and developed a
relationship with his stepsiblings. He spent Christmas at Richard's house that
year. Unfortunately, Hendrix experienced trouble with a student at school
relating to Colleen's living arrangement. Hendrix was arrested when he faked
a break-in to scare the student who was bothering him. Richard attempted to
help in any way he could, including communicating directly with Hendrix.
Colleen cut Richard out of Hendrix's life and continued to alienate Hendrix's
affections.2
Richard did not know whether Hendrix was attending college. It was
only after Colleen filed a motion to reinstitute child support that he learned
Hendrix was enrolled at Camden County College. Colleen remained
uncooperative and did not comply with the October 4, 2019 consent order.
When Richard learned that Hendrix had died in Colorado seven days
earlier, he did not know Hendrix was attending college there. The coroner
advised Richard that Hendrix appeared to have died from an accidental
2
Despite Colleen's alleged conduct, Richard filed no subsequent motions
regarding custody or parenting time or to enforce litigant's rights.
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overdose and that his body was transported to Pennsylvania to be cremated.
When Richard located the funeral home, he was advised that a memorial
service had already been held. The funeral home representative indicated he
was told Richard's parental rights had been terminated. When Richard
attempted to obtain a copy of the death certificate, he was advised by vital
records that he was not listed as a parent.
On appeal, Richard argues:
I. A PLENARY HEARING SHOULD BE HELD
WHERE THERE IS A GENUINE AND
SUBSTANTIAL FACTUAL DISPUTE TO
RESOLVE THAT FACTUAL DISPUTE AND THUS,
A PLENARY HEARING SHOULD HAVE BEEN
HELD AS INITIALLY DETERMINED AND
ORDERED ON APRIL 30, 2021 AND JUNE 21,
2021.
POINT II
II. AN ABUSE OR MISTAKE OF DISCRETION
WAS EXERCISED BY THE TRIAL COURT BY
DENYING [RICHARD'S] RIGHT TO A PLENARY
HEARING AS A LEGAL CUSTODIAN TO
DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE DISTRIBUTION
OF THE UNEMANCIPATED CHILD'S ASHES.
In her cross-appeal, Colleen argues:
I. THE NEW JERSEY CEMETERY ACT, N.J.S.A.
45:27-1 ET. SEQ., AND CASELAW DEVELOPED
UNDER THAT STATUTE GOVERN WHICH
PARTY SHOULD HAVE CONTROL OVER THE
DISPOSITION OF HENDRIX'S REMAINS.
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II. PLENARY HEARINGS ARE REQUIRED ONLY
IN CASES IN WHICH THERE ARE GENUINE
ISSUES OF MATERIAL FACTS.
III. THE STANDARD OF REVIEW IN THIS CASE
SHOULD BE DE NOVO, THE STANDARD THAT
ALLOWS FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF
DEFERENCE TO THE TRIAL COURT.
IV. IN THE EVENT THAT THIS MATTER IS
REMANDED, IT SHOULD BE REMANDED TO A
DIFFERENT TRIAL JUDGE IN LIGHT OF THE
FACT THAT THE TRIAL COURT JUDGE GAVE
GREAT WEIGHT TO INAPROPRIATE FACTORS
AND BECAUSE OF A LEGITIMATE CONCERN
THAT THE TRIAL JUDGE WILL BE COMMITTED
TO ITS INITIAL FINDINGS.
We initially note that the proceedings involved in this appeal should
have been filed and heard in the Probate Part, not the Family Part. Excepting
for the application to terminate child support and medical insurance coverage,
the Family Part lacked jurisdiction to hear the applications filed after Hendrix's
death.
The disposition of Hendrix's cremation remains is governed by the New
Jersey Cemetery Act, 2003 (Cemetery Act), N.J.S.A. 45:27-1 to -41, and its
interpretive case law. N.J.S.A. 45:27-22 "addresses who may control the
funeral and disposition of a decedent's remains." Gately v. Hamilton Mem'l
Home, Inc., 442 N.J. Super. 542, 554 (App. Div. 2015). It provides:
If [a] decedent has not appointed a person to control
the funeral and disposition of the remains . . . the right
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to control the funeral and disposition of the human
remains shall be in the following order of priority
class, unless other directions have been given by a
court of competent jurisdiction:
(1) The surviving spouse of the decedent or the
surviving civil union or domestic partner.
(2) A majority of the surviving adult children of the
decedent.
(3) The surviving parent or parents of the decedent.
(4) A majority of the brothers and sisters of the
decedent.
(5) Other next of kin of the decedent according to the
degree of consanguinity.
(6) If there are no known living relatives, a cemetery
may rely on the written authorization of any other
person acting on behalf of the decedent.
[N.J.S.A. 45:27-22(a).]
Therefore, if a "decedent has not left a will appointing a person to
control disposition and has no surviving spouse or adult children, the statute
provides that the right to control the funeral and disposition of the remains
passes to '[t]he surviving parent or parents of the decedent.'" Gately, 442 N.J.
Super. at 554 (quoting N.J.S.A. 45:27-22(a)(3)).
In Gately, "we conclude[ed] that the more sensible reading of the phrase
[the surviving parent or parents] is that where there are two surviving parents,
a single parent alone does not have the unilateral right to control disposition."
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Id. at 556. Therefore, "if both parents are surviving, then the decision-making
authority presumptively is to be jointly exercised." Id. at 557. "Had the
Legislature intended to give either surviving parent the singular right to
control disposition, it could have so stated . . . ." Ibid.
Here, Hendrix was unmarried, died without children, without a will, and
without any written directive regarding his funeral or the disposition of his
remains. In re Estate of Travers, 457 N.J. Super. 477 (Ch. Div. 2017),
involved similar facts. There, the decedent died at age twenty-two, "was
unmarried and died without issue, without a will, and without any written
directive regarding his funeral or disposition of remains." Id. at 481. The
decedent's parents, who were divorced, "differ[ed] on how their son's remains
should be disposed, and each [sought] control over the remains pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 45:27-22." Ibid. The decedent's father wanted his son's remains buried,
while the decedents' mother wanted her son's remains cremated. Ibid.
The court recognized that under these circumstances, N.J.S.A. 45:27-22
"confer[red] the right to control the funeral arrangements and disposition of
the remains to the surviving parents of the deceased," Travers, 457 N.J. Super.
at 482 (citing Gately, 442 N.J. Super. at 554), and "in the event of a dispute,"
the court has authority under the statute to resolve disputes between nex t-of-
kin, id. at 482-83 (citing Marino v. Marino, 200 N.J. 315, 322 (2009)). The
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court noted the Cemetery Act and New Jersey case law provided no guidance
"on how to resolve a dispute that arises between" parents. Id. at 483; accord
Gately, 442 N.J. Super. at 554.
In Travers, the court held that where a decedent dies intestate, the court
"should carefully consider which next-of-kin of equal standing under the
[s]tatute will likely control the funeral [and] disposition of remains in a
manner that most closely reflects the wishes, desires and expectations of the
decedent." 457 N.J. Super. at 484. "Additionally, relationships between the
decedent and next-of-kin of equal standing may be highly relevant." Ibid.
"Therefore, the court should consider the closeness of the relationships
between next-of-kin of equal standing and the decedent to inform its decision
on the appointment of control under the [s]tatute." Id. at 485. "[T]he religious
and/or cultural background of the decedent should also be considered." Ibid.
"[T]he court may consider, if known, which next-of-kin of equal standing will
ultimately be designated as the administrator of the estate, as that person will
be obligated to act in the best interests of the estate to protect the estate's
assets and ensure payment for funeral [and] disposition expenses." Id. at 486
(citing N.J.S.A. 3B:10-23; Fitzgerald v. Linnus, 336 N.J. Super. 458, 468
(App. Div. 2001)). The court formulated a four-prong test incorporation those
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factors for determining who should control the funeral arrangements and
disposition of remains. Id. at 486-87.
Applying that test, Colleen contends that because she had a closer
relationship with Hendrix during the years leading up to his death, and the
other factors are inapplicable, further analysis and a plenary hearing are
unnecessary, and she should be granted sole control over the disposition of
Hendrix's remains. We agree.
We adopt and apply a modified version of the test formulated in Travers.
Where parents of a deceased child dispute the funeral arrangements or
disposition of remains, the court shall consider the following factors in
selecting the person in control under N.J.S.A. 45:27-22:
(1) Which parent is more likely to abide by the
decedent's expressed preferences, if any;
(2) Which parent had a closer relationship with the
decedent and is in a better position to deduce the
decedent's preferences and expectations upon death;
(3) Which parent is more likely to adhere to the
religious beliefs and cultural practices of the decedent,
to the extent that such beliefs and practices pertain to
funeral arrangements or the disposal of remains and
reflect the decedent's preferences; and
(4) Which parent will likely be designated
administrator of the estate and act in the best interests
of the estate relating to the funeral arrangements and
disposition of the decedent's remains.
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The trial court must undertake a qualitative analysis of each factor, assign
appropriate weight, and balance the factors.
Applying this modified test, we note that certain facts are undisputed.
As to factor one, Hendrix left no will and did not express any preferences
regarding funeral arrangements or disposition of his remains.
As to factor two, Hendrix lived exclusively with Colleen since at least
2015, until he left for college. Although the parties shared joint legal custody,
Colleen was designated parent of primary residence. Despite the parties
residing in the same municipality, Richard exercised no parenting time after
2016. By any measure, Colleen had the closer relationship with Hendrix at the
time of his death and was in a better position to ascertain Hendrix's to deduce
the decedent's preferences and expectations, even though the parties contested
the reasons why that occurred.
As to factor three, there appears to be no evidence that Hendrix practiced
any religion or that religious beliefs are a factor in the disposition of his
remains. Nor do the parties express any personal religious beliefs as a factor
to be considered.
As to factor four, Hendrix's assets appear to consist mainly of personal
effects having minimal economic value. Because an estate has not been filed
with the Surrogate's Office, an administrator has not been appointed.
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Factor two is clearly controlling in this case. Although the parties
presented diametrically opposed versions of their conduct, Richard's evolving
relationship with Hendrix, and the reasons for the erosion of his relationship
with Hendrix, Richard had ample opportunity to seek relief in the Family Part
from Colleen's alleged conduct when his parenting time and ability to
communicate with Hendrix was curtailed or prevented from 2016 until
Hendrix's eighteenth birthday. He chose not to do so.
While a plenary hearing is generally required when there are genuine
issues of material fact about custody and parenting time, they must be litigated
in the Family Part before the child reaches eighteen, not for the first time in
applications filed more than two years after the child's death, when he was
twenty years old. Although Richard was conversant with motion practice in
the Family Part as reflected by the considerable post-divorce procedural
history, in this instance he sat on his rights. We decline to remand this matter
to the Family Part or to direct new filings in the Probate Part to litigate those
stale issues, which we deem waived. Accordingly, a plenary hearing is not
required.
Because the record clearly establishes that Colleen had the closer
relationship during the years leading up to Hendrix's death and to discern his
preferences, we hold that Colleen shall be granted control over Hendrix's
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cremation remains. Any remaining issues regarding Hendrix's personal effects
shall be pursued in the Probate Part.
We affirm the following aspects of the trial court's rulings: (1) the
termination of child support and medical insurance obligation; (2) the
subpoena power granted to Richard (which was properly brought in the Family
Part); (3) the denial of sanctions; (4) the requirement that Colleen provide
Richard with information and documentation relating to Hendrix's healthcare
from January 1, 2020 through the date of death; (5) the requirement that
Colleen advise Richard of each public location where the cremation remains
are deposited so that he may create a memorial for himself; (6) that restrained
Colleen from tampering with Hendrix's cell phone; (7) that directed the parties
to "cooperate to make the cell phone [ready] for data extraction"; and (8)
denied an award of counsel fees. Any other aspects of restraints entered
against Collen are terminated. We reverse the aspects of the trial court's orders
that are contrary to our rulings. On remand, the trial court shall enter an order
reflecting our ruling.
Finally, because the judge expressed comments regarding credibility, see
J.L. v. J.F., 317 N.J. Super. 418, 438 (App. Div. 1999), and may have a
commitment to her prior findings, see P.T. v. M.S., 325 N.J. Super. 193, 220-
21 (App. Div. 1999), any subsequent proceedings regarding concerning
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Hendrix's cremation remains and estate shall be conducted by a different
judge.
We provide the following guidance for future cases involving similar
disputes in intestate estates. The proceedings contesting the funeral
arrangements or disposition of remains should be brought by complaint in the
Probate Part, rather than by application in the Family Part. The probate judge
should consider appointing a pendente lite administrator who shall investigate
the facts and attempt to resolve the issues. If a resolution is not reached, the
probate court shall apply the test we have adopted and determine which parent
or next of kin of equal standing shall control the funeral arrangements and
disposition of remains, which should not involve protracted hearings relating
to the history of the parties over multiple years leading up to the death. All
unresolved aspects of the decedent's estate, including disposition of the
decedent's assets and personal effects, should likewise be brought, and decided
in the Probate Part.
Affirmed in part, reversed and remanded in part. We do not retain
jurisdiction.
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