Opinion
No. 85-251
Opinion delivered March 10, 1986
1. COURTS — PROBATE COURT — JURISDICTION OF PROBATE COURT OVER GUARDIANSHIPS. — Ark. Stat. Ann. 57-654 (Repl. 1971), which was in effect at the time of the probate court's hearing on the petition for appointment of the child's guardian, provides that the probate courts have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters of guardianship except guardianships ad litem in other courts, and explains that the jurisdiction or authority now vested in juvenile courts is not to be affected by the provisions of the probate code "except in the matter of appointment of guardians." 2. GUARDIAN WARD — PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN — JURISDICTION IN PROBATE COURT TO GRANT. — Although it was the juvenile court which had granted custody of the minor to appellee, the probate court had jurisdiction to hear appellee's petition for her appointment as guardian of the child's person and estate. 3. NOTICE — JUDICIAL NOTICE — COURTS DO NOT TAKE JUDICIAL NOTICE OF PRIOR LITIGATION IN OTHER CASES. — Courts do not take judicial notice of prior litigation in other cases, even between the same parties. 4. GUARDIAN WARD — PROOF REQUIRED BEFORE GUARDIAN APPOINTED — DUE PROCESS REQUIRED. — Proof must be taken in probate court before a guardian can be appointed, and the denial of the opportunity to put on evidence in opposition to appellee's appointment as guardian and to cross-examine witnesses was a denial of due process of law.
Appeal from Pulaski Probate Court, First Division; Lee Munson, Probate Judge; reversed and remanded.
Edwin A. Keaton, for appellants.
Howell, Price, Trice, Basham Hope, P.A., for appellee.
The appellee, Dorothy Ross-Lawhon, filed a petition in the Probate Court of Pulaski County seeking appointment as guardian of the person and of the estate of her granddaughter, Gabrielle Lawhon-Dyer. Appellee already had been awarded temporary custody of the child by the Juvenile Court of Ouachita County. The appellants, the mother and maternal grandparents of the child, filed a motion to dismiss the petition for guardianship contending that the probate court did not have jurisdiction to hear the guardianship petition while the juvenile court matter was still pending. The trial court entered an order appointing appellee guardian of the person and of the estate. We affirm the trial court's ruling that it had jurisdiction, but remand the case for further proof.
Appellants first contend that the probate court was without jurisdiction. The argument is without merit. Ark. Stat. Ann. 57-604 (Repl. 1971), a part of the probate code, was in effect at the time of the probate court hearing. It provides:
57-604. Jurisdiction — a. GENERALLY. The jurisdiction of the probate court over all matters of guardianship, other than guardianships ad litem in other courts, shall be exclusive, subject to the right of appeal.
. . .
c. NOT TO CONFLICT WITH JUVENILE COURT. The provisions of this Code shall not be construed to affect the jurisdiction or authority now vested in Juvenile Courts except in the matter of appointment of guardians.
[1, 2] Subpart a. of this statute provides that the probate courts have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters of guardianship, except guardianships ad litem in other courts. Subpart c. of the statute explains that the jurisdiction and authority which is vested in the juvenile courts is not to be affected by the provisions of the probate code "except in the matter of appointment of guardians." Thus, the probate court had jurisdiction to hear this petition for guardianship. See Robins v. Arkansas Social Services, 273 Ark. 241, 617 S.W.2d 857 (1981); and Cude v. State, 237 Ark. 927, 377 S.W.2d 816 (1964).
In Robins v. Arkansas Social Services, supra, we explained the jurisdiction of the various courts involved with juveniles as follows:
In Arkansas the General Assembly does not have the power to create courts. Article 7, 1, Constitution of Arkansas, Jansen v. Blissenbach, 214 Ark. 755, 217 S.W.2d 849 (1949). After the Arkansas Constitution was adopted there was a nationwide movement to create juvenile courts. The first juvenile court was created in Illinois in 1899. Twelve years later, by Act 215 of 1911, the Arkansas General Assembly established the juvenile court as a segment of the county court. That act was tested in the case of Ex parte King, 141 Ark. 213, 217 S.W. 465 (1919) and this court very carefully pointed out that the General Assembly had not created a new court, but authorized the county court, a previously existing and constitutionally created court, to exercise the special subject matter jurisdiction set forth in the statute. This special subject matter jurisdiction was bottomed solely on the basis of a public guardianship over infants as a class. The opinion explains that the existing constitutionally created courts would retain their traditional jurisdiction. Chancery courts would retain general jurisdiction over the persons (custody) and property of minors; probate courts would retain general jurisdiction over guardianships of the persons and estates of minors and of adoptions; while circuit courts would retain civil and criminal jurisdiction over minors.
The Juvenile Court Referee, although not involved in the probate proceeding, correctly understood the applicable law and found:
That pursuant to the case of Robins v. Arkansas Social Services, 273 Ark. 241, 617 S.W.2d 857 (1981), this Court finds that the Juvenile Court of Ouachita County, Arkansas retains concurrent jurisdiction with the Probate Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas. That Dorothy Ross-Lawhon has every right to proceed with a petition for guardianship in the Probate Court; however, the Juvenile Court of Ouachita County, Arkansas, retains jurisdiction to temporarily care for neglected or dependant children and to determine, while said child is considered to be neglected and dependent, what is best for said child's care, welfare, safety, health, and education.
The Probate Court had jurisdiction to determine whether to appoint a guardian of the person and of the estate.
Appellants next contend that even if the probate court had jurisdiction, it proceeded to trial in an erroneous manner. The argument is meritorious.
[3, 4] Over appellants' objection, evidence in the guardianship case was had by taking judicial notice of the juvenile court proceeding. In addition, the appellants were not allowed to put on evidence in opposition to appellee being appointed guardian. The procedure was erroneous. Courts do not take judicial notice of prior litigation in other cases, even between the same parties. May v. Edwards, 258 Ark. 871, 529 S.W.2d 647 (1975). In addition, proof must be taken in probate court before a guardian can be appointed. Ark. Stat. Ann. 57-614, 57-615, and 57-607. The appellants were entitled to put on evidence in opposition to appellee being appointed guardian. The denial of the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses and put on evidence was a denial of due process of law. Accordingly, we remand the case to the probate court for a full hearing.
Reversed and remanded.
PURTLE, J., not participating.
HOLT, C.J., and HAYS and NEWBERN, JJ., concur.
DAVID NEWBERN, Justice, concurring. The majority opinion is correct, and I agree with it in every respect. The purpose of this concurring opinion is to point out once again the need for a family court for Arkansas. See Jarmon v. Brown, 286 Ark. 455 at 457, 692 S.W.2d 618 at 620 (1985). The harmonization of the jurisdictional provisions undertaken by the majority opinion is correct, but the harmony is abstract and legalistic. Anyone who reads the opinion must realize that an Arkansas juvenile could be placed in the custody of a divorced parent by the chancery court, placed in the custody of a social services agency by the juvenile court, and subjected to a guardianship of his person by the probate court — all at the same time!
As the majority opinion says, courts can only be created by constitutional amendment. Again, this is but one of the problems we should try to iron out with a new judicial article.
HOLT, C.J. and HAYS, J., join in this concurrence.