BONDS v. BONDS (1999)

Brendalyn Bonds filed an application for discretionary appeal from an order of the trial court modifying child custody.   We granted her application primarily to address her argument that the trial court erred in failing to include in its order any findings of fact.   This enumeration, as well as others raised, is without merit.

 1. The trial court did not err in failing to make specific findings of fact.   Under former law, it was mandatory in a contested child custody case for the trial judge to include findings of fact in its final order.   See Haralson v. Moore, 236 Ga. 131, 133(3), 223 S.E.2d 107 (1976);  Githens v. Githens, 234 Ga. 715, 217 S.E.2d 291 (1975);  Jordan v. Jordan, 179 Ga.App. 155, 157(1), 345 S.E.2d 675 (1986).   In fact, where the trial judge neglected to make such findings, we remanded the case for the entry of such findings.   See Haralson, supra;  Githens, supra.

In 1987, however, the legislature amended OCGA § 9-11-52(a).   Under the amended statute, entry of findings of fact became mandatory only upon request by a party.   OCGA § 9-11-52(a);  Poor v. Leader Fed. Bank, 221 Ga.App. 889(1), 473 S.E.2d 563 (1996);  Doe v. Chambers, 188 Ga.App. 879, 881(2), 374 S.E.2d 758 (1988).   The record in this case does not show that any party requested that the trial court enter findings of fact.   Therefore, the failure to do so was not error.   See Burks v. First Union Mtg. Corp., 209 Ga.App. 41(1), 432 S.E.2d 822 (1993);  Doe, supra.

 2. There being no transcript of the proceedings or statutorily authorized substitute, we must presume that the evidence supported the trial court's ruling.  Marshall v. SDA, Inc., 234 Ga.App. 312, 313(3), 506 S.E.2d 661 (1998);  Goodman v. Lake Buckhorn &c., 224 Ga.App. 765(3), 481 S.E.2d 882 (1997).   Accordingly, the remaining enumerations are without merit.

Judgment affirmed.

JOHNSON, Chief Judge.

McMURRAY, P.J., and PHIPPS, J., concur.