Barnes, Presiding Judge. Robert Phillips (Husband) and Melinda Phillips (Wife) were married in December 1993, and are the parents of four children. After nearly 20 years of marriage, Husband filed for divorce in June 2013. The trial court conducted a bench trial at which Husband and Wife testified. In July 2015, the court entered a “Final Judgment and Decree” (“final judgment”) dissolving the marriage.[1] Among other things, the final judgment granted Wife primary physical custody of the two minor children, ordered Husband to pay child support, and divided real and personal property. Finding fault with aspects of these three rulings, Husband appeals.[2] For reasons explained below, we affirm in part, vacate in part, and remand the case for proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.1. As an initial matter, we note that the appellate record lacks transcripts of certain evidentiary hearings.In the final judgment, the trial court recounted that temporary hearings had been held in this case on July 12, 2013 and August 9, 2013; and that “[t]he parties stipulated that the evidence presented during the temporary hearing could be considered by the [c]ourt for purposes of determining the final issues in the case, and evidence was received on divorce, child custody, child support, and the division of marital property and debts. The [c]ourt, based on the extensive testimony and documents received,” then expressed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The record before us contains no transcript of such temporary hearings. Indeed, Husband acknowledges in his brief that “the parties have been through multiple hearings. [Husband] understands that not all the hearings were transcribed and therefore are not of use on this Appeal.” It is axiomatic that:“Where an appeal is taken which draws in question the transcript of the evidence and proceedings, it shall be the duty of the appellant to have the transcript prepared at the appellant’s expense.” OCGA § 5-6-41 (c); see also OCGA § 5-6-42 (“Where there is a transcript of evidence and proceedings to be included in the record on appeal, the appellant shall cause the transcript to be prepared and filed as provided by Code Section 5-6-41.”). Husband, as the appellant here, bears the burden of showing error below. In accordance with the presumption of the regularity of court proceedings, we must assume in the absence of a transcript that there was sufficient competent evidence to support the trial court’s findings.
(Citation, punctuation, and footnote omitted.) Reed v. Reed, 295 Ga. 574, 577-578 (2) (761 SE2d 326) (2014).Child Custody2. Husband contends that the trial court erred in awarding Wife primary physical custody of the minor children, arguing that there was no evidence to support that ruling. When child custody is an issue between parents, the trial court has very broad discretion, looking always to the best interest of the child. When the trial court has exercised that discretion, this court will not interfere unless the evidence shows a clear abuse of discretion, and where there is any evidence to support the trial court’s finding, this court will not find there was an abuse of discretion.
