David, J.
….
The trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law sua sponte and denied both Mother’s request for modification of custody and motion for rule to show cause (contempt). Mother appealed. The Court of Appeals majority reversed the trial court on both issues. Steele Giri v. Steele, 40 N.E.3d 513 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015). As for the custody issue, the Court of Appeals majority determined that some of the trial court findings were erroneous. Specifically, the Court of Appeals found that the trial court’s finding characterizing J.S.’s relationship with M.G. as merely a sibling rivalry and the finding that J.S. was well-adjusted to school were erroneous. Id. at 522-523. The Court of Appeals also concluded that the trial court generally applied an erroneous standard in that it focused solely on Father’s situation in making its determination, instead of looking at the changes to both households and the impact on the child. Id. at 524. It also found that Father was in contempt for making unilateral decisions about J.S.’s education and by not sharing information with Mother. Id. 527-528. Judge Barnes dissented, concluding that while the evidence could have supported a custody modification, it did not compel that result. Id. at 529 (Barnes, J., dissenting)
….
We hold that the trial court did not err in denying Mother’s motions for custody modification and for contempt. In light of the highly deferential standard of review afforded to trial courts in family law matters and in contempt matters, the Court of Appeals should have affirmed the trial court. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s denial of Mother’s motions for custody modification and for contempt.
….
“Findings of fact are clearly erroneous when the record lacks any evidence or reasonable inferences from the evidence to support them.” In re Paternity of Winkler, 725 N.E.2d 124, 126 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000) (citation omitted). Here, while there may be conflicting evidence about: 1) the relationship between J.S. and M.G.; and 2) J.S.’s adjustment to school, there is nevertheless evidence in the record that would support these trial court findings. We will address each of these findings in turn.
….
Conclusion
As we noted above, we give substantial deference to trial court judges in family law matters. “On appeal it is not enough that the evidence might support some other conclusion, but it must positively require the conclusion contended for by appellant before there is a basis for reversal.” Kirk, 770 N.E.2d at 307 (emphasis added) (footnote omitted). Here, while the evidence might have supported Mother’s motion for custody modification, such modification was not required. There was ample evidence to support the trial court’s determination that a custody modification was not in J.S.’s best interests. Similarly, in light of the highly deferential standard of review for contempt matters and the fact that there was evidence from which the trial court could determine that Father’s failure to abide by the court’s legal custody order was not willful, the Court of Appeals should have deferred to the trial court on this issue as well. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s denial of Mother’s motion for custody modification and motion for contempt.
Rush, C.J., Dickson, Rucker and Massa, J. J., concur.