Dempster v. McConnell ( 1981 )


Menu:
  •                                 No. 80-383
    IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
    1981
    NINA R. DEMPSTER, formerly
    known as NINA R. McCONNELL,
    Plaintiff and Appellant,
    VS   .
    EARL P. McCONNELL,
    Respondent and Respondent.
    Appeal from:      District Court of the Eighteenth Judicial District,
    In and for the County of Gallatin, Montana
    Honorable W. W. Lessley, Judge presiding.
    Counsel of Record:
    For Appellant:
    Morrow, Sedivy, Olson, Scully       &   Eck, Bozeman, Montana
    For Respondent:
    Berg, Coil, Stokes and Tollefsen, Bozeman, Montana
    Submitted on briefs: December 17, 1980
    Decided: January 28, 1981
    Filed:
    -
    Clerk
    Mr. Justice John C. Sheehy delivered the Opinion of the
    Court.
    Petitioner Nina R. Dempster appeals from the judgment
    of the Eighteenth Judicial District Court, Gallatin County,
    modifying the child support provision of her decree of
    divorce to respondent Earl McConnell.   We do not reach the
    issues presented by petitioner.   We find that the judgment
    entered in this case clearly conflicts with the court's
    findings of fact and conclusions of law.   We remand this
    judgment to the District Court.   See, Thomas v. Thomas
    (1980), - Mont .       , 
    617 P.2d 133
    , 37 St.Rep. 1710.
    Petitioner and respondent have one minor child, a son
    named Clinton McConnell.   Pursuant to the child custody
    provisions of the decree of divorce, Clinton resides with
    petitioner and her family at their farm near Big Timber,
    Montana.   Respondent, an Oregon rancher, is required by this
    decree to pay petitioner $100 monthly for Clinton's support.
    Because of inflation and the financial demands for supporting
    a growing boy, petitioner requested the District Court to
    modify the decree by increasing respondent's support obligation
    to $210 monthly.   The District Court held a hearing regarding
    this request and entered the following findings of fact:
    "That as a result of this Court's Judgment, dated
    January 13, 1975, Respondent was ordered to pay
    child support to Petitioner for Clint at the rate
    of $100.00 per month.
    "That since January 13, 1975, the conditions of
    the Petitioner's needs for support have changed,
    in that the cost of living has risen, and the
    cost of raising the minor child has likewise
    increased, all by more than loo%, and Respondent
    has the ability to pay substantially more support,
    and therefore, the current requirement of
    paying only $100.00 per month as child support
    is unconscionable.
    "That the Respondent should pay to Petitioner
    the sum of $200.00 per month for the support,
    care, custody and education of the minor child,
    along with medical and dental expenses he incurs,
    beginning on July 1, 1980, with the additional
    sum of $100.00 paid into a trust fund for the
    exclusive use of the boy."
    The Court then used these facts to make the following
    conclusions:
    "Vi.
    "That this Court's previous Judgment, dated January
    13, 1975, should be modified by increasing the
    child support payments to be made by Respondent to
    Petitioner to $200.00 per month, plus medical
    and dental bills of Clint, beginning July 1, 1980,
    with payment of the additional $100.00 into a
    trust fund."
    The Court requested respondent to prepare an order based
    upon these findings and conclusions. A judgment was prepared
    and entered, providing the following order for child support:
    "3. That plaintiff (respondent) shall pay the
    sum of TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200.00) per month,
    plus medical and dental bills of Clinton Earl
    McConnell, beginning July 1, 1980; that ONE
    HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) per month shall be
    paid directly to the defendant (petitioner) and
    that an additional ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00)
    shall be paid into a trust fund established in
    the name of Clinton Earl McConnell, said trust
    fund to be for the boy's exclusive use. The
    plaintiff, Earl P. McConnell, shall be the
    trustee charged with the care and accounting of
    said trust fund."
    This judgment substantially conflicts with the District
    Court's findings and conclusions.    The court found that the
    boy's increased support needs rendered the current $100
    monthly amount unconscionably low.    The court then concluded
    that respondent pay petitioner an extra $100 monthly to be
    held in trust to provide for the support needs of the boy.
    The judgment conflicts with this conclusion by providing
    that respondent keep the increased support payment and hold
    it in trust.   As we held in Thomas, supra, we must remand
    this case to the District Court to enter a judgment con-
    sistent with its findings.   It appears that some person
    other than the former husband would be an appropriate trustee
    for the trust fund.
    Remanded to the District Court for entry of consistent
    findings, conclusions and order in conformity with this opinion.
    We Concur:
    Chief Justice
    This case was submitted prior to January 5, 1981.
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 80-383

Judges: Sheehy, Haswell, Daly, Harrison, Shea

Filed Date: 1/28/1981

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 11/10/2024