Sellner v. Brand ( 2013 )

October 17 2013
DA 12-0471
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
2013 MT 307N
IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF:
VICKI L. SELLNER,
Petitioner and Appellant,
v.
HAMPTON JAY BRAND,
Respondent and Appellee.
APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Fourth Judicial District,
In and For the County of Missoula, Cause No. DR-11-592
Honorable John W. Larson, Presiding Judge
COUNSEL OF RECORD:
For Appellant:
Joan E. Cook, Law Office of Joan E. Cook; Missoula, Montana
For Appellee:
P. Mars Scott, Ryan A. Phelan, P. Mars Scott Law Offices, Missoula,
Montana
Submitted on Briefs: September 26, 2013
Decided: October 17, 2013
Filed:
__________________________________________
Clerk
Chief Justice McGrath delivered the Opinion of the Court.
¶1 Pursuant to Section I, Paragraph 3(d), Montana Supreme Court Internal Operating
Rules, this case is decided by memorandum opinion and shall not be cited and does not serve
as precedent. Its case title, cause number, and disposition shall be included in this Court’s
quarterly list of noncitable cases published in the Pacific Reporter and Montana Reports.
¶2 Vicki Sellner appeals from the District Court’s Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law
and Decree of Dissolution, filed July 3, 2012. Vicki argues that the District Court abused its
discretion by adopting an “ambiguous” visitation schedule and by adopting the parenting
plan proposed by Jay. We affirm.
¶3 The parties have two children, one a teenager and the other a toddler. The District
Court’s decree gave the teenager the right to participate in deciding which parent to live
with. The decree provided the parents with alternative arrangements for the younger child,
encouraging them to actually communicate with each other and reach an agreement in
parenting the children. It is not an error to provide alternatives in a parenting plan, and if
either or both of the parents refuse to communicate and agree within the parameters set by
the District Court’s decree, then more strict guidance can be provided in further proceedings.
Meyer v. Meyer, 204 Mont. 177, 182-83, 663 P.2d 328, 331 (1983). We find no error or
abuse of discretion in the District Court’s parenting plan.
¶4 Vicki also argues that the District Court erred in adopting the parenting plan proposed
by Jay. The District Court entered extensive findings of fact regarding the circumstances of
the parties and the needs of their children. The District Court specifically found that Vicki’s
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proposed plan was deficient, that it would not adequately safeguard both parents’ rights, and
that it would sever Jay’s relationship with the children “to the point of no recovery.” The
District Court found that Vicki’s proposed restriction of Jay’s relationship with the children
was not in their best interest, and that Jay “is the more available, experienced and competent
parent.” While there was some confusion as to the provisions of the parenting plan
ultimately submitted by Jay, it is clear that the District Court fully considered the best
interests of the children in this case, as required by § 40-4-212, MCA, in adopting the
parenting plan. The parenting plan adopted by the District Court controls the case and there
was no error or abuse of discretion.
¶5 We have determined to decide this case pursuant to Section I, Paragraph 3(d) of our
Internal Operating Rules, which provides for memorandum opinions. The issues in this case
are ones of judicial discretion and clearly there was not an abuse of discretion.
¶6 Affirmed.
/S/ MIKE McGRATH
We concur:
/S/ MICHAEL E WHEAT
/S/ PATRICIA COTTER
/S/ BETH BAKER
/S/ BRIAN MORRIS
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