Opinion ID: 1265351
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: facts

Text: Martha K. Jacobs (mother) filed for divorce from Robert S. Jacobs (father) seeking custody of the parties' two children. The father answered and counterclaimed for custody. The mother requested that a guardian ad litem be appointed. The guardian ad litem then arranged for an evaluation of the children to be conducted by Dr. Marcel Chappuis. The record contains no orders appointing the guardian ad litem or referencing the evaluation; however, both parties assert orders were entered, and obviously their actions are consistent with their assertions. Before trial, the parties entered into a Settlement Agreement wherein they agreed that custody of the children would be determined by the recommendations of Dr. Chappuis. In addition to being bound by his recommendations, the parties agreed that if the recommendations of the guardian ad litem in any way altered, disagreed or contradicted the report of Dr. Chappuis, that either party could then contest the guardian ad litem's recommendations. Dr. Chappuis recommended that the father be awarded custody of the two children. The mother immediately moved to clarify inaccuracies contained in the report and to set aside the Settlement Agreement. These motions were denied by the court. The father, alleging concern about the mother leaving the state with the children, filed an Emergency Motion for Legal Custody. The mother responded with a Motion for Temporary Custody, and a hearing was scheduled. At that hearing the court heard testimony, interviewed the children and, by order, concluded that the guardian ad litem agreed with Dr. Chappuis' recommendation and that nothing had occurred during the hearing to convince the court to set aside or disregard the recommendations. The court further found that custody in the father was in the best interests of the children and denied the mother's motion for temporary custody. It is from that order that the first Notice of Appeal was filed. Following the Notice of Appeal, the district court entered a second order which reflected receipt of the guardian ad litem's recommendation for custody and visitation. That order set out, again, custody in the father and established visitation and child support obligations. The mother then filed a Motion to Change the Children's Counselor and a Motion for Change in Custody. The mother's motion to change custody alleged a change in circumstances based on the father's planned move out of the state and sought relief under W.R.C.P. 60(b) based on newly discovered evidence. The district court denied the mother's request to set a hearing on the motions because the matter was on appeal to this court. From that order the second Notice of Appeal was filed.