Opinion ID: 885081
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: facts

Text: ¶ 3 C.R.N. was born the daughter of Joshua and Rachel M. Minert (Rachel) in Ukiah, California, in October 1990. At the time of C.R.N.'s birth, Rachel was 14 years old and Joshua was 15 years old. Rachel and Joshua have never been married. Joshua resides in Redwood Valley, California. Rachel is married to and resides with the petitioner in this case, Garrick Cy Minert(Cy), in Bozeman, Montana. C.R.N. has been in the primary custody of her mother since birth and currently resides with her mother and Cy in Bozeman, Montana. ¶ 4 From 1990 to 1995, Rachel and C.R.N. resided in California, but in August 1995 they moved to Montana, where Cy was pursuing his college education. Cy has been providing support for C.R.N. since August 1995. Cy filed his petition for the adoption of C.R.N. on May 27, 1997. ¶ 5 No formal paternity action regarding C.R.N. has been filed by either natural parent. However, Joshua is listed as the father on the birth certificate and has admitted his paternity of this child. There is no voluntary written child support agreement or court-ordered child support obligation in place for C.R.N. ¶ 6 On January 9, 1998, a hearing was held before the District Court to determine whether Joshua's consent to the adoption of C.R.N. by Cy was required under § 40-8-111, MCA (1995). The District Court found that because Joshua had not contributed to the support of C.R.N. during the year preceding the filing of the petition, Joshua's consent to the adoption was not necessary in order for the adoption proceeding to move forward. Joshua appeals.