Opinion ID: 889413
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶ 22 We review a district court's distribution of marital property to determine whether the court's findings of fact are clearly erroneous. In re Marriage of Williams, 2009 MT 282, ¶ 14, 352 Mont. 198, 217 P.3d 67 (citing Bock v. Smith, 2005 MT 40, ¶ 14, 326 Mont. 123, 107 P.3d 488). A finding of fact is clearly erroneous if it is not supported by substantial evidence, if the district court misapprehended the effect of the evidence, or if our review of the record convinces us that the district court made a mistake. Williams, ¶ 14. If we determine the district court's findings are not clearly erroneous, we will affirm the district court's distribution of marital property unless we find that the district court abused its discretion. Williams, ¶ 14. A district court abuses its discretion when it acts arbitrarily without employment of conscientious judgment or so exceeds the bounds of reason as to work a substantial injustice. Williams, ¶ 14 (citing In re Marriage of Crilly, 2005 MT 311, ¶ 10, 329 Mont. 479, 124 P.3d 1151). In addition, we review a district court's conclusions of law to determine whether the court's conclusions are correct. Williams, ¶ 14 (citing In re Marriage of Bartsch, 2007 MT 136, ¶ 9, 337 Mont. 386, 162 P.3d 72).