Opinion ID: 2616194
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: validity of the establishment-preclusion order

Text: Dade argues that the superior court abused its discretion, by entering an order conclusively establishing paternity. According to Dade, the court should have imposed a lesser sanction. Lovett contends that the order was within the broad discretion of the trial court because Dade's action was clearly willful. Ordinarily, blood test results are admissible to prove paternity. AS 25.20.050(d). [3] If the statistical probability of parentage equals or exceeds 95%, paternity is presumed and may be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence. [4] Id. Civil Rule 37(b) authorizes the superior court to impose a wide range of sanctions on a party who fails to comply with discovery orders. [5] The choice of a sanction rests in the broad discretion of the trial court; we will set aside a sanction only for abuse of discretion. Hawes Firearms v. Edwards, 634 P.2d 377, 378-79 (Alaska 1981). The imposition of an establishment-preclusion order is justified if the failure to comply with a discovery order is willful, Ketchikan Cold Storage v. State, 491 P.2d 143, 146-48 (Alaska 1971); Bachner v. Pearson, 432 P.2d 525, 528 (Alaska 1967), although lesser sanctions may be imposed absent a finding of willfulness, State v. Guinn, 555 P.2d 530, 542-43 (Alaska 1976). Willfulness is defined as a conscious intent to impede discovery. Hawes Firearms, 634 P.2d at 378-79. The burden is on the noncomplying party to prove that its failure to provide discovery was not willful. Id. at 378 n. 2. In the instant case, the superior court had discretion to enter an establishment-preclusion order on the question of paternity because Dade willfully violated the court's order by providing false evidence. County of Hennepin ex rel. Bartlow v. Brinkman, 378 N.W.2d 790, 794-95 (Minn. 1985). [6] Although the court could have imposed a lesser sanction, we perceive no abuse of discretion. Dade's conduct was especially egregious; he did not merely refuse to submit to blood testing, but attempted to provide false evidence to the court. [7] AFFIRMED. MOORE, J., not participating.