Opinion ID: 2321097
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Relevant Case History

Text: [¶ 19] The case had been heard by the referee over four days in February 2010. During that hearing, Christopher Bond was asked if he would be filing a joint income tax return with Lynda Bond for the 2009 tax year. Christopher Bond answered: [M]y understanding is we're going to file jointly. The referee then confirmed: So, I think it sounds to me like everyone is in agreement that you will file jointly for 2009. There was no negative response to this observation. [¶ 20] No income tax return, joint or individual, was apparently filed on or after the April 2010 filing deadline for 2009 income tax returns and before the referee filed her report in August 2010. The record does not indicate that either party brought the failure to file the 2009 tax return, as anticipated at hearing, to the referee's or the court's attention. The referee's report did not address the 2009 income tax return. [¶ 21] After the referee's report was filed, there was no timely motion to amend findings pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 53(e)(5). Instead, each party waived any objection to the referee's report and sought entry of judgment in accordance with the report. On September 2, 2010, the court ( Goranites, J. ) accepted the report and entered a divorce judgment, incorporating the report, as the parties had requested. [¶ 22] On September 23, 2010, the time for filing any appeal of the divorce judgment expired, see M.R.App. P. 2(b)(3), the judgment's directives regarding property division and spousal support became final, and any opportunity, pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 53(e)(2), to recommit the report to the referee for clarification ended. One day later, on September 24, 2010, Lynda Bond filed the two motions for post-judgment relief. She also filed a motion to have her motions heard before the referee who had decided the divorce. Christopher Bond opposed the motion, asserting that, pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 119, the court could not order a reference without his consent. [¶ 23] After hearing argument, the court referred the motions to the referee. The court's order included no findings indicating exceptional circumstances requiring hearing by a referee. This appeal followed.