Opinion ID: 883249
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: failure to provide a hearing

Text: The first issue Jerry raises on appeal concerns whether the District Court erred in denying him a hearing on his motions to modify. Jerry argues that before the District Court can dismiss his motions, he is entitled to a hearing where he can present evidence to support his motions. The standard for this Court in reviewing discretionary trial court rulings is whether the trial court abused its discretion. Steer, Inc. v. Department of Revenue (1990), 245 Mont. 470, 475, 803 P.2d 601, 603-04. While acknowledging the frustration of the District Court (and of opposing counsel), as evidenced by the record, we, nevertheless, conclude that the court's rulings at issue here were an abuse of discretion.
Jerry argues that the District Court erred when it denied him the opportunity to present evidence in support of his motion to modify child support. Child support provided for in a decree may be modified upon a showing of changed circumstances so substantial and continuing as to make the terms unconscionable. Section 40-4-208(2)(b)(i), MCA. Accordingly, it is essential that an evidentiary basis support any finding that it either would or would not be unconscionable to continue the child support payments set forth in the decree. Gall v. Gall (1980), 187 Mont. 17, 20, 608 P.2d 496, 498. In the instant case there was no evidentiary basis for the District Court's dismissal of Jerry's motion to modify. The District Court summarily dismissed the motion without providing Jerry the opportunity to present any evidence. According to the statutory language, Jerry was entitled to make a showing of changed circumstances. We therefore hold that the court abused its discretion in denying Jerry this opportunity. Kayla argues that Jerry does not come to the court with clean hands as he did not voluntarily make his child support payments. Therefore, according to Kayla, the District Court had the equitable power to dismiss Jerry's motions without providing a hearing. While we recognize the principle that one seeking equity must do equity, and that the nonpayment of child support is inequitable, our statutes do not require that child support obligations be current, before a party petitions for modification. Section 40-4-208, MCA; In re the Marriage of Carlson (1984), 214 Mont. 209, 214, 693 P.2d 496, 499.
Jerry also contends the District Court erred in dismissing his motion for modification of visitation without providing him a hearing on the motion. According to § 40-4-217(3), MCA, a visitation order may be modified whenever modification would serve the best interest of the child. This Court has previously held that this section contemplates the trial court hold a visitation hearing and issue findings that modification would be in the child's best interest. Strong v. Weaver (1984), 211 Mont. 320, 321-22, 683 P.2d 1330, 1331. In the instant case the District Court did not hold a visitation hearing. In addition, the District Court made the following finding in support of its order dismissing Jerry's motion to modify visitation: The Court sees no reason to make any changes respecting visitation or to modify child support obligations. The Respondent is not in any position to request such assistants [sic] from the Court until such time as the Respondent gets into compliance with the Orders of the Court and establishes a course of action that would demonstrate an interest in visiting his children and seeing to it that the past due child support obligation is paid in full and to pay attorneys fees and costs required to bring him into compliance with the Court's Order. It is apparent from court's order that the court conditioned modification of the visitation arrangements set forth in the decree upon Jerry's compliance with his child support payments. This ruling was in error. See, In re the Marriage of Harper (1988), 235 Mont. 41, 46-47, 764 P.2d 1283, 1286; and State ex rel. Dewyea v. Knapp (1984), 208 Mont. 19, 22, 674 P.2d 1104, 1106, affirmed in Matter of Adoption of K.L.J.K. (1986), 224 Mont. 418, 421, 730 P.2d. 1135, 1137. Section 40-4-109, MCA, provides that visitation and support are independent of each other. See also, § 40-5-124, MCA (1991), in effect at the time of the court's rulings. Therefore we hold that the District Court erred in dismissing Jerry's motion to modify visitation without holding an evidentiary hearing.