Opinion ID: 2308529
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: [¶ 10] Kelly contends that the District Court abused its discretion in its assessment of the evidence and subsequent dismissal of her complaint. As the plaintiff, it was Kelly's burden to prove her claim of abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. 19-A M.R.S. § 4006(1) (2007); Jacobs v. Jacobs, 2007 ME 14, ¶ 7, 915 A.2d 409, 411. We review the trial court's findings of fact for clear error and will affirm those findings if there is competent evidence in the record to support them, even if the evidence might support alternative findings of fact. Id. ¶ 5, 915 A.2d at 410. [¶ 11] Kelly's argument rests on a complaint that the court believed William, and disbelieved her and her daughter. It is well established that determinations regarding witness credibility are the exclusive province of the fact-finder. State v. Durant, 2004 ME 136, ¶ 12, 861 A.2d 637, 640. Here, the trial court found William's testimony to be credible. He denied that the abuse alleged by Kelly and their daughter ever occurred. Therefore, the court's finding to that effect was supported by competent evidence, and its dismissal of Kelly's complaint was proper.