Opinion ID: 895824
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: [¶ 2] Bill and Mary were married in 1977. They have two sons, born in 1980 and 1983. The marriage was turbulent and, on at least two occasions, Bill physically abused Mary. [¶ 3] When they were married, Bill practiced in a law firm started by his father, and Mary worked as a secretary for Bill. Bill later opened his own practice. Mary earned degrees in Spanish and secondary education and, at the time of the divorce, was teaching Spanish at Dickinson State University. [¶ 4] Mary sued Bill for divorce. The trial court divided the marital property and ordered Bill to pay $100 per month in permanent spousal support and $5,000 for Mary's attorney fees. The court ordered joint legal custody of the children, but placed primary physical custody with Mary. Bill was given visitation each Wednesday evening, every weekend except one each month, and nearly seven weeks during the summer. Mary was given ultimate authority to decide educational matters affecting the children, while Bill had ultimate authority to decide non-emergency medical matters.