Opinion ID: 2463591
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The stipulated visitation order was final

Text: There is strong public policy favoring the prompt agreement and resolution of matters related to the custody, care, and visitation of minor children. See Rivero, 125 Nev. at 429, 216 P.3d at 226-27 (recognizing that parties are free to contract regarding child custody and such agreements are generally enforceable); Ellis, 123 Nev. at 151, 161 P.3d at 243 (same). Therefore, we encourage voluntary resolution of these matters, and we will generally recognize the preclusive effect of such agreements if they are deemed final. [1] See Castle v. Simmons, 120 Nev. 98, 105, 86 P.3d 1042, 1047 (2004) (explaining that the changed circumstances factor, which is required to modify a primary physical custody arrangement, is based on res judicata principles); see also Hopper v. Hopper, 113 Nev. 1138, 1143-44, 946 P.2d 171, 174-75 (1997); Mosley v. Figliuzzi, 113 Nev. 51, 58, 930 P.2d 1110, 1114 (1997). An order is final if it disposes of the issues presented in the case . . . and leaves nothing for the future consideration of the court. Valley Bank of Nevada v. Ginsburg, 110 Nev. 440, 445, 874 P.2d 729, 733 (1994) (alteration in original) (internal quotations omitted). Finality is determined based on what the order actually does, not what it is called. Id. In the family law context, the California Supreme Court has held that a stipulated custody order is a final judicial custody determination . . . if there is a clear, affirmative indication the parties intended such a result. Montenegro v. Diaz, 26 Cal.4th 249, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 575, 27 P.3d 289, 295 (2001). It is irrelevant whether the order is the result of a stipulated agreement between the parties that is later judicially approved or it is achieved through litigation. Id. at 294. Instead, the relevant inquiry is whether the order fully resolved the issues between the parties. Once a final judgment is entered in a nonparental visitation matter, whether in a contested hearing or by stipulation, it has a preclusive effect on later litigation. Ingram v. Knippers, 72 P.3d 17, 22 (Okla.2003) (A consent judgment is entitled to the same preclusive treatment as a contested judgment.). This serves to prevent parties from relitigating the same issues. Id.; accord Rivero, 125 Nev. at 431, 216 P.3d at 228; Ellis, 123 Nev. at 151, 161 P.3d at 243; Castle, 120 Nev. at 105, 86 P.3d at 1047; Hopper, 113 Nev. at 1143-44, 946 P.2d at 174-75; Mosley, 113 Nev. at 58, 930 P.2d at 1114. Audrey's and Roger's actions, along with the specific language in the order, clearly demonstrate that they intended the stipulated visitation order to be final with regard to Audrey's visitation with Martina. The document signed by the parties and approved by the district court shows that the parties intended to resolve their visitation dispute through the order. For example, the parties introduced the terms of the stipulation by stating that this matter, as well as all pending issues, shall be resolved with the following stipulations and agreements. The order memorializes the parties' agreement, sets forth the specific parameters for Audrey's visitation with Martina, and provides for modification of the visitation arrangements with the approval of the guardian ad litem and Dr. Paglini. There is no indication that the parties intended the stipulated visitation order to be anything other than a final judgment, and neither party challenged the order for over two years. The parties also expressly intended to avoid further involvement with the district court as they stipulated to mediate any future disputes with the guardian ad litem. Only if they were unable to resolve the dispute through mediation with the guardian ad litem would the matter come back to the district court. Furthermore, as part of their stipulation, the parties vacated the evidentiary hearing that had been scheduled to resolve Audrey's visitation rights. Therefore, we conclude that the stipulated visitation order is a final judgment. Because the stipulated visitation order in this case is a final judgment, it precludes relitigation of Audrey's right to visitation with Martina based on the same set of facts the district court already considered. Thus, we must next determine under what circumstances a nonparent's judicially approved visitation rights can be modified or terminated. [2] Specifically, we examine whether parents are entitled to the continued presumption that their desire to restrict visitation with a nonparent is in the best interest of the child when they seek to modify or terminate the judicially approved visitation rights of a nonparent. We conclude that parents are not entitled to this presumption when they seek to modify or terminate a judicially approved visitation arrangement, and we adopt the two-prong test from Ellis for assessing whether modifying or terminating court-ordered visitation is appropriate. 123 Nev. at 150, 161 P.3d at 242.