Opinion ID: 2204316
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Findings Contrary to the Evidence

Text: [¶ 32] Mother contends that in awarding custody to Father the district court assumed she would continue to work nights which was contrary to her trial testimony that she would work days at her new job. Father responds that the district court based its decision on all of the factors set forth in § 20-2-201, not just Mother's employment; therefore, whether or not it made an incorrect assumption about where and when Mother was working, the district court did not abuse its discretion in awarding primary custody to Father. [¶ 33] Mother testified at the hearing that she had been accepted into nursing school, and would continue to work during the two years it would take her to complete the nursing program. She testified, however, that she would not continue to work at her current job, but would be working as a certified nurse's assistant during the day while the child was in school. In its decision letter, in considering § 20-2-201(a)(v)how the parents and the child can best maintain and strengthen a relationship with each other, the district court made the following findings: [Father] proposed having [child] attend Sunset School where he teaches third grade. [Child] would go to school and leave school with his father. He would be with his father after school. [Mother] is pursuing a nursing degree with a combination of real classes and online study. Real time is between 10:00 a.m. and noon during the weekdays, and the Court assumes her employment at Wyoming's Rib and Chop House would continue with some evening hours. The Court finds [Father's] schedule to accommodate this factor and thus finds in his favor. (Emphasis added). [¶ 34] The district court made the following finding with regard to § 20-2-201(a)(x) other factors the court deems necessary and relevant: [Father] had several witnesses who worked at Sunset School, including his principal and two other co-employees. It is apparent [Father] is a fine teacher and respected by others. [Father] testified he used skills learned as a teacher to help with parenting. [Father] is stable in his profession, and [Mother] is seeking to become a nurse after having worked in a bank and working in a restaurant. The court applauds her effort to become a nurse, however, believes [Father's] position will provide more stability and consistency for [child]. This factor favors [Father.] (Emphasis added). [¶ 35] The district court's decision letter confirms Mother's contention that it incorrectly assumed she would continue working nights. However, the district court's decision letter reflects that the assumption was not the only or even a primary factor in its determination to award primary custody to Father. The district court's incorrect assumption is not sufficient to establish that it abused its discretion in awarding primary custody to Father.