Opinion ID: 3133175
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶9 We will not overturn a district court’s decision to continue, amend, or make permanent an order of protection absent an abuse of discretion. Lockhead v. Lockhead, 2013 MT 368, ¶ 12, 373 Mont. 120, 314 P.3d 915. ¶10 We generally review a district court’s denial of a motion to amend pleadings to determine whether the district court abused its discretion. Kershaw v. Mont. Dept. of Transp., 2011 MT 170, ¶ 11, 361 Mont. 215, 257 P.3d 358. “A district court abuses its discretion when ‘it acts arbitrarily, without employment of conscientious judgment, or in excess of the bounds of reason resulting in substantial injustice.’” Kershaw, ¶ 11 (quoting Bitterroot River Protective Ass’n v. Bitterroot Conservation Dist., 2011 MT 51, ¶ 11, 359 Mont. 393, 251 P.3d 131). ¶11 We review a district court’s grant of summary judgment de novo, applying the criteria outlined in M. R. Civ. P. 56. Kershaw, ¶ 9. “Summary judgment is appropriate only when there is no genuine issue of material fact, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Kershaw, ¶ 9 (quoting Town & Country Foods, Inc. v. City of Bozeman, 2009 MT 72, ¶ 12, 349 Mont. 453, 203 P.3d 1283). 5 ¶12 A district court’s award of attorney’s fees is a discretionary ruling which we review to determine whether the court abused its discretion. In re Estate of McDermott, 2002 MT 164, ¶ 31, 310 Mont. 435, 51 P.3d 486.