Opinion ID: 1230110
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: summer visitation

Text: A trial court's determination on visitation is treated as a finding of fact which will not be reversed unless it is clearly erroneous. Quirk v. Swanson, 368 N.W.2d 557 (N.D.1985); see Schempp-Cook v. Cook, 455 N.W.2d 216 (N.D.1990). The purpose of visitation is to promote the best interests of the child. Muraskin v. Muraskin, 336 N.W.2d 332 (N.D.1983). Ordinarily, visitation between a child and noncustodial parent is viewed as being in the best interests of the child and not merely a privilege of the noncustodial parent but a right of the child. Persons v. Persons, 396 N.W.2d 744 (N.D.1986); Burich v. Burich, 314 N.W.2d 82 (N.D.1981). The noncustodial parent is deprived of visitation only if visitation is likely to endanger the child's physical or emotional health. NDCC § 14-05-22(2). Jancie argues that the trial court's visitation order was clearly erroneous because it denied her extended summer visitation with her child if she remained in North Dakota. She argues that it is in her child's best interests to be granted some extended summer visitation with her because a stable time period for meaningful quality visitation would foster the child-parent relationship in a positive manner apart from what is provided by scattered weekend visits. Bruce argues that Jancie is only concerned with what is best for her, not the child, and says that Jancie has not cited any authority which substantiates her position that extended summer visitation is in their son's best interests. However, our research indicates that, absent a reason for denying it, some form of extended summer visitation with a fit noncustodial parent is routinely awarded if a child is old enough. E.g., Lithun v. DuPaul, 447 N.W.2d 297 (N.D.1989) [liberal visitation including thirty days during the summer plus alternating weekends and holidays revoked only upon conclusion by trial court that visitation with the noncustodial parent had a detrimental effect on the children]; Moody through Sax v. Moody, 405 N.W.2d 19 (N.D.1987) [reasonable visitation included one weekend a month plus four weeks' summer visitation upon the child's completion of the first grade]; and Persons v. Persons, 396 N.W.2d 744 (N.D. 1986) [visitation award of every Thursday, alternating weekends and two consecutive summer weeks upheld]. See also Bergstrom v. Bergstrom, 320 N.W.2d 119 (N.D. 1982) [noncustodial parent shall be entitled to designate a two week period of summer visitation during the summer months of each year for purposes of vacationing with the child.]. Of course, the cases we rely upon simply affirm trial court decisions. But our point and the point of the cases is that it appears to be customary practice to provide extended summer visitation when children are old enough. Jancie requested such visitation but the trial court, without explanation, denied it when it determined visitation. Absent an explanation or reason for the trial court's failure to grant some sort of extended summer visition if Jancie remains in North Dakota, we conclude it erred in that regard. We find no evidence that would lead us to believe that the trial court would find that extended summer visitation would be detrimental to the child if Jancie remains in North Dakota. To the contrary, the trial court determined Jancie to be mentally, physically and morally fit and characterized her relationship with her child as excellent, with love, affection and positive emotional ties between them. It also awarded extended visitation in the event Jancie moved from North Dakota. We reverse that portion of the judgment that denies extended summer visitation and remand so the parties can present to the trial court their agreement for such visitation or their respective proposals for visitation. The trial court shall decide the duration of the extended summer visitation consonant with the best interests of the child. The remainder of the judgment is affirmed. Bruce asked for attorney's fees under NDRCivP 38. Obviously, this appeal is not frivolous and we deny the request. ERICKSTAD, C.J., and VANDE WALLE and MESCHKE, JJ., concur. Justice H.F. GIERKE, a member of the Court when this case was heard, resigned effective November 20, 1991, to accept appointment to the United States Court of Military Appeals and did not participate in this decision.