Opinion ID: 884781
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: After

Text: discussion with the parties, Judge Sherlock modified the agreement by deleting the reference to Schedule A and by including language that the debt obligations shall be paid by [Gene]. Both Judge Sherlock and Gene initialed the modification, but Geng Hui did not. Judge Sherlock later testified that he believed the change was to cover all debts, including the family home, and that he was not made aware of the fact that Geng Hui remained liable for house payments every other month. He also testified that he did not inquire about child support calculations or whether the agreement was unconscionable because when the parties have agreed, it is not his practice to second-guess the numbers. ¶14 That same day, the District Court made its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a decree of dissolution in which it approved the agreement between the parties. No notice of entry of judgment was filed at that time. ¶15 After she retained new counsel, Geng Hui filed a Rule 60(b), M.R.Civ.P., motion on July 3, 1996, to set aside the District Court's October 26, 1995, findings, conclusions, and file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/cu1046/Desktop/opinions/97-303%20Opinion.htm (4 of 8)4/25/2007 9:28:06 AM 97-303 decree. She asserted that Gene engaged in misrepresentation, fraud, and other misconduct in preparation of the agreement, and that the agreement failed to value the marital estate and to make child support calculations pursuant to the Uniform Child Support Guidelines. Gene, who also had retained new counsel, moved to dismiss the motion on the grounds that it was not timely. On October 29, 1996, the District Court concluded that since no notice of entry of judgment was ever filed in the case, Geng Hui's motion was timely and, therefore, it denied Gene's motion to dismiss. The District Court failed, however, to rule on Geng Hui's motion. Furthermore, Judge Sherlock recused himself from the case, and Judge Honzel eventually assumed jurisdiction over the matter. ¶16 On November 25, 1996, Gene filed a notice of entry of judgment. On December 6, 1996, Geng Hui renewed her Rule 60(b) motion. The District Court conducted a hearing on January 29 and 30, 1997, at which Judge Sherlock, the parties, and others testified regarding the agreement and decree. ¶17 On February 4, 1997, the District Court issued its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order, along with a memorandum explaining its decision. It found that a number of things had not been mentioned in the separation agreement, such as the parties' incomes, child support calculations, the chiropractic business, and the property values, and that the agreement referred to certain schedules which were, in fact, never attached. It concluded that there were ambiguities and/or mistakes in the agreement related to the parties' debt responsibilities that warranted a reopening of the agreement as it pertained to the property distribution. It also concluded that Geng Hui's original motion should be deemed denied because it was not decided within sixty days, and that there was no authority for consideration of a second motion.