Court Opinion

ID: 9513428
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 22:35:30.972079+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:05:51.527302
License: Public Domain

MARING, Justice,
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
[¶ 27] I concur in that part of the majority opinion that concludes the trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to admit the evidence offered by John. I also concur in the majority’s determination that the trial court’s findings under the first and fourth Stout factors were clearly erroneous. Stout v. Stout, 1997 ND 61, ¶ 34, 560 N.W.2d 903. I, however, do not agree the case should be remanded back to the trial court for the trial court to apply a proper analysis of the law to the facts of this case. I believe this case is very similar to Keller v. Keller, 1998 ND 179, 584 N.W.2d 509.
[¶ 28] The trial court erred when it found Vicki had not substantiated economic and noneconomic advantages to the move and when it found visitation could not be restructured to foster and preserve a relationship between the two minor children and John.
[¶ 29] After a review of the record in this case, I am left with a definite and firm conviction the trial court’s finding that it is not in the children’s best interests to permit relocation is clearly erroneous, and I would *774reverse and remand with instructions the trial court enter a judgment permitting the move and establishing an appropriate visitation schedule for the two minor children and their father.
[¶ 30] Mary Muehlen Maring, J.