Court Opinion

ID: 9739745
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:20:19.772275+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:13.745072
License: Public Domain

L. P. Borrello, J.
(concurring). I concur in the result. However, I write to hopefully clarify the standard of review in divorce and custody cases. Various panels of this Court keep referring to a review "de novo” in divorce and custody cases. I do not believe there is a review "de novo” in either divorce or custody cases. Hence, I must respectfully disagree with the majority when they state or infer that it is proper to continue to apply a review de novo standard in child custody cases.
In divorce cases, the factual findings of the trial court are reviewed by the "clearly erroneous standard.” Beason v Beason, 435 Mich 791, 802-803; 460 NW2d 207 (1990).
Dispositional rulings on property division in divorce cases should be affirmed unless the appellate court is left with the firm conviction that the division was inequitable. Sparks v Sparks, 440 Mich 141, 151-152; 485 NW2d 893 (1992).
*523The standard of review in child custody cases is set forth in MCL 722.28; MSA 25.312(8) as stated in the majority opinion.
That statute specifically and unequivocally precludes review de novo in child custody cases. I believe the continued reference to a review "de novo” in divorce and custody cases is both confusing to the bench and bar and erroneous.