Court Opinion

ID: 9883363
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-06 01:40:50.131954+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:48:22.875411
License: Public Domain

LESLIE, Judge
(dissenting).
I respectfully dissent from that part of this decision concerning joint legal custody. Minn.Stat. § 518.17, subd. 2 (1984) directs the trial court to consider three relevant factors where joint legal custody is “contemplated or sought”: the ability of the parents to cooperate in raising the children; their methods for resolving disputes regarding major decisions concerning the children and their willingness to use those methods; and whether it would be detrimental to the children if one parent were to have sole authority over the children’s upbringing. The trial court must consider these factors if joint legal custody is contemplated or sought. See Berthiaume v. Berthiaume, 368 N.W.2d 328, 332 (Minn.Ct.App.1985). Because the trial court failed to make findings considering these factors, I would reverse and remand on the issue of joint legal custody.
I am concerned with the failure of the majority to confront this important issue. Instead, the majority dismisses this important issue on a mere technicality of civil procedure. This approach is contrary to a basic tenet of civil procedure that the rules of civil procedure should be interpreted to secure the just determination of every action. See Minn.R.Civ.P. 1. For the parent in any dissolution case, mother or father, it is a matter of fundamental fairness to not dismiss important issues concerning his or her children on the basis of strictly interpreted rules of procedure.
The majority’s reliance on Minnesota Rule of Civil Procedure 15.02 is inappropriate. The Rules of Civil Procedure are inapplicable in divorce cases to the extent that they are inconsistent or in conflict with the procedures in Minn.Stat. ch. 518. See Minn.R.Civ.P. 81.01(1). The question, therefore, is not whether the issue has been litigated but whether the issue was contemplated or sought.
The record clearly shows that joint custody was contemplated at trial. The majority is incorrect in saying that the issue of joint legal custody was merely “alluded to by respondent’s counsel.” The record shows that on at least four separate occasions the issue of joint legal custody was raised by appellant’s counsel during the trial. Appellant’s counsel questioned respondent, a social worker, and appellant on two separate occasions about the possibility of joint legal custody. On none of these occasions did respondent object to this line of questioning. Appellant’s memoranda and proposed order discussing joint legal custody also shows that appellant’s counsel clearly felt that the issue of joint legal custody had been raised and was before the court.
*395It is significant that both appellant and respondent sought custody of their children. When both parties seek physical custody, one party should not be surprised if the other later asks for joint legal custody. Indeed, I am of the opinion that under Minn.Stat. § 518.17, subd. 3 (1984), the issue of joint legal custody is inherently before the court in every disputed custody case.
I would not be so strongly inclined to dissent in this case if the record contained strong evidence that joint legal custody would be ineffective or that appellant was an unfit parent. However, to the contrary, the record shows that appellant, a school counselor, is uniquely well qualified to help make decisions affecting his children’s future. The children obviously love their father, and there is no substantial evidence suggesting that he should not participate in decisions relating to the rearing of his children. Although the parties had the usual problems while the divorce was pending, the record shows that overall they have cooperated well during the difficult dissolution process. The record certainly does not show that they are incapable of continuing to cooperate or that joint legal custody would not be in the best interest of the children.1
Because the record shows that joint legal custody was clearly contemplated at trial and because the evidence could support a finding of joint legal custody, I would reverse and remand and require the trial court to make findings on this significant issue.

. I note that the legislature has recently amended Minn.Stat. § 518.17, subd. 2 to create a rebut-table presumption that joint legal custody is in the best interest of the children. Although that rebuttable presumption may not be applicable in this case, the evidence in the present case could certainly support a finding that it would be in the best interest of the children to order joint legal custody.