Court Opinion

ID: 9738183
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 19:44:16.389862+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:04.240264
License: Public Domain

J. T. Kallman, J.
(dissenting). I respectfully dissent from the majority’s holding that the trial court erred in concluding that it was required to uphold the stipulation of the parties. I believe that both the letter and the spirit of the Child Custody Act, MCL 722.21 et seq.; MSA 25.312(1) et seq., support the opposite conclusion.
Section 7 of the act, MCL 722.27; MSA 25.312(7), provides in part:
(1) If a child custody dispute has been submitted to the circuit court as an original action under this act or has arisen incidentally from another action in the circuit court or an order or judgment of the *248circuit court, for the best interests of the child the court may:
(c) Modify or amend its previous judgments or orders for proper cause shown or because of change of circumstances until the child reaches 18 years of age. The court shall not modify or amend its previous judgments or orders or issue a new order so as to change the established custodial environment of a child unless there is presented clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child. The custodial environment of a child is established if over an appreciable time the child naturally looks to the custodian in that environment for guidance, discipline, the necessities of life, and parental comfort. The age of the child, the physical environment, and the inclination of the custodian and the child as to permanency of the relationship shall also be considered. [Emphasis added.]
Accordingly, this Court has held that a trial court’s failure to make specific findings of fact regarding each of the best interest factors is error requiring reversal. Currey v Currey, 109 Mich App 111, 117-118; 310 NW2d 913 (1981); Zawisa v Zawisa, 61 Mich App 1, 5; 232 NW2d 275 (1975).
However, in such cases, a controversy existed between the parties regarding custody. Significantly, the basis for this Court’s holding that specific findings of fact must be rendered as to each statutory factor was GCR 1963, 517.1, now MCR 2.517(A). Zawisa, supra. That court rule requires trial courts to specifically and separately state their findings of fact and conclusions of law when a matter is heard without a jury. The purpose of the rule requirement is to facilitate appellate review. Petrey v Petrey, 127 Mich App 577, 579; 399 NW2d 226 (1983). Thus, no specific findings are necessary where a trial court disposes of a *249matter by summary disposition or where the factual issues are uncontested. Salazar v Barrera, 148 Mich App 624, 631; 384 NW2d 826 (1986); People v Robinson, 145 Mich App 562, 565-566; 378 NW2d 551 (1985).
The Child Custody Act mandates hearing and consideration of the best interest factors only when the court is presented with a "custody dispute.” Here, the parties presented the court with an agreement to change Andrew’s custody. Hence, there was no "dispute” and thus no concomitant need for determination of each of the best interest factors. The majority’s conclusion is not mandated by the Child Custody Act.
Moreover, the policy considerations which lead courts to enforce stipulations apply here. It is important that parties be able to settle cases fairly and finally on the record, and such settlement should not be upset because of any subjective hesitation or secret reservation on the part of either party. Meyer v Rosenbaum, 71 Mich App 388, 393; 248 NW2d 558 (1976). Thus, when a party approves an order or consents to a judgment by stipulation, the resultant judgment or order is ordinarily binding upon the parties and the court. Wold v Jeep Corp, 141 Mich App 476, 479; 367 NW2d 421 lv den 423 Mich 859 (1985); Christopher v Nelson, 50 Mich App 710, 712; 213 NW2d 867 (1973), lv den 391 Mich 819 (1974).
Mutually agreeable settlements are particularly valuable in child custody cases. The act itself provides that it is to be "liberally construed and applied to establish promptly the rights of the child and the rights and duties of the parties involved.” MCL 722.26; MSA 25.312(6). Few methods are quicker and less strenuous on family relationships than agreements of the parties. If a court accepts and enforces a stipulated custody arrange*250ment, the affected child is relieved of the tension and competition of parents often present in custody hearings. Such results, serving the child’s best interest, should be encouraged.
Nor does enforcement of custody stipulations deprive either parent or the child of future remedy. If circumstances and facts change so that the child’s interest would be better served by changing custody, a petition to change custody may always be filed pursuant to MCL 722.27; MSA 25.312(7). Similarly, if the stipulation was obtained by fraud, mistake or unconscionable advantage, it may be set aside upon proper pleading and proofs. Greaves v Greaves, 148 Mich App 643, 646; 384 NW2d 830 (1986).
Due to circumstances in part the responsibility of appellant, the trial court never held an evidentiary hearing on her allegation that she was compelled to agree to the custody change because of inadequate finances. At most, the appellant is entitled to a hearing on that issue. I would therefore remand to the trial court for a determination of whether the stipulation should be set aside due to fraud, mistake or duress.