Court Opinion

ID: 9586527
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:12:25.317367+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:32:42.215100
License: Public Domain

Judge EAGLES
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent.
We have often stated the rule that in the absence of a proper objection and exception, we are bound by the trial court’s findings of fact. See Smith v. Quinn, 324 N.C. 316, 378 S.E.2d 28 (1989); Matter of Moore, 306 N.C. 394, 293 S.E.2d 127 (1982); Dealers Specialties, Inc. v. Neighborhood Housing Serv., Inc., 305 N.C. 633, 291 S.E.2d 137 (1982); Couch v. North Carolina Employment Sec. Comm’n, 89 N.C. App. 405, 366 S.E.2d 574, aff’d per curiam, 323 N.C. 472, 373 S.E.2d 440 (1988); Concrete Serv. Corp. v. Investors Group, Inc., 79 N.C. App. 678, 340 S.E.2d 755, cert. denied, 317 N.C. 333, 346 S.E.2d 137 (1986); Anderson Chevrolet/Olds, Inc. v. Higgins, 57 N.C. App. 650, 292 S.E.2d 159 (1982). By our appellate rules we confine the scope of an appeal to matters previously made the subject of a proper exception and assignment of error. App. R. 10(a).
Here, there was no objection or exception to the trial court’s finding of fact, no assignment of error, no cross-assignment of error by appellee, and no argument in either brief as to the validity of any of the findings of fact.
The majority has examined the record on appeal (which was prepared by the parties with its focus on the assignments of error) and has determined that the trial court’s finding of fact number 6 is not supported by the record and must be declared invalid.
I disagree because I believe we err when we depart from the orderly appellate review procedures we have utilized over the years and when we begin, for the first time at the appellate level, to challenge and strike down findings of fact to which neither of the adversary parties chose to question or take exception. Because there is no objection, exception, assignment of error or cross-assignment of error challenging finding of fact number 6, I believe we are bound by finding of fact number 6.
*306I agree with the majority that finding of fact number 6, coupled with plaintiffs other allegations of abandonment and adultery, would “clearly warrant reversal” of the order dismissing the action for lack of personal jurisdiction over the defendant. Accordingly, I would vote to reverse.