Court Opinion

ID: 9916432
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-01-09 23:06:31.81569+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:25:25.465808
License: Public Domain

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                                                                                              01/09/2024

           IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
                                                                                          Case Number: DA 23-0747

                                         DA 23-0747

 IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF:

 SHAWN M. STUZMAN,

              Petitioner and Appellee,
                                                                    ORDER
       and

 KRIS STUTZMAN,

              Respondent and Appellant.
                                                                             JAN 0 9 2024
                                                                          Bowen Greenwood
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       Self-represented Kris Stutzman (Kris) has filed an "Emergency Notice of Appeal,
Request for Stay Order, and Injunction" in her recently filed appeal. She also filed an
amended document with the same title. Kris explains that she seeks relief from the
Twentieth Judicial District Court, Lake County, December 7, 2023 Order in a dissolution
matter. She includes copies of several judgments as well as the case register of actions.
       We reviewed the attachments. Through counsel, Shawn M. Stutzman (Shawn)
petitioned the District Court for a dissolution of marriage in April 2022. Kris filed a
response to the Petition. On October 27, 2022, the court dismissed a temporary order of
protection sought by Shawn and vacated the hearing. In November, Kris's counsel filed a
notice of appearance.
       As of March 1, 2023, Shawn moved to compel the sale of real property. Kris filed
a response on March 20, 2023, and her counsel moved to withdraw representation nine
days later. The court continued the deadlines in the proceeding, and Kris had other counsel
in late April 2023. On May 5, 2023, the Marital and Property Settlement Agreement as
well as a Stipulated Parenting Plan were filed. The parties also filed a Joint Affidavit for
Entry of Decree of Dissolution of Marriage on that day. The court entered its findings and
conclusions on May 11, 2023, and the notice of entry of decree was filed on May 15, 2023.
       In July 2023, Shawn sought a warrant for contempt and statement of charge. Shawn
was seeking to sell the real property. Kris responded in August and later sought additional
time. On August 24, 2023, the court granted her extension and ordered an abeyance. The
court ordered that the "deadline to refinance or assume the mortgage encurnbering the real
property awarded to her pursuant to the parties' May 1, 2023 Martial and Property
Settlement Agreement [was] extended by sixty (60) days from the date of this Order." The
court held Shawn's Warrant for Conternpt and Attorney Fees in abeyance. On December 7,
2023, the Lake County District Court denied Kris's second rnotion of extension of time
and granted Shawn's emergency motion regarding the sale of the rnarital home and
confirming interest on judgment.
       Kris contends that a stay of the judgment or an injunction is appropriate "to prevent
irreparable harrn[.]" She provides that her appeal is urgent and that her fair trial rights have
been violated. She asserts that the property, the marital home, was prematurely listed and
has an inaccurate valuation. She requests an injunction "to maintain a stable and secure
environment for [her] children, aligning with the best interests and the principles of
Montana law."
       Under the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure, a person first rnust seek a stay in
District Court. M. R. App. P. 22(1)(a)(i). The rule provides that "rnotions under this rule
which have not been filed in accordance with sections (1) and (2)(a) of this rule . . . will be
denied summarily." M. R. App. P. 22(4).
       Kris has not indicated that she sought a stay in the District Court prior to seeking
relief here. We secured an updated copy of the register of actions and another order the
court entered after its December 7 order. On December 19, 2023, Shawn filed an Ex Parte
Motion for Temporary Injunction, Motion for Writ of Assistance, Second Motion for
Warrant of Contempt, Statement of Charge, and Motion for Attorney Fees.                     On
December 21, 2023, the District Court issued an Order excluding Kris from the family
home and setting a hearing for January 4, 2024, for Kris to answer the contempt charge.
Kris did not file a motion for stay in the District Court prior to seeking such relief here.

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       Turning to Kris's request for an injunction, M. R. App. P. 14(2) allows the Court to
entertain a petition for writ of injunction as an original proceeding, but this is not an original
proceeding. Kris has sought a direct appeal of the District Court's ruling allowing the sale
of the marital home. As such, Kris's motion for an injunction is in effect a motion to stay
execution of the District Court's judgment pending appeal.
      As explained above, a motion for stay may be summarily dismissed when it does
not comport with this Court's rules. M. R. App. P. 22(4). Kris did not seek a stay in
District Court, and thus, she has not complied with the requirements of M. R. App. P. 22
governing a request for stay.
       IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Kris's Motion for Stay or Injunctive Relief is
DENIED.
       The Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Order to counsel of record and to Kris
Stutzman along with a copy of this Court's Civil Appellate Handbook.
                       A—,
      DATED this 1 "-- day of January, 2024.

                                                                    Chief Justice

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