Court Opinion

ID: 9862238
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-25 01:04:39.71119+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:24:38.427674
License: Public Domain

SANDSTROM, Justice,
dissenting.
[¶ 16] This case is the poster child for persistent and willful interference with visitation by a custodial parent and for persistent noncompliance with the law by a district court. See Sweeney v. Sweeney, 2002 ND 206, 654 N.W.2d 407; Sweeney v. Sweeney, 2005 ND 47, 693 N.W.2d 29. We have previously found the district court abused its discretion, id. at ¶ 17 (“We therefore conclude the trial court abused its discretion in denying Sweeney’s request for costs and attorney fees under N.D.C.C. § 14-09-24.”), and it has done so again. The statute requires that the attorney fees awarded be reasonable in these cases. N.D.C.C. § 14-09-24. Out of nearly $50,000 in attorney fees incurred by the noncustodial parent seeking to vindicate his legislatively guaranteed visitation rights, the district court awarded $5,000 as “reasonable.” Does the majority really believe that amount reasonably covers not only the proceedings in district court, but one appeal to this Court, let alone two appeals? Or three?
[¶ 17] I would reverse and remand to a different judge. See T.F. James Co. v. Vakoch, 2001 ND 112, ¶¶ 18-19, 628 N.W.2d 298; Holzer v. Jochim, 557 N.W.2d 57, 59 (N.D.1996).
[¶ 18] Dale Y. Sandstrom