Court Opinion

ID: 9663281
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 23:33:58.837998+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:14:45.833005
License: Public Domain

VANDE WALLE, Justice,
concurring specially.
I agree that a remand for the purpose of entering adequate findings on the relevant matters specified in NDCC § 14-09-05.1, i.e., that the visitation would be in the best interests of the minor and would not interfere with the parent-child relationship, is necessary. Procedurally, this case is strikingly similar to Anderson v. Anderson, 448 N.W.2d 181, 182 (N.D.1989), in which the Court reversed a custody award because “the trial court failed to address the issue of whether there has been a significant change of circumstances since the original custody decree was entered.”
I concurred specially in Anderson, observing that “There are times when we must exalt form over substance and this may be one of those times.” Anderson, supra, 448 N.W.2d at 183 (VandeWalle, J., concurring specially). I am of a similar mind in this instance. Section 14-09-05.1 was enacted in 1983 and is thus a relatively recent statute. My research reveals only two opinions of this Court which have cited this section and none which have construed it. See In Interest of A.M.A., 439 N.W.2d 535 (N.D.1989); Quirk v. Swanson, 368 N.W.2d 557 (N.D.1985). We have said that a trial court’s award of visitation is a finding of fact that will not be overturned on appeal unless it is clearly erroneous, Quirk v. Swanson, supra, and it should be evident from our numerous decisions applying Rule 52, NDRCivP, to a motion to change custody that we cannot review the order of the trial court to determine whether or not it is clearly erroneous without specific findings of fact. E.g., Muraskin v. Muraskin, 283 N.W.2d 140 (N.D.1979). [Although, generally, trial courts are not required to prepare findings on motions under Rule 52(a), there is an exception to motions involving a modification of child custody. The fact-finding process is necessary in this situation to facilitate a proper determination of whether or not there has been a material change in circumstances to justify a change of custody.] Here, although visitation, and not a change in custody, is at issue, I agree the same principle applies. Nevertheless, as set forth in the majority opinion, there is a tension between Rule 52 and § 14-09-05.1 which heretofore has not been adequately exposed.
One final remark. We might assume that if there has been a friendly on-going relationship between the child and the grandparents in the past, as the record reflects in this instance, that it is taken for granted that visitation is in the best interests of the child. If that were the only issue here, as indicated in Anderson, supra, I would affirm. However, the record is not as clear concerning the other requirement of § 14-09-05.1, i.e., that the visitation will not interfere with the parent-child relationship. In view of this record, I believe particular findings of fact with regard to that requirement of the statute are necessary for this Court to adequately review the visitation award.