IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF JEFFREY L. RONSHAUGEN,
KIMBERLY JEAN RONSHAUGEN, Respondent/Respondent.
APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Eighth Judicial District, In and for the County of Cascade, The Honorable Thomas McKittrick, Judge presiding.
COUNSEL OF RECORD: For Appellant: Daniel L. Falcon, Matteucci, Falcon, Squires & Lester, Great Falls, Montana For Respondent: Joan E. Cook & M. Gene Allison, Law Offices of Joan E. Cook, Great Falls, Montana
Submitted on Briefs: April 18, 1996 Decided: August 15, 1996 Filed:
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Clerk / Justice James C. Nelson delivered the Opinion of the Court.
Pursuant to Section I, Paragraph 3 (c), Montana Supreme Court 1995 Internal Operating Rules, the following decision shall not be cited as precedent and shall be published by its filing as a public document with the Clerk of the Supreme Court and by a report of its result to State Reporter Publishing Company and West Publishing Company. Appellant Jeffrey Ronehaugen appeals from the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order entered by the Eighth Judicial District Court, Cascade County, dissolving his marriage with his wife Kimberly, dividing the parties1 property, and awarding child support, custody, and visitation. we affirm. ISSUES Jeffrey raises the following issues on appeal: 1) Did the District Court err in changing primary physical custody of the parties' three minor children from Jeffrey to Kimberly? 2) Did the District Court err in calculating child support based on Jeffrey's income earned the previous year?
3) Did the District Court err in its division of the parties' personal property? 4) Did the District Court err in awarding Kimberly attorney fees? BACKGROUND Jeffrey and Kimberly Ronshaugen were married on April 1, 1988, in Seattle, Washington. Three children, now ages 7, 5, and 4, were born of the marriage. The parties acquired real property in Great Falls, Montana, which they sold when they separated in May 1993. At the time of the separation, Jeffrey worked for Cascade Circulation, a telemarketing firm, earning $74,207 in 1994.
Because he thought that he might be laid off from employment and to gain more flexible hours. Jeffrey voluntarily terminated his position with Cascade Circulation and became self-employed, reducing his income to approximately $37,000. In his new job, Jeffrey had to work on weekends. Jeffrey petitioned for dissolution of the marriage on June 23, 1993 and moved the District Court for temporary custody of the children. The court awarded the parties joint custody with primary physical custody with Jeffrey and first only allowed Kimberly supervised visitation but later allowed her unsupervised visitation. Upon Kimberly's request, the District Court appointed an attorney to represent the children. The District Court also granted Kimberly's motion to conduct psychological evaluations on the children. Following trial, the attorney for the children filed a recommendation that primary physical custody be changed to Kimberly. On August 15, 1995, the District Court issued its findings of fact, conclusions of law and order, granting the parties joint custody with primary phys'ical custody with Kimberly, awarding Jeffrey visitation for two days in alternating weeks, visitation for alternating holidays, and 30 consecutive days in the summer, awarding child support of $1,224 per month to Kimberly, ordering Jeffrey to pay 95% of all uncovered medical expenses, and ordering Jeffrey to pay one-half of Kimberly's attorney fees. Jeffrey appeals the District Court's findings of fact, conclusions of law and order. DISCUSSION 1) Did the District Court err in changing primary physical custody of the parties' three minor children from Jeffrey to Kimberly? We review a district court's award of child custody to determine whether the district court's findings are clearly erroneous. In re Marriage of DeWitt (1995), 273 Mont. 513, 516, 905 P.2d 1084, 1085 (citing In re Marriage of Dreesbach (1994), 265 Mont. 216, 220-21, 875 P.2d 1018, 1021) . The findings of fact must be based on substantial credible evidence and will be upheld unless it is shown that the District Court clearly abused its discretion. Marriaqe of DeWitt, 905 P.2d at 1085. Jeffrey contends that in light of the applicable law and public policy, the District Court abused its discretion by appointing Kimberly as the primary physical custodian of the children. A district court must determine child custody in accordance with the best interests of the child as set forth in § 40-4-212, MCA. However, the court need not make specific findings on each factor of § 40-4-212, MCA. Marriaqe of Dreesbach, 875 P.2d at 1021. In the instant case, the findings of fact and conclusions of law indicate that the District Court considered the best interests of the children. Specifically, the District Court noted that Kimberly's "work, daycare, and living arrangements appear to be more suited to a stable lifestyle for the children." Additionally, the District Court found that the oldest daughter expressed a desire to spend more time with her mother, that Kimberly's mother would be available to provide day care for the children, that Kimberly's treating psychiatrist opined that Kimberly could adequately parent her children and does not present a danger to herself or her children, and that although both parents expressed concerns about the threat of physical abuse or chemical abuse, neither appears to be a current factor that would favor one parent over the other. Accordingly, we conclude that there is substantial credible evidence to support the District Court's determination of child custody, and therefore, the court's findings are not clearly erroneous. 2) Did the District Court err in calculating child support based on Jeffrey's income earned the previous year? Jeffrey contends that the District Court erred in calculating child support by imputing excessive income to Jeffrey and too little income to Kimberly. We review a district court's award of child support to determine if the District Court abused its discretion. Marriaqe of ~ewitt,905 P.2d at 1086 (citing In re Marriage of Craib (1994), 266 Mont. 483, 490, 880 P.2d 1379, 1384). Section 40-4-204, MCA, sets forth the standards that a district court must consider when awarding child support. Furthermore, Title 46, Chapter 30 of the Administrative Rules of Montana sets forth the guidelines that must be used in all cases awarding child support. See also Brandon v. Brandon (1995), 271 Mont. 149, 152, 894 P.2d 951, 953. We have held that a district court may impute income to under-employed or unemployed parents after examining the reasons for the limitation on the earnings. In re Marriage of Gebhardt (19'89),240 Mont. 165, 171, 783 P.2d 400, 404. A district court is obliged to consider the employment opportunities available in the local job market for under-employed parents. In the instant case, the District Court based its award of $1,224 per month in child support on Jeffrey's gross income for 1994. The court based its child support calculations on Jeffrey's demonstrated ability to earn $74,207 and on its finding that Jeffrey voluntarily terminated his employment with Cascade Circulation and therefore voluntarily took a 50% cut in pay.
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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF JEFFREY L. RONSHAUGEN,
KIMBERLY JEAN RONSHAUGEN, Respondent/Respondent.
APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Eighth Judicial District, In and for the County of Cascade, The Honorable Thomas McKittrick, Judge presiding.
COUNSEL OF RECORD: For Appellant: Daniel L. Falcon, Matteucci, Falcon, Squires & Lester, Great Falls, Montana For Respondent: Joan E. Cook & M. Gene Allison, Law Offices of Joan E. Cook, Great Falls, Montana
Submitted on Briefs: April 18, 1996 Decided: August 15, 1996 Filed:
', :* : ,,. . i; # \ < :-;;i.v Jw: 6"M a
Clerk / Justice James C. Nelson delivered the Opinion of the Court.
Pursuant to Section I, Paragraph 3 (c), Montana Supreme Court 1995 Internal Operating Rules, the following decision shall not be cited as precedent and shall be published by its filing as a public document with the Clerk of the Supreme Court and by a report of its result to State Reporter Publishing Company and West Publishing Company. Appellant Jeffrey Ronehaugen appeals from the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order entered by the Eighth Judicial District Court, Cascade County, dissolving his marriage with his wife Kimberly, dividing the parties1 property, and awarding child support, custody, and visitation. we affirm. ISSUES Jeffrey raises the following issues on appeal: 1) Did the District Court err in changing primary physical custody of the parties' three minor children from Jeffrey to Kimberly? 2) Did the District Court err in calculating child support based on Jeffrey's income earned the previous year?
3) Did the District Court err in its division of the parties' personal property? 4) Did the District Court err in awarding Kimberly attorney fees? BACKGROUND Jeffrey and Kimberly Ronshaugen were married on April 1, 1988, in Seattle, Washington. Three children, now ages 7, 5, and 4, were born of the marriage. The parties acquired real property in Great Falls, Montana, which they sold when they separated in May 1993. At the time of the separation, Jeffrey worked for Cascade Circulation, a telemarketing firm, earning $74,207 in 1994.
Because he thought that he might be laid off from employment and to gain more flexible hours. Jeffrey voluntarily terminated his position with Cascade Circulation and became self-employed, reducing his income to approximately $37,000. In his new job, Jeffrey had to work on weekends. Jeffrey petitioned for dissolution of the marriage on June 23, 1993 and moved the District Court for temporary custody of the children. The court awarded the parties joint custody with primary physical custody with Jeffrey and first only allowed Kimberly supervised visitation but later allowed her unsupervised visitation. Upon Kimberly's request, the District Court appointed an attorney to represent the children. The District Court also granted Kimberly's motion to conduct psychological evaluations on the children. Following trial, the attorney for the children filed a recommendation that primary physical custody be changed to Kimberly. On August 15, 1995, the District Court issued its findings of fact, conclusions of law and order, granting the parties joint custody with primary phys'ical custody with Kimberly, awarding Jeffrey visitation for two days in alternating weeks, visitation for alternating holidays, and 30 consecutive days in the summer, awarding child support of $1,224 per month to Kimberly, ordering Jeffrey to pay 95% of all uncovered medical expenses, and ordering Jeffrey to pay one-half of Kimberly's attorney fees. Jeffrey appeals the District Court's findings of fact, conclusions of law and order. DISCUSSION 1) Did the District Court err in changing primary physical custody of the parties' three minor children from Jeffrey to Kimberly? We review a district court's award of child custody to determine whether the district court's findings are clearly erroneous. In re Marriage of DeWitt (1995), 273 Mont. 513, 516, 905 P.2d 1084, 1085 (citing In re Marriage of Dreesbach (1994), 265 Mont. 216, 220-21, 875 P.2d 1018, 1021) . The findings of fact must be based on substantial credible evidence and will be upheld unless it is shown that the District Court clearly abused its discretion. Marriaqe of DeWitt, 905 P.2d at 1085. Jeffrey contends that in light of the applicable law and public policy, the District Court abused its discretion by appointing Kimberly as the primary physical custodian of the children. A district court must determine child custody in accordance with the best interests of the child as set forth in § 40-4-212, MCA. However, the court need not make specific findings on each factor of § 40-4-212, MCA. Marriaqe of Dreesbach, 875 P.2d at 1021. In the instant case, the findings of fact and conclusions of law indicate that the District Court considered the best interests of the children. Specifically, the District Court noted that Kimberly's "work, daycare, and living arrangements appear to be more suited to a stable lifestyle for the children." Additionally, the District Court found that the oldest daughter expressed a desire to spend more time with her mother, that Kimberly's mother would be available to provide day care for the children, that Kimberly's treating psychiatrist opined that Kimberly could adequately parent her children and does not present a danger to herself or her children, and that although both parents expressed concerns about the threat of physical abuse or chemical abuse, neither appears to be a current factor that would favor one parent over the other. Accordingly, we conclude that there is substantial credible evidence to support the District Court's determination of child custody, and therefore, the court's findings are not clearly erroneous. 2) Did the District Court err in calculating child support based on Jeffrey's income earned the previous year? Jeffrey contends that the District Court erred in calculating child support by imputing excessive income to Jeffrey and too little income to Kimberly. We review a district court's award of child support to determine if the District Court abused its discretion. Marriaqe of ~ewitt,905 P.2d at 1086 (citing In re Marriage of Craib (1994), 266 Mont. 483, 490, 880 P.2d 1379, 1384). Section 40-4-204, MCA, sets forth the standards that a district court must consider when awarding child support. Furthermore, Title 46, Chapter 30 of the Administrative Rules of Montana sets forth the guidelines that must be used in all cases awarding child support. See also Brandon v. Brandon (1995), 271 Mont. 149, 152, 894 P.2d 951, 953. We have held that a district court may impute income to under-employed or unemployed parents after examining the reasons for the limitation on the earnings. In re Marriage of Gebhardt (19'89),240 Mont. 165, 171, 783 P.2d 400, 404. A district court is obliged to consider the employment opportunities available in the local job market for under-employed parents. In the instant case, the District Court based its award of $1,224 per month in child support on Jeffrey's gross income for 1994. The court based its child support calculations on Jeffrey's demonstrated ability to earn $74,207 and on its finding that Jeffrey voluntarily terminated his employment with Cascade Circulation and therefore voluntarily took a 50% cut in pay. The District Court clearly examined Jeffrey's reasons for leaving his job with Cascade Circulation and acknowledged that Jeffrey thought that he might be laid off, but the court nonetheless found that Jeffrey left his job voluntarily. Because the District Court examined Jeffrey's reasons for taking a lower paying job before imputing income to him, we conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion in calculating child support based on Jeffrey's income earned the previous year.
3) Did the District Court err in its division of the parties' personal property? Jeffrey contends that the District Court erred in equally
dividing the proceeds from the sale of the parties' real property, the proceeds from the parties' joint bank accounts and erred in
dividing Jeffrey's life insurance and pension without hearing
testimony on them. Specifically, Jeffrey claims that Kimberly did not present substantial credible evidence regarding the division of
the marital estate We review a district court's division of marital property to
determine whether the district court's findings of fact are clearly erroneous. Marriase of DeWitt, 905 P.2d at 1087 (citing In re
Marriage of Smith (1995), 270 Mont. 263, 267, 891 P.2d 522, 525). Where substantial credible evidence supports the court's findings and judgment, this Court will not alter the district court's
decision unless there is an abuse of discretion. Marriaqe of DeWitt, 905 P.2d at 1087. Section 40-4-202,MCA, directs a district court to equitably
apportion between the parties the property and assets belonging to
either or both. Similarly, we have granted broad discretion to the district courts to equitably apportion marital assets. See In re Marriage of Danelson (1992), 253 Mont. 310, 317, 833 P.2d 215, 219-
20.
Here, the record supports that the proceeds from the sale of
real property amounted to $2,983.44 and the joint bank accounts
totalled $7,126.72. The District Court concluded that these assets
should be divided equitably and equally. Moreover, Jeffrey included his life insurance and pension on his list of property. Accordingly, we hold that substantial credible evidence supports
the District Court's findings and judgment and there is nothing in the record to indicate that the District Court abused its
discretion in apportioning the marital estate.
4) Did the District Court err in awarding Kimberly attorney fees?
Jeffrey contends that the District Court erred in failing to
accurately consider Kimberly's financial resources when awarding her attorney fees. We review an order granting attorney fees for an abuse of discretion. In re Marriage of Barnard (1994), 264
Mont. 103, 109, 870 P.2d 91, 95. Therefore, when reviewing a grant of attorney fees, this Court will not disturb a District Court's findings on appeal if substantial credible evidence supports those findings. In re Marriage of Hall (1990), 244 Mont. 428, 436, 798
P.2d 117, 122. Section 40-4-110, MCA, gives a district court discretion, after considering the financial resources of both parties, to award
attorney fees. Marriaqe of Barnard, 870 P.2d at 95. "An award of attorney fees under this statute must be based on necessity, must
be reasonable, and must be based on competent evidence." Marriaqe
of Barnard, 870 P.2d at 95. In Marriaqe of Barnard, we held that the party requesting attbrney fees must make a showing of necessity.
Although Jeffrey contends that Kimberly's "financial picture was not as bleak as she presented," Kimberly contends that she pays
for her own auto insurance and that she was $15,000 in debt at the time of trial. Moreover, the District Court found that Kimberly makes approximately $500 a month working for a log manufacturing business, but that her total monthly expenses total more than $1,200. The District Court also noted that Kimberly borrows money from her mother to cover the monthly deficit. After reviewing the record, we conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion. We hold that substantial credible evidence supports the District Court's conclusion that the award of attorney fees was based on necessity. Affirmed .
We Concur: -R
Chief Justi