Justia Civil Procedure Opinion Summaries

Maile Soon and Jeannine Kammann were married when Soon conceived twins through assisted reproduction. Kammann was actively involved in the prenatal care and visited the twins after birth. However, the relationship deteriorated, and Soon moved out and filed for divorce. Despite the separation, Kammann continued to support the twins. Soon later sought to dismiss Kammann’s parentage claim, arguing that Kammann lacked standing because she was not genetically related to the twins.The district court ruled in favor of Soon, concluding that Kammann’s admission of not being the genetic parent rebutted the presumption of parentage. Kammann appealed, and the New Mexico Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s decision, holding that Kammann’s statements alone were insufficient to rebut the presumption of parentage.The New Mexico Supreme Court reviewed the case and affirmed the Court of Appeals' decision. The Supreme Court held that under the New Mexico Uniform Parentage Act (UPA), the presumption of parentage for a spouse when a child is born during a marriage can only be rebutted by admissible genetic testing results. The court emphasized that the best interest of the child is paramount and that genetic testing must be conducted with the consent of both parties or by court order. Since no genetic testing was conducted or admitted, Kammann’s presumption of parentage remained unrebutted. Therefore, Kammann was declared a legal parent of the twins. View "Soon v. Kammann" on Justia Law

Lois and David divorced in 1992, with David ordered to pay child and spousal support. The child support obligation ended in 2001 when their daughter turned 18 and graduated high school, but wage garnishments continued until 2008. In 2021, David sought reimbursement for overpaid child support, claiming he overpaid $46,061.55. Lois opposed, arguing the delay was unreasonable and would cause her financial hardship.The Superior Court of Los Angeles County denied David's request, finding he did not act timely and his reasons for the delay were insufficient to overcome the prejudice to Lois. The court noted David had previously acted to terminate spousal support but did not do so for child support. The court also found Lois had unclean hands, as she likely knew she was receiving overpayments. However, the court granted David $3,000 in attorney fees as sanctions against Lois for failing to comply with court orders.On appeal, David argued that reimbursement of overpaid child support is mandatory under Family Code section 4007 and that laches should not apply. The California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Eight, affirmed the lower court's decision. The appellate court found that the defense of laches did not apply due to Lois's unclean hands but disagreed with David's interpretation of Family Code section 4007. The court noted that the original support order did not require Lois to notify David of the termination of the child support obligation, and it was David's responsibility to terminate the wage garnishment order. The court concluded that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying David's request for reimbursement due to the significant delay and resulting prejudice to Lois. View "In re Marriage of Saraye" on Justia Law

Shahriyar Shayan appealed an order denying his motion to quash a writ of execution for attorney fees filed by Zohreh McIntyre Shayan. The couple married in 2002, had two children, and Zohreh petitioned for dissolution in 2007. In 2010, the family court awarded Zohreh $125,000 in attorney fees. In April 2022, Zohreh sought a writ of execution on the judgment, which Shahriyar contested, arguing it had expired under the 10-year limitation of Code of Civil Procedure section 683.020 and was not renewed as required by section 683.130.The Superior Court of Los Angeles County denied Shahriyar's request to set aside the writ, leading to his appeal. Shahriyar contended that the attorney fees judgment should be subject to the 10-year limitation and renewal requirements, and that Family Code section 291’s exemptions did not apply to such judgments.The California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Eight, reviewed the case de novo. The court held that Family Code section 291, which exempts money judgments entered under the Family Code from the 10-year limitation and renewal requirements, includes judgments for attorney fees. The court found the language of Family Code section 291 unambiguous and supported by legislative history, which aimed to simplify enforcement rules for family law judgments and protect litigants' rights. The court affirmed the lower court's order, concluding that the judgment for attorney fees was enforceable until paid in full and did not require renewal. View "In re Marriage of Shayan" on Justia Law

The petitioner, J.F., appealed the Circuit Court of Kanawha County's order terminating his parental rights to his children, C.F. and T.F. The case began when the Department of Human Services (DHS) filed an abuse and neglect petition against J.F. after he was arrested for various charges, including child neglect. The petition alleged that J.F. had committed acts of domestic violence and verbal abuse in the presence of C.F. T.F. was living with his paternal grandparents under a legal guardianship at the time. The petition included historical allegations of domestic violence involving T.F.'s mother, M.H., and J.F., but no recent allegations involving T.F.The Circuit Court adjudicated J.F. as an abusive and neglectful parent and found both children to be abused and neglected. At the disposition hearing, the court terminated J.F.'s parental rights, citing his incarceration and denial of the abuse, which prevented DHS from providing remedial services. The court also denied J.F. post-termination visitation with his children.The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia reviewed the case. The court found that the Circuit Court failed to make specific findings regarding T.F. being an abused or neglected child, as required by West Virginia Code § 49-4-601. The court noted that T.F. was living with non-abusive guardians and that the allegations of domestic violence involving T.F. were outdated. Consequently, the court vacated the Circuit Court's adjudicatory and dispositional orders concerning T.F. and remanded the case for further proceedings to determine if T.F. met the statutory definition of an abused or neglected child.The court affirmed the termination of J.F.'s parental rights to C.F., agreeing with the lower court's findings that the conditions of abuse and neglect were unlikely to improve due to J.F.'s denial of the circumstances. The court also upheld the denial of post-termination visitation, finding no evidence of a close emotional bond between J.F. and his children or that continued contact would not be detrimental to their well-being. View "In re C.F. and T.F." on Justia Law

The case involves a dispute between two former spouses, Jennifer Knapp and Timothy Dasler, who have a minor daughter together. After their divorce, Dasler engaged in extensive litigation against Knapp, including multiple appeals, motions, and lawsuits in various courts. Knapp sought an order restricting Dasler from engaging in abusive litigation, arguing that his filings were intended to harass and burden her.The Windsor Unit, Family Division of the Superior Court issued a final divorce order in August 2018, awarding Knapp primary custody of their daughter. Dasler appealed this order, but it was affirmed. He continued to file various motions and appeals, including attempts to modify custody and hold Knapp in contempt, all of which were denied. Dasler also initiated lawsuits in New Hampshire and federal courts, which were dismissed. In March 2023, Knapp moved for sanctions against Dasler, claiming his filings were abusive, but the court denied the motion.The Vermont Supreme Court reviewed the case and affirmed the family division’s order restricting Dasler from engaging in abusive litigation. The court found that Dasler’s repetitive filings were made to harass and intimidate Knapp, meeting the criteria for abusive litigation under 15 V.S.A. § 1181. The court concluded that Dasler’s actions, including attempts to relitigate final orders and filing numerous motions for reconsideration, were abusive. The order restricted Dasler from filing motions or engaging in litigation against Knapp unless represented by a licensed attorney or with prefiling approval from the court. The court also dismissed Dasler’s pending motions as abusive and denied his claims that the court erred in its factual findings and procedural rulings. View "Knapp v. Dasler" on Justia Law

Jeffrey Edison appealed an amended divorce judgment that awarded primary residential responsibility of his two children to Signe Edison. He argued that the district court was biased and erred in calculating his income and finding him underemployed for child support purposes. The case had previously been remanded by the North Dakota Supreme Court due to findings of gender bias and errors in income calculation.The district court, on remand, held a status conference and received stipulated evidence, including wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The court then issued orders reaffirming the award of primary residential responsibility to Signe Edison and finding Jeffrey Edison underemployed. Jeffrey Edison appealed again, claiming the district court maintained its bias and failed to follow the Supreme Court's instructions.The North Dakota Supreme Court reviewed the case and found no evidence of judicial bias or prejudgment by the district court. The court noted that adverse rulings alone do not indicate bias and that the district court had eliminated the improper findings related to breastfeeding. The Supreme Court affirmed the district court's award of primary residential responsibility to Signe Edison.Regarding the income calculation, the Supreme Court found that the district court had erred in subtracting self-employment losses from Jeffrey Edison's gross income and failing to include refundable tax credits. However, these errors were deemed harmless as they did not affect the outcome. The court concluded that Jeffrey Edison was underemployed regardless of the errors in income calculation and affirmed the district court's judgment. View "Edison v. Edison" on Justia Law

The Department of Social Services (DSS) filed an abuse and neglect petition concerning two minor children, N.K., Jr. and S.K., who are Indian children under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The children were taken into emergency temporary custody after their father, N.K., Sr., was arrested for driving under the influence with the children in the car. The children were found to be homeless and in poor condition. The State filed a petition alleging abuse and neglect, and the father admitted to the allegations. Despite DSS providing various services, including substance abuse treatment and visitation arrangements, the father continued to struggle with substance abuse and was repeatedly incarcerated. The mother was largely absent and uncooperative.The Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Gregory County, South Dakota, handled the initial proceedings. The father was served with the petition at an advisory hearing, but no summons was issued or served. The case was transferred between counties due to the father's relocation. The father admitted to the allegations, and DSS provided ongoing services. Despite some progress, the father relapsed and was arrested again, leading to a failed trial reunification. The State filed a petition for termination of parental rights, and the court held a final dispositional hearing.The Supreme Court of the State of South Dakota reviewed the case. The court affirmed the lower court's decision, holding that the failure to issue or serve a summons did not deprive the court of jurisdiction because the father had actual notice of the proceedings. The court also found that termination of parental rights was the least restrictive alternative, given the father's ongoing substance abuse issues and inability to provide a stable environment. Additionally, the court determined that DSS had made active efforts to reunite the family, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The court affirmed the termination of both parents' parental rights. View "Interest Of N.K." on Justia Law

Angelica Joy Daoang lived in a house co-owned by her aunt, Carolina Balanza, and Balanza’s ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Perry. In September 2022, Perry and Balanza obtained restraining orders against each other due to domestic violence, and Perry did not return to the house. On February 16, 2024, Daoang obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Perry following an incident on February 14, 2024, where Perry entered the house through a window, leading to a confrontation with Daoang.The District Court of the Second Circuit dissolved the TRO after a hearing on February 26, 2024. The court found a lack of clear and convincing evidence of harassment as defined by Hawai'i Revised Statutes § 604-10.5. The court determined that there was no evidence of physical harm or threats thereof, and no "course of conduct" that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress. The court also questioned Daoang’s legal right to prevent Perry, a co-owner, from entering the house, ultimately concluding that Daoang was a guest rather than a tenant.The Supreme Court of the State of Hawai'i reviewed the case and affirmed the district court’s decision. The Supreme Court held that the district court did not err in dissolving the TRO, as there was no clear and convincing evidence of harassment under either definition provided by HRS § 604-10.5. The court noted that a single incident does not constitute a "course of conduct" required for harassment. The Supreme Court also provided guidance for handling cases related to domestic violence, emphasizing the importance of considering safety and suggesting alternative legal avenues for resolving conflicts. View "Daoang v. Perry" on Justia Law

R.W. and J.R. are the biological parents of twins Rachel and Joshua, born prematurely on May 9, 2022. Both R.W. and the twins tested positive for amphetamines at birth. The Jackson County Youth Court placed the children in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (CPS) and later adjudicated them as neglected children. The court also ruled that CPS could bypass reasonable efforts to reunify the twins with their parents. R.W. and J.R. appealed this decision.The Jackson County Youth Court initially held an emergency custody hearing, followed by an adjudication hearing where the twins were declared neglected. The court found that R.W. had a history of substance abuse and had previously lost custody of her other children. J.R. was incarcerated for failing to register as a sex offender. The court ruled that CPS could bypass efforts to reunify the children with their parents due to the parents' history and current circumstances. R.W. and J.R. raised issues on appeal regarding jurisdiction, venue, and the sufficiency of evidence supporting the neglect adjudication and the bypass of reunification efforts.The Supreme Court of Mississippi reviewed the case and affirmed the youth court's judgment. The court held that the youth court had both subject-matter and personal jurisdiction, and that Jackson County was the proper venue. The evidence presented, including the positive drug tests and the parents' histories, was sufficient to support the adjudication of neglect. The court also found that bypassing reasonable efforts to reunify the children with their parents was justified based on the parents' past terminations of parental rights and J.R.'s criminal history. The Supreme Court of Mississippi affirmed the youth court's decision. View "R.W. v. Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services" on Justia Law

A mother sought to regain custody of her children, who had been living with their uncle and aunt in Canada for two years. The uncle and aunt opposed the return, arguing it was in the children's best interests to stay with them. Concurrent custody proceedings took place in Alaska and Canada, with Alaska ultimately asserting jurisdiction. After a custody trial, the uncle and aunt were awarded physical and legal custody of the children. The mother appealed, claiming the court made several legal and factual errors.The Alaska Superior Court found that it had jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) and consolidated the cases. During the trial, the court heard testimony from multiple witnesses, including the mother, the uncle, the aunt, and experts. The court found that the children were thriving in Canada and that returning them to their mother would be detrimental due to her erratic behavior and substance use. The court also conducted in camera interviews with the children, who expressed a preference to stay with their uncle and aunt.The Alaska Supreme Court reviewed the case and affirmed the Superior Court's decision. The court held that the Superior Court did not abuse its discretion in awarding custody to the uncle and aunt, finding that the children's welfare required it. The court also found that the Superior Court correctly applied the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) requirements, determining that the placement constituted a "foster care placement" and that active efforts had been made to prevent the breakup of the Indian family. The court concluded that the expert witnesses were properly qualified and that the evidence supported the finding that returning the children to their mother would likely cause serious emotional damage. The custody and visitation orders were upheld as not being an abuse of discretion. View "O'Brien v. Delaplain" on Justia Law