Martodam v. Martodam

Citations

• 940 N.W.2d 664
• 2020 ND 70

Syllabus

Interlocutory orders in an action are merged into the final judgment and may be reviewed on appeal of that judgment. A final judgment supersedes an interim order's parenting provisions, which are by nature temporary. A district court must award primary residential responsibility in light of the child's best interests, considering all the relevant statutory best-interest factors. A court's decisions on residential responsibility and parenting time present findings of fact, which will not be reversed unless clearly erroneous. A district court clearly errs in granting parenting time subject to a minor child's right to decide whether to allow that parenting time. A decision whether to admit or exclude evidence will not be reversed unless the district court abused its discretion. The district court has broad discretion in making contempt decisions.