Opinions

Marschner v. Marschner 2001 ND 4
Docket No.: 20000172
Filing Date: 1/30/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A spouse is disadvantaged who has foregone opportunities or lost advantages as a consequence of the marriage and who has contributed during the marriage to the supporting spouse's increased earning capacity. A disadvantaged spouse is not required to deplete a property distribution in order to live.
A valid consideration in awarding spousal support is balancing the burden created by divorce. A trial court cannot consider issues of property division and spousal support separately, in a vacuum, but must examine those issues together.

City of Fargo v. Salsman 2001 ND 3
Docket No.: 20000205
Filing Date: 1/30/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Violation of City Ordinance
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: The trial court's judgment of conviction for a violation of Fargo Municipal Code is affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Englund v. State (Consolidated w/20000251 through 20000254) 2001 ND 2
Docket No.: 20000250
Filing Date: 1/30/2001
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Appeal from denial of post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

Petition for Change of Designation of Judgeship No. 1 2001 ND 1
Docket No.: 20000362
Filing Date: 1/3/2001
Case Type: Judicial Administration - Rule - Rule
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Petition to move chambers of Judgeship No. 1 in the Southwest Judicial District from Dickinson to Bowman denied.

Estate of Lutz (Cross-Ref. w/960177 & 980390) 2000 ND 226
Docket No.: 20000098
Filing Date: 12/29/2000
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Probate, Wills, Trusts
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: Whether services performed by a family member are so exceptional and extraordinary as to imply a contract to pay for those services is a question of fact.
Lack of legal advice to a prospective spouse to obtain independent counsel is a significant factor in weighing the voluntariness of a premarital agreement, but the presence of independent counsel is not a prerequisite to enforceability.
Separate statutes under the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act govern unconscionability at the time the agreement was executed, unconscionability at the time of separation or marital dissolution, and unconscionability that may result from enforcement at any time, including the time of death.
A spouse can waive any right of inheritance and succession in a valid and enforceable premarital agreement and consent to will.
Attorney fees are not allowed to a successful litigant unless expressly authorized by statute or agreement.

Jacobson v. ND Workers Comp. Bureau 2000 ND 225
Docket No.: 20000102
Filing Date: 12/29/2000
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A willful false claim or false statement is sufficiently material for forfeiture of future benefits if it is a statement which could have misled the Bureau in a determination of the claim.
Before terminating a claimant's disability benefits, due process requires the Bureau to give the claimant pre-termination notice of its intent to terminate benefits, a summary of the evidence, and an opportunity to respond. The post-deprivation hearing must be provided at a meaningful time, as required by the due process clause.

Berger v. ND Workers Comp. et al. 2000 ND 224
Docket No.: 20000153
Filing Date: 12/27/2000
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Neumann, William

Highlight: An owner of a business is not entitled to workers compensation benefits without securing optional coverage.
In determining whether a claimant was an employee or an owner when he was injured, the rules for determining whether a person is an independent contractor or an employee, do not apply, and the Bureau may consider other evidence or factors.

State v. Helmenstein 2000 ND 223
Docket No.: 20000062
Filing Date: 12/27/2000
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: Voluntariness of a confession is determined by the totality of the circumstances, focusing on the characteristics and condition of the accused at the time of the confession, as well as the details of the setting in which the confession was obtained.
Miranda warnings are required when a person is in custody and is interrogated. Custody is a mixed question of law and fact and is fully reviewable on appeal.
The requirement of bringing a person before a magistrate without unnecessary delay is a factor to consider in evaluating the voluntariness of a confession. Unnecessary delay depends upon the circumstances of each case.
A change of venue rests in the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. A defendant challenging a denial of a change of venue must establish prejudice or establish that a fair and impartial jury could not be empaneled.

Interest of C.R.H. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2000 ND 222
Docket No.: 20000228
Filing Date: 12/21/2000
Case Type: Appeal - Juvenile - Termination of Parental Rights
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: In terminating parental rights under N.D.C.C. ch. 27-20 the trial court has no authority to make the termination contingent on the terminated parents receiving visitation rights upon the child's adoption.

Disciplinary Board v. Keller 2000 ND 221
Docket No.: 20000225
Filing Date: 12/21/2000
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Once objections are filed by an attorney to a hearing panel's findings and recommendations, the appropriate procedure to address a claim of lack of notice of order for default is to move the Supreme Court to remand the matter to the Hearing Panel for consideration of a motion to vacate.