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Sarah Anne Kinden v. Catlin Jacob Kinden
Date: 04-11-2025
Case Number:
Judge: Jackson L. Lofgren
Court: District Court, McLean County, North Dakota
Plaintiff's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Washburn Family Law Law Lawyer Directory
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Washburn Family Law Law Lawyer Directory
Description:
Washburn, North Dakota family law lawyer represented the parties in a divorce.
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Sarah Knell and Catlin Kinden married in 2003 and have four children together. In October 2020, Knell filed for divorce. At that time, Knell and Kinden were living separately in Garrison, North Dakota. Knell and Kinden filed a stipulated settlement agreement, and the district court entered judgment awarding the parties equal residential responsibility of their four minor children. During the school year, the children spent the majority of their time with Knell. Kinden had parenting time Tuesday and Thursday evenings and every other weekend. In the summer, the parties alternated weeks. The judgment also required that the parties submit any disputes to mediation.
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Legal issue Can the district court modify joint residential responsibility by making an original determination of primary residential responsibility without applying N.D.C.C. § 14-09-06.6?
Headnote
FAMILY LAW. MODIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY. The case involves an appeal concerning the modification of residential responsibility for minor children, addressing whether the district court properly applied North Dakota statutes regarding primary residential responsibility under differing circumstances, and whether an original determination was necessary when the prior arrangement was joint residential responsibility.
FAMILY LAW. BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD. The court evaluated numerous best-interest factors to decide primary residential responsibility between two fit parents, emphasizing the children's medical needs and stability, amidst the parties' conflicting approaches to parenting post-divorce.
Key Phrases Cross-motions to modify residential responsibility. Heightened requirements for modifying residential responsibility. Adverse effects on children. Insufficient findings. Best interest factors.
MoreLaw was created to help people find experienced lawyers to represent them in the more than 3,144 counties across the United States. Click the link above to see a list of lawyers ready and willing to represent you if you have a legal problem and need help.
Sarah Knell and Catlin Kinden married in 2003 and have four children together. In October 2020, Knell filed for divorce. At that time, Knell and Kinden were living separately in Garrison, North Dakota. Knell and Kinden filed a stipulated settlement agreement, and the district court entered judgment awarding the parties equal residential responsibility of their four minor children. During the school year, the children spent the majority of their time with Knell. Kinden had parenting time Tuesday and Thursday evenings and every other weekend. In the summer, the parties alternated weeks. The judgment also required that the parties submit any disputes to mediation.
* * *
Legal issue Can the district court modify joint residential responsibility by making an original determination of primary residential responsibility without applying N.D.C.C. § 14-09-06.6?
Headnote
FAMILY LAW. MODIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY. The case involves an appeal concerning the modification of residential responsibility for minor children, addressing whether the district court properly applied North Dakota statutes regarding primary residential responsibility under differing circumstances, and whether an original determination was necessary when the prior arrangement was joint residential responsibility.
FAMILY LAW. BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD. The court evaluated numerous best-interest factors to decide primary residential responsibility between two fit parents, emphasizing the children's medical needs and stability, amidst the parties' conflicting approaches to parenting post-divorce.
Key Phrases Cross-motions to modify residential responsibility. Heightened requirements for modifying residential responsibility. Adverse effects on children. Insufficient findings. Best interest factors.
Outcome:
Affirmed.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of Sarah Anne Kinden v. Catlin Jacob Kinden?
The outcome was: Affirmed.
Which court heard Sarah Anne Kinden v. Catlin Jacob Kinden?
This case was heard in District Court, McLean County, North Dakota, ND. The presiding judge was Jackson L. Lofgren.
Who were the attorneys in Sarah Anne Kinden v. Catlin Jacob Kinden?
Plaintiff's attorney: Click Here For The Best Washburn Family Law Law Lawyer Directory. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Washburn Family Law Law Lawyer Directory.
When was Sarah Anne Kinden v. Catlin Jacob Kinden decided?
This case was decided on April 11, 2025.