Marriage of French

DA 25-0587 ·Direct Appeal ·Domestic Relationship ·Closed
Docket DA 25-0587
Type Direct Appeal — Domestic Relations
Classification Domestic Relationship
Outcome Affirmed
Lower court case DR-22-373(B)
Lower court judge Hon. Paul Sullivan

Key dates

Closed Jan 23, 2026
Classified Jul 15, 2026
Appeal filed Aug 14, 2025
Record filed Aug 26, 2025
Briefing ended May 27, 2026
Opinion issued Aug 25, 2026
Briefing started Aug 26, 2025
Sent to the court Jun 3, 2026
Submitted for decision Jun 3, 2026
Appellant Reply Brief Filed May 27, 2026
Appellant Opening Brief Filed Feb 3, 2026
Appellee Response Brief Filed Mar 3, 2026

Calculated

from the docket dates
Appeal filed to briefing start 12
Briefing days 273
Briefing start to opening brief filed 161
Classified to Opinion 41
Close of briefing to sent to court 7
Filing date to Opinion 376
Filing date to closed 162
Opening to response 27
Opinion to closed 213
Response to reply 84
Sent to court to classified 41
Submitted for decision to Opinion 83

Tags

Affirmed Closed Five Justice Panel Non-cite opinion Request to File Appeal in form Pauperis

Parties

Appellee
Bayne A. Lee French
Represented by Terin Gabrielle Riley
Appellant
Christine P. Lee French
Represented by Pro Se

Opinion

Marriage of French, 2026 MT 205N

Affirmed on August 25, 2026, in a 5 to 0 non-cite opinion.

Events

most recent first
Opinion - Noncite/Memorandum - Justice Bidegaray - Affirmed Aug 25, 2026 3:50 PM Opinion
Order - Classified - Five Justice Panel - This cause is classified for submission on briefs to a five-justice panel of this Court Jul 15, 2026 12:14 PM Classifying Notice
Event - Case Sent to Court Jun 3, 2026 12:15 PM Classifying Notice
Notice - Outgoing - Brief Filed May 27, 2026 11:30 AM Notice - Outgoing
Brief - Appellant Reply May 27, 2026 11:21 AM Appellant Reply Brief
Order - Appellant's motion for leave to file the reply brief is GRANTED. Appellant has ten (10) days from the date of this Order to submit seven copies of the reply brief to this Court and serve a copy of the brief on all counsel of record. The Court will not entertain any extensions or any further motions May 21, 2026 5:07 PM Order - Extension
Event - Sent to Court-Pleading May 19, 2026 1:06 PM Event
Response/Objection - Response to Motion - Appellee's Response May 19, 2026 12:56 PM Response
Motion - Accept Late Filing of Corrected Reply Brief - Sent to Court w/ S.C. File and copy of proposed Reply Brief May 19, 2026 10:40 AM Motion
Event - Case Sent to Court Apr 27, 2026 8:31 AM Classifying Notice
Notice - Outgoing - Postage Reimbursement Due (Court Order) Apr 1, 2026 10:39 AM Notice - Outgoing
Order - IT IS ORDERED that the original copy of the referenced brief be returned for revisions necessary to comply with the specified rule; FURTHER a signed original and 7 copies of the revised brief be filed within 30 days and one copy of the revised brief be served on each counsel of record; the postage costs for returning Appellant's brief will be billed to Appellant Mar 20, 2026 4:39 PM Order - Other
Notice - Outgoing - Brief Filed Mar 3, 2026 3:46 PM Notice - Outgoing
Brief - Appellee's Response Mar 3, 2026 1:23 PM Appellee Response Brief
Response/Objection - Appellant's Response to Motion - copy to court Feb 20, 2026 11:45 AM Response
Order - Deny - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the motion to reject the opening brief is DENIED as moot. The motion for sanctions is taken under advisement. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Appellee's response brief is due March 5, 2026 Feb 19, 2026 2:06 PM Order - Other
Event - Sent to Court-Pleading Feb 19, 2026 8:49 AM Event
Response/Objection - Response to Motion for Extension of time to Respond to Motion to Dismiss Feb 18, 2026 4:59 PM Response
Motion - Appellants Motion for Extension of Time to File a Response to Appellee's Motion to Dismiss - Pro se Motion - sent to court w/ sc file Feb 18, 2026 3:00 PM Motion
Motion - Opposed - Notice of Appellee's Objection to Appellant's Brief and Motion to Reject Appellant's Brief for Failure to Comply with the Rules of Appellate Procedure - Held for Response Feb 4, 2026 4:24 PM Motion
Notice - Outgoing - Appellant's Opening Brief Filed Feb 3, 2026 3:58 PM Notice - Outgoing
Brief - Appellant's Opening Feb 3, 2026 3:57 PM Appellant Opening Brief
Order - IT IS ORDERED that the referenced second brief shall serve as Appellant's Opening Brief; and that the time for filing the Answer Brief shall run from the date of service on the Appellant's Opening Brief upon Appellee Feb 3, 2026 3:44 PM Order - Other
Notice - Incoming - Notice of Tender and Tracking Numbers for Opening Brief Feb 3, 2026 9:41 AM Notice - Incoming
Order - Appellant has until January 30, 2026, to prepare, file, and serve the opening brief on appeal. The Court will not grant any further extensions for any reason. If the opening brief is not filed by January 30, 2026, this matter will be dismissed with prejudice Jan 23, 2026 4:38 PM Closed - Outcome Unknown
Event - Sent to Court-Pleading Jan 22, 2026 2:18 PM Event
Objection - Appellee's Objections to Appellant's Motion for Extension of Time Jan 22, 2026 2:13 PM Objection
Motion - Extension of Time - Appellant's Opening Brief (Sent to Court w/ S.C. File) Jan 22, 2026 11:53 AM Motion
Order - Grant - Extension of Time - Appellant has until January 22, 2026, to prepare, file, and serve the opening brief on appeal Jan 8, 2026 3:06 PM Order - Extension
Motion - Motion and Affidavit for Extension (Sent to Court w/ S.C. File) Jan 8, 2026 12:32 PM Motion
Order - Grant - Extension of Time - Christine has until January 8th, 2026, to prepare, file, and serve the opening brief Jan 2, 2026 10:48 AM Order - Extension
Amended Motion - Extension of Time - Appellant's Brief - copy to Court Dec 31, 2025 3:59 PM Other
Event - Sent to Court-Pleading Dec 31, 2025 12:09 PM Event
Response/Objection - Appellee's Objection to Motion for Extension of Time Dec 31, 2025 12:01 PM Response
Motion - Extension of Time - Appellant's Brief - sent to Court w/SC file Dec 30, 2025 3:53 PM Motion
Order - Christine's motion for an extension of time is GRANTED and Christine shall prepare, file, and serve her opening brief on or before Monday, December 29, 2025 Nov 25, 2025 4:06 PM Order - Extension
Event - Sent to Court-Pleading Nov 25, 2025 9:34 AM Event
Motion - Extension of Time - Appellant's Opening Brief - pro se motion - sent to court w/ sc file Nov 24, 2025 5:00 PM Motion
Notice - Appellant's Status Report Nov 24, 2025 9:29 AM Notice
Order - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED the Appellant shall have until Monday, November 24, 2025, to file with the Court and serve on the Appellee a status report addressing whether she has ordered and paid for the transcripts she indicated in her filing are necessary for the appeal. She shall further apprise the Court on the expected submittal date of the transcripts Nov 19, 2025 5:29 PM Order - Other
Motion - Opposed - Extension of Time - Appellant's Opening Brief (Sent to Court w/ S.C. File) Nov 18, 2025 10:02 AM Motion
Appellant's Notice of District Court filing Nov 12, 2025 10:50 AM Other
Order - IT IS ORDERED that Christine's Motion to Suspend Rule 9 Record Transmission Provisions pending District Court Record Correction is DENIED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Bayne's Request for Attorney Fees and Costs is DENIED Nov 7, 2025 4:50 PM Order - Other
Event - Sent to Court-Pleading Nov 4, 2025 2:13 PM Event
Response/Objection - Response to Motion Nov 4, 2025 11:38 AM Response
Motion - Opposed - Motion to Suspend Rule 9 Record Transmission Provisions Pending District Court Record Correction - Held for Response Oct 29, 2025 2:09 PM Motion
Notice - Outgoing - Exhibits Filed Oct 29, 2025 10:28 AM Notice - Outgoing
Record - Exhibits Filed for Cause No. DR-22-373(B) consisting of one (1) extra large Tyvek envelope of loose exhibits Oct 29, 2025 10:27 AM Record
Notice - Outgoing - Additional District Court Documents Oct 24, 2025 3:37 PM Notice - Outgoing
Record - Additional DC Documents Filed for Cause DR 22-373 consisting of 154-161, and an Updated Case Register Oct 24, 2025 3:33 PM Record
Notice - Amended Notice of Filing acknowledgment of receipt of complete original trial exhibits from non-jury trail dates: April 2, 2024 and April 3, 2024 Oct 23, 2025 11:28 AM Notice
Notice - Incoming - Notice of Filing of Acknowledgment of Receipt of Trial Exhibits Oct 22, 2025 4:18 PM Notice - Incoming
Order - IT IS ORDERED that Appellee's motion to allow the trial exhibits to be placed back in the District Court record for certification and transmittal to this Court, is GRANTED Oct 21, 2025 3:45 PM Order - Other
Event - Sent to Court-Pleading Sep 24, 2025 9:05 AM Event
Motion - Opposed - Return Exhibits to District Court - held for response Sep 10, 2025 12:56 PM Motion
Notice - Outgoing - District Court Record Filed Aug 26, 2025 12:15 PM Record
Record - Electronic DC Record Filed for Cause DR 22-373 consisting of 1-153, and Case Register Aug 26, 2025 11:52 AM Record
Notice - Incoming - Transcripts Deemed Necessary Aug 19, 2025 2:23 PM Notice - Incoming
Notice - Outgoing - Appeal Notice Aug 14, 2025 3:50 PM Notice - Outgoing
Grant - Proceed Without Payment of the Filing Fee Aug 14, 2025 8:13 AM Other
Motion - Proceed Without Payment of Filing Fee Aug 14, 2025 8:09 AM Motion
Notice - Incoming - Notice of Appeal Filed Aug 14, 2025 8:01 AM Notice - Incoming