Smith v. Rideout

[¶ 1] Richard D. Smith appeals from a judgment entered in the District Court (South Paris, Stanfill, J.) denying his motion to modify parental rights and responsibilities on a finding that there has been no substantial change in circumstances, pursuant to 19-A M.R.S. § 1657(1) (2009), 1 sufficient to justify a change of primary residence. Smith argues that the court: (1) abused its discretion by declining to enter a default judgment upon his motion after Wanda Rideout did not appear for two prehearing proceedings; and (2) failed to apply the correct legal standard in denying his request for…