Case ID: mich-app_36/html/0185-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

SCHMIDT v. SCHMIDT
    Divorce — -Alimony in Cross — Modification of Judgment.
    A court cannot amend or modify a judgment of divorce to reduce or eliminate the payment of alimony in gross provided by the original judgment except on a showing of fraud.
    Reference for Points in Headnote
    24 Am Jur 2d, Divorce and Separation § 675.
    Appeal from Kent, Stuart Hoffius, J.
    Submitted Division 3 September 7, 1971, at Lansing.
    (Docket No. 11985.)
    Decided September 29, 1971.
    Leave to appeal denied, 386 Mich 774.
    Complaint by Treva Schmidt against Louis J. Schmidt for divorce. Judgment for plaintiff. Motion by defendant seeking modification of the divorce judgment to eliminate the alimony provision dismissed. Defendant appeals.
    Affirmed.
    
      Porter, Day <$> Sawdey, for plaintiff.
    
      Dunn <& Dunn, for defendant.
    Before: Quinn, P. J., and McGregor and Bronson, JJ.
   Per Curiam.

Defendant appeals the dismissal of his motion to amend the alimony provision of a judgment of divorce. The parties were divorced in May 1967, by a judgment which awarded plaintiff alimony of $75,000 to be paid in 125 monthly payments of $600 each, commencing on June 10, 1967. Defendant filed the present action on February 5, 1971, seeking amendment of the divorce judgment to eliminate the monthly payments, alleging a change in his financial circumstances.

Plaintiff has filed a motion to dismiss or affirm on the ground that the appeal does not present a substantial question. Defendant has filed a motion for reduction of alimony pending appeal.

The trial court correctly ruled that it could not amend or modify the judgment of divorce to reduce or eliminate the payment of alimony in gross provided by the original judgment. Edgar v. Edgar (1962), 366 Mich 580; Kutchai v. Kutchai (1926), 233 Mich 569. The courts cannot modify such an alimony in gross provision embodied in a final judgment except on a showing of fraud. Ferrera v. Ferrera (1969), 16 Mich App 661, 662; Edgar v. Edgar, supra. Defendant does not allege fraud. Defendant’s complaint failed to state any ground for relief and was properly dismissed.

We find that the question presented is unsubstantial and requires no argument or formal submission. Defendant’s motion for reduction of alimony is denied for lack of jurisdiction.

Affirmed.