Source: http://courts.mrsc.org/supreme/066wn2d/066wn2d0503.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 00:29:03+00:00

Document:
Divorce - Trial - Findings of Fact - Action to Modify Divorce Decree. A proceeding to modify a divorce decree, although a continuation of the original action, is a separate proceeding in that it rests upon new facts and presents new issues arising since the entry of the original decree and is, therefore, subject to the provisions of RPPP 52.04W requiring findings of fact in all law cases tried without a jury; however, any error resulting from a court's failure to so enter findings of fact, will be deemed waived where a motion to vacate the order is not timely made and where the recitals of the order of modification, when read in the light of the memorandum decision reveal the basis upon which the trial court predicated its order and the absence of any prejudice.
 Same - Action to Modify Decree - Requisites. A decree granting alimony or support can be modified only upon the petitioning party meeting the burden of showing a substantial and material change in the condition and circumstance of the parties, relative to the factors of the necessities of the divorced wife and children, and the practical and realistic ability of the ex-husband to meet the obligations so imposed; and the determination of whether the required change has occurred rests in the discretion of the trial judge, whose decision thereupon will not be reversed on appeal absent error or abuse of discretion.
 Same - Action to Modify Decree - Essential Test. The basic test, absent the most exceptional circumstances, in determining whether the party petitioning for a modification of a divorce decree has met the burden of demonstrating a change in circumstances, is to discover if the facts relied upon as establishing a change in the circumstances could and should have been presented to the court in the previous hearing.
 Same - Action to Modify Decree - Voluntary Reduction of Income. Voluntary reduction in income or self-imposed curtailment of earning capacity, absent a substantial showing of good faith, will not constitute such a change of circumstances as to warrant modifying a divorce decree.
«*» Reported in 403 P.2d 664.
 See Ann. 18 A.L.R.2d 10; Am. Jur., Divorce and Separation (1st ed. § 742).
nor is it within its power to provide for future payments of such arrearages in installments, without interest.
 Same - Action to Modify Decree - Property Not Previously Before Court. A trial court should give consideration to a request for relief in an action to modify a divorce decree where such request concerns the status of certain personalty not brought before the trial court in the original divorce action.
Appeal from a judgment of the Superior Court for King County, No. 579985, Henry Clay Agnew, J., entered May 24, 1963. Reversed and remanded.
Action to modify a divorce decree. Appeal taken from a judgment granting modification.
Shirley N. Holland, for appellant.
Newman H. Clark, for respondent.
This is an appeal from an order modifying the alimony and support provisions of an outstanding divorce decree.
The plaintiff-appellant, Clary Lambert, brought two daughters by a previous marriage into her marriage to defendant-respondent, Frank Lambert, Jr., in December, 1952. Two sons were subsequently born to the Lambert union. Since the appeal in this proceeding, one of the sons has died. During the marriage, respondent practiced optometry in Kirkland, Washington, with an income reaching approximately $13,000 per year. His personal life, however, became involved and, in February, 1962, Mrs. Lambert commenced divorce proceedings alleging as grounds, among other things, misconduct on the part of Mr. Lambert with her two daughters. The action, which was contested, culminated in the entry, on November 7, 1962, of extensive findings of fact, together with conclusions of law, and a final decree of divorce, from which neither party appealed. Respondent's transgressions also resulted in criminal proceedings and a deferred sentence, one of the conditions of which was that he comply with the provisions of the divorce decree.
The essential provisions of the findings, conclusions, and decree in the divorce action, insofar as they relate to this proceeding are: (1) Mrs. Lambert was awarded a decree of divorce, essentially upon the grounds alleged; (2) she was given custody of the two boys, then ages 8 and 4, with specified and limited visitation rights accorded to Mr. Lambert; (3) he was ordered to pay the sum of $135 per month per child for the boys' support, and $200 per month as alimony for a period of 5 years, $150 per month for the succeeding 3 years, and $100 per month for 2 years thereafter, all subject to further order of the court; and (4) the property of the parties, with the exception of a minor stock account which was not brought to the attention of the court, was divided.
During pendency of the divorce action and because of the notoriety surrounding the cause thereof, respondent's reputation and business diminished in Kirkland. At the time of trial, it was deemed advisable that he forego the business and accept proffered employment elsewhere, and, at or about the time of the entry of the divorce decree, respondent left Kirkland and began working for another optometrist in nearby Bellevue for a salary of $700 per month. This employment lasted one month, his employer terminating the relationship because respondent did not discontinue his optometric practice in Kirkland, and on his free time was in effect competing with his employer. But for this fact and respondent's adamant desire to remain in the area, his employer indicated his employment could have continued and probably prospered.
[A]t the time of trial of the above cause, which commenced on October 3, 1962 and was completed October 8, 1962, petitioner expected and so testified that he had been employed and would receive $700 a month in his profession. That petitioner was employed during November and received $600 therefor, and otherwise has not been employed. The petitioner also was awarded as his separate property his optometry business located in Kirkland, Washington, together with all fixtures and property with reference thereto. That upon losing his employment in November, 1962, petitioner has spent his full working time trying to regain his optometry business with limited success, as is detailed in his affidavit of December 15, 1962 on file herein, which is made a part herein by this reference. . . .
Respondent's decision to return to his Kirkland practice occasioned further delinquencies in his support obligations and renewed collection efforts upon the part of appellant. Several writs of garnishment were issued, including one upon the minor stock account which was not distributed in the divorce action.
The court is of the opinion that the defendant [respondent] would be better off to seek to re-establish himself in another community. His judgment as to his business cannot be interfered with. The court must keep in mind that the defendant could, if he wished, abandon his present business and earn a minimum of $600.00 per month elsewhere. It is quite apparent in fixing the amount of payments the court, at the time of the decree, did not take into consideration the fact that defendant's business would be ruined by reason of his misconduct.
(e) Appellant was denied costs and attorney's fees.
November, 1962, and received a net sum of $630 therefor.
The trial court shall make findings of fact in all equity cases, and in all law cases tried before the court without a jury.
 A modification proceeding, although a continuation of the original action, is a separate proceeding, in that it rests upon new facts and presents new issues arising since the entry of the original decree. State ex rel. Mauerman v. Superior Court, 44 Wn.2d 828, 271 P.2d 435 (1954). We can conceive of no logical reason why Rule 52.04W, supra, should not apply to such a proceeding. Indeed, it would seem that compliance with the rule would aid and assist any further proceedings in the original action as well as facilitate any appellate processes that might become involved. Accordingly, the trial court should have required presentation and entry of findings of fact.
Appellant, however, did not timely move to vacate the order entered, as provided by Rule of Pleading, Practice and Procedure 52.08W, RCW vol. 0. Since the recitals of the order of modification, when read in the light of the memorandum decision. reveal the basis upon which the trial court predicated its order, we find no prejudice and appellant points to none. Furthermore, the essential facts are not in serious dispute. This error, then, must be deemed waived, and a remand for the entry of findings would be a useless and unnecessary act. Cogswell v. Cogswell, 50 Wn.2d 597, 313 P.2d 364 (1957); Malfait v. Malfait, 54 Wn.2d 413, 341 P.2d 154 (1959).
Appellant next assigns error to the trial court's action in reducing the alimony and support provisions provided in the divorce decree.
 It is well settled in this jurisdiction, as in others, that a decree granting alimony or support can be modified only upon a showing of a substantial and material change in the condition and circumstances of the parties, occurring since the entry of the decree, relative to the factors of (1) the necessities of the divorced wife and children, and (2) the practical and realistic ability of the ex-husband to meet the obligations so imposed. Bartow v. Bartow, 12 Wn.2d 408, 121 P.2d 962 (1942); Gordon v. Gordon, 44 Wn.2d 222, 266 P.2d 786 (1954); Hanson v. Hanson, 47 Wn.2d 439, 287 P.2d 879 (1955); 89 A.L.R.2d 11.
The burden of demonstrating the required change of circumstances, rests upon the party petitioning for the modification. Corson v. Corson, 46 Wn.2d 611, 283 P.2d 673 (1955). And, determination of the question whether, under the evidence presented, there has been a substantial and material change in circumstances which will authorize and justify a modification in the alimony and support payments is addressed to, and rests within, the sound judgment and discretion of the trial judge, whose decision thereupon will not be reversed on appeal absent error or abuse of discretion. Wages v. Wages, 39 Wn.2d 74, 234 P.2d 497 (1951); Gordon v. Gordon, supra; Hanson v. Hanson, supra.
 In answering the question of whether the party petitioning for modification has met the burden of demonstrating a change in circumstances, occurring subsequent to the entry of the decree or order sought to be modified, the basic test, absent the most exceptional circumstances, is: Could and should the facts now relied upon as establishing a change in the circumstances have been presented to the court in the previous hearing? Heuchan v. Heuchan, 38 Wn.2d 207, 228 P.2d 470, 22 A.L.R.2d 1410 (1951); Brim v. Struthers, 44 Wn.2d 833, 271 P.2d 441 (1954); Susnar v. Susnar, 45 Wn.2d 62, 273 P.2d 237 (1954).
That the defendant's [respondent's] income from his business as an optometrist in previous years has been in the neighborhood of $13,000.00; that although the income from the business is down considerably because of the adverse community response to defendant's foregoing transgressions. the defendant has been offered a job in another city in his profession as an optometrist at a beginning salary of $700.00 per month and his earning ability has not in fact been impaired . . . . Finding of Fact No. 7.
have been presented to and considered by the court in the divorce proceeding. It could not, therefore, be relied upon as affording the required basis for modification of the outstanding alimony and support provisions. Voluntary reduction in income or self-imposed curtailment of earning capacity, absent a substantial showing of good faith. will not constitute such a change of circumstances as to warrant a modification. McKey v. McKey, 228 Minn. 28, 36 N.W.2d 17 (1949); Commonwealth ex rel. Mazon v. Mazon, 163 Pa. Super. 502, 63 A.2d 112 (1949); Crosby v. Crosby, 182 Va. 461, 29 S.E.2d 241 (1944).
The trial court perforce erred in predicating its modification order upon such ground. The order must, therefore, be reversed with directions to reinstate the provisions of the original divorce decree until a change in circumstances not litigated in the divorce action is found to exist. The computations of outstanding arrearages are, accordingly, modified to conform with amounts and credits due and owing.
[5, 6] Two further assignments of error deserve comment. First, the trial court, by its order, restrained appellant from enforcing collection of arrearages by the remedies of garnishment, attachment or execution, and provided for future payment of such arrearages in installments, without interest. This the court was not empowered to do. Starkey v. Starkey, 40 Wn.2d 307, 242 P.2d 1048 (1952); Corson v. Corson, supra. Secondly, the trial court failed to determine the status of the minor stock account not brought before and considered by the trial court hearing the divorce action. This property became the property of the parties as tenants in common and subject to partition or other appropriate declaratory relief. Olsen v. Roberts, 42 Wn.2d 862, 259 P.2d 418 (1953); Northwestern Life Ins. Co. v. Perrigo, 47 Wn.2d 291, 287 P.2d 334 (1955). Declaratory relief was requested by appellant in the present proceeding, and the issue thus presented should have been given consideration. Pittman v. Pittman, 64 Wn.2d 735, 393 P.2d 957 (1964).
We find no merit in and do not reach appellant's remaining assignments of error.
The cause is accordingly, remanded for such further proceedings as are consistent herewith. Appellant shall recover her costs on appeal.
HILL, DONWORTH, WEAVER, and OTT, JJ., concur.

References: § 742
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.