Case Name: Stevens v. Stevens
Court: Colorado Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Colorado
Decision Date: 1903-01
Citations: 31 Colo. 188
Docket Number: No. 4647
Parties: Stevens v. Stevens.
Judges: 
Reporter: Colorado Reports
Volume: 31
Pages: 188–192

Head Matter:
[No. 4647.]
Stevens v. Stevens.
Divorce and Alimony — Modification of Decree.
A court granting a divorce has authority to modify the decree relative to alimony payable in the future and the custody and control of minor children as the changed circumstances of the parties may render necessary and just.
Error to the County Court of Lake County.
Plaintiff in error filed a petition, the.purpose-of which was to obtain an order modifying the judgment for alimony payable periodically, and the custody and control of a minor child as fixed by a decree of divorce rendered in an action between the parties to this proceeding by the court to which the petition of plaintiff in error was addressed. The petition set forth facts which, if established would entitle the plaintiff in error to a.modification of the decree with respect to the matters mentioned. The defendant in error filed a demurrer by which the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the proceeding was challenged. This demurrer was sustained. Plaintiff in error elected to stand by his petition, which was dismissed.
Mr. Thos. A. Dickson, for plaintiff in error.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Gabbert
delivered the opinion of the court.
By virtue of the general equity powers of a court granting a divorce, as well as by virtue of the provision of sec. 9 of the Divorce Act, Session Laws, 1893, p. 240, such court has the authority to modify the decree relative to alimony payable in the future, and the custody and control of minor children as the changed circumstances of the parties may render necessary and just.—Richmond v. Richmond, 2 N. J. E. 90; Sheafe v. Sheafe, 36 N. H. 155; Coad v. Coad, 41 Wis. 23; Foote v. Foote, 22 Ills. 425.
There are no decisions of this court or the court of appeals to the contrary. The judgment of the county court is reversed, and the cause remanded, with directions to overrule the demurrer to the petition. Reversed.