Opinion ID: 1979744
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Modification of Support Awards

Text: Deloris concedes that an alimony order may be modified to retroactively abate all or part of alimony arrearages, but maintains the evidence was insufficient for the court to conclude the required change of circumstances had occurred. She notes that the burden of proof is on Albert to show the necessary change of circumstances sufficient to warrant modification. Moreover, she highlights the fact that there has been no showing that her need for alimony has diminished since the original decree of divorce. Albert responds that his deteriorating health, advanced age, inability to work, and the present depressed agriculture economy clearly show he is unable to meet the alimony payments. Albert concedes his income is approximately the same as when the divorce was finalized. His health, age, and ability to work do not seem relevant since his income is not a product of his present labors. His claim that his credit and financial obligations and credit have changed so as to hinder his payment of alimony stand unsupported by any evidence. Moreover, he has failed to set forth why these factors should not be considered in determining his ability to pay alimony. See Gross v. Gross, 355 N.W.2d 4, 8-9 (S.D.1984). We, therefore, conclude the record fails to show a change of circumstances which warrants retroactively abating alimony arrearages and terminating future alimony payments. The trial court, apparently unfamiliar with prior proceedings in this case, also erred in its Findings and Conclusions that Albert's monthly child support obligation was satisfied. The record indicates that Albert was initially ordered to pay child support of $150.00 per month. He was also ordered to structure a $20,000 trust for the child's health, education and welfare. During minority, the income is to be distributed to Mrs. Thomerson, and upon reaching majority, the trust corpus is to be distributed to Guy. There was no indication, as Albert claims, that the trust was to serve as security for his monthly child support payments. In May of 1980, Albert was ordered to deposit two $10,000 C.D.'s to establish the trust originally ordered, and pay $2,000.00 lost profits and rents under the Trust account for his failure to comply with previous support orders. He was also directed to pay arrearages of $2,800 for child support and alimony. It is clear from this order that the income from the trust was not in lieu of the $150.00 child support payment already owing. In November of 1980 the child support order was reduced by $97.00 to $53.00 per month since Guy was then receiving $97.00 in Social Security benefits through Albert. However, that order did not alter the status of the trust account or the profits therefrom. Consequently, on remand Findings and Conclusions consistent with the record should be entered.