Opinion ID: 1844622
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: a change in circumstances

Text: SDCL 25-4-41 allows the trial court to modify support orders from time to time. [3] No modification of an alimony award can be made unless there is a change of circumstances from those which existed at the time of the original decree. Lambertz v. Lambertz, 375 N.W.2d 645 (S.D.1985). The burden of proving such a change in circumstances is on the party seeking modification. Wegner v. Wegner, 391 N.W.2d 690 (S.D.1986). The trial court's decision to modify an award of alimony is reviewed on appeal under the abuse of discretion standard. Wegner, supra . In Jameson v. Jameson, 90 S.D. 179, 239 N.W.2d 5 (1976), this court rejected a claim that financial disadvantage arising through the fulfilment of the support terms of a stipulation was a change in circumstances justifying modification. As the court stated: Defendant is getting exactly what he bargained for. Id., 239 N.W.2d at 7. However, there is a distinct difference between Jameson and this appeal. The 1981 decree was not the result of a negotiated settlement; it was not an agreement which either party bargained to receive. Instead, the decree was the trial court's attempt to devise a plan whereby each party would be treated equitably. Implicit in Jameson and Thomerson v. Thomerson, 387 N.W.2d 509 (S.D.1986) is the requirement that the circumstances presented to support modification be different from those existing at the time of the original award. However, in Lambertz this court held a reduction in income because of retirement was sufficient changed circumstances even though the trial court had been aware that the party might retire after the decree. Where an agreement between the parties assumes that certain events will happen and there is a failure of that assumption, our caselaw does not consider that failure a change in circumstances. However, when the trial court imposes a decision upon the parties which is based upon certain assumptions, the courts should be available to modify the decision so that the intended goals of the original decision are met. Husband argues that Wife has presented no evidence of any change in circumstances other than her unsupported allegations of economic need. The trial court found the following significant and material changes in Wife's circumstances: 1) forced sale of home; 2) loss of rental income of $250 per month from rent of the basement apartment; 3) moving expenses in leaving the home; 4) loss of child support funds; 5) loss of alimony or housing payments; 6) no lump-sum equity received upon sale of the house; and 7) loss of economic sufficiency. The first five changes noted above are all the result of the operation of the judgment and were fully anticipated by the original trial court. However, it also appears Judge Christensen anticipated that his plan would result in a significant equity developing in the marital home. It is inconceivable that the trial court would have purposely awarded Wife 70% of nothing. The trial court apparently believed that support payments to Wife would not be necessary upon the sale of the house and the receipt of 70% of the net proceeds from the sale. Modification of alimony awards is predicated on the belief that the trial court cannot foresee all circumstances which may arise after the original decree is entered. Faced with limited assets of little value, the original trial court attempted to use the alimony payments to enhance the value of the one significant marital asset. The attempt failed. Judge Kean correctly determined the intent of the original trial court was to provide support to allow Wife to gain some economic self-sufficiency. The fact that the trial court's original plan did not succeed should not be held against Wife. Her circumstances are clearly different from those anticipated by the original trial court. Therefore, modification of this support award is warranted under SDCL 25-4-41, which allows the court to modify its order in these respects from time to time. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in modifying the alimony award.