Opinion ID: 1998361
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: issue iii: whether the trial court has jurisdiction in a paternity action to order a division of property.

Text: In her complaint, Mother requested the court order Father return certain personal items in possession of Father. The record shows that at the November 16, 1992 proceeding, Mother's counsel told Father's counsel that Mother had left personal effects at Father's house. In response, Father's counsel said if a list of such property was provided, arrangements would be made for the return of such property. The record shows Mother furnished the list before trial, but Father objected to returning the property. Both parties in their prayers for relief invoked the legal and equitable powers of the court for relief. At trial, the judge awarded Mother certain personal items in possession of Father. Since the parties invoked the general equitable powers of the court, the trial judge could have made a property division. A circuit court has original jurisdiction in all cases in equity. S.D. Const. art. V, § 5; Hinkelman v. Berringer, 77 S.D. 562, 96 N.W.2d 174, 176 (1959). Accordingly, a trial court has broad jurisdiction to redress a wrong in a civil action and has jurisdiction to grant equitable remedies when properly invoked and pursuant to the principles of equity. See Beadle County v. Hinckley, 69 S.D. 381, 10 N.W.2d 757, 758 (1943). This equitable jurisdiction encompasses property rights. State v. Cozad, 70 S.D. 193, 16 N.W.2d 484, 487 (1944). A trial judge should use this power sparingly, however, since a paternity action is not a substitute for nor should it be considered an action for divorce or separate maintenance. In this case because Father agreed at the November 16, 1992 hearing to return the property if listed by Mother, the court at least had powers in equity to compel Father to perform under the statement made by Father at that hearing. Our standard of review of a trial court's property division is that of an abuse of discretion. Abrams v. Abrams, 516 N.W.2d 348, 352 (S.D.1994); Radigan v. Radigan, 465 N.W.2d 483, 487 (S.D.1991); Henrichs v. Henrichs, 426 N.W.2d 569, 572 (S.D. 1988). We have stated several times: It is well settled that the trial court has broad discretion with respect to property division and, absent an abuse of discretion, its judgement will not be set aside. Caughron v. Caughron, 418 N.W.2d 791, 792 (S.D.1988); Tate v. Tate, 394 N.W.2d 309, 311 (S.D.1986). The term `abuse of discretion' refers to a discretion exercised to an end or purpose not justified by, and clearly against reason and evidence. Paradeis v. Paradeis, 461 N.W.2d 135, 137 (S.D.1990) (citing Bradeen v. Bradeen, 430 N.W.2d 87, 91 (S.D.1988)); Bennett v. Bennett, 516 N.W.2d 672, 674 (S.D.1994) (citing Chicoine v. Chicoine, 479 N.W.2d 891, 895 (S.D.1992)). Father had property in his possession which belonged to Mother. We cannot say the trial judge was not justified in acting to determine the rights of the parties with respect to the property in question. We find no error or abuse of discretion in the trial court's award of personal property to Mother in this limited situation and on these facts. We affirm on this issue.