Opinion ID: 2113439
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: 142 Modification of Judgment With Respect to Children.

Text: The trial court has the jurisdiction at any time to modify those provisions of a divorce judgment relating to the maintenance and custody of the minor children of the parties. Secs. 247.24, 247.25, Stats. The court retains such jurisdiction even in a situation where the children are subsequently domiciled outside of the state. Brazy v. Brazy (1958), 5 Wis. (2d) 352, 92 N. W. (2d) 738, 93 N. W. (2d) 856. Where such a modification is subsequently made, as in the instant case, the question on appeal is whether there has been an abuse of discretion. There was ample evidence presented that the defendant's financial condition had deteriorated during the two-year period subsequent to the original judgment. We find no abuse of discretion in that part of the order appealed from which reduces the payment of support money from $200 to $160 per month. The question with respect to whether there is an abuse of discretion, in directing that the children be returned to Wisconsin from Acapulco, is dependent upon whether a material change in circumstances has occurred subsequent to judgment which would warrant the trial court in making such modification of the custody provisions of the judgment. Hill v. Hill (1950), 257 Wis. 388, 391, 43 N. W. (2d) 455. The son of the parties had contracted polio in late February or March, 1955, and he was taken to Acapulco by Mrs. Anderson because it was thought that the warm climate would aid his recovery. This is the reason the original judgment permitted her to move to Acapulco with the children. The boy has now sufficiently recovered that the brace has been removed from his leg and he is able to walk alone. During certain seasons there is much rain and dampness at Acapulco that causes the children there to have colds. Educational facilities are not as good there as in Milwaukee.  The defendant's financial condition does not permit him to visit the children in Acapulco. The recovery of the boy from polio is a sufficient material change in circumstances to warrant the court in directing that the children be returned to Milwaukee to live. Both children will some time have to earn their own living and the educational facilities at Milwaukee will afford better training therefor than can be provided at Acapulco. Furthermore, the children should have the benefit of seeing and associating with their father, which is impossible while they remain at Acapulco. A further reason for their return to Milwaukee is that opportunities for gainful employment at a proper remuneration when they reach maturity are greater in Milwaukee than Acapulco. We find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's determining that the best interest of the children requires that they be returned to Milwaukee to live. The best interest of the children is always the paramount and controlling consideration. Subrt v. Subrt (1957), 275 Wis. 628, 633, 83 N. W. (2d) 122, and Dodge v. Dodge (1955), 268 Wis. 441, 444, 67 N. W. (2d) 878.