Opinion ID: 2603444
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Waiver of arrearages.

Text: A waiver is the intentional abandonment or relinquishment of a known right   . To constitute a waiver, there must be an existing right, a knowledge of its existence, and an actual intention of relinquish it, or such conduct as warrants an inference of the relinquishment. It is a voluntary act and implies an abandonment of a right or a privilege. Brown v. Jimerson, 95 N.M. 191, 192, 619 P.2d 1235, 1236 (1980). Further, [I]f a waiver is the voluntary surrender or relinquishment of a known legal right as distinguished from intentionally doing an act inconsistent with claiming it, it amounts to an agreement and must be supported by a consideration which may be either a benefit to the promisor or a disadvantage to the promisee;     92 C.J.S. Waiver (1955); see also Brown v. Jimerson, 95 N.M. at 192, 619 P.2d at 1236 (creation or relinquishment of contract right requires consideration or a written instrument). Any privilege or right which a person has either by contract, statute, or through the constitution, can be waived by him provided it is intended for his sole benefit, and does not infringe upon the rights of others, and such waiver is not against public policy. Hittson v. Chicago, R.I. and P. Ry. Company, 43 N.M. 122, 127, 86 P.2d 1037, 1039 (1939). Therefore, a valid waiver requires a known legal right, relinquished for consideration, where such legal right is intended for the waivor's sole benefit and does not infringe on the rights of others. In support cases of the instant type it is important to distinguish between the child's right to support and a third party's right to reimbursement for past support. It has been stated that: [S]upport money can fall into two separate categories: First, the current and ongoing right of a child to receive support money from his father (parent); and second, the right to receive reimbursement for support of a child after that has been done. As to the second, suppose a father (parent) fails over a period of time to furnish support of the child, and the mother, or someone else, furnishes it. That person then has the right to claim reimbursement from the parent, the same as any other past debt. This right of reimbursement belongs to whomever furnished the support; and it is subject to negotiation settlement, satisfaction or discharge in the same manner as any other debt. Hunter v. Hunter, 669 P.2d 430, 431-32 (Utah 1983); accord Martinez v. Martinez, 98 N.M. 535, 650 P.2d 819 (1982). Therefore, a valid waiver of child support arrearages can be made by the person who provided the children with support, but only where there is evidence of consideration for such waiver and where such waiver does not infringe upon the rights of others. In the instant case, the district court found that there was sufficient consideration to support petitioner's waiver of arrearages. Petitioner has failed to challenge this finding on appeal. Thus, the sufficiency of this finding cannot be reviewed. McCroskey v. State, 82 N.M. 49, 475 P.2d 49 (Ct.App.1970). Petitioner requested a finding that the social security of the children had been used to provide them support during the time that respondent was in arrears. However, the district court refused petitioner's requested finding. Petitioner does not challenge the district court's denial of this requested finding.