Opinion ID: 1708023
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: Alicia is a citizen of the Philippine Islands. She met Charles Frieberg (Charles), a native of South Dakota, while Charles was serving on active duty in the United States Navy. The two were married in September 1985. At the time of the marriage, Alicia had a daughter, now age ten, whom Charles later adopted. Three other children were born during the course of the marriage: a son, now age five; a daughter, now age three; and, another son, now age two. In March 1991, the parties were living in Denver, Colorado, where Charles was still serving in the military. Alicia had been hospitalized for some severe emotional problems. Charles brought the children back to South Dakota to be cared for by his parents while he could restore some order in his life. On March 27, 1991, Charles personally served Alicia with a summons and complaint for divorce. The summons provided in pertinent part: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint of the above-named Plaintiff, a copy of which is hereto annexed and herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to said Complaint on the subscriber at his office, at P. O. Box 297, Vermillion, South Dakota, 57069, within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons upon you, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to answer within said time, the Plaintiff in this action will take judgment against you by default as requested in Plaintiff's Complaint, after sixty (60) days have elapsed from the completed service of said Summons and Complaint. (emphasis added). Although Alicia is able to read and speak English, Charles read the summons and complaint to her and explained the documents. Alicia acknowledged service with her signature on an admission of service. Legal services were accessible to Alicia on the air base where she lived. A day or so after receiving the summons and complaint, Alicia consulted the available military legal services and was referred to Denver legal aid. On May 20, 1991, Alicia contacted the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Denver requesting assistance in obtaining a divorce and custody of her children. Because a South Dakota divorce was involved, an exchange of correspondence and telephone calls apparently ensued between the Denver legal aid office and East River Legal Services in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In the interim, a default divorce judgment was entered against Alicia on May 28, 1991. The judgment awarded Charles custody of the parties' four children subject to Alicia's visitation rights. On June 4, 1991, several days after the default divorce judgment had already been entered, East River Legal Services notified Denver legal aid that services would be provided to Alicia. On June 11, 1991, Alicia was personally served with a copy of the judgment and decree of divorce. On November 4, 1991, Alicia's South Dakota counsel served a motion for relief from the default divorce judgment. A hearing on the motion was conducted on November 19, 1991. On July 28, 1992, the circuit court entered its findings of fact, conclusions of law and order denying the motion for relief from judgment. Alicia appeals.