Opinion ID: 1969303
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Parties Bound by Prior Litigation

Text: The district court also rested its decision not to apply issue preclusion on the ground that the same parties were not involved in the prior case. Fellmer claims this was error. He reminds us that identity of the parties is no longer a prerequisite to applying issue preclusion. Moreover, he contends the State, acting on behalf of Lisa, is so connected in interest with Casas' interest in the prior litigation to have had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the paternity issue. The State asserts that Lisa's interests in establishing paternity vary significantly from her mother's and that Lisa has a fundamental right to bring her own action to establish Fellmer's paternity. Thus, the State contends Lisa's interest is not so connected to her mother's interest in the prior litigation as to have had her interest fully and fairly litigated. To rule otherwise, the State argues, would be a deprivation of Lisa's due process rights, presumably under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the federal constitution. Finally, the State contends its interest in establishing Fellmer's paternity is not sufficiently connected to Casas' interest in the prior litigation to the extent that it was fully and fairly litigated. The State claims its interest derives from the fact that Lisa now relies on public assistance for her supportgiving the State the right to seek an alternative or additional remedy. See Iowa Code § 252A.8 (1991). The State acts only on its behalf when bringing actions for the collection of child support. Iowa Code § 252B.7(4). However, the State is authorized to file and prosecute ... [c]ases under Chapter 252A, the Uniform Support of Dependents Law [USDL]. Id. § 252B.7(1)(b). In prosecuting cases under the USDL, the State represents the interests of dependents in securing support from persons legally responsible for their support. Id. § 252A.1, .2(3), (5), (6). Normally, where paternity is an issue in an action to compel support under chapter 252A, the paternity issue may be resolved. See, e.g., State ex rel. Warren v. Mahan, 329 N.W.2d 673, 674 (Iowa 1983). However, we believe the 1977 court's resolution of the paternity issue is binding on both the State and Lisa in this action to compel the payment of child support. Lisa's interest in child support from Fellmer is so connected in interest with her mother's as to have had a full and fair opportunity to litigate that issue and be properly bound by its resolution. See Hunter, 300 N.W.2d at 123; see also Opheim v. American Interinsurance Exch., 430 N.W.2d 118, 121 (Iowa 1988) (nonmutual party had full and fair opportunity to litigate issue of insurance coverage and was properly bound by resolution in former action). With regard to whether Fellmer owes Casas child support for Lisa's care, any claim Lisa has to that support derives directly through Casas. See, e.g., Buckingham, 398 N.W.2d at 875. Regarding the State, its only interest in the case occurs directly through Lisawhose interest occurs directly through Casas. Thus, any interest the State has in establishing Fellmer's paternity in order to compel his payment of child support to Casas was fully and fairly litigated in the 1977 action. The doctrine of issue preclusion bars the State's claim in this case. The district court's decision is reversed. REVERSED.