Opinion ID: 2124077
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: Michael and Lore were divorced by entry and decree of divorce on July 7, 1982. The judgment provided that Michael was to pay Lore $65.00 per week in alimony until [Lore] becomes deceased or remarries[.] The alimony agreement was based upon circumstances that were dictated into the record at the time the parties presented their stipulation and agreement to the court for its approval. Unfortunately, no transcript of the divorce proceedings could be located and thus there is no record of what the circumstances for the alimony agreement were. Michael paid Lore $65.00 a week in alimony from the time of divorce until mid-June 1986 when he became unemployed due to a strike at John Morrell's. The court entered a contempt order against Michael in October 1986 for past-due alimony. Michael borrowed money from his mother and sister and expunged himself of contempt by paying the past-due amount. Following the contempt order, Michael resumed making weekly $65.00 payments to Lore through April 27, 1987. At that time, Michael believed that Lore was cohabitating and he was under the mistaken impression that he could cease alimony payments for that reason. Michael has never resumed making alimony payments. Michael returned to work at Morrell's in May 1988 and continued to work there until his retirement on November 30, 1988. Michael had made plans to begin a job building hog confinement buildings upon his retirement but, as the result of a stroke suffered on December 10, 1988, was unable to start the job. Michael attempted to work at several jobs until he was declared disabled by the Social Security Administration on September 20, 1990, as the result of his illiteracy and physical disabilities. In late 1991, Michael sold one of two properties he owned. Michael attempted to obtain clear title in 1992 by having the court satisfy the October 1986 alimony judgment which he had paid. Michael contemporaneously filed a motion to modify the judgment and decree of divorce based on a change in circumstances. Lore responded by filing a motion to show cause as to why Michael should not be held in contempt for failure to pay alimony since April 1987. The court entered an order for satisfaction of the October 1986 judgment, but held the proceeds from the sale of Michael's property in escrow. The court further denied Michael's motion for a change in circumstances, entered a judgment for Lore for past-due alimony, and held Michael in contempt. Michael appeals.